Markets.com
Oanda
Markets.com vs Oanda
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
Markets.com and Oanda are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Markets.com, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA and offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips with a minimum deposit of $100. Oanda, established in 1996 in New York, USA, holds licenses from FCA, ASIC, MAS with spreads from 1.0 pips and a $0 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, Oanda scored 8.4/10 overall compared to Markets.com's 7.8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Markets.com holds its own with wider product range, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
Oanda scores 8.4/10 overall vs 7.8/10 for Markets.com — a 0.6-point difference.
- 💵
Oanda requires just $0 to start, while Markets.com needs $100 — Oanda is 100x more accessible.
- 📈
Markets.com offers 2,500+ instruments vs 120+ at Oanda — a massive gap in market coverage.
- 🖥️
Markets.com runs on Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5, while Oanda uses fxTrade, MT4, TradingView — different ecosystems for different trading styles.
- ⚡
The biggest gap is in Product Range: Markets.com scores 8.5 vs 6.5 for Oanda — a 2.0-point difference.
Our Verdict
Markets.com
Score: 7.8/10 · Wins 1 categories- You want access to a wider range of instruments
- You prefer Markets.com's trading environment overall
Oanda
Score: 8.4/10 · Wins 5 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
- Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
Oanda takes the lead with an overall score of 8.4/10 compared to 7.8/10, winning in 5 out of 8 scoring categories. Oanda stands out for lower trading costs and stronger regulation, while Markets.com fights back with wider product range.
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, Oanda comes out ahead with a 8.4/10 overall rating, winning 5 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 9.5/10. Oanda holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Markets.com is not without merit — it scores 7.8/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (9.0/10), winning 1 category. Traders who value wider product range may find Markets.com the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full Oanda review and Markets.com review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
Oanda wins by 0.5 points
Oanda wins by 0.5 points
Oanda wins by 0.5 points
Oanda wins by 1.0 points
Oanda wins by 0.5 points
Markets.com wins by 2.0 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 ✓ |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $100 | $0 ✓ |
| Max Leverage | 1:300 | 1:200 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 1.0 pips |
| Platforms | Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5 | fxTrade, MT4, TradingView |
| Regulation | CySEC, FCA, FSCA | FCA, ASIC, MAS |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 2008 | 1996 ✓ |
| Markets | 2,500+ ✓ | 120+ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, Oanda has the edge with a score of 7.5/10 versus 7/10 for Markets.com. Markets.com offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips, while Oanda starts from 1.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Markets.com is $100, compared to $0 at Oanda. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.
Trading Platforms
Markets.com scores 8/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for Oanda. Markets.com provides Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5, while Oanda offers fxTrade, MT4, TradingView. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Markets.com is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA (Tier 1), while Oanda holds licenses from FCA, ASIC, MAS (Tier 1). Markets.com scores 9/10 and Oanda scores 9.5/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.
Education & Research
For learning resources, Markets.com leads with 7.5/10 compared to 7.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Markets.com and Oanda both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.
Customer Support
Markets.com offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while Oanda provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.
Deposit & Withdrawal
Markets.com scores 7.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Oanda scores 8/10. Markets.com accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, and Oanda supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Markets.com requires a minimum deposit of $100 versus $0 for Oanda. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose Markets.com if you...
- You want access to a wider range of instruments
- You prefer Markets.com's trading environment overall
Choose Oanda if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
- Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?
Cast your vote — see what other traders think
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Markets.com better than Oanda?
Oanda scores higher overall (8.4/10 vs 7.8/10), winning 5 of 8 categories. However, Markets.com is stronger in wider product range. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.
Which has lower fees, Markets.com or Oanda?
Oanda scores higher for trading costs. Markets.com offers spreads from 0.6 pips with a $100 minimum deposit, while Oanda starts from 1.0 pips with $0 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.
Is Markets.com safe to trade with?
Markets.com is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA and scores 9/10 for regulation. Oanda is regulated by FCA, ASIC, MAS with a score of 9.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.
Which has better trading platforms, Markets.com or Oanda?
Markets.com scores 8/10 for platforms. Markets.com offers Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5, while Oanda provides fxTrade, MT4, TradingView. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.
What's the minimum deposit for Markets.com vs Oanda?
Markets.com requires a minimum deposit of $100, while Oanda requires $0. Oanda has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.
Ready to Start Trading?
Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.