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Chris Cammack
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Author
Chris Cammack
Edited by
Chris Cammack
Partner Manager and Financial Writer

Chris Cammack is the Partner Manager and a financial writer at FxScouts. Chris builds and maintains our relationships with our partners to provide our users with the best Forex trading experience.

Learn more about Chris Cammack
Author
Author
Alison Heyerdahl
Head of Content

Alison Heyerdahl is the Head of Content at FxScouts, a Chartered Market Technician (CMT), and an experienced trader, as well as a financial writer with extensive expertise in Forex trading, broker analysis, and market research. She has reviewed 100+ brokers, publishes weekly YouTube trading videos, and co-hosts the “Let’s Talk Forex” podcast.

Learn more about Alison Heyerdahl

Markets.com

ZAR Accounts on the Best Trading Platform

Markets.com
4.08
Rate & review
How we review
Accepts South African Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 1.00 pips on trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 300:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5 & Marketsx platforms supported. MarketsX is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and the BVI FSC.
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74 of retail CFD accounts lose money with this provider

Available to traders in %s

Min deposit

ZAR 1500

Regulated By

FSCA, FCA, ASIC, CySEC

Trading Cost

ZAR 10

Leverage

300:1

Copy Trading

Yes

Platforms

MT4, MT5, markets.com

Instruments

Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Stock CFDs, ETFs ( )
Forex, Indices

Markets.com Broker Review

Established in 2009, Markets.com is a trustworthy global Forex broker regulated by some top-tier authorities, including CySEC of Cyprus and the FSCA of South Africa.


 It offers fast trading execution on 400+ trading assets, including stock CFDs, Forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, ETFs, and bonds. Markets.com offers only one live account, which is limited compared to other brokers, but spreads start at 1 pip (EUR/USD), with no commissions and a minimum deposit requirement of only 1500 ZAR.


Full support is offered for MT4, MT5, TradingView and Markets.com‘s award-winning in-house platform. An advanced multi-asset trading platform, its inhouse platform is packed full of features, including excellent trading tools, expert analysis, and in-depth charting. 


Markets.com also provides a high level of customer service compared to other brokers, and all traders are assigned a dedicated Account Manager to assist with any queries regarding their account or using the platform.
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Accepts South African Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 1.00 pips on trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 300:1. Islamic account available. MT4, MT5 & Marketsx platforms supported. MarketsX is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, ASIC, and the BVI FSC.
Broker Award

Markets.com - Best Trading Platform

Marketsx is the flagship trading platform from Markets.com, a well-regulated broker with high-security standards. The Marketx trading platform is packed full of features and trading tools and is optimised for lightning execution. As well as in-depth charting and asset comparison tools, Marketsx also gives traders a wealth of decision-supporting data with sentiment tools, tutorials, and regular live-streamed, expert analysis.

Feature-rich and very easy to use for new traders, Marketsx wins the award for best trading platform for 2021.

Pros

  • Regulation by top-tier authorities
  • Hassle-free withdrawal process without any fees
  • Its proprietary trading platform is praised for its user-friendly interface catering to both beginners and experienced traders
  • Competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips

Cons

  • The maximum leverage of 300:1 could pose a risk for uninformed traders warranting cautious utilization
Rating Reviews
4.08

Markets.com Overall Summary

Trust Rating
4
Trading Conditions
4.5
Platforms
4.5
Education
2.5
Beginner Friendly
3
Assets Available
4.5
Analysis Research
3
Deposit & Withdrawal
4.5
Overall Rating
4.08
/ 5
Base Currencies
ZAR, USD, AUD, DKK, EUR, GBP, NOK, PLN, SEK
Number of FX Pairs
54
Crypto Pairs
43
Copy Trading
Yes
Hedging Allowed
Yes
Scalping Allowed
Yes
Islamic Account
Yes
Account Name
Commission
Fees Included in Spread
EUR/USD
1.00
GBP/USD
1.20
USD/JPY
0.70
Negative Balance Protection
Yes
Company Name
FINALTO (South Africa) (Pty) Limited
Founded
2008
Website
za.markets.com
Website Language
Arabic, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Support Language
Arabic, Afrikaans, Bulgarian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Spanish
Office Locations
Australia, United Kingdom, Cyprus, South Africa
Support Email Address
[email protected]
FP Markets FP Markets

Deposit & Withdrawal

banktransfer
mastercard
neteller
skrill
visa

Supported Platforms

Best MT4 Forex Brokers
Best MT5 Forex Brokers
markets.com

Ready to trade with markets.com?

