Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
EC Markets Pros & Cons
- A free demo account and live accounts with a minimum deposit of $10;
- Spreads range from 0 pips to 1.2 with commissions up to $3 per lot depending on the account type;
- Diverse asset pool;
- Fee-free deposits and withdrawals are made via the most popular methods;
- Micro lot trading and no restrictions on methods and strategies;
- MetaTrader 4 trading platform is intuitive, offers numerous features, and is customizable with free plugins;
- Technical support is available via phone, email, and a ticket system.
- No copy trading or joint accounts;
- Only MT4 is supported;
- Regional restrictions apply.
EC Markets offers trading currency pairs and CFDs on cryptocurrencies, indices, metals, and crude oil. Traders can choose from a demo account and two live account types, all accessible through the MetaTrader 4 platform. Spreads start from 0 pips and fees vary depending on the chosen account type. The minimum order size is 0.01 lots. Deposit and withdrawal methods include bank transfers, bank cards, and popular online payment systems. The only available additional income option is a partnership program. The broker’s website contains newsfeeds, an economic calendar, a Forex glossary, and a structured collection of articles on the basics of trading. Technical support is available 24/5.
TU Expert Verdict
EC Markets demonstrates moderate stability and can suit certain traders. Its conditions are acceptable, and feedback is mixed but reasonable. In my own tests, it performed adequately, though it lacks the consistency of higher-rated companies.
Top-5 Brokers Traders Prefer
EC Markets User Reviews
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5-star
17%
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4-star
43%
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3-star
39%
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2-star
0%
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1-star
0%
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Commissions and Fees
Score:We evaluate brokers' fees and spreads by assessing the costs associated with Standard and ECN/Raw spread accounts, including commissions and spreads. Additionally, our evaluation considers extra fees such as deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity fees. Learn the assessment criteria6 /10The trading and non-trading commissions of EC Markets have been analyzed and rated as having Medium fees, with a fees score of 6/10. Additionally, these commissions were compared with those of the top two competitors, OANDA and FOREX.com, to provide the most comprehensive information.
- Low Forex trading fees
- Tight EUR/USD market spread
- No inactivity fee
- No withdrawal fee
- Deposit fee applies
Trading Fees and Spread
Below, we evaluated and compared the trading commissions of EC Markets with those of two competitors. We focused on the spreads and other transaction fees directly associated with executing trades (e.g commission per lot on an ECN account). This comparison aimed to provide a clear understanding of the cost efficiency of each broker.
Standard Account Spread
For Standard accounts, EC Markets’s commissions are part of the floating spread, which varies with market conditions. Typical values are provided, but during high volatility, the spread may exceed these.
EC Markets Standard spreads EC Markets OANDA FOREX.com EUR/USD min, pips 1.0 0.1 0.7 EUR/USD max, pips 1.2 0.5 1.2 GPB/USD min, pips 1.2 0.1 0.9 GPB/USD max, pips 1.3 0.5 1.4 RAW/ECN Account Commission And Spread
The spread on ECN/RAW accounts is market-based and fluctuates, with average values given during active hours. It may vary during volatility spikes. A commission per lot is also charged.
EC Markets RAW/ECN spreads EC Markets OANDA FOREX.com Commission ($ per lot) The commission is the fee charged by the broker for trading one standard forex lot (100,000 units of the base currency). 3.0 3.5 5 EUR/USD avg spread 0.1 0.15 0.2 GBP/USD avg spread 0.3 0.2 0.4 Non-Trading Fees
We conducted a detailed analysis of the non-trading fees associated with EC Markets. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the additional costs that may impact traders beyond regular trading activities.
EC Markets Non-Trading Fees EC Markets OANDA FOREX.com Deposit fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0-4 0 0 Withdrawal fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, USD The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0-15 0 Inactivity fee ($, per month) 0 0 15 -
Is EC Markets Safe?
Score:We evaluate brokers' safety based on several key criteria. The highest value is placed on regulation, especially Tier 1 regulation, which ensures adherence to stringent standards set by top financial authorities like the FCA in the UK, CFTC in the US, CySEc and BaFin (EU) or ASIC (Australia). High scores are also given for participation in investor protection funds, which safeguard clients' funds in case of broker insolvency. Learn the assessment criteria8.4 /10EC Markets has a safety score of 8.4/10, which corresponds to a High security level. The safest brokers are those with Tier-1 regulation, a long history (over 10 years in the market), and participation in investor compensation schemes.
