Focus Markets vs NordFX Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and NordFX. 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 NordFX?
Our pick: Focus Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Focus Markets looks preferable to NordFX.
Focus Markets scored 3.8/5 and ranks 60 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas NordFX has 3.5/5 and ranks 66.
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 NordFX suitable for?
NordFX suits traders who prefer MetaTrader 4 and value various analytical tools. It is perfect for those who prioritize individual support and tight spreads.
Comparison Table of Focus Markets and NordFX
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2008 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, 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 | NordFX 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.
NordFX Review
NordFX is a broker with various trading accounts and conditions, making it attractive for different categories of traders — from beginners to professionals. Tight spreads and analytical tools are backed by good technical support, which is a significant plus.
NordFX is suitable for traders who prefer to use MetaTrader 4 and who do not require a wide range of CFDs or alternative trading platforms. This broker is perfect for those seeking diverse market analysis options and personalized support.
Pros and Cons of NordFX
Pros
- Diversity of trading accounts and services.
- Tight spreads.
- Wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- Extensive set of analytical tools.
- Good customer support.
Cons
- Lack of regulation.
- High commission on Zero account.
- Long withdrawal request processing time.
- Lack of soft commodities and limited overall number of CFDs.
- There are no alternatives to MT4.
NordFX is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2008 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, 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.
NordFX
NordFX holds legal registration, but the lack of regulation diminishes its reliability, which is crucial for protecting client interests.
Account Opening
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
NordFX
Registration is simple and intuitive, with minimal requirements to start trading. Verification, while mandatory, complies with international standards.
Account Types
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
NordFX
NordFX offers a wide range of account types and services.
Pros
- Flexible options for different traders.
- PAMM accounts and copy trading available.
- VPS available.
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 | per 1 lot$3.50 |
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.
NordFX
NordFX's commission policy is quite flexible and offers various options for different types of traders.
Pros
- Flexible commission system suitable for different strategies.
- Tight spreads on the Pro account.
Cons
- Above-average transaction commission on the Zero account.
- Inactivity fee.
- High swaps.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| 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.
NordFX
NordFX offers a wide range of methods for depositing and withdrawing funds, including cryptocurrencies. Most transactions are processed quickly, but withdrawal times can take up to 5 business days.
Pros
- Numerous available deposit methods.
- Competitive commissions.
- Instant account funding.
Cons
- Withdrawal time up to 5 business days.
- Withdrawal only by the same method as deposit.
- Verification required for fund withdrawal.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 33 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Indices | 8 | 4 |
| Stocks | 500 | 68 |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | 15 |
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.
NordFX
NordFX offers a variety of markets, including currencies, metals, and cryptocurrencies. However, the selection is limited compared to competitors, especially in terms of CFDs and the lack of soft commodities.
Pros
- Diversity of asset classes.
- Access to 15 cryptocurrencies.
Cons
- Lack of soft commodities.
- Limited number of CFDs.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
| 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.
NordFX
NordFX provides the MetaTrader 4 platform, which is reliable and feature-rich. The platform is available on various devices, including MultiTerminal for managing multiple accounts.
Pros
- Reliable and proven MT4 platform.
- Desktop and mobile versions available.
- MultiTerminal for managing multiple accounts.
Cons
- Lack of a web-based platform.
- Limited choice of trading platforms.
Analytics
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 4/5 |
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.
NordFX
NordFX boasts strong analytics. A variety of tools are offered: weekly forecasts, economic calendar, trader's calculator.
Pros
- Weekly forecasts for Forex and cryptocurrencies.
- Economic calendar.
- Convenient calculator for estimating potential profits.
Cons
- Lack of trading signals.
- Insufficient analytics from company experts.
- Limited selection of analytical materials.
Education
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 4/5 |
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.
NordFX
The broker offers a variety of video and audio courses, as well as useful articles in the blog, which is a plus for self-directed trader education.
Pros
- Variety of formats: video, audio, articles.
- Materials for different skill levels.
- Regular blog publications.
Cons
- Lack of webinars.
- No seminars or master classes.
- No personalized training.
Customer Support
| Broker | Focus Markets | NordFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones | — |
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| Social Media | — |
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
YouTube
TelegramFocus 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.
NordFX
NordFX technical support deserves high praise for the variety of communication channels and the effectiveness of the solutions provided. Client reviews highlight the high level of service.
Pros
- 24/7 availability.
- Multiple communication channels: live chat, email, phone.
- High level of staff professionalism.
Comparisons of Focus Markets and NordFX with other brokers
Conclusion
Focus Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while NordFX trails on aggregate criteria.
Focus Markets scored 3.8/5 and ranks 60 in our rating; NordFX has 3.5/5 and ranks 66.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Focus Markets or NordFX?
Focus Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 3.8/5, position 60) versus NordFX (score 3.5/5, position 66).
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or NordFX?
Focus Markets 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 NordFX?
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 NordFX?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. NordFX: MetaTrader 4. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and NordFX?
Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. NordFX: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Focus Markets and NordFX?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. NordFX: Fix, Pro, Zero. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Focus Markets and NordFX?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. NordFX: WebMoney, Skrill, Neteller, Dragonpay, AstroPay, TC Pay, FasaPay, Boleto, DOKU Wallet, Binance Pay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard, Ngan Luong, Help2pay, PayTrust88. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus Markets or NordFX — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