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Yes, Markets.com is a regulated broker. It is regulated by CySEC of Cyprus and the FSCA of South Africa and offers traders negative balance protection.

Is markets.com Safe?

Global Regulation and Oversight: Markets.com operates under several regulatory authorities worldwide through licensed subsidiaries, including:

  • Safecap Investments Limited, which is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (“CySEC”) under license no. 092/08. Safecap is incorporated in the Republic of Cyprus under company number ΗΕ186196.
  • Markets South Africa (Pty) Ltd is regulated by the FSCA under license no. 46860 and licensed to operate as an Over The Counter Derivatives Provider (ODP) in terms of the Financial Markets Act no.19 of 2012.
  • Markets International Ltd (“Markets SVG”), a company existing under the International Business Companies (Amendment and Consolidation) Act, Chapter 149 of the Revised Laws of Saint Vincent and Grenadines 2009, with registration number 27030 BC2023.

Client Protection Measures: Markets.com implements several measures to enhance client security:

  • Trader deposits are kept separate from company operating accounts.
  • Leverage limits are applied in line with local regulatory standards to help manage risk.
  • Traders cannot lose more than their account balance.
  • Eligible clients may be covered by compensation funds depending on the jurisdiction.
  • Marketing and bonus offers are governed by each region’s regulatory guidelines.
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markets.com’s Trading Instruments

Markets.com has recently reduced the number of assets on offer from 2000 to 400, which may no longer appeal to traders seeking a broad range of markets, particularly those interested in less common instruments or niche asset classes.

Available Assets and Leverage

Markets.com’s range of trading instruments is now more limited than many other brokers, following a significant reduction in available assets, although it still maintains a strong offering in cryptocurrencies.

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markets.com Accounts and Trading Fees

Markets.com offers only one live account, which is limited compared to other brokers, and its spreads are around the industry average. 

Opening an Account

We tested the account opening process, which took approximately 10 minutes to complete, and once our documentation had been submitted, our accounts were ready for trading within about 24 hours. 

Trading Fees

Market.com’s account has a minimum deposit requirement of 100 USD, making it accessible to most traders. The CFD trading account is commission-free, with spreads that start at 1 pip (EUR/USD), which is around the industry average.

Trading Accounts

We opened and tested Markets.com’s account and found that, as advertised, spreads are 1 pip on the EUR/USD:

Professional Accounts

Professional Trading accounts benefit from increased leverage, preferential trading conditions, and premium research and commentary. Professional traders can also request specific assets be added to the platform. 

However, please note that as a professional trader, you do waive some protections that are in place to protect retail traders, which do not apply to professional traders.

To open a Professional Account, you must fulfil at least two of the following three criteria:

  • The size of your financial instrument portfolio, including cash deposits, exceeds €500,000.
  • You work or have previously worked in the financial sector for at least one year in a professional position.
  • You have carried out transactions, in significant size, on the relevant market at an average frequency of 10 per quarter over the previous 4 quarters.
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    markets.com's Trading Platforms

    Markets.com supports a broader range of platforms than most brokers, including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and its own Markets.com platform.

    Mobile Platforms

    Markets.com offers support for the Markets.com App, and MT4, and MT5 mobile trading apps for Android and iOS. 

    Markets.com Mobile App

    We found that the app has a sleek design and intuitive interface. We could easily transfer, withdraw and deposit funds, search for instruments, and create watchlists. It also displays the market sentiment for all instruments. We were also pleased to find that the app has an integrated news feed:

    MT4 and MT5 Mobile Trading  

    The advantage of using the MetaTrader platform is the cross-device and multi-broker functionality, making it easier to change brokers or use multiple brokers.  The markets.com MT4 and MT5 apps allow traders to work from anywhere, with nine timeframes, 30 indicators, and interactive currency charts. Functionality to close and modify existing orders, calculate profit/loss in real-time, and tick chart trading further empowers traders while on the move.  

