OANDA vs Seacrest Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers OANDA 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 - OANDA or Seacrest Markets?
Our pick: OANDA
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - OANDA looks preferable to Seacrest Markets.
OANDA scored 4.3/5 and ranks 32 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 51.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is OANDA suitable for?
Oanda is suitable for beginners and experienced traders, thanks to quality analytics and various educational materials.
Who is Seacrest Markets suitable for?
Suitable for retail and active Forex and CFD traders who value high leverage and straightforward trading conditions.
Comparison Table of OANDA and Seacrest Markets
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, British Virgin Islands, Singapore, Poland | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | OANDA Review | Seacrest Markets Review |
OANDA Review
Oanda is an excellent choice for traders seeking a reliable and regulated broker with competitive spreads and various trading assets.
With quality analytics and diverse educational materials, Oanda suits beginners and experienced traders.
Pros and Cons of OANDA
Pros
- Tight spreads.
- Diverse markets and products.
- Advanced trading platforms.
- Quality analytics.
- Extensive learning section.
Cons
- Limited trading account types.
- Inactivity fee.
- High swaps.
OANDA is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, British Virgin Islands, Singapore, Poland | South Africa |
| Regulators |
OANDA
Oanda demonstrates a high level of reliability, evidenced by licenses from the world's leading regulators.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
OANDA
Oanda offers a straightforward and structured registration process, ensuring convenience for clients.
Pros
- Clearly structured registration process.
- No minimum deposit, offering flexibility for traders.
Cons
- Additional documents may be required in some cases.
- Document verification can take from 1 to 2 working days.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
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| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
OANDA
Oanda provides various trading accounts, but some specialized types are missing.
Pros
- Standard accounts are available.
- Demo accounts are offered.
- Swap Free accounts are available for traders following Islamic principles.
Cons
- Cent accounts are missing.
- No fixed spread accounts.
- No investment accounts are available.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0.1 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Commission per Lot | $3.5 |
OANDA
Oanda's fees are moderate, making this broker competitive.
Pros
- No fees for deposits and withdrawals.
- Low spreads on major currency pairs.
Cons
- Inactivity fee is charged.
- Swaps may be high for some currency pairs.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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|
OANDA
Oanda offers flexible conditions for depositing and withdrawing funds, but payment system commissions and currency conversion costs may apply.
Pros
- The broker does not charge a fee for deposits and withdrawals.
- A wide selection of payment systems is available.
- No restrictions on the amounts of deposits and withdrawals.
Cons
- High commission fees for certain methods by payment systems.
- Withdrawal request processing time may be long.
- Cryptocurrencies are not available as a payment method.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Forex | 48 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 4 | 2 |
| Indices | 18 | 6 |
| Stocks | 1607 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 18 | 4 |
OANDA
Oanda offers an extensive set of markets and products, making it a versatile choice for traders of different levels.
Pros
- A wide range of currency pairs.
- A large selection of stocks and indices.
- Access to cryptocurrency trading.
Cons
- Maximum leverage is only up to 1:200.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
OANDA
Oanda provides high-quality trading platforms with deep functionality and integration with TradingView.
Pros
- Access to classic platforms MT4 and MT5.
- The fxTrade mobile app with integration with MT5.
- Integration with TradingView.
Cons
- No MetaTrader alternatives for desktop devices.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
OANDA
The Oanda broker's analytical section offers many tools that help traders make informed decisions.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
OANDA
Oanda provides an extensive range of educational resources, catering to new and experienced traders, focusing on leveraged trading.
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage of fundamental and technical analysis.
- Variety of resources including webinars, workshops, and live market analysis.
- Free access to premium content for live account holders.
Cons
- Some advanced topics may not be covered in depth.
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
| Broker | OANDA | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
| — |
| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram
Discord
TikTokOANDA
Oanda's technical support provides extensive communication options and round-the-clock service, ensuring the professionalism and efficiency of the solutions provided.
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 OANDA and Seacrest Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
OANDA stands out as the better overall pick, while Seacrest Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
OANDA scored 4.3/5 and ranks 32 in our rating; Seacrest Markets has 4.1/5 and ranks 51.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: OANDA or Seacrest Markets?
OANDA comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 32) versus Seacrest Markets (score 4.1/5, position 51).
Which broker is better for beginners: OANDA or Seacrest Markets?
OANDA 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) — OANDA 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 OANDA and Seacrest Markets?
OANDA: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, TradingView, fxTrade. Seacrest Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with OANDA and Seacrest Markets?
OANDA: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, 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 OANDA and Seacrest Markets?
OANDA: Standard, Swap Free. Seacrest Markets: Classic, ECN. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by OANDA and Seacrest Markets?
OANDA: Skrill, Neteller, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Seacrest Markets: Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — OANDA 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.
