Ultra-low-cost ECN broker. FCA + CySEC + FSA + FSCA regulated, $2 per side Pro account commissions, and a clear focus on cost-conscious active traders.
Tickmill has built one of the most cost-competitive ECN propositions in the industry. Founded in 2014, the broker is regulated by FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles), FSCA (South Africa), and DFSA (UAE). The Pro account commission is $2 per side — $4 round-turn per standard lot — undercutting most established ECN competitors by a meaningful margin. EUR/USD spreads on the Pro account average 0.0-0.1 pips. MT4, MT5, and a proprietary web platform are supported. No cTrader and no TradingView integration.
The broker has focused its development resources on execution quality and pricing rather than platform breadth — execution speeds are competitive (sub-100ms typical) and slippage rates are below industry norms.
For algorithmic and high-volume strategies, the Pro account economics become genuinely compelling. Worth knowing: in early 2025, Tickmill's Trustpilot rating was suspended for fake-review breaches (since reinstated), and Malaysia SCM and Indonesia BAPPEBTI added the broker to investor alert lists for serving residents without local authorisation. The FCA, CySEC, and Tier-1 entities remain in good standing. For active traders specifically optimising commission costs and willing to forgo cTrader, Tickmill is a serious option.
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Where Tickmill is strong, and where it is not.
In-depth analysis across regulation, costs, platforms, accounts, funding, and support.
Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles). FCA and CySEC provide strong Tier 1/2 protection including FSCS coverage and segregated funds. The FSA entity allows higher leverage with reduced protection. The broker has operated since 2014.
Client funds are segregated under all entities. Negative balance protection applies to FCA and CySEC retail clients. Tickmill's clean regulatory history and transparent pricing contribute to a trustworthy reputation among cost-focused traders.
Tickmill operates under 6 regulatory licences:
Tickmill has operated since 2015 (11+ years). Editorial assessment: high-confidence on regulatory standing.
Tickmill's Pro account offers one of the lowest commission structures in the retail forex industry: $2 per side per standard lot ($4 round-turn). Combined with raw spreads from 0.0 pips, this makes Tickmill one of the cheapest execution environments available anywhere. Average EUR/USD spreads during liquid sessions typically sit between 0.1 and 0.2 pips, meaning all-in cost per lot is often under $5.
The Classic account offers a spread-only model starting from 1.6 pips with no commission for traders who prefer simplified pricing. The VIP account (for accounts over $50,000) reduces the Pro commission to $1 per side — $2 round-turn — which is exceptionally competitive for high-net-worth active traders.
Tickmill cost structure depends on which account type you choose. The trade-off is generally between spread-only pricing (simpler, slightly higher implicit cost) and raw-spread plus commission (cheaper at higher volumes, requires per-trade math).
Raw spreads from market liquidity providers (typically 0.0-0.3 pips on EUR/USD) plus a per-side commission. Becomes more cost-effective above moderate monthly volume. Specific commission rates published on the broker site.
Overnight swap rates apply to positions held past daily rollover, based on currency-pair interest rate differentials.
Most reputable brokers don't charge deposit fees, withdrawal fees, or inactivity fees on active accounts. Check the funding terms for your specific entity at Tickmill.
Tickmill offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. The platform selection is more limited than brokers offering cTrader or TradingView, but MT4 and MT5 cover the core needs of most retail traders including Expert Advisors, custom indicators, and automated strategy execution.
Server infrastructure is optimised for fast execution. Tickmill publishes execution statistics showing average fill speeds under 0.20 seconds. For cost-focused traders who use MetaTrader, the combination of low commissions and competitive execution creates a strong value proposition.
Tickmill supports 4 platforms — choice affects available order types and execution model.
The industry standard for forex retail. Full EA support, custom indicators, automated trading. Mature ecosystem of community-built tools.
Newer MetaQuotes platform with additional asset classes, more timeframes, and improved backtesting. Recommended for newer accounts unless you have legacy MT4 EAs.
Web-based charting now integrated for live trading. Particularly popular for traders who already use TradingView for analysis.
Tickmill offers 4 live account types, all with a $100 minimum where applicable:
Demo accounts are available free of charge, typically with virtual balance and the option to reset on request. Useful for testing strategies before committing capital.
E-wallet deposits are typically instant; card payments take 1-2 hours; bank wires 1-3 business days.
Withdrawals are typically processed within 1 business day. Arrival times depend on method: e-wallets same day, cards 3-5 days, wire 1-3 days.
The same-method rule typically applies — withdrawals must go to the same source as deposits where possible. This is standard AML compliance, not broker-specific.
Tickmill provides live chat, email, and phone support. Response times are typical for the industry: chat within a few minutes, email 12-24 hours, phone during regional business hours.
Coverage is reasonable but not exceptional — sufficient for routine queries, may require persistence for complex issues.
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