What is FP Markets?
FP Markets is a popular and large forex broker that was established in 2005 and now serves over 12,000 clients worldwide. The broker is headquartered in Australia and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). FP Markets also has a European entity based in Cyprus.
FP Markets is a true ECN broker, which means that it offers direct access to liquidity providers without dealer intervention. This allows FP Markets to offer its clients extremely fast execution speeds and the most favorable quotes with spreads from 0.0 pips.
FP Markets is a good choice for both beginners and experienced traders. The broker offers a variety of trading platforms, a wide range of trading instruments, and competitive pricing. FP Markets also has a good reputation for customer service and education.
- Regulated by ASIC
- True ECN broker with fast execution speeds and tight spreads
- Wide range of trading instruments
- Competitive pricing
- Good reputation for customer service and education
- Spreads for stocks are higher than for other asset classes
- Some withdrawal methods may have fees
- Trading conditions may vary depending on the FP Markets entity you trade with
FP Markets Ranking
FP Markets is a highly-rated forex broker with a score of 9 out of 10, based on our testing and comparison to over 500 other brokers. FP Markets offers low fees, global exposure, and a good selection of trading platforms.
Awards
FP Markets is a highly reputable forex broker, having been recognized by various publications and reputable editions. The excellence of their services and trading conditions, coupled with their high regard from traders, is a true testament to their establishment and reliability.
FP Markets continues to acquire new awards, demonstrating their dedicated and client-oriented approach. Recently, they were awarded the Best Global Forex Value Broker, Best Forex Broker Australia, Outstanding Value CFD Provider, Best Forex Partners Programme in Asia, Best Trade Execution, and Most Transparent Broker at the Ultimate Fintech Awards APAC 2023.
Additionally, FP Markets has claimed a hat-trick for the second time in a row at the Global Forex Awards 2023 for Best Value Broker – Global, Best Broker – Europe, and Best Partners Programme – Asia.
Is FP Markets safe or a scam?
Yes, FP Markets is a safe broker to trade with. It is an established Australian broker that is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). FP Markets also has a good track record of operation, with no major scandals or regulatory violations.
FP Markets’ strong points:
- Regulated by multiple authorities
- Negative balance protection for European clients
- Segregated accounts
- Excellent long history of operation
FP Markets’ weak points:
- International trading is only available through its offshore entity
- Not listed on a stock exchange
How are you protected on FP Markets?
FP Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). This means that FP Markets is subject to strict financial regulations and oversight, and that traders’ funds are protected in a number of ways.
Specifically:
- Client funds are segregated from company funds and held in top-tier banks. This means that even if FP Markets goes bankrupt, traders’ funds will be safe.
- FP Markets offers negative balance protection to European clients. This means that traders cannot lose more money than their account balance.
- FP Markets participates in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) in Cyprus. This means that if FP Markets becomes insolvent, traders may be compensated for their losses up to a certain amount.
What leverage does FP Markets offer?
The leverage offered by FP Markets depends on the entity that you open an account with.
- Australian entity: 1:30
- European entity: 1:30
- South African entity: 1:500
- International entity: 1:500
This is because leverage is one of the first regulated parts of forex trading, and different regulators have different rules about how much leverage brokers can offer.
