Focus Markets vs Tickmill Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and Tickmill. 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 Tickmill?
Our pick: Tickmill
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Tickmill looks preferable to Focus Markets.
Tickmill scored 4.5/5 and ranks 12 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 Tickmill suitable for?
Tickmill is suitable for beginners due to accessible educational materials and for experienced traders who value low trading commissions and stable platforms.
Comparison Table of Focus Markets and Tickmill
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2014 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | United Kingdom, Cyprus, South Africa, Seychelles |
| 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 | Tickmill 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.
Tickmill Review
Tickmill offers high-quality services and conditions for trading on the international Forex market. With reliable regulation, access to popular trading platforms, and comprehensive educational and analytical materials, Tickmill becomes an attractive choice for traders of different experience levels.
The broker is suitable for novice traders, thanks to accessible educational materials and the ease of opening an account, as well as for experienced traders who value low spreads, platform stability, and a variety of trading instruments.
Pros and Cons of Tickmill
Pros
- Low trading fees.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Extensive library of educational materials and analytical tools.
Cons
- Not enough different types of trading accounts.
Tickmill is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2014 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | United Kingdom, Cyprus, South Africa, Seychelles |
| 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.
Tickmill
Tickmill's reliability is confirmed by its regulation by leading international organizations and licensing by the relevant governmental bodies.
Account Opening
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| 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.
Tickmill
Opening an account with Tickmill is a straightforward and relatively quick process, but it does require document verification.
Pros
- Ease of understanding the process.
- Detailed instructions at each step.
Cons
- The verification process can take up to 24 business hours.
- The minimum deposit of $100 may be high for beginners.
Account Types
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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.
Tickmill
Tickmill offers a flexible selection of accounts, satisfying different categories of traders. However, the absence of certain types of accounts may limit options.
Pros
- The presence of an Islamic account that adheres to Sharia principles.
- Availability of a free demo account.
- The ability to copy trades of successful traders.
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts.
- Fixed spread accounts are not offered.
Commissions
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Commission per Lot | $3.5 | $3 |
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.
Tickmill
Tickmill offers competitive conditions with average commissions, which is pleasantly surprising with the absence of fees for deposits and withdrawals.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 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.
Tickmill
Tickmill provides a wide choice of deposit and withdrawal methods without charging fees, ensuring high-speed processing of transactions.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 62 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 4 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 2 |
| Indices | 8 | 23 |
| Stocks | 500 | 489 |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | 9 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 2 |
| ETF | - | 23 |
| Bonds | - | 4 |
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.
Tickmill
Tickmill offers diverse trading assets, including currency pairs, stock indices, commodities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Tickmill
Tickmill offers proven MT4 and MT5 terminals, its mobile app, integration with TradingView, and an innovative platform for automatic trade copying - Pelican Trading.
Pros
- Reliable and functional MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms and integration with TradingView.
- Mobile app for trading on the go.
- An interesting solution for automatic trade copying with Pelican Trading.
Analytics
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Tickmill
Tickmill offers extensive analytical tools, including regular reviews, Autochartist, and the Signal Centre tool.
Pros
- Daily fundamental and technical analytical reviews.
- Useful analysis tools such as Autochartist and Signal Centre.
- Market sentiment information and handy Forex calculators.
Education
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 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.
Tickmill
Tickmill provides a comprehensive package of educational materials, including webinars, seminars, eBooks, video tutorials, and a blog.
Pros
- A wide variety of learning formats to suit different trader preferences.
- Periodic webinars and seminars with experts for in-depth understanding of trading.
- Regularly updated analytical and educational materials in the blog.
Customer Support
| Broker | Focus Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones | — |
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| Social Media | — |
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
VK
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.
Tickmill
Tickmill's technical support is high quality, available through various channels, and provides timely responses.
Pros
- Email inquiries responded to within 24 hours.
- Professionalism and competence of staff.
Cons
- Support is not available 24/7.
- Can only call an international phone number.
- Messengers are not among the communication channels.
Comparisons of Focus Markets and Tickmill with other brokers
Conclusion
Tickmill stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
Tickmill scored 4.5/5 and ranks 12 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 Tickmill?
Tickmill comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.5/5, position 12) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or Tickmill?
Tickmill 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 Tickmill?
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 Tickmill?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. Tickmill: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and Tickmill?
Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Tickmill: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Focus Markets and Tickmill?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. Tickmill: Classic, Raw. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Focus Markets and Tickmill?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Tickmill: Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, WebMoney, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus Markets or Tickmill — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