- Tier-1 regulated
- Negative balance protection
- Regulated in the UK
- Track record of less than 8 years
EC Markets Regulators and Investor Protection Abbreviation Full Name Country of regulation Investor Protection Fund Regulation Level FCA UK
Full Name Financial Conduct Authority Country of regulation United Kingdom Investor Protection Fund Up to £85,000 Regulation Level Tier-1
FSC (Mauritius) Full Name Financial Services Commission of Mauritius Country of regulation Mauritius Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-3 FSA (Seychelles)
Full Name Financial Services Authority of Seychelles Country of regulation Seychelles Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-3 EC Markets Security Factors Foundation date - Negative balance protection YesVerification (KYC) Yes -
Account Types
Score:We evaluate a broker’s account offering by analyzing the range and suitability of available account types and how effectively they cater to different trader profiles and strategies. Our assessment covers the diversity of account options — including Standard, ECN/Raw, Cent, Swap-Free (Islamic), and VIP accounts — as well as the flexibility of trading conditions provided. Learn the assessment criteria.5.2 /10EC Markets offers the following account options: Demo, Standard, ECN/Raw spread.
However, it does not provide a Cent account, which can be a disadvantage for beginners looking to practice with minimal risk.
- Standard account with balanced trading conditions
- Demo account
- Tight spread ECN account
- No Cent account
- No Swap Free account
EC Markets account types vs top competitors Ec Markets Plus500 Trading.com Standard YesYesYesECN/Raw spread YesNoNoDemo YesYesYesCent NoNoNoMicro NoNoNoSwap Free NoNoNoVIP NoNoNoManaged NoNoNoEC Markets accounts trading conditions
Once traders learn general trading conditions, they proceed to choose an account type. EC Markets offers two live accounts that differ in initial deposit requirements, spreads, and commissions per lot, while leverage, available assets, the trading platform, and deposit/withdrawal methods are the same. The STD account offers spreads from 1.2 pips with no trading fee. The ECN account charges a commission of $3 per lot but spreads here start from 0 pips. The broker positions the STD account as a versatile option for novice and experienced traders, while ECN is designed for professionals. Therefore, when choosing an account type, traders rely on their experience, trading preferences, and goals.
Account types:
Account Type Description Demo This account does not require a deposit, as traders work with virtual funds. Its parameters match those of the STD account. STD The minimum deposit is $10, spreads start from 1.2 pips, and there are no trading fees. Traders have access to leverage up to 1:500 and the entire asset pool. ECN The minimum deposit is $2,000, spreads start from 0 pips, and a commission per lot is $3. There are no restrictions on trading strategies and methods. Traders who have never worked with a chosen broker, register a demo account first to explore its conditions without financial risks. Then, based on their preferences, they open one of the available live account types and start executing real trades.
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Deposit and Withdrawal
Score:This section assesses the efficiency, speed, and affordability of brokers’ transaction processes, focusing on available methods, currencies, and fees. For further details, please refer to our data-focused methodology4.5 /10EC Markets received a Low score for the efficiency and convenience of its deposit and withdrawal processes.
EC Markets offers limited payment options and accessibility, which may impact its competitiveness.
- Bank card deposits and withdrawals
- Bank wire transfers available
- Low minimum withdrawal requirement
- Minimum deposit below industry average
- BTC payments not accepted
- Deposit fee applies
- Only major base currencies available
What are EC Markets deposit and withdrawal options?
EC Markets offers a limited selection of deposit and withdrawal methods, including Bank Card, Bank Wire. This limitation may restrict flexibility for users, making EC Markets less competitive for those seeking diverse payment options.
EC Markets Deposit and Withdrawal Methods vs Competitors EC Markets Plus500 Trading.com Bank Wire YesYesYesBank card YesYesYesPayPal NoYesNoWise NoNoNoBTC NoNoNoWhat are EC Markets base account currencies?
