Forex alternatives

Tickmill Alternatives
| Alternative | Why consider it | What to check | Commission ($)¹ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Check spread plus commission | $7 | View | |
| Best for algorithmic traders | Check spread plus commission | $7 | View | |
| Best for platform and market breadth | Check spread plus commission | $6 | View | |
| Best low-commission | Check spread plus commission | $4.50 | View | |
| Best for real stocks and ETFs | Check spread plus commission | — | View |
Pepperstone is the best overall Tickmill alternative for most forex and CFD traders in 2026. It keeps the MetaTrader and TradingView functionality Tickmill users are likely to want, but adds cTrader, a proprietary Pepperstone platform and a broader CFD range. Pepperstone is also regulated through multiple major jurisdictions, including the FCA, ASIC, CySEC and BaFin.
That does not make Pepperstone the best alternative for everyone.
IC Markets is particularly strong for algorithmic and high-frequency traders. FP Markets is a better fit if market breadth and platform choice matter. Fusion Markets is worth considering when raw-account commission is the priority and the applicable regulatory entity is acceptable. XTB is the better alternative if you actually want to invest in real shares and ETFs rather than remain primarily inside the MetaTrader forex and CFD ecosystem.
One important correction to older Tickmill comparisons: Tickmill now supports TradingView. Tickmill currently offers MT4, MT5, TradingView and its own Tickmill Trader platform. Choosing another broker simply because you want TradingView is therefore no longer a good reason to leave Tickmill.
Best Tickmill alternatives at a glance
Pepperstone
- Best for
- Best overall alternative
- Main reason to choose it over Tickmill
- cTrader, proprietary platform and broader CFD selection alongside MT4, MT5 and TradingView
- Main drawback
- Raw-account pricing is not necessarily cheaper than Tickmill
IC Markets
- Best for
- Algorithmic trading and scalping
- Main reason to choose it over Tickmill
- Strong raw-pricing setup, cTrader and broader market coverage
- Main drawback
- Availability and regulatory entity vary significantly by country
FP Markets
- Best for
- Market and platform breadth
- Main reason to choose it over Tickmill
- 10,000+ instruments plus MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView
- Main drawback
- Not every product is available through every platform or entity
Fusion Markets
- Best for
- Low raw-account commission
- Main reason to choose it over Tickmill
- $2.25 per side on its Zero account for FX and metals
- Main drawback
- Many international clients are served by offshore-regulated entities
XTB
- Best for
- Shares, ETFs and proprietary platform users
- Main reason to choose it over Tickmill
- Real shares and ETFs plus a large multi-asset range
- Main drawback
- No MT4 or MT5
| Broker | Best for | Main reason to choose it over Tickmill | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall alternative | cTrader, proprietary platform and broader CFD selection alongside MT4, MT5 and TradingView | Raw-account pricing is not necessarily cheaper than Tickmill | |
| Algorithmic trading and scalping | Strong raw-pricing setup, cTrader and broader market coverage | Availability and regulatory entity vary significantly by country | |
| Market and platform breadth | 10,000+ instruments plus MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView | Not every product is available through every platform or entity | |
| Low raw-account commission | $2.25 per side on its Zero account for FX and metals | Many international clients are served by offshore-regulated entities | |
| Shares, ETFs and proprietary platform users | Real shares and ETFs plus a large multi-asset range | No MT4 or MT5 |
The best Tickmill replacement depends on why you are leaving Tickmill. Switching brokers without identifying that gap usually just exchanges one good forex broker for another.
1. Pepperstone: Best overall Tickmill alternative
Pepperstone currently supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, cTrader and its own Pepperstone platform. Tickmill supports MT4, MT5, TradingView and Tickmill Trader, but does not currently list cTrader among its available platforms.
That makes Pepperstone particularly relevant if your problem with Tickmill is not MetaTrader itself, but wanting more choice around it.
Pepperstone also advertises more than 1,350 CFDs across markets including forex, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies and ETFs.
Why choose Pepperstone instead of Tickmill?
Choose Pepperstone if you want:
- MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
- native TradingView connectivity
- cTrader
- a proprietary broker platform
- a broader multi-asset CFD selection
- access to a broker group regulated in jurisdictions including the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin and DFSA
Pepperstone is regulated by several major authorities globally, although the exact entity and client protections depend on where you live.
When is Tickmill still better?
Tickmill remains extremely competitive if your priority is straightforward raw-price forex trading on MT4 or MT5.
Tickmill's current Raw account advertises spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per side per standard lot, with a $100 initial deposit on the global offering. Tickmill's TradingView Raw account charges $3.50 per lot per side.