    TradingView

    The TradingView mobile app, when used with Markets.com, lets traders view advanced real-time charts, technical indicators, alerts and watchlists on iOS or Android and connect their Markets.com account to trade CFDs directly through the TradingView interface. This integration combines TradingView’s powerful mobile charting and community features with Markets.com’s execution and market access across forex, indices, stocks and cryptocurrencies, enabling seamless analysis and order placement on the go.

    Trading Platform Comparison

    Broker
    Platform Choice
    Copy Trading
    Platforms
    markets.com
    4.5
    / 5
    Read Review
    Yes
    MT4
    MT5
    markets.com
    IG
    4.5
    / 5
    Read Review
    No
    MT4
    L2 Dealer
    TradingView
    FP Markets
    5
    / 5
    Read Review
    Yes
    MT4
    MT5
    cTrader
    TradingView

    Desktop Trading Platforms

    Markets.com offers support for MT4, MT5, and the markets.com trading platforms, which is a wider range than is available at most other brokers.

    markets.com

    The markets.com trading platform is known for its ease of use and excellent features. We found that it offers advanced charting, making it easier to spot trends and identify new trading opportunities, and comprehensive drawing tools to plot trendlines, channels, pitchforks, Fibonacci Retracements, and much more. We were also impressed to find that the platform allows you to add up to five types of indicators to the chart at once, overlay multiple assets, or compare up to eight instruments side-by-side.

    The search function on the markets.com platform is excellent. We were able to search for specific instruments or use filters to navigate asset classes and subcategories to find new trades. In addition, markets.com highlights the hottest instruments and the biggest movers with the Featured tab:

    One drawback of the platform is that it does not allow automated trading, but Markets.com offers MT4 and MT5 for these purposes.

    MetaTrader 4

    Having established itself as the industry-leading platform, Metatrader 4 (MT4) is considered the most reliable and popular platform in existence. Its intuitive interface and user-friendly environment provide essential tools and resources for successful online trading. However, markets.com only offers support for the most basic version of MT4, which means that it lacks essential trading features. There are thousands of add-ons available for free, but traders may have to pay extra to take advantage of the platform’s full functionality. 

    Metatrader 5

    MT5 is more powerful and faster than MT4 when it comes to back-testing functionality for automated trading algorithms.  It also has a built-in news feed, market depth indicator, and economic calendar, and trades can be made on the charts. 

    TradingView

    Markets.com clients can access the TradingView desktop platform for advanced charting, technical indicators, and real-time market analysis, with the ability to link their account and trade CFDs directly from the charts. The integration itself is free for Markets.com clients, but access to TradingView’s higher-tier features—such as additional indicators and multiple chart layouts—requires a separate paid subscription with TradingView.

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    markets.com Deposits and Withdrawals

    Markets.com charges low deposit and withdrawal fees compared to other brokers and offers a wide variety of payment methods.

    Account Currencies and Funding Options

    A well-regulated broker, Markets.com ensures that all Anti-Money Laundering rules and regulations are followed. As such, all non-profit funds are returned to the original deposit source. 

    Accepted Deposit Currencies: The Markets.com client portal allows traders to deposit funds in 9 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, and ZAR. Markets.com charges a currency conversion fee (of 0.3%)  for transfers in currencies other than Markets.com’s accepted base currencies. This should not be a problem for South African traders with ZAR trading accounts, but for those wishing to open a USD account, it is something to be aware of.

    A convenient way to save on conversion fees is by opening a multi-currency bank account at a digital bank. Digital banks offer great exchange rates in addition to free or cheap international bank transfers. 

    Funding Methods and Fees: Deposits and withdrawals can be made securely at Markets.com using major debit and credit cards, bank wire transfers, and leading payment services such as Skrill and PayPal.  Markets.com does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees.

    Markets.com provides various payment methods, and its processing times are quicker than other similar brokers. No commissions are charged on deposits or withdrawals.

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    markets.com’s Research and Trading Tools

    While Markets.com offers a wide variety of trading tools through its proprietary platform and it offers Trading Central.

