Skilling

Skilling

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
7.8
/ 10
vs
ThinkMarkets

ThinkMarkets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.3
/ 10

Skilling vs ThinkMarkets

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

Skilling and ThinkMarkets are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Skilling, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, is regulated by CySEC and offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips with a minimum deposit of $100. ThinkMarkets, established in 2010 in London, UK, holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $0 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, ThinkMarkets scored 8.3/10 overall compared to Skilling's 7.8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Skilling holds its own with overall value, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • 📊

    ThinkMarkets scores 8.3/10 overall vs 7.8/10 for Skilling — a 0.5-point difference.

  • 💵

    ThinkMarkets requires just $0 to start, while Skilling needs $100 — ThinkMarkets is 100x more accessible.

  • 📈

    ThinkMarkets offers 4,000+ instruments vs 800+ at Skilling — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    Skilling runs on Skilling Trader, MT4, cTrader, while ThinkMarkets uses MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

  • The biggest gap is in Regulation & Trust: ThinkMarkets scores 9.0 vs 7.0 for Skilling — a 2.0-point difference.

Our Verdict

Skilling

Skilling

Score: 7.8/10 · Wins 0 categories
  • You prefer Skilling's trading environment overall
🏆 WINNER
ThinkMarkets

ThinkMarkets

Score: 8.3/10 · Wins 5 categories
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
  • Responsive customer support matters to you

ThinkMarkets takes the lead with an overall score of 8.3/10 compared to 7.8/10, winning in 5 out of 8 scoring categories. ThinkMarkets stands out for better trading platforms and stronger regulation, while Skilling remains a solid alternative.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, ThinkMarkets comes out ahead with a 8.3/10 overall rating, winning 5 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 9.0/10. ThinkMarkets holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Skilling is not without merit — it scores 7.8/10 overall and excels in Trading Costs (8.0/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full ThinkMarkets review and Skilling review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

Skilling
ThinkMarkets
Trading Costs
8.0 8.0
Platforms & Tools
8.0 8.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points

Regulation & Trust
7.0 9.0

ThinkMarkets wins by 2.0 points

Education
7.0 7.5

ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points

Customer Service
7.5 8.0

ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points

Research & Analysis
7.5 7.5
Deposit & Withdrawal
8.0 8.0
Product Range
7.5 8.0

ThinkMarkets wins by 0.5 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
7.8/10
8.3/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$100
$0
Max Leverage
1:500
1:500
Spreads From
0.1 pips
0.0 pips
Platforms
Skilling Trader, MT4, cTrader
MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader
Regulation
CySEC
ASIC, FCA, CySEC
Founded
Older track record highlighted
2016
2010
Markets
800+
4,000+
Skilling: 0 ThinkMarkets: 0
💰

Fees & Costs

When it comes to trading costs, Skilling has the edge with a score of 8/10 versus 8/10 for ThinkMarkets. Skilling offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips, while ThinkMarkets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Skilling is $100, compared to $0 at ThinkMarkets. 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.

Skilling
8.0
ThinkMarkets
8.0
Skilling: 0 ThinkMarkets: 1
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (8.0 vs 8.5)

ThinkMarkets scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for Skilling. Skilling provides Skilling Trader, MT4, cTrader, while ThinkMarkets offers MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader. 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.

Skilling
8.0
ThinkMarkets
8.5
Skilling: 0 ThinkMarkets: 2
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (7.0 vs 9.0)

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Skilling is regulated by CySEC (Tier 1), while ThinkMarkets holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC (Tier 1). Skilling scores 7/10 and ThinkMarkets scores 9/10 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.

Skilling
7.0
ThinkMarkets
9.0
Skilling: 0 ThinkMarkets: 3
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (7.0 vs 7.5)

For learning resources, ThinkMarkets leads with 7.5/10 compared to 7/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Skilling and ThinkMarkets 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.

Skilling
7.0
ThinkMarkets
7.5
Skilling: 0 ThinkMarkets: 4
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: ThinkMarkets (7.5 vs 8.0)

Skilling offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email and scores 7.5/10, while ThinkMarkets provides 24/7 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.

Skilling
7.5
ThinkMarkets
8.0
Skilling: 0 ThinkMarkets: 4
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

Skilling scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while ThinkMarkets scores 8/10. Skilling accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, and ThinkMarkets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Skilling requires a minimum deposit of $100 versus $0 for ThinkMarkets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

Skilling
8.0
ThinkMarkets
8.0

Which Broker Is Right for You?

Skilling

Choose Skilling if you...

  • You prefer Skilling's trading environment overall
Visit Skilling
ThinkMarkets

Choose ThinkMarkets if you...

  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
  • Responsive customer support matters to you
Visit ThinkMarkets

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Skilling better than ThinkMarkets?

ThinkMarkets scores higher overall (8.3/10 vs 7.8/10), winning 5 of 8 categories. However, Skilling remains competitive. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, Skilling or ThinkMarkets?

Skilling scores higher for trading costs. Skilling offers spreads from 0.1 pips with a $100 minimum deposit, while ThinkMarkets starts from 0.0 pips with $0 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is Skilling safe to trade with?

Skilling is regulated by CySEC and scores 7/10 for regulation. ThinkMarkets is regulated by ASIC, FCA, CySEC with a score of 9/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, Skilling or ThinkMarkets?

ThinkMarkets scores 8.5/10 for platforms. Skilling offers Skilling Trader, MT4, cTrader, while ThinkMarkets provides MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for Skilling vs ThinkMarkets?

Skilling requires a minimum deposit of $100, while ThinkMarkets requires $0. ThinkMarkets 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.

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