Feature | eToro | ThinkMarkets |
---|---|---|
Regulation | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus) | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), FSCA (South Africa) |
Trading Platforms | Proprietary platform, Web-based, Mobile app | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ThinkTrader |
Tradable Instruments | Forex, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrencies | Forex, CFDs on Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies |
Social/Copy Trading | Yes, offers social and copy trading features | Yes, offers social and copy trading features |
Minimum Deposit | $50 - $10,000, depending on region and account type | $0 for Standard Account, $500 for ThinkZero Account |
Spreads | Fixed spreads, starting from 1 pip | Variable spreads, starting from 0.4 pips |
Commission Fees | Zero commission on real stock trades; spreads apply to CFDs | $3.50 per side per lot on ThinkZero Account; no commission on Standard Account |
Leverage | Up to 30:1 for retail clients; higher for professional clients | Up to 30:1 for retail clients; up to 500:1 for professional clients |
Deposit & Withdrawal Fees | $5 withdrawal fee; no deposit fees | No deposit or withdrawal fees |
Educational Resources | Webinars, tutorials, trading academy | Webinars, seminars, trading courses |
Customer Support | 24/5 live chat, email support | 24/7 live chat, email, phone support |
Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
Account Types | Retail, Professional | Standard, ThinkZero |
Regulatory Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000) | Financial Services Compensation Scheme (up to £85,000) |
Account Currencies | USD only | Multi-currency accounts (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, etc.) |
Cryptocurrency Offerings | Over 40+ cryptocurrencies available for trading and investment | Limited to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, etc. |
Fractional Shares | Yes, fractional trading for stocks | No, full shares only |
Passive Investment Tools | CopyPortfolios (thematic portfolios) | None |
Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop Loss, Take Profit | Market, Limit, Stop Loss, Take Profit, Trailing Stop |
Charting Tools | Advanced, integrated with proprietary platform | Advanced, integrated with MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader |
Algorithmic Trading | Limited to custom scripts on the proprietary platform | Fully supported through Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5 |
Research Tools | Built-in research from TipRanks, market insights, news feeds | Economic calendar, in-platform news, Autochartist integration |
Mobile App Features | User-friendly, includes social feed and portfolio tracking | Advanced trading features, charting tools, alerts |
Scalping & Hedging | Hedging allowed; scalping restricted | Both scalping and hedging allowed |
Islamic Accounts | Yes, swap-free accounts available | Yes, swap-free accounts available |
Fees for Inactivity | $10 monthly after 12 months of inactivity | No inactivity fees |
API Access | Limited API integration for custom strategies | Fully available API integration for MT4/MT5 users |
Third-Party Tools Integration | Not available | Supports third-party tools like Autochartist and Myfxbook |
Advanced Features for Professionals | Professional account features, higher leverage | ThinkZero Account, lower spreads, higher leverage options |
Market Execution | Instant execution on most trades | Market execution with ultra-fast processing times |
Bonus Programs | No bonuses due to regulatory restrictions | Occasional bonus programs and promotions (varies by region) |
Type of Broker | Market Maker | ECN/STP Broker |
Execution Speed | Moderate, can vary due to social trading demands | Ultra-fast execution (average < 0.1 seconds) |
Risk Management Tools | Stop Loss, Take Profit, Negative Balance Protection | Stop Loss, Take Profit, Trailing Stop, Negative Balance Protection |
Asset Ownership | Direct stock and crypto ownership for non-CFD products | No direct ownership; CFDs only |
Partnership Programs | Affiliate program, Popular Investor program for copy trading | Affiliate program, Introducing Broker (IB) program |
Market Analysis Tools | Sentiment tools, news feeds, daily market analysis | Trading Central tools, economic calendar, Autochartist patterns |
Advanced Chart Indicators | Over 100 indicators on proprietary platform | Over 80 indicators on MT4/MT5, customizable on ThinkTrader |
News Integration | News feeds from TipRanks, global markets | Integrated news from Dow Jones and in-platform updates |
Server Locations | Global server network for social trading reliability | Global server network with proximity to key liquidity providers |
Micro Lot Trading | Not supported; minimum lot size varies per asset | Supported (0.01 lots) |
Trading Styles Supported | Day trading, swing trading, long-term investment, copy trading | Day trading, scalping, swing trading, algorithmic trading |
Spread Type | Fixed on most assets | Variable (tighter spreads with ThinkZero) |
Cryptocurrency Wallet | Built-in eToro Wallet for holding and transferring crypto | No proprietary wallet; trading only via CFDs |
PAMM/MAM Accounts | Not available | Available for professional money managers |
Leverage Customization | Adjustable within platform limits | Adjustable within platform limits (per account type and regulation) |
Deposit Processing Times | Instant for most payment methods | Instant for most methods; bank transfers may take longer |
Withdrawal Processing Times | 1–3 business days | 1–3 business days, depending on payment method |
Advanced Mobile Features | Integrated social features, real-time push notifications | Advanced charting, market orders, and one-click trading |
Cloud-Based Features | Cloud sync for portfolios and trading settings | ThinkCloud for syncing accounts across devices |
Customer Feedback System | Social trading comments and reviews integrated | No direct feedback system integrated with platform |
Regulatory Oversight | Strict adherence to EU, UK, and Australian laws | Adheres to FCA, ASIC, FSCA, and global regulations |
International Availability | Available in 140+ countries, restrictions in some regions like the USA | Available globally but restricted in the USA and a few other regions |
Loyalty Programs | None due to regulatory compliance | Occasional region-specific loyalty programs or incentives |
eToro is ideal for social and copy trading enthusiasts with a user-friendly platform, while ThinkMarkets caters to advanced traders with tight spreads, MT4/MT5, and ThinkTrader.