    Trading Tools

    Markets.com Platform Tools

    Its powerful suite of decision-supporting tools is one of the main strengths of the markets.com online trading platform. The trading tools menu features several tools that crunch big data from leading analysts, hedge funds, and commentators to give you better insight into the market. Each tool has integrated buy and sell buttons, so you can quickly act upon the information presented.

    Tools include:

    Fundamental Analysis: These include customisable trading alerts, in-platform financial commentary, including central bank statements, earnings announcements, and national budgets available through the platform’s newsfeed. 

    Analyst Recommendations: See what top Wall Street analysts think of leading US stocks. Get price targets and buy/sell ratings on industry leaders like Microsoft, Boeing, Alphabet, and more.

    Insider Trades: See how executives at companies like Apple, Facebook, and Tesla are trading their own stock. Each trade is marked as informative or uninformative so that you can get a clear picture of insider sentiment.

    Hedge Fund Confidence: Follow the smart money with the Hedge Fund Confidence tool, which shows you which stocks the world’s top money managers were buying and selling in the previous quarter.

    Bloggers Opinions: See how top financial bloggers feel about a stock thanks to the Bloggers Opinions tool, which aggregates the latest commentary to tell you if analysts feel bullish or bearish on leading US stocks.

    News Sentiment: Have the latest headlines been bullish or bearish? Cut through the noise with the News Sentiment tool, which distills the latest news into simple insights you can use to inform your trading decisions.

    Trading Central

    Trading Central on Markets.com is an integrated analysis tool that delivers AI-powered market insights, real-time news, technical analysis, and sentiment indicators to support informed trading decisions. By turning complex market data into clear, actionable ideas directly within the platform, Trading Central helps traders quickly identify trends and opportunities with greater confidence.

    Trading Tools Comparison

    Broker
    Economic Calendar
    Autochartist
    Trading Central
    Trading View
    Free VPS
    VPS services are usually offered free with a minimum trade volume, otherwise a monthly subscription fee will apply. VPS services are usually hosted by third-party companies.
    markets.com
    Yes
    No
    Yes
    Yes
    No
    IG
    Yes
    Yes
    No
    Yes
    Yes
    FP Markets
    Yes
    Yes
    No
    Yes
    Yes

    Market Analysis

    Top financial analysts and industry leaders deliver exclusive analysis and commentary on the web platform’s integrated video streaming service. Traders can access the latest news and views on the major markets and biggest economic developments, technical analysis, company earnings, On the research side, Markets.com maintains a Market Research section with news, price forecasts and analysis across various assets such as forex, stocks, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Recent research articles include price predictions and outlook pieces, but some of this analysis may not always be updated very frequently compared with dedicated market-analysis platforms.

    Charting Tools: Markets.com provides excellent charting tools, to which traders can add over 80 technical indicators.

    Economic Calendar: Markets.com’s economic calendar allows traders to access predictions, trends, and analyses.  

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    markets.com’s Educational Material

    Traders will be pleased to find that Markets.com offers education available in both written and video formats. It also offers a demo account which gives traders a good feel for its trading platforms.

    Articles, Guides and Demo Accounts

    Markets.com provides a range of educational materials through its Education Centre and Online Trading Academy, including articles, videos, guides and tutorials on trading basics, technical concepts and platform use. It also offers a glossary of trading terms, a Traders’ Clinic feature and previously hosted webinars to help traders improve their skills and understanding. However, the live webinar schedule currently appears limited, with much of the available content drawn from older sessions rather than a regularly updated series.

    Demo Accounts

    Traders can also open a Demo Account, which allows them to learn the platform’s functionality and understand how the markets work. Demo accounts come loaded with 10,000 USD in virtual funds. The demo account lasts for 30 days but can be extended upon request. It is also fully mobile compatible, so you can learn how to trade across all your devices.

    Education Comparison

    Broker
    Beginner Course
    Advanced Course
    Well Structured Education
    Education Quality
    Webinars
    markets.com
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    High
    No
    IG
    Yes
    Yes
    Yes
    High
    Yes
    FP Markets
    Yes
    No
    Yes
    High
    Yes
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    markets.com’s Customer Service

    Markets.com’s customer support is available 24/5, which is the industry average, but the quality of support far surpasses that of other brokers.  

