Squared Financial
Tickmill
Squared Financial vs Tickmill
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
Squared Financial and Tickmill are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Squared Financial, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, is regulated by CySEC and offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips with a minimum deposit of $250. Tickmill, established in 2014 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, FSA with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $100 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, Tickmill scored 8.2/10 overall compared to Squared Financial's 7.1/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Squared Financial holds its own with overall value, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
Tickmill scores 8.2/10 overall vs 7.1/10 for Squared Financial — a 1.1-point difference.
- 💵
Tickmill requires just $100 to start, while Squared Financial needs $250 — Tickmill is 3x more accessible.
- 📈
Tickmill offers 500+ instruments vs 400+ at Squared Financial — a notable difference in market coverage.
- ⚡
The biggest gap is in Trading Costs: Tickmill scores 9.0 vs 7.0 for Squared Financial — a 2.0-point difference.
Our Verdict
Squared Financial
Score: 7.1/10 · Wins 0 categories- You prefer Squared Financial's trading environment overall
Tickmill
Score: 8.2/10 · Wins 6 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
Tickmill takes the lead with an overall score of 8.2/10 compared to 7.1/10, winning in 6 out of 8 scoring categories. Tickmill stands out for lower trading costs and stronger regulation, while Squared Financial remains a solid alternative.
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, Tickmill comes out ahead with a 8.2/10 overall rating, winning 6 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Trading Costs where it scores 9.0/10. Tickmill holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Squared Financial is not without merit — it scores 7.1/10 overall and excels in Platforms & Tools (7.5/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full Tickmill review and Squared Financial review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
Tickmill wins by 2.0 points
Tickmill wins by 1.5 points
Tickmill wins by 0.5 points
Tickmill wins by 0.5 points
Tickmill wins by 1.0 points
Tickmill wins by 0.5 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.1/10 | 8.2/10 ✓ |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $250 | $100 ✓ |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Spreads From | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | MT4, MT5 |
| Regulation | CySEC | CySEC, FCA, FSA |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 2005 ✓ | 2014 |
| Markets | 400+ | 500+ ✓ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, Tickmill has the edge with a score of 9/10 versus 7/10 for Squared Financial. Squared Financial offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips, while Tickmill starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Squared Financial is $250, compared to $100 at Tickmill. 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
Squared Financial scores 7.5/10 for platforms compared to 7.5/10 for Tickmill. Squared Financial provides MT4, MT5, while Tickmill offers MT4, MT5. 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. Squared Financial is regulated by CySEC (Tier 1), while Tickmill holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, FSA (Tier 1). Squared Financial scores 7.5/10 and Tickmill 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.
Education & Research
For learning resources, Tickmill leads with 7/10 compared to 6.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Squared Financial and Tickmill 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
Squared Financial offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7/10, while Tickmill provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 7.5/10. 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
Squared Financial scores 7/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Tickmill scores 8/10. Squared Financial accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, and Tickmill supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Squared Financial requires a minimum deposit of $250 versus $100 for Tickmill. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose Squared Financial if you...
- You prefer Squared Financial's trading environment overall
Choose Tickmill if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?
Cast your vote — see what other traders think
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Squared Financial better than Tickmill?
Tickmill scores higher overall (8.2/10 vs 7.1/10), winning 6 of 8 categories. However, Squared Financial remains competitive. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.
Which has lower fees, Squared Financial or Tickmill?
Tickmill scores higher for trading costs. Squared Financial offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $250 minimum deposit, while Tickmill starts from 0.0 pips with $100 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.
Is Squared Financial safe to trade with?
Squared Financial is regulated by CySEC and scores 7.5/10 for regulation. Tickmill is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSA with a score of 9/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.
Which has better trading platforms, Squared Financial or Tickmill?
Squared Financial scores 7.5/10 for platforms. Squared Financial offers MT4, MT5, while Tickmill provides MT4, MT5. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.
What's the minimum deposit for Squared Financial vs Tickmill?
Squared Financial requires a minimum deposit of $250, while Tickmill requires $100. Tickmill 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.