Markets.com Review

What Is Markets.com?

Markets.com is a trading platform primarily used to trade ETFs and CFDs. Established in 2008, it is part of the PlayTech company, which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange and is a recognized FTSE 250 organization.

PlayTech and Markets.com have used technology and experience to create a trading and investment plan designed for the individual, including a personal account relationship manager, access to the intelligence of an analyst team and round-the-clock support.

Markets.com has a pretty global reach, although this does not include the US, Canada, Hong Kong or Japan, among others.

Markets.com is open for trading during the same hours as other markets, with adjustments made for certain holiday periods.

Most stocks, indices and commodities can be traded Monday to Friday, with major FX pairs traded Sunday to Friday.

Is Markets.com Regulated?

Markets.com is well regulated in many areas, including by the:

• ASIC
• FCA
• CySEC
• FSC
• FSCA

Is Markets.com Safe to Use?

All trading comes with risk, but Markets.com is considered safe as a broker because it is regulated in many jurisdictions, including those considered top tier (like the ASIC in Australia and the FCA in the UK).

Markets.com is also a subsidiary of a publicly listed and traded company, making its financial records transparent and available.

There is no confirmation, however, that Markets.com segregates clients’ money, and it does not operate a bank.

All in all, Markets.com is a safe trading platform to use.

Who Is Markets.com For?

According to its own website, Markets.com is good for the experienced trader or long-term investor, but that does not mean it is inaccessible to beginners.

The platforms and the technology are simple and straightforward to use, but there is not much education for the self-taught trader – making it perhaps a little more suited to someone who has a little knowledge about how trading works.

The overall experience for many traders in using this broker is positive – there is a reasonable offering of trading instruments, lots of insider knowledge, expertise and insights, and a personal touch for every account, that is not found in many other brokers.

Combined with the very well-received customer service available through a local telephone number, as well as a live chat function, Markets.com has some great customer reviews.

Markets.com Products and Services

Markets.com is primarily a CFD broker, but there are other trading instruments available on the platform, including:

• 67 forex pairs
• 2019 shares
• 28 commodities
• 40 indices
• 60 ETFs
• Four bonds
• 40 blends

Markets.com Platform Features and Tools

There are two proprietary platforms offered by Markets.com, as well as the well-known MetaTrader 4 and 5 and a mobile app.

Marketsx

Marketsx is a specialist trading platform that offers fast trading and useful tools, including an advanced charting package.

The user-friendly design and simple search function make it easy to use for both beginners and experienced traders.

The Marketsx tools include fundamental knowledge, as well as technical and sentimental indicators, including breaking news and commentary and eight different types of market alerts.

You can create basic order types like market, limit and stop, and keep track of performance with clear portfolio reports.

Marketsx is also the home of VIP customer service.

Marketsi

Designed specifically for investors, the Marketsi platform is all about ETF share dealing and building a self-managed portfolio.

You can choose from simple share dealing or follow an investment strategy builder, choosing how to invest based on your own knowledge or following the indicators from experts.

The Marketsi platform is a modified version of Saxo’s TraderGo offering.

MetaTrader Suite

MetaTrader is one of the most well-known, popular, and easy-to-use trading platforms, offering many trading instruments and different ways to invest and trade.

If you want to take advantage of algorithmic trading, expert advisors, micro lots and hedging, then MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is perfect for you.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is more of a multi-asset trading upgrade, and although it is the ‘replacement’ for MT4, it isn’t quite as popular.

The availability of MetaTrader on Markets.com means that you can take advantage of speedy execution, low spreads and intuitive charting offered with the support of Markets.com for pricing and infrastructure.

Mobile

The Marketsx mobile app is available on iOS and Android, offering native designs for seamless use on all devices.

It’s constantly updated for a smooth experience, including simple integration with web-based accounts and full functionality on the go.

The push notifications and alerts can be managed and set up to keep you aware of what is changing, and you can execute trades, place orders and manage positions wherever you are.

There is an MT4 app available too.

Markets.com Account Types

Markets.com has only one account type available, and this covers both a demo and live account.

It is free to open an account, and all account holders have full access to all the available functionalities.

Markets.com Commissions and Fees

A Markets.com account is free to open, and there are no account management fees.

You can deposit and withdraw with no charge, but there is an inactivity fee of $10 per month after three months of inactivity.

The trading costs are built into the spread, with differing costs depending on the trading instruments.

In forex, for example, the average spread is 1.9 pips, and it is here that Markets.com is considered expensive in comparison to other brokers.

Markets.com Research and Education

The research available to traders through Markets.com is extensive, including both in-house and third-party sources.

