eToro vs Markets.com (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

Advertiser disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning BrokerCatalogue may earn a commission if you open an account. This never affects the data shown here, which is drawn from our catalogue and compared mechanically. How we make money.

Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

eToro

Trust rank #8 · Founded 2007

eToro is a well‐regarded forex broker and multi‐asset platform offering broad access to currency markets via web and mobile trading. It provides social trading features, research, and education within an integrated interface…

Read the eToro review

Markets.com

Trust rank #18 · Founded 2008

Markets.com is a well‐regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad access to currency pairs and multi‐asset CFDs on intuitive web and mobile platforms. It provides built‐in research, education, and risk management tools…

Read the Markets.com review

eToro (Israel, founded 2007) holds 3 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. Markets.com (Cyprus, founded 2008) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 166 countries; eToro is available in 51 countries where Markets.com is not, and Markets.com in 9 where eToro is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • eToro leads on trust rank, track record and country coverage.
  • Markets.com leads on regulatory coverage and platform choice.
  • Level on instrument range, fee level and tier-1 licences.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

eToro vs Markets.com: side-by-side data

CriteriaeToroMarkets.com
Trust rank#8#18
Founded20072008
HeadquartersIsraelCyprus
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCAASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker
PlatformsProprietaryMT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted217 countries175 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail TradingRetail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

eToro

  • Tier-1 regulation (FCA/ASIC/CySEC)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Built-in social/copy trading
  • Multi-asset CFD account
  • Spread-only FX pricing

Markets.com

  • Multi-jurisdiction tier-1 regulation (FCA/ASIC) + segregated client funds
  • MT4/MT5 and proprietary platforms with advanced analytics
  • 2,000+ instruments including 50+ forex pairs
  • Integrated research, sentiment, and economic calendar tools
  • Negative balance protection for retail clients

Cons

eToro

  • Higher spreads than ECN/STP brokers
  • No MT4/MT5 or third-party platform support
  • Market-maker execution (not true ECN/STP)
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Withdrawal and currency conversion fees

Markets.com

  • No raw/commission pricing; wider spreads
  • Not available to U.S. clients
  • Protections vary by entity; weaker safeguards offshore
  • No cTrader or DMA/ECN access
  • Currency conversion fees apply

Key features

eToro

  • CFD forex trading on majors minors and exotics
  • Regulated by FCA CySEC and ASIC with segregated client funds
  • Social copy trading CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios
  • Proprietary web and mobile platform with ProCharts and economic calendar
  • Risk management orders stop loss take profit and negative balance protection
  • Two factor authentication and KYC AML security controls

Markets.com

  • Multi jurisdiction regulation and client fund segregation
  • Forex and CFD trading across major asset classes
  • Proprietary web and mobile platforms with MT4 and MT5
  • Advanced research sentiment and event tools
  • Negative balance protection and risk management
  • Spread betting for UK clients

Country availability: eToro vs Markets.com

Available at both (166): Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czechia, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica and 126 more.

Only eToro (51): Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Cook Islands, Haiti, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Macao, Maldives, Micronesia, Mongolia, Montserrat, Nauru and 26 more.

Only Markets.com (9): Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

eToro vs Markets.com: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, eToro or Markets.com?

Markets.com holds more regulatory licences: eToro (ASIC, CySEC, FCA) versus Markets.com (ASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA). Tier-1 licences: eToro 2, Markets.com 2.

Which trading platforms do eToro and Markets.com offer?

eToro offers Proprietary; Markets.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, eToro or Markets.com?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, eToro or Markets.com?

eToro is the older of the two, founded in 2007; Markets.com was founded in 2008.

Are eToro and Markets.com available in the same countries?

They overlap in 166 countries. eToro is additionally available in 51 countries (Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize and 45 more) and Markets.com in 9 countries (Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon and 3 more).

Keep comparing

eToro

Markets.com

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.