Focus Markets vs InstaForex Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and InstaForex. 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 - Focus Markets or InstaForex?
Our pick: InstaForex
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - InstaForex looks preferable to Focus Markets.
InstaForex scored 4.2/5 and ranks 39 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 Focus Markets suitable for?
Focus Markets is suitable for experienced Forex/CFD traders who trade via MT5 and independently use external analytics.
Who is InstaForex suitable for?
InstaForex is suitable for beginner traders looking for simple conditions and education but may be unsuitable for professionals with large deposits due to wide spreads and low liquidity.
Comparison Table of Focus Markets and InstaForex
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Focus Markets Review | InstaForex Review |
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.
InstaForex Review
InstaForex is a popular broker that offers a wide range of trading instruments and specialized accounts. The unique possibility of accruing interest on the account balance, ForexCopy's automatic transaction copying service, and support for cryptocurrency trading make InstaForex an attractive choice for a variety of traders. Customer support is available round the clock, and account replenishment does not charge any commission, which is a significant plus.
InstaForex is suitable for beginner traders and investors interested in passive income through PAMM accounts, as well as for those looking for innovative features such as cryptocurrency trading and automatic trade copying.
Pros and Cons of InstaForex
Pros
- Large selection of trading instruments.
- PAMM accounts and the ForexCopy automatic trade copying service for passive income.
- 24/7 efficient customer support.
- Wide range of methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
- Decent analytical section.
Cons
- Trading commissions are above average.
- No trading accounts with market execution of orders (ECN or STP).
- Broker commission on fund withdrawals.
InstaForex is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| 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.
InstaForex
InstaForex operates through multiple legal entities regulated by various financial authorities. However, it should be noted that these are not the strictest or most authoritative market regulators.
Account Opening
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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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.
InstaForex
Given the lack of minimum deposit requirements and the option to bypass verification for certain funding methods, it can be said that opening an account with InstaForex is maximally convenient and accessible.
Account Types
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
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.
InstaForex
InstaForex accounts offer sufficiently flexible conditions to meet the needs of most traders.
Pros
- Cent and Islamic accounts are available
- PAMM accounts and copy trading services are provided
Cons
- No market execution of orders
Commissions
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 2.2/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 | per 1 lot$3.00 |
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.
InstaForex
InstaForex offers its clients trading commissions above average compared to other brokers.
Pros
- Transaction commission slightly below market average
- Commission rebates (rebate) are available
Cons
- Inactivity fee is charged
- Withdrawal fees may apply
- Wide spreads
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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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.
InstaForex
InstaForex provides various flexible options for depositing and withdrawing funds, although some fees may be higher than those of some competitors. This disadvantage is offset by the company's offer of advantageous deposit bonuses.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 108 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 8 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 6 |
| Indices | 8 | 21 |
| Stocks | 500 | 1448 |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | 72 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 13 |
| ETF | - | 67 |
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.
InstaForex
A wide range of trading instruments is available on InstaForex, including 110 currency pairs and various Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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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.
InstaForex
InstaForex offers a wide selection of platforms, which can satisfy the needs of the overwhelming majority of traders.
Analytics
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
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.
InstaForex
A strong point of InstaForex is its robust analytical section for beginners. The company's analysts publish daily market forecasts, breakdowns of trading situations, and important economic news.
Education
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 4.5/5 |
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.
InstaForex
InstaForex provides high-quality and diverse educational materials (video tutorials, courses, webinars), benefiting beginners and advanced traders. However, access to the entire training course is open only to owners of trading accounts.
Customer Support
| Broker | Focus Markets | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones | — |
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| Social Media | — |
Telegram
Whatsapp
OK
VK
Viber
Skype
Twitter
MessengerFocus 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.
InstaForex
The technical support of InstaForex demonstrates good customer service, offering various ways to connect and prompt responses to client inquiries.
Comparisons of Focus Markets and InstaForex with other brokers
Conclusion
InstaForex stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
InstaForex scored 4.2/5 and ranks 39 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: Focus Markets or InstaForex?
InstaForex comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.2/5, position 39) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or InstaForex?
InstaForex 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) — Focus Markets or InstaForex?
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 Focus Markets and InstaForex?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. InstaForex: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, InstaForex Webtrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and InstaForex?
Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. InstaForex: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Focus Markets and InstaForex?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. InstaForex: Insta.Standard, Insta.Eurica, Cent.Standard, Cent.Eurica. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Focus Markets and InstaForex?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. InstaForex: Skrill, Neteller, YooMoney, PayCo, AstroPay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus Markets or InstaForex — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