A wide range of base account currencies minimizes the need for currency conversion, potentially reducing transaction costs. EC Markets supports the following base account currencies: USD.
What are EC Markets's minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts?
The minimum deposit on EC Markets is $10, while the minimum withdrawal amount is $1. These minimums may vary depending on the chosen account type and payment method. For specific details, please contact EC Markets’s support team.
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Markets and Tradable Assets
Score:The evaluation in this section is based on the TU methodology and reflects the total number and variety of tradable assets offered by the broker, including Forex currency pairs. It also considers the availability of passive income tools such as PAMM accounts, copy trading, and similar services. All information is obtained from publicly available sources and may change. Learn the assessment criteria4 /10EC Markets offers a limited selection of trading assets compared to the market average. The platform supports 100 assets in total, including 64 Forex pairs.
- 64 supported currency pairs
- Indices trading
- Bonds not available
- No ETFs
Supported markets vs top competitors
We have compared the range of assets and markets supported by EC Markets with its competitors, making it easier for you to find the perfect fit.
Ec Markets Plus500 Trading.com Currency pairs 64 60 69 Total tradable assets The total tradable assets listed include all available instruments, including CFDs. Due to regional restrictions, certain CFDs may not be offered in some countries. For example, cryptocurrency CFDs are banned in the UK, and the U.S. has restrictions on CFDs. 100 2800 69 Stocks NoYesNoCommodity futures YesYesNoCrypto Cryptocurrency CFDs are restricted or prohibited in certain regions due to regulatory limitations. These include the United Kingdom, China, Egypt, the United States and Canada. NoYesNoStock indices YesYesNoOptions NoYesNoInvestment options
We also explored the trading assets and products EC Markets offers for beginner traders and investors who prefer not to engage in active trading.
Ec Markets Plus500 Trading.com Bonds NoNoNoETFs NoYesNoCopy trading NoNoNoPAMM investing NoNoNoManaged accounts NoNoNo -
Trading Account Opening
Score:We evaluated Trading Account Opening at EC Markets by testing the registration process under real conditions, including opening an account and funding it with the minimum required deposit (but no less than $100). Our assessment considered whether onboarding was fully online, the average registration time, the speed of KYC verification, and how quickly traders could activate their accounts. Learn the assessment criteria.8 /10We successfully registered an account with EC Markets in 20 minutes. The KYC verification was completed within 2 business days. The minimum deposit amount at EC Markets is $10. This is one of the most accessible and hassle-free onboarding procedures on the market.
- Fully online account opening process
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Account approval may require extra time depending on the documentation.
- Registration process may take longer than expected
EC Markets account opening Ec Markets Plus500 Trading.com Online Registration YesYesYesMinimum deposit $10 $100 $50 Mandatory KYC YesYesYesRegistration time (min) 20 20 KYC time (days) 2 3 2 Is EC Markets available in my country?
If you are a citizen of United States, the broker accepts clients from your country.
Please note that availability may vary due to regulatory requirements, so we recommend confirming directly with the broker for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Account opening details
To start working with EC Markets, go to its website, register there, and pass verification. Next, open an account, make a deposit, and install the trading platform. To eliminate any questions, TU experts prepared a step-by-step guide and described the main features of the user account.
Go to the EC Markets' official website. In the upper right corner, choose the preferred language and click the “Start Trading” or “Create an Account” button.
Provide your email, make a password, and enter it twice. Request a confirmation code to your email. Enter the code in the corresponding field and click the “Register” button.
Enter an invitation code, if any, and click the “Confirm” button. Otherwise, click the “Skip” button to proceed.
Click the “Open a Live Account” button. Enter your first and last names, gender, date of birth, country of residence, and phone number. Carefully read the terms and conditions. Agree to them and confirm the accuracy of your information by checking the corresponding boxes. Click the “Next” button.
Answer the provided questions and click the “Next” button.
Choose your ID document type. Upload its scan/image carefully following instructions. Click the “Next” button.
Confirm your residency by uploading a scan/image of a required document. Carefully read the comments and click the “Confirm” button.
Once the broker verifies the documents, choose the account parameters within your user account dashboard.
Go to the Deposit section. Choose the account type and a deposit method. Note that available methods may vary by region. To deposit funds, follow the on-screen instructions.