Pepperstone is therefore a more convincing upgrade when you actually need its extra platforms or markets. Switching purely because you assume Tickmill is expensive would be a weak reason.
Verdict: Pepperstone is the best Tickmill alternative for most traders, particularly those who want cTrader or more platform flexibility without abandoning MT4, MT5 or TradingView.
2. IC Markets: Best Tickmill alternative for algorithmic traders
IC Markets supports MetaTrader platforms and cTrader, while IC Markets EU also now offers TradingView connectivity. Its EU operation advertises access to more than 2,850 instruments.
The pricing model is also familiar to traders considering Tickmill. On IC Markets EU, the MetaTrader Raw Spread account currently charges $3.50 per standard lot per side for USD accounts, while cTrader uses a commission calculated from the notional USD value traded.
Tickmill's comparable Raw account currently charges $3 per side in USD, so IC Markets should not automatically be described as cheaper. The real comparison is the all-in cost, including live spread, commission, execution quality and slippage for the instruments and trading hours you actually use.
Why choose IC Markets instead of Tickmill?
IC Markets makes more sense if you want:
- cTrader
- a wider CFD universe
- a broker environment heavily oriented towards active and automated trading
- MT4 or MT5 without dramatically changing your existing setup
- TradingView under supported entities
Is IC Markets regulated?
IC Markets operates through different companies depending on jurisdiction.
IC Markets (EU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by CySEC under licence 362/18. Its Australian entity, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, is regulated by ASIC under licence 335692. IC Markets Global is the trading name of Raw Trading Ltd, which is regulated by the Seychelles FSA.
That distinction matters. Do not compare broker brands only. Compare the specific legal entity that will hold your account.
Verdict: Choose IC Markets over Tickmill when automated trading, cTrader and broader CFD access matter more than shaving a small amount from the published MetaTrader commission.
3. FP Markets: Best alternative for platform and market breadth
FP Markets advertises more than 10,000 instruments across seven asset classes. The broker also offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, although platform and instrument availability can vary.
Its Raw forex account is particularly comparable with Tickmill. FP Markets currently advertises raw spreads from 0.0 pips, a $100 minimum deposit and commission from $3 per side per standard lot for USD accounts.
That means FP Markets is not compelling because it dramatically undercuts Tickmill's headline commission. It is compelling because you can obtain broadly comparable raw-account pricing while gaining a much larger product catalogue and additional platform options.
Why choose FP Markets instead of Tickmill?
FP Markets is worth considering if you want:
- MT4 and MT5
- cTrader
- TradingView
- significantly more tradeable instruments
- raw forex pricing similar to Tickmill
- access to share, ETF and other CFD markets beyond a forex-heavy setup
FP Markets says regulated group companies operate under ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Europe, FSCA in South Africa, FSA in Seychelles and CMA in Kenya.
Verdict: FP Markets is the better Tickmill alternative when market breadth matters but you still want the familiar MetaTrader/raw-spread broker model.
4. Fusion Markets: Best low-commission Tickmill alternative
Fusion Markets' Zero account currently charges $2.25 per side on FX and metals, compared with Tickmill's current $3 per side Raw account pricing. Fusion also supports MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
For a trader completing 100 standard-lot round trips, the headline commission calculation is straightforward:
- Tickmill Raw at $3 per side: $600
- Fusion Markets Zero at $2.25 per side: $450
- Difference before spread, slippage and other costs: $150
That does not mean Fusion Markets will necessarily produce a $150 lower real trading cost. Spread behaviour, execution, instrument, trading session and slippage also affect the final result.
But it does show why commission becomes commercially meaningful for very active traders and nearly irrelevant for someone trading a handful of small positions each month.
What is the downside of Fusion Markets?
The regulatory structure deserves more attention than the commission saving.
Fusion Markets states that Australian clients use an ASIC-regulated entity, while international entities include firms regulated by the Seychelles FSA and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission.
A lower commission is not automatically a better deal if obtaining it means moving from the regulatory protection you currently value to an entity you are less comfortable using.
Verdict: Fusion Markets is worth considering for cost-sensitive, high-volume traders, but compare the entity first and the commission second.
5. XTB: Best Tickmill alternative for real stocks and ETFs
XTB is fundamentally a different proposition.
XTB currently uses its own platform and explicitly states that it does not support MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5.
In return, XTB combines CFDs with real shares and ETFs in supported jurisdictions. Its current UK-facing site advertises more than 11,700 instruments, while XTB states that real shares and ETFs can be traded with 0% commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, after which a 0.2% commission applies, subject to minimum charges and potential currency-conversion fees.
Why choose XTB instead of Tickmill?