In the Knowledge Center you will find blogs and articles on subjects like:

• Insider trades
• Analyst recommendations
• Financial bloggers’ opinions
• Hedge fund confidence
• Events
• News and market commentary
• Fundamental company data
• Economic calendar

There is a lot of information and insight available, making the Markets.com research offering high quality and informative.

In terms of education, there are some basic tutorial videos and webinars that can be accessed through the Knowledge Center, but much more can be found on the Markets.com YouTube channel.

One of the best learning facilities is the Markets.com XRay service – a tailored and personalized financial live-streaming service that provides education and insight based on your actions and interests.

Pros of Markets.com

Regulated by CySEC, FCA, ASIC, FSC, FSCA

The level of regulation that Markets.com has in so many jurisdictions makes it attractive for traders and investors who want to be sure that their money is as safe as it can be.

In the UK, the FSCS protects client funds up to £85,000 against any problems with the company, like insolvency, and a similar protection is offered to Australian investors.

Free Deposit and Withdrawal

Having simple and straightforward deposit and withdrawal options makes Markets.com attractive to investors and traders who want multiple options to trade with the ability to withdraw without charge.

Quick Withdrawal (One Day)

Withdrawals take about 24 hours (depending on method) and this is faster than some other brokers.

Just one day to wait, and withdrawals can be made direct to a bank account or to a credit/debit card.

Fully Digital Account Opening

Aside from being completely free to open, Markets.com offers fully digital account opening.

All you need to open an account is verifiable ID and proof of residence, all of which can be shared online.

Good Mobile Platform

Traders who are not glued to their PC or laptop can take advantage of the full functionality offered by the Markets.com proprietary Marketsx app, or download the MT4 app.

Both offer streamlined connectivity with native designs for both iOS and Android.

Great Research Tools

One of the most popular features of the Markets.com offering is the wide-ranging research tools that users can base their trading and investments on.

The combination of in-house experts with an economic calendar and third-party research makes the tools available to traders useful and insightful.

Diverse Educational Resources

There are many different video-based educational resources available, and the YouTube channel is a real hub for learning.

While it does not offer basic step-by-step tutorials of how to trade, it provides education that is valuable for intermediate and even experienced traders.

Live Chat With Fast Customer Support

The customer support from Markets.com comes from both a telephone service and a live chat function.

If you need to physically speak to a person about any issues, then you can call a local number (during normal business hours).

The live chat function is excellent, offering quick resolutions to all sorts of problems and answering questions 24/7.

Cons of Markets.com

Does Not Accept US Clients

As a global broker, Markets.com has a surprisingly large number of countries that are not supported, including the US.

While the regulation in jurisdictions like the UK and Europe makes it attractive for those looking for a safe base for trading, it is not available in as many countries as other, similar brokers.

The countries that Markets.com is not currently available in include:

• US
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• South Korea
• Israel
• Russia
• Brazil
• Turkey
• Belgium

Average Product Portfolio

The available trading instruments that can be found on Markets.com are not as wide-ranging as other platforms, and this could limit the trading and investment options for experienced traders.

This broker is more aimed at the CFD and ETF market, as opposed to cryptocurrency and commodities.

High Spread Fee

The more expensive spreads of Markets.com could be a problem for the casual trader, and for some people the extensive research available does not make up for the increased cost of trading.

Markets.com Control of MetaTrader Platform

While access to the MetaTrader platform is available through Markets.com, the infrastructure and pricing is controlled by the broker – which means that users cannot access the other trading instruments that are commonly available on MetaTrader, limiting traders and investors on potential portfolio additions.

How to Set Up an Account With Markets.com

The account opening process at Markets.com is completely online and takes just one day for the account to be approved, so you can use the platform very quickly.

The steps to open an account are simple:

1. Provide financial information.
2. Fill out a test about your trading knowledge to establish your personal XRay feed and understand how you need to be supported.
3. Proof of identification and residency – upload proof of ID using a driving license, passport or national ID, and proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement.

The minimum deposit to open an account is $250, and payments can be made via credit/debit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Skrill and Neteller.

Final Thoughts

Markets.com is a reliable broker that is considered safe thanks to regulation in many jurisdictions, but the lack of availability in Asia and the US makes it less attractive for users in those areas.

It is simple to use both the proprietary platforms and MetaTrader suite, so although there is not much in the way of step-by-step education provided by Markets.com, it is straightforward enough to be used by beginners.

The seamless integration of mobile and web platforms alongside a wide range of knowledge sources are a great way to manage trades on the go.

However, Markets.com is not the cheapest option – despite having no account fees and no withdrawal or deposit fees, the trading costs built into the spread are much more expensive than other options.

For experienced traders and long-term investors, the VIP customer service and extensive research that is available to users makes Markets.com an attractive option for a relatively varied portfolio.

WikiJob does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.