Broker to Trading

Dukascopy Bank provides ECN trading, offering access to the SWFX Marketplace. For this it charges a commission, but can offer low spreads for the more liquid Forex pairs. ThinkMarkets provides a range of account types. It also offers an account which can offer very low Forex spreads plus a commission charge, the ThinkZero account.

ThinkMarkets utilises Equinix data centers for all its account types, which is a way of using physical proximity to liquidity providers to allow for rapid order transmission. Both brokers offer CFD trading, however in the UK, ThinkMarkets provides MT4 and MT5 spread betting.

Both offer MT4. ThinkMarkets additionally provides MT5. In addition to MT4 and MT5, ThinkMarkets offers ThinkTrader which is available on its account which does not charge a commission, but can still have tight Forex spreads. Dukascopy's main platform is JForex, which is an ECN optimised platform with a relatively large number of technical indicators inbuilt into the platform. Both brokers support the use of automated trading on MT4 (in the case of both brokers) and JForex in the case of Dukascopy Bank.

Other than for its ThinkZero account, ThinkMarkets does not have a minimum deposit requirement, however for its ThinkZero account it has a minimum deposit of $500. The minimum deposit for Dukascopy Bank is $500. ThinkMarkets has more markets to trade than Dukascopy Bank, but Dukascopy Bank has a relatively large number of markets for an ECN broker.

Dukascopy Bank is regulated by the FINMA in Switzerland. ThinkMarkets is regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and the ASIC in Australia and is licensed by the FSCA in South Africa.

Quick comparison

Dukascopy offers MT4 and JForex, while ThinkMarkets provides MT4, MT5 and ThinkTrader. Both brokers support automated and non-automated trading.

Minimum deposit and key account features

The minimum deposit for Dukascopy Bank is $1000. ThinkMarkets does not have a minimum deposit for its Standard account and for its ThinkZero account has a minimum deposit of $500.

• Dukascopy Bank offers an account type with differing features for higher deposits. A Swap-free (Islamic) account is available as well. Dukascopy Bank provides webinars through the JForex 3 platform. Dukascopy Bank offers traders access to the Swiss Foreign Exchange Marketplace liquidity pools, which it operates. The minimum trade size is 0.01 standard lots (1000 units). Dukascopy Bank does not restrict trading styles. Market News, Research and Trading Tools including an Economic Calendar as well as Videos and Webinars are available on Dukascopy Bank's website.
• ThinkMarkets offers both CFD trading and spread betting. It offers the Standard account and the ThinkZero account. An Islamic account is available. ThinkMarkets ustilises Equinix data centers for all account types, namely LD4 (London) and HK4 (Hong Kong). There is no minimum deposit for the Standard account. The minimum deposit for the ThinkZero account is $/£500. The Standard account does not charge commissions, ThinkZero account does charge a commission. EAs and scalping are allowed. The minimum trade size is 0.01 standard lots.
• ThinkMarkets account types provide 24/6 Live Support and a Free VPS Service, T&Cs apply. The ThinkZero account also offers AutoChartist and an account manager. ThinkMarkets offers Market News, Webinars, an Economic Calendar and Tutorials on its website.

Markets

• Dukascopy Bank offers Forex, Indices, Energy, Metals, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Soft Commodities, ETFs and Bonds, with 1000+ available.
• ThinkMarkets provides Forex, Indices, Energy, Metals, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks and Soft Commodities, with 3500+ available.

Dukascopy Bank provides 60+ Forex pairs, ThinkMarkets provides 40+ Forex pairs.

Leverage

• Maximum leverage for Dukascopy Bank (FINMA regulated) is 200:1. Maximum leverage for ThinkMarkets (FCA regulated) is .

Commission charges

• Dukascopy Bank charges a commission which varies depending on the volume traded, the initial deposit and equity in the account.
• For Forex, Dukascopy Bank commissions range from $35 per million USD per side, to $10 per million USD traded per side.
• For other markets except Stocks, Dukascopy Bank commissions range from $52.5 per million USD per side, to $15 per million USD per side.
• ThinkMarkets does not charge a commission on the Standard account and charges a commission of $3.5 per lot per side for its ThinkZero account.

Online trading platforms

Each broker offers MT4. ThinkMarkets also offers MT5. Dukascopy Bank additionally provides JForex, while ThinkMarkets additionally provides ThinkTrader.

Why Dukascopy Bank or ThinkMarkets ?

Traders who want to trade on MT4 can do so at either Dukascopy Bank or ThinkMarkets. Thsoe who want to trade on MT5, can find this platform at ThinkMarkets. Traders who want to trade on JForex, can do so at Dukascopy Bank. Those who want to trade on a user friendly platform, can find ThinkTrader at ThinkMarkets. Those who want to trade 3500+ Stocks CFDs, can so this at ThinkMarkets.

Comparison summary

• Both brokers provide CFD trading
• In the UK, ThinkMarkets additionally provides MT4 and MT5 spread betting
• Both offer MT4
• ThinkMarkets additionally provides MT5
• Dukascopy Bank additionally offers JForex
• ThinkMarkets has more markets overall (3500+)
• Dukascopy Bank offers a relatively large number of technical indicators on JForex