Here is a table summarizing the leverage offered by FP Markets:
Entity | Leverage |
---|---|
Australian | 1:30 |
European | 1:30 |
South African | 1:500 |
International | 1:500 |
Account Types
FP Markets offers two account types with STP and ECN execution models, available through MT4 or MT5 platforms. There are also three IRESS account types for traders who prefer to use this software. Additionally, FP Markets offers MAM and PAMM accounts, and copy trading is available on all accounts.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ account types:
Account type | Execution model | Platform(s) | Minimum deposit |
---|---|---|---|
Standard | STP | MT4, MT5 | $100 |
ECN | ECN | MT4, MT5 | $500 |
IRESS | N/A | IRESS | $1,000 |
MAM | STP/ECN | MT4, MT5 | $100 |
PAMM | STP/ECN | MT4, MT5 | $100 |
Pros:
- Fast account opening
- Fully digital process
- Two account types with ECN and Standard execution for MT4 and MT5 platforms
- Separate account for IRESS platform
- Low minimum deposit
- Free deposit
Cons:
- Some differences in pricing between account types
Trading Instruments
FP Markets offers a wide range of trading instruments, including:
- Forex: 70+ currency pairs
- Indices: 19 major global indices
- Commodities: Coffee, natural gas, corn, and more
- Metals: Gold, silver, oil, and more
- Bitcoin
- Equity CFDs
Fees
FP Markets fees vary depending on the account type and instrument traded. IRESS accounts charge a commission plus a percentage of the trade value, while Standard and ECN accounts charge a spread.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ fees to other brokers:
Broker | Account type | Spread | Commission |
---|---|---|---|
FP Markets | Standard | 0.1 pips | None |
FP Markets | ECN | 0 pips | $0.7 per lot |
FP Markets | IRESS | Variable | Variable |
ATFX | Standard | 0.2 pips | None |
ATFX | ECN | 0 pips | $0.6 per lot |
Accuindex | Standard | 0.3 pips | None |
Accuindex | ECN | 0 pips | $0.8 per lot |
FP Markets also charges deposit and withdrawal fees, which vary depending on the payment method used.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ deposit and withdrawal fees to other brokers:
Broker | Deposit fee | Withdrawal fee |
---|---|---|
FP Markets | Free | Variable |
ATFX | Free | Variable |
Accuindex | Free | Variable |
Rollover
In addition to trading fees, you should also consider rollover or swap rates when calculating your trading costs. Rollover is the interest paid or received when a position is held overnight. The rate is determined by the interest rate differential between the two currencies in a currency pair.
FP Markets charges a small fee for positions held longer than a day. The fee varies depending on the instrument traded.
FP Markets also offers a swap-free account for Muslim traders. This account allows traders to hold positions overnight without paying rollover interest.
Here are some tips for managing your rollover costs:
- Close your positions before the end of the day to avoid rollover fees.
- Use a swap-free account if you plan to hold positions overnight.
- Choose instruments with low rollover rates.
FP Markets Spreads
FP Markets’ spreads vary depending on the account type and instrument traded. STP accounts have a floating spread, while ECN accounts have a fixed spread.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ spreads to other brokers:
Broker | Account type | EUR/USD spread | Crude Oil WTI spread | Gold spread | BTC USD spread |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FP Markets | STP | 0.7 pips | 3 pips | 16 cents | 620.75% |
AvaTrade | Standard | 1.3 pips | 3 pips | 40 cents | 60% |
XM | Standard | 1.6 pips | 5 pips | 35 cents | 60% |
As you can see, FP Markets’ spreads are generally lower than the industry average. However, it is important to note that spreads can vary depending on market conditions.
Here are some tips for getting the best spreads:
- Choose an account type with low spreads.
- Trade during peak trading hours, when liquidity is highest.
- Avoid trading during news releases and other high-volatility events.
Deposits and Withdrawals
FP Markets offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods, with fees varying depending on the method used.
Deposits
FP Markets offers the following deposit methods:
- Bank transfer: Free
- Credit/debit card: 2.5% fee
- PayPal: 3.5% fee
- Skrill: 2% fee
- Neteller: 1% fee
Withdrawals
FP Markets offers the following withdrawal methods:
- Bank transfer: Free
- Credit/debit card: 2.5% fee
- PayPal: 3.5% fee
- Skrill: 2% fee
- Neteller: 1% fee
FP Markets processes withdrawals free of charge, but some withdrawal methods may add a processing fee.
Overall, FP Markets offers a good variety of deposit and withdrawal methods with competitive fees.
Advantages:
- Wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods supported
- Free deposits
- Free withdrawals for most methods
- Competitive fees for paid methods
Disadvantages:
- Some withdrawal methods may add a processing fee
- Fees vary depending on the method used
Please note that FP Markets’ funding methods may vary depending on the entity you trade with. Be sure to check the FP Markets website for the most up-to-date information.
Deposit Options
FP Markets offers a variety of deposit options, including bank wire transfer, various e-wallets (including Neteller and Skrill), credit/debit cards, and Virtual Pay (African Payment Method). FP Markets does not charge deposit fees for bank transfers or broker-to-broker transfers, but does charge international fees for deposits greater than $10,000. The minimum deposit amount for Standard and ECN accounts is $100.
