Deriv vs Focus Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Deriv and Focus Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - Deriv or Focus Markets?
Our pick: Deriv
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Deriv looks preferable to Focus Markets.
Deriv scored 4.3/5 and ranks 27 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Deriv suitable for?
Deriv may be suitable for beginners looking for a user-friendly platform, a low entry threshold, and the opportunity to trade binary options or CFDs.
Who is Focus Markets suitable for?
Focus Markets is suitable for experienced Forex/CFD traders who trade via MT5 and independently use external analytics.
Comparison Table of Deriv and Focus Markets
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2020 | 2019 |
| Regulated in Countries | Malaysia, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jersey, Malta | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:4000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Deriv Review | Focus Markets Review |
Deriv Review
Deriv is an appealing choice for a wide array of traders, particularly those who are just beginning or are at an intermediate level. Its user-friendly approach, diverse platforms, and low-cost structure make it ideal for individuals seeking a straightforward trading experience. While it may not fully satisfy the needs of highly advanced traders due to some limitations in educational and analytical resources, Deriv's overall offering is solid, making it a reliable and accessible broker for most trading requirements.
Pros and Cons of Deriv
Pros
- Simple and fast account opening process.
- A wide variety of account types cater to different trading needs.
- Low commission structure.
- A wide range of trading platforms.
- High-quality technical support with fast and effective responses.
Cons
- Some essential asset classes are absent, and a limited number of CFDs on stocks exist.
- Educational materials are confined to a blog and lack comprehensive learning resources.
Deriv is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Focus Markets Review
Focus Markets is a broker aimed primarily at independent Forex and CFD traders who value access to popular markets, the familiar MetaTrader 5 platform, and a clear trading account structure. It is not the most versatile option for beginners who need strong education, regular analytics, and a wide selection of services within the broker’s ecosystem.
Focus Markets is best suited to experienced traders who already use external analytics sources, make trading decisions independently, and are looking for a broker for active CFD trading. For beginner clients, the broker may be less convenient due to its weak educational base and limited support in making trading decisions.
Pros and Cons of Focus Markets
Pros
- More than 700 CFD instruments are available, including Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
- MetaTrader 5 is supported with WebTrader, mobile versions, Expert Advisors, and one-click trading.
- The broker does not charge internal fees for deposits and withdrawals.
- Various deposit methods are available: cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets.
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts.
- No MetaTrader 4, cTrader, or proprietary trading platform.
- Weak analytics: no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party analytical services.
- No educational materials for beginners.
Reliability
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2020 | 2019 |
| Regulated in Countries | Malaysia, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jersey, Malta | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Regulators |
Deriv
Broker Deriv is relatively reliable, with licenses from various global regulators.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets combines a regulated Australian division with international structures in Mauritius and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Client protection depends on the legal entity.
Pros
- There is a division supervised by ASIC.
- The group’s international structure is disclosed.
Cons
- No compensation fund.
- No information about additional funds insurance.
Account Opening
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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|
Deriv
The account opening process at Deriv brokerage is quite simple and fast.
Focus Markets
Opening an account with Focus Markets is convenient and fairly fast: registration is completed online, the questionnaire is clear, and document verification usually takes up to 24 business hours.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Clear 3-step questionnaire.
- Wide selection of account base currencies.
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification is required.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- No instant activation of a live account.
Account Types
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:4000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Deriv
A wide variety of accounts on Deriv satisfies the needs of different traders, although there are certain limitations.
Pros
- A sufficiently wide selection of account types.
- The ability to trade binary options and multipliers.
Cons
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ account lineup covers traders’ basic needs, but remains limited: only Standard and Raw are available, with no cent, Islamic, or fixed-spread account.
Pros
- Standard and Raw accounts are available.
- 30-day demo account.
- Trader copy trading is available.
Cons
- No cent account.
- No Islamic account.
- No fixed-spread account.
Commissions
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.5 | 1.2 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 |
Deriv
Deriv's commissions are low.
Pros
- No commission for account funding and withdrawal.
- Low spreads and swaps on Financial type accounts.
Cons
- Fee for account inactivity.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ fees are average: spreads and swaps on Standard are typical for the market, the Raw commission is $3.5 per lot per side, and withdrawals are free of broker fees.