Download MetaTrader 4 from the broker’s website or the MT portal. Install it to your device and start trading.
Additional features of EC Markets’ user account allow traders to:
- Access aggregated data on active accounts and allow traders to open and close accounts.
- Deposit funds to their accounts.
- Withdraw funds.
- Make internal transfers between live accounts.
- The list of current trades and the archive of operations on all accounts, including closed ones.
- Access integrated economic calendar useful for forecasting.
- Access general newsfeeds containing expert opinions.
- Edit their data and set security parameters.
- Access detailed FAQs and channels to contact technical support.
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Customer Support
Score:We evaluated Customer Support at EC Markets by opening a real account funded with the minimum required deposit (no less than $100) and contacting support to measure response time under real conditions. Our assessment considered contact channels, response speed, multilingual support, and availability hours. Learn the assessment criteria4.6 /10The broker’s customer support shows noticeable weaknesses in responsiveness or communication quality. Delays in replies are common, and resolution may require repeated contact.
In TU testing, response speed was below expectations, and assistance was limited in depth. Traders who rely heavily on support may experience inconvenience.
InformationTraders often have questions due to the lack of knowledge or insufficient information on the broker’s website. Sometimes there occur non-standard trading situations that users cannot solve themselves. With any such issues, traders may contact technical support. EC Markets offers 24/5 support available via email, phone, or website tickets.
- Three communication channels
- Round-the-clock availability
- Managers are competent and prompt
- Support cannot be reached on weekends
Existing clients and non-registered users can contact technical support with any questions.
Available communication channels are:
- Call center;
- Email;
- Tickets.
The broker has its official profiles on Facebook, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram, where it is also possible to contact technical support.
Contacts Registration address Suite 4B, Global Village, Jivan's Complex, Mont Fleuri, Mahe, Seychelles.
30 City Road,EC1Y 2AY, London, United Kingdom.
Silicon Avenue, 40 Cybercity the Cyberati Lounge, c/o Credentia International Management Ltd, Ground Floor, the Catalyst 72201, Ebene, Mauritius.Regulation FCA, FSA, FSC Official site https://www.ecmarkets.net/ Contacts support@ecmarkets.sc +248 422 4099
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FAQs
How is EC Markets regulated and what safety measures are mentioned in reviews of its security?
EC Markets has a safety score of 8.4/10 and is described as having a High security level, with regulation by the FCA in the UK (Tier-1) and additional oversight from regulators in Mauritius and Seychelles (both Tier-3). The broker provides negative balance protection and requires KYC verification, while its track record is noted as being less than 8 years and the foundation date is not specified in the section.
What live and demo account options does EC Markets offer and how do their conditions differ?
According to the section, EC Markets provides a Demo account, a Standard (STD) account, and an ECN/Raw spread account, but does not offer Cent, Micro, Swap Free, VIP, or managed accounts. The STD account has a $10 minimum deposit with spreads from 1.2 pips and no trading fee, while the ECN account has a $2,000 minimum deposit, spreads from 0 pips, and a $3 per lot commission, with no restrictions on trading strategies.
What do EC Markets user reviews and ratings indicate about overall client satisfaction?
EC Markets has a user satisfaction score of 7.6/10 based on 23 reviews, with 17% 5-star, 43% 4-star, and 39% 3-star ratings, and no 1- or 2-star ratings reported. According to user reviews, the overall tone is mostly positive, though the presence of a significant share of 3-star ratings suggests that some users see room for improvement.
What deposit and withdrawal methods, fees, and limits are highlighted in feedback about EC Markets?
The section states that EC Markets supports bank card and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, with no withdrawal fee but a deposit fee and no BTC payments or BTC base currency. The minimum deposit is $10 and the minimum withdrawal is $1, and the broker is described as having limited payment options and a Low safety score of 4.5/10 for deposit and withdrawal efficiency.
How does the EC Markets account opening process work and what timelines do reviews mention?
The account opening process at EC Markets is fully online, with registration reportedly taking about 20 minutes and KYC verification around 2 business days, and a minimum deposit of $10. The section notes that while onboarding is described as accessible, account approval and registration may sometimes take longer depending on the documentation provided.
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