eToro vs ThinkMarkets 2026: Which Broker is Better?

Regulation & Safety

eToro and ThinkMarkets are both well-regulated brokers, providing a strong level of safety for traders. eToro is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) in the EU, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US. This multi-jurisdictional regulation ensures that eToro adheres to strict financial standards, providing a secure trading environment.

ThinkMarkets, headquartered in London, is regulated by the FCA and ASIC, offering robust protection through these reputable regulatory bodies. Both brokers have measures in place for fund protection, such as segregated accounts, but eToro's wider regulatory reach across more regions provides an additional layer of assurance for international traders.

Fees & Spreads

eToro offers trading with a minimum spread starting from 1 pip and charges zero commission on trades, making it an attractive option for traders seeking cost-effective trading. However, it does have a $5 withdrawal fee and an inactivity fee that kicks in after 12 months, which may be a consideration for some traders. The minimum deposit is $50, which is relatively low, and the maximum leverage offered is 1:30.

ThinkMarkets provides spreads starting from 0 pips on its ThinkZero account, with a commission of 3.5 per lot. This could be more appealing for traders who focus on forex and require tighter spreads. Importantly, ThinkMarkets has no minimum deposit requirement, enabling easier access for new traders. The broker offers higher leverage up to 1:500, which can be advantageous for those employing high-risk strategies, but also comes with increased risk.

Trading Platforms

eToro offers its proprietary web and mobile trading platforms, which are particularly noted for their user-friendly interface and industry-leading social and copy trading features. In contrast, ThinkMarkets provides the widely acclaimed MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, in addition to its own proprietary web and mobile platforms. ThinkTrader, its proprietary platform, is praised for advanced trading tools and a strong mobile app, appealing to more tech-savvy traders.

Who Should Choose eToro?

• Traders interested in social and copy trading features.
• Individuals looking to invest in real stocks without CFDs.
• Beginners seeking a user-friendly platform with a low minimum deposit.
• US-based traders needing a platform with SEC regulation.

Who Should Choose ThinkMarkets?

• Forex traders requiring tight spreads and low commissions.
• Advanced traders who utilise MetaTrader 4 and 5 for complex trading strategies.
• Users looking for high leverage options up to 1:500.
• Traders who prefer not having a minimum deposit constraint.

Our Verdict

For beginners, eToro is the preferable choice due to its user-friendly interface and social trading features. For professional traders, particularly those focusing on forex, ThinkMarkets offers a more robust platform with tighter spreads. On fees, ThinkMarkets generally has an edge with lower costs for active forex traders.