Pros
- No withdrawal fee from the broker.
Cons
- An account inactivity fee may apply.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Deriv
Broker Deriv offers various convenient methods for account funding and withdrawal without commission.
Focus Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Focus Markets are convenient: many methods are available, there are no internal fees, and withdrawal times are usually 1–3 business days.
Pros
- Cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets are available.
- No internal broker fees.
- Most deposits are processed quickly.
Cons
- Withdrawals are reviewed by the finance department.
- Fees from banks and providers may apply.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 57 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 5 |
| Energy Carriers | 2 | 3 |
| Indices | 63 | 8 |
| Stocks | 57 | 500 |
| ETF | 31 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 31 | 140 |
Deriv
A wide range of assets in many segments.
Pros
- A large selection of assets for trading.
- Ability to trade synthetic indices 24/7.
Cons
- Absence of some important asset classes.
- Limited number of CFDs on stocks.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers a wide selection of CFD instruments: Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- More than 700 instruments.
- Leverage up to 1:500.
Cons
- No real stocks or ETFs.
- No soft commodities.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
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Deriv
Broker Deriv offers a wide range of trading platforms to meet the needs of traders of different levels.
Pros
- A variety of platforms for different types of trading.
- The ability to build trading robots without programming knowledge.
- Has its own mobile application.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers the reliable and functional MT5 platform, but the selection is limited: there is no MT4, cTrader, or proprietary broker platform.
Pros
- MetaTrader 5 is available.
- WebTrader and mobile versions are available.
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4.
- No cTrader.
- No proprietary platform.
Analytics
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 2/5 |
Deriv
Deriv offers robust analytics with practical calculators and insightful market analysis, yet there's room for more real-time data tools.
Pros
- Detailed market insights on the Deriv Blog.
- Convenient risk management calculators.
Cons
- Lack of an economic calendar.
- Limited real-time data analytics.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ analytics are weak: there are no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party services such as Trading Central or Autochartist.
Cons
- No market reviews.
- No trading signals.
- No analytics from third-party providers.
Education
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2.5/5 | 2/5 |
Deriv
Deriv's educational materials are limited to a blog, which restricts opportunities for comprehensive learning.
Focus Markets
Education at Focus Markets is poorly developed: instead of a full knowledge base, the broker offers only an FAQ, with no courses, webinars, video lessons, or market analysis materials.
Pros
- There is an FAQ on key questions.
Cons
- No educational courses.
- No webinars or video lessons.
- No materials on strategies or market analysis.
Customer Support
| Broker | Deriv | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Email Support |
|
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| Hotline Phones | — | — |
| Social Media | — |
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Facebook
InstagramDeriv
Technical support at Deriv operates at a high level, providing fast and quality responses.
Pros
- Wide selection of communication channels.
- Quality and constructive responses.
Cons
- No information on the support schedule is available on the website.
- Some clients complain about the technical support service.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ technical support is basic: online chat, email, and an FAQ are available, with a 24/5 schedule, but there are few contact channels and limited public feedback on service quality.
Pros
- Online chat is available on the website.
- Support operates 24/5.
Cons
- No clearly specified social networks or messengers.
- Limited number of public reviews.
Comparisons of Deriv and Focus Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
Deriv stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
Deriv scored 4.3/5 and ranks 27 in our rating; Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Deriv or Focus Markets?
Deriv comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 27) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: Deriv or Focus Markets?
Deriv is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Deriv or Focus Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with Deriv and Focus Markets?
Deriv: MetaTrader 5, Deriv X, cTrader. Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Deriv and Focus Markets?
Deriv: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Deriv and Focus Markets?
Deriv: MT5 Financial, MT5 Derived, Deriv X, Deriv cTrader. Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Deriv and Focus Markets?
Deriv: FasaPay, Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, PaySafeCard, Jeton, SticPay, Airtm, Boleto, Paylivre, OnlineNaira, Beyonic, AstroPay, 1foryou, Volet, Swift, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Diners Club, JCB, PayTrust88, Help2pay, DragonPhoenix, ZingPay, Ngan Luong, Trustly. Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Deriv or Focus Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