Choose XTB if you increasingly care about:
- buying real shares
- investing in ETFs
- combining trading and longer-term investing
- using a proprietary platform instead of MetaTrader
- maintaining access to forex and CFDs alongside investments
Do not choose XTB as a Tickmill replacement if your trading operation depends on MT4 Expert Advisors, MT5 automation or an established MetaTrader workflow.
XTB Group includes regulated entities under authorities such as the FCA, CySEC and Poland's KNF, with the applicable entity depending on residence.
Verdict: XTB is less of a Tickmill clone and more of an alternative for people whose needs have moved beyond a forex-first brokerage account.
Tickmill vs its alternatives: Which broker should you choose?
The right choice becomes much clearer when the decision is tied to a specific requirement.
Choose Pepperstone if you want the best all-round replacement
Pepperstone provides the cleanest general upgrade path from Tickmill because it combines MT4, MT5 and TradingView with cTrader, its proprietary platform and a broader CFD range.
Choose IC Markets if automated trading is the priority
IC Markets is particularly well suited to traders comparing raw pricing, MetaTrader automation, cTrader and larger CFD market coverage.
Choose FP Markets if you want more markets
FP Markets offers one of the broadest product ranges among the most directly comparable Tickmill alternatives while maintaining MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView access.
Choose Fusion Markets if commission is the bottleneck
Fusion Markets' $2.25-per-side Zero account can reduce headline commission costs for high-volume forex traders. Check which regulated entity serves your country before treating the lower fee as a clear win.
Choose XTB if you want to invest as well as trade
XTB is the strongest departure from Tickmill. It drops MetaTrader but adds a proprietary ecosystem and access to real shares and ETFs in supported markets.
Is Tickmill still worth using in 2026?
The case for switching has actually become narrower because Tickmill has expanded its platform offering.
Tickmill now provides:
- MetaTrader 4
- MetaTrader 5
- TradingView
- Tickmill Trader
- Classic and Raw account structures
- Raw spreads advertised from 0.0 pips
- a $100 initial deposit on its global account offering
Tickmill Group also operates through regulated entities including Tickmill UK Ltd under the FCA, Tickmill Europe Ltd under CySEC, Tickmill Ltd under the Seychelles FSA and Tickmill South Africa under the FSCA.
The weakest reason to change broker is simply that another website has put a competitor above Tickmill in a ranking table.
A better reason is a structural advantage that affects how you actually trade.
What should you compare before switching from Tickmill?
1. Compare the regulated entity, not just the broker name
A global brokerage group can operate an FCA-regulated company, a CySEC-regulated company and an offshore company under the same consumer-facing brand.
The protection you receive depends on the company your account is actually contracted with.
2. Calculate total trading cost
Do not compare brokers using “spreads from 0.0 pips” alone.
For active forex trading, compare:
Total trading cost = spread cost + commission + swap or financing + slippage + any relevant platform or account charges
A broker charging $0.75 less commission per side can still be more expensive if your typical executable spread or slippage is worse.
3. Check your exact platform requirements
If you run MQL4 Expert Advisors, replacing Tickmill with XTB makes little sense.
If you specifically want cTrader, Pepperstone, IC Markets, FP Markets and Fusion Markets become materially more relevant because Tickmill's current platform range does not list cTrader.
4. Check the instruments you actually trade
“10,000 instruments” is meaningless if the broker does not provide the five markets your strategy requires under the entity and platform available to you.
Check contract specifications before depositing.
5. Test before migrating everything
For active or algorithmic traders, a demo account can verify platform compatibility, but it cannot fully reproduce live execution.
Where practical, test a new broker with limited capital and compare live spread, fill quality, slippage, platform stability and withdrawals before migrating a larger trading balance.
Which Tickmill alternative is best?
Pepperstone is the best overall Tickmill alternative in 2026. It offers the easiest step up for a typical Tickmill user because MT4, MT5 and TradingView remain available while cTrader, Pepperstone's own platform and a broader CFD range provide genuine additional functionality.
The more specific answer is:
- Best overall: Pepperstone
- Best for algorithmic and active traders: IC Markets
- Best for market breadth: FP Markets
- Best for low raw-account commission: Fusion Markets
- Best for real stocks and ETFs: XTB
Tickmill itself remains a good option if none of those differences solves a problem you actually have.
Changing brokers should buy you something measurable: lower total costs, a required platform, stronger jurisdictional fit, additional instruments or a materially better trading workflow. If it does not, staying with Tickmill is probably the simpler decision.
Risk warning: Forex and CFD trading involves leveraged products and a high risk of loss. Broker availability, pricing, leverage limits and investor protections vary by jurisdiction and account entity. Verify the current legal entity, product documentation and costs applicable to your country before opening or transferring an account.