What We Tested
- Account type: Standard Account ($300 starting balance for test)
- Platform: MT5 Desktop
- Trading period: 3 months, 55 trades executed
- Pairs tested: EURUSD, Crypto CFDs
- Withdrawal tests: 2 successful (Skrill, Bank Wire)
- Support tests: 4 inquiries via live chat
Testing focused on verifying the spread consistency and evaluating the reliability of the integrated copy trading platform.
Regulation & Safety
AMarkets relies on mid-tier offshore regulation for its primary global entities:
- FSC (Mauritius) โ Tier-3 regulator. Someone looks, but your money has little cover.
- VFSC (Vanuatu) โ Tier-3 regulation. Minimal oversight for non-Mauritius clients.
How licences work and what offshore routing changes: Offshore Brokers: Jurisdiction Risk ยท How Regulated Brokers Scam Legally
Spreads & Execution
| Pair/Asset | Standard Avg Spread | ECN Avg Spread | Commission (ECN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.8 pips | 0.4 pips | $8.00/lot RT |
| GBP/USD | 2.2 pips | 0.6 pips | $8.00/lot RT |
| Crypto CFDs | Variable | $0 | Wide spreads apply |
Standard Account spreads are very wide (commission-free). ECN Account commission ($8 RT) is high compared to industry leaders.
Execution Model and Quality
- Execution Model: Market Maker (Hybrid/Dealing Desk)
- Fill Reliability: Fills come fast enough. The wide spread eats the gain straight away.
- Cost: High: the spread is wide and the ECN commission is worse than rivals charge.
Execution is functional but not competitive. The wide spreads on the commission-free account make it highly expensive for day trading.
What sits behind these execution numbers: Slippage and Latency ยท Anatomy of an Order ยท Trading terms glossary
Uncompetitive Trading Costs
The total cost of trading at AMarkets is significantly higher than necessary in the retail market:
- Standard Account: 1.8 pips EUR/USD spread costs $18 per lot (3x higher than fair spread-only brokers).
- ECN Account: $8 RT commission is $3.50 more than the industry-leading commission rate.
Traders on AMarkets pay a premium. What they get is lower regulatory safety and poorer execution than competitive ECN brokers.
Account Types & Fees
Standard-type account
- Min deposit: $100
- Spreads: From 1.8 pips
- Commission: $0
- Best for: Beginners who prefer commission-free simplicity.
Raw-spread account
- Min deposit: $200
- Spreads: From 0.0 pips
- Commission: $8.00/lot RT (High)
- Best for: ECN traders (despite high commission).
Other Fees
- Deposit fees: $0 (all methods)
- Withdrawal fees: Yes (Varying fees apply to e-wallets, crypto, and bank transfers).
- Inactivity fee: None
- Swap rates: Standard overnight financing applies; Islamic accounts available.
Deposits & Withdrawals (Tested)
Funding supports common methods, but withdrawal fees are a significant negative factor:
| Method | Amount | Processing Time | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card/Debit Card | $200 | 1 business day | Varies | Fees often apply. |
| Bank Wire | $500 | 3-5 business days | Varies | External fees apply. |
| Skrill/Neteller/Crypto | $100 | Same day (4 hours) | Yes (1%-3%) | Fees commonly applied. |
How payout problems start at weaker brokers: Withdrawal Blocking Patterns
Platforms & Tools
- MetaTrader 4 & 5 (MT4/MT5): Full support for EAs and custom indicators.
- Copy Trading: Proprietary social/copy trading platform integrated.
Our Take: Platform support is standard, focusing on universal compatibility and integrated copy trading.
Customer Support (Tested)
AMarkets offers multilingual 24/5 support:
- Live Chat: 24/5, responsiveness is average.
- Quality: Customer service is functional but lacks the deep product knowledge of Tier-1 competitors.
Support is adequate for basic inquiries but does not compensate for the weak regulatory status.
PROS
- Zero inactivity fee.
- MT4/MT5 support for EAs.
- Integrated Copy Trading platform.
CONS
- The main licence is Tier-3, from the FSC in Mauritius. That is a real risk.
- Very wide spreads on the Standard Account (1.8 pips min).
- High commission on ECN Account ($8.00 RT).
- Withdrawal fees apply to many methods.
Who Is AMarkets For?
- Great fit: Copy traders who are comfortable with high costs and weak offshore regulation.
- Not ideal: Anyone prioritizing Tier-1 safety (FCA/ASIC), or any cost-sensitive active trader (costs are too high). Avoid.
Final Verdict
AMarkets offers an average trading environment. High trading costs and weak Tier-3 offshore regulation from FSC Mauritius hold it back.
The 1.8 pip spread on the Standard Account is high, and the $8.00 RT ECN commission is uncompetitive. This broker's fee structure guarantees higher costs than necessary.
The regulatory weakness and poor cost-to-value ratio place AMarkets in the 'Below Average' category.
How this score is calculated: Our testing methodology