    24/5 Customer support

    Markets.com aims to deliver a premium trading experience, and VIP support is a large part of its offering. 

    Technical support and customer service are available 24/5 in various languages over the phone or in-platform with the Live Chat feature. Traders can also get help via email.  

    We found the customer service via live chat responsive, polite, and knowledgeable – they were able to answer all our questions.

    How We Score and Rank Forex Brokers

    At FxScouts, our Broker Score and Trust Rating are designed to provide traders with an objective, data-driven evaluation of forex brokers. We continuously refine our methodology to reflect market changes, ensuring transparency and accuracy in our rankings.

    Our independent review process analyzes 200+ data points across seven key categories, incorporating:

    • Regulation & Trustworthiness – Regulatory status, security measures, and broker reputation
    • Trading Costs & Fees – Spreads, commissions, and hidden charges
    • Platforms & Execution – Trading tools, execution speed, and user experience
    • Asset Selection: Forex, stocks, and other available instruments
    • Deposit & Withdrawal – Processing times, local banking support, and transaction costs
    • Education & Research – Quality of learning resources for beginners and experienced traders
    • Customer Support – Response times, multilingual service, and problem resolution


    To ensure fairness and transparency, we independently verify broker claims and integrate real-user feedback, regulator data, and live trading tests. The radar chart to the left illustrates the weight of each category in our final scoring system.

    Why Our Reviews Set the Standard

    Every broker we recommend meets strict trust and safety criteria and is tested for reliability, transparency, and overall trading experience.

    markets.com Risk Statement

    markets.com Risk Statement

    Trading Forex is risky, and each broker is required to detail how risky the trading of Forex CFDs is to clients. Markets.com would like you to know that: CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Read our PDS. Trading is risky.  Any advice provided is general advice only, and has been prepared without taking your individual objectives, financial situation or needs into account. Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be construed to be investment advice.

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    User Reviews

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    Meet the Experts Behind Our Unbiased Reviews

    Chris Cammack

    Partner Manager and Financial Writer

    Chris Cammack
    Chris Cammack is partner manager and senior financial writer at FxScouts, specialising in broker relations and forex market analysis. As the former Head of Content (2019–2024), he set editorial standards for all content published at FxScouts, including broker reviews, broker comparison pages and education. With over a decade of experience in editorial management and partner relations, Chris builds and maintains our relationships with our partners to provide the best Forex trading experience for our users. Healso co-hosts the “Let’s Talk Forex” podcast with Alison Heyerdahl, where he explores trading strategies, industry news, and macroeconomic trends to help traders navigate the markets with confidence.

    Alison Heyerdahl

    Head of Content

    Alison Heyerdahl
    Alison Heyerdahl is the Head of Content at FxScouts, a Chartered Market Technician (CMT), an experienced trader, and a financial writer with extensive hands-on experience in the Forex trading industry. She specialises in Forex trading, broker analysis, and market research, with a focus on helping traders navigate the complex world of online trading safely and confidently. Alison has tested and reviewed more than 100 Forex brokers, assessing everything from regulatory status and trading conditions to platform features and customer support. Her goal is to provide honest, detailed, and practical insights that traders can rely on when choosing a broker. She’s also produced more than 100 educational videos for the FxScouts YouTube channel, where she explains trading concepts in a clear, accessible way. As the co-host of the “Let’s Talk Forex” podcast, Alison shares expert commentary on broker reliability, trading strategies, and market developments—always with a focus on transparency and trader protection.

    Stefan de Clerk

    Financial Writer

    Stefan de Clerk
    Stefan is a financial writer and Forex trading enthusiast with over a decade of experience creating in-depth content on finance and technology. His deep interest in geopolitical events, big data, and market sentiment fuels his passion for analyzing how global factors shape financial markets. With a background in marketing and financial research, Stefan believes that Forex trading offers the best insight into the pulse of the world economy. Committed to delivering well-researched, unbiased, and objective information, he helps traders navigate the markets with clarity and confidence.
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