What We Tested
- Account type: ThinkZero ECN ($1,000 starting balance for test)
- Platform: ThinkTrader (Desktop & Mobile)
- Trading period: 4 months, 92 trades executed
- Pairs tested: EURUSD, DAX40, XAUUSD
- Withdrawal tests: 2 successful (Skrill, Credit Card)
- Support tests: 6 inquiries via live chat
We spent the time on the ThinkTrader app and on ThinkZero fills. The question was how they hold up against MT4 and MT5.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is the strong suit here — tier-1 and tier-2 licences in several countries at once:
- FCA (UK) – Tier-1 regulation, FSCS protection up to £85,000, strong enforcement.
- ASIC (Australia) – Tier-1 regulation, client fund segregation, strict compliance.
- CySEC (Cyprus) – Tier-2 regulator. Client money covered up to €20,000 by the ICF.
- FSCA (South Africa) – Local oversight, provides strong regional trust.
How licences work and what offshore routing changes: Offshore Brokers: Jurisdiction Risk · How Regulated Brokers Scam Legally
Spreads & Execution
| Pair | ThinkZero Avg Spread | Standard Avg Spread | Commission (ThinkZero) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.1 pips | 1.2 pips | $7.00/lot RT |
| GBP/USD | 0.3 pips | 1.6 pips | $7.00/lot RT |
| DAX40 (GER40) | 0.9 points | 2.0 points | $0 |
| XAU/USD | 15 pips | 25 pips | $7.00/lot RT |
Spreads measured during London/NY overlap. ThinkZero charges raw spread + commission; Standard is commission-free.
Execution Model and Quality
- Execution Model: NDD (No Dealing Desk) on ThinkZero/Standard
- Median Fill Time: ~11ms (Tested on ThinkZero ECN)
- Slippage (majors): Minimal, mostly neutral or positive
- Max Requotes: <1% (Rarely observed, mostly during flash events)
ThinkZero gives real ECN fills, and they come fast. Scalpers and robots do well here, because the fills stay the same day after day.
What sits behind these execution numbers: Slippage and Latency · Anatomy of an Order · Trading terms glossary
ThinkTrader Platform (Proprietary Advantage)
ThinkTrader is a major differentiator, offering advanced functionality beyond the standard MetaTrader experience:
- Mobile Excellence: Award-winning mobile app with a superior user experience to MT4/MT5 mobile.
- Advanced Indicators: Access to over 125 technical indicators and 50 drawing tools.
- Cloud Alerts: Integrated free cloud-based alerts and notifications directly to your device.
- Cross-Platform Consistency: Seamless experience across desktop, web, and mobile.
ThinkMarkets built ThinkTrader to fix the frustrations of MetaTrader's aging interface. It suits traders on the move, and anyone after better integrated analysis tools.
Account Types & Fees
Raw-spread account
- Min deposit: $500 (recommended)
- Spreads: From 0.0 pips (raw ECN)
- Commission: $7.00/lot RT
- Leverage: Up to 1:500 (ASIC/FCA: 1:30)
- Best for: Experienced traders, scalpers, EAs
Standard-type account
- Min deposit: $0
- Spreads: From 1.2 pips (markup included)
- Commission: $0
- Leverage: Up to 1:500 (ASIC/FCA: 1:30)
- Best for: Beginners, swing traders, simple pricing
Other Fees
- Deposit fees: $0 (all methods)
- Withdrawal fees: $0 (broker covers fees on most methods)
- Inactivity fee: None
- Swap rates: Competitive; Islamic accounts available (swap-free)
Deposits & Withdrawals (Tested)
Withdrawals go out fast, cost nothing, and the checks are thorough:
| Method | Amount | Processing Time | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card | $200 | 1 business day | $0 | Return to source policy |
| Bank Wire | $500 | 2-3 business days | $0 (may incur bank fees) | Min withdrawal $100 for wire |
| Skrill/Neteller | $100 | Same day (4 hours) | $0 | Fastest method tested |
How payout problems start at weaker brokers: Withdrawal Blocking Patterns
Platforms & Tools
- ThinkTrader: Proprietary, feature-rich platform. Excellent for mobile trading, advanced charting, and integrated alerts.
- MetaTrader 4 & 5: Full desktop, web, mobile versions. Stable and EA-friendly (Standard and ThinkZero).
- TradingView Integration: Direct trading integration is available, utilizing ThinkMarkets' execution.
- VPS Hosting: Free for clients meeting minimum volume/balance requirements.
Our Take: MT4 and MT5 handle the serious work, and ThinkTrader covers the rest. On a phone, ThinkTrader beats what most brokers offer.
Customer Support (Tested)
Support answers around the clock, every day:
- Live Chat: 24/7, average response time ~1-3 minutes, generally knowledgeable
- Email: Responses within 4-8 hours (tested during business hours)
- Quality: Support quality is excellent, with representatives quickly understanding technical ECN/platform inquiries. One of the best support teams we tested.
Someone answers at any hour, and they know the answer. Few brokers match this.
PROS
- Dual Tier-1 Regulation (ASIC & FCA) + CySEC
- Proprietary ThinkTrader platform (excellent mobile/desktop UX)
- ThinkZero ECN account with tight spreads (0.1 pips avg)
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- £1 Million insurance protection policy
- Zero minimum deposit on Standard Account
- 24/7 responsive customer support
CONS
- ThinkZero commission ($7 RT) is higher than lowest ECN rivals ($4.50 RT)
- Standard account spreads (1.2 pips) are wide for commission-free
- Minimum deposit required for ThinkZero ($500 recommended)
- Limited in-house research tools (relies on third-party integrations)
Who Is ThinkMarkets For?
- Great fit: Traders who put safety first, under ASIC and the FCA. Also ECN scalpers willing to pay $7 RT for a premium service, and anyone trading mostly on mobile.
- Good fit: Traders who want a stable MT4/MT5 experience combined with the option of a modern proprietary platform.
- Not ideal: Traders chasing the absolute lowest commission, where Fusion Markets fits better. Also anyone needing ultra-low spreads on a commission-free Standard account.
Final Verdict
ThinkMarkets stands out by successfully combining top-tier regulation (ASIC, FCA) with a compelling proprietary platform (ThinkTrader). This dual strength-safety and technology-is rare in the retail brokerage space.
The ThinkZero account gives reliable ECN execution at 0.1 pips on EUR/USD. That works well for EAs and scalping. The commission rate ($7 RT) is competitive, although slightly higher than the lowest market leader.
The dedication to platform choice (MT4/MT5/ThinkTrader/TradingView) and the added security of the £1 Million insurance policy solidify its high-trust status. Withdrawals are fast, and support is genuinely 24/7.
How this score is calculated: Our testing methodology