Compared to other brokers, FP Markets has a lower minimum deposit requirement. Most other brokers require a minimum deposit of $500 or more.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ deposit options and fees to other brokers:
Broker | Deposit options | Deposit fees | Minimum deposit |
---|---|---|---|
FP Markets | Bank wire transfer, e-wallets, credit/debit cards, Virtual Pay (African Payment Method) | None for bank transfers or broker-to-broker transfers; international fees for deposits greater than $10,000 | $100 |
Most other brokers | Bank wire transfer, e-wallets, credit/debit cards | Varies | $500 or more |
Withdrawal
FP Markets charges withdrawal fees for some withdrawal methods, but not others. The amount of the fee varies depending on the method used. Withdrawal options include wire transfers, e-wallets, and cards.
FP Markets typically processes withdrawal requests within 1-2 business days.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ withdrawal fees and processing times to other brokers:
Broker | Withdrawal methods | Withdrawal fees | Processing time |
---|---|---|---|
FP Markets | Bank wire transfer, e-wallets, cards | Varies depending on the method used | 1-2 business days |
Most other brokers | Bank wire transfer, e-wallets, cards | None or small fee | 1-3 business days |
Overall, FP Markets’ withdrawal fees are competitive with other brokers, but its processing times are slightly longer.
Here are some tips for reducing your withdrawal fees:
- Choose a withdrawal method with no or low fees.
- Withdraw a larger amount at once to reduce the per-transaction fee.
- Avoid withdrawing during peak times, when processing times may be longer.
Trading Platforms
FP Markets’ trading platforms are ranked Excellent with an overall rating of 10 out of 10, compared to over 500 other brokers. This is due to its wide range of offerings, including market-leading software and alternative options. FP Markets also provides good copy trading and technology solutions.
Here are some of the key features of FP Markets’ trading platforms:
- MT4: A popular trading platform known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of features.
- MT5: A more advanced trading platform with additional features such as the ability to trade multiple asset classes from a single account.
- IRESS: A powerful trading platform for professional traders, offering a wide range of features and tools.
- cTrader: A leading multi-asset Forex and CFD trading platform, boasting advanced charting, advanced order types, level II pricing, powerful trading tools, and superior execution.
- MAM: A multi-account manager platform that allows money managers to manage multiple accounts from a single interface.
- PAMM: A percentage allocation management module that allows investors to allocate their funds to different money managers.
Customer Support
FP Markets offers excellent customer support through various channels, including online live chat, phone, and email. The customer support team is knowledgeable and responsive, and they support a range of languages. FP Markets also has established customer support centers in Asia, Europe, and Australia, so it is available 24/7.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ customer support to other brokers:
Broker | Customer support channels | Languages | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
FP Markets | Online live chat, phone, email | Multiple | 24/7 |
BlackBull Markets | Online live chat, phone, email | English | 24/7 |
eToro | Online live chat, phone, email | Multiple | 24/5 |
Overall, FP Markets offers excellent customer support with a wide range of channels, languages, and availability.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of FP Markets’ customer support:
- Be clear and concise when describing your issue.
- Provide as much detail as possible.
- Be patient and polite.
Education
FP Markets offers a variety of educational resources, including the Trading Series, trading videos, trading info, webinars, events, and podcasts. FP Markets also provides research tools with comprehensive analysis and features such as market outlooks, news feeds, trading ideas, trading alerts, and third-party tools like Autochartist.
FP Markets is a good choice for beginners because it offers a wide range of educational materials, research, and analysis. The educational resources are well-organized and cover a variety of topics, from the basics of trading to more advanced concepts. The research tools are also comprehensive and provide traders with the information they need to make informed trading decisions.
Here is a table comparing FP Markets’ education resources to other brokers:
Broker | Education resources | Research tools |
---|---|---|
FP Markets | Trading Series, trading videos, trading info, webinars, events, podcasts | Market outlooks, news feeds, trading ideas, trading alerts, Autochartist |
BlackBull Markets | Trading academy, webinars, trading videos, glossaries, articles | Economic calendar, market news, trading charts, analysis tools |
eToro | Trading academy, webinars, trading videos, copy trading | Market analysis, news feed, trading calendar |
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Overall, FP Markets offers excellent education resources and research tools, making it a good choice for beginners and experienced traders alike.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of FP Markets’ education resources and research tools:
- Start with the Trading Series to learn the basics of trading.
- Watch the trading videos and read the trading info to learn more about specific trading topics.
- Attend webinars and events to learn from experienced traders.
- Use the research tools to stay up-to-date on market news and trends.
- Develop a trading plan and use the research tools to find trading opportunities that fit your plan.
Overall, FP Markets’ education resources and research tools are a great way to learn about trading and make informed trading decisions.