Focus Markets vs Seacrest Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and Seacrest 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 - Focus Markets or Seacrest Markets?
Key differences between the brokers
Below, we show only the differences in trading conditions covered in our reviews. These may include the minimum deposit, available markets, platforms and account types. Compare these details with your requirements.
Focus Markets
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 100 USD
- Different markets
- Stocks
Seacrest Markets
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 50 USD
- Different markets
- Soft Commodities
Comparison Table of Focus Markets and Seacrest Markets
Swipe the table left or right to view all data.
| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Focus Markets Review | Seacrest Markets 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.
Seacrest Markets Review
Seacrest Markets is a CFD broker with moderate regulation (FSCA), a transparent fee structure, and an accessible entry threshold starting from $50. Trading is conducted via MetaTrader 5, covering major asset classes, with leverage available up to 1:500. The conditions are tailored to retail traders who value clear costs and a straightforward onboarding process.
The broker is best suited for:
retail traders working with Forex and major CFDs;
active traders seeking high leverage;
traders who appreciate 24/7 support and an easy account opening process.
It may be less suitable for investors looking for Tier-1 regulation, an extensive range of stocks and ETFs, or advanced institutional research.
Pros and Cons of Seacrest Markets
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license and formal regulation of brokerage activity.
- Low minimum deposit — from $50.
- 24/7 support and a strong community.
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation and no compensation funds.
- Limited number of trading instruments compared to large brokers.
- No web-based platform and no alternative to MetaTrader 5.
Reliability
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | South Africa |
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets’ reliability can be described as moderate: the broker is regulated by the FSCA (Tier-2) but does not hold Tier-1 licenses or participate in compensation schemes, which reduces the level of protection compared to major international brokers.
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license
- Transparent registration information
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation
Account Opening
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
Opening an account with Seacrest Markets is fast and without unnecessary bureaucracy: online registration, verification within a day, and clear requirements make the process convenient for most traders.
Pros
- Simple online registration
- Verification within 24 hours
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- Mandatory extended KYC questionnaire
Account Types
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets offers classic trading accounts with a clear fee structure. The lineup suits different trading styles, though the overall variety and depth of account options remain moderate.
Pros
- Availability of Classic and ECN accounts
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts
Commissions
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.1 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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' fees are around the market average: spreads and swaps are comparable to competitors, and the ECN commission remains competitive. The cost structure is transparent and without notable hidden charges.
Pros
- Market-average spreads
- No withdrawal fee except for bank transfers
Cons
- There is an account inactivity fee
- Swaps can be significant for long-term trading
Deposit and Withdrawal
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Seacrest Markets are organized in a standard and convenient way: cards, bank transfer, and cryptocurrencies are available. The procedures are transparent, but the range of methods remains basic.
Pros
- Support for Visa/Mastercard
- Crypto transfers available
- Clear procedure via the client portal
Cons
- Limited selection of local payment systems
- Fee for withdrawals via bank transfer
Markets and Products
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Indices | 8 | 6 |
| Stocks | 500 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | 4 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 2 |
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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' market offering covers key asset classes and suits most retail strategies, but it falls behind large multi-asset brokers in breadth of instruments.
Pros
- Key asset classes (Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies)
- High leverage up to 1:500
Cons
- Limited overall number of instruments
- No stocks or ETFs
Trading Platforms
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
MetaTrader 5 provides full functionality for analysis and trading, but platform choice is limited to a single terminal and there is no web version, which reduces access flexibility.
Pros
- Support for algorithmic trading
- iOS and Android mobile apps
Cons
- No web version
- No alternative platforms
Analytics
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' analytics cover key needs of retail traders: video reviews, articles, and built-in analysis tools. The content is practical, but it is geared mainly toward beginner and intermediate levels.
Pros
- Regular video analysis
- Economic calendar and market widgets
- TradingView integration
Education
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| Broker | Focus Markets | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 3.5/5 |
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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' educational materials cover basic CFD and Forex topics and are suitable for beginners, but the education section is limited to a blog format without an extended learning program.
Pros
- Structured blog
Cons
- No comprehensive courses
- No webinars or podcasts
Customer Support
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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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' support operates 24/7 and provides quick contact via live chat. A strong community enhances client service, but the set of communication channels remains standard.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- Live chat on the website
- Active community (Discord and social media)
Cons
- No extensive phone support
- No personal managers
- Limited selection of communication channels
Comparisons of Focus Markets and Seacrest Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
When choosing between Seacrest Markets and Focus Markets, match their platforms, markets, account types and funding terms to your needs.
Before opening an account, verify fees, regulation, support and service availability for your country in the sections above.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Focus Markets or Seacrest Markets?
Seacrest Markets ranks higher than Focus Markets in our editorial ranking. That does not make it a universal choice: compare fees, markets, platforms, account types and support.
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or Seacrest Markets?
Beginners should compare availability in their country, account types, minimum deposit, trading platforms and customer support.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Focus Markets or Seacrest 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 Focus Markets and Seacrest Markets?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. Seacrest Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and Seacrest Markets?
Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Seacrest Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Focus Markets and Seacrest Markets?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. Seacrest Markets: Classic, ECN. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Focus Markets and Seacrest Markets?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Seacrest Markets: Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus Markets or Seacrest Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
