- Jump to:
- Regulations
- Trading Instruments
- Trading Platforms
- Payment Methods
- Account Types
- Support
- Conclusion
Launched in 2014, Tickmill is a multi-entity CFD broker that offers tight-spread trading in forex, stock indices, commodities, bonds and cryptocurrencies via the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. The group positions itself as a low-cost, high-speed provider, advertising spreads from 0.0 pips on Pro and VIP accounts and leverage of up to 1:500 for clients outside the EEA/UK. Core protections include segregated client money, negative balance protection for retail clients in the UK/EU, and two top-tier regulators (FCA and CySEC) for European traders.
Tickmill keeps its live account range simple – Classic (spread-only), Pro (raw spread + commission) and VIP (volume-based commission discount) – all with a minimum first deposit of 100 base currency, except VIP which requires £/€/$50,000. Swap-free (Islamic) variants and unlimited demo accounts are also available. Instrument coverage is broad for an MT-focused broker, with 60+ currency pairs, major commodities, global indices, German government bond CFDs and 50+ stocks and cryptos, all traded as leveraged CFDs.
| General Information about Tickmill | |
|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 |
| Supported Languages | N/A |
| Supported Currencies | EUR, GBP, USD, ZAR |
| Website | https://www.tickmill.com/ |
| Phone Number | +852 5808 7849 |
| Support Email | support@tickmill.com |
| Headquarters Address | 3, F28-F29 Eden Plaza, Eden Island, Mahe, Seychelles |
Regulations
Tickmill operates through five separately regulated entities. Tickmill UK Ltd (company no. 09592225) is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 717270 (authorised 25 May 2016) and lists its registered office at 1 Fore Street Avenue, London EC2Y 9DT. Retail clients under this entity are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 and have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Tickmill Europe Ltd (CIF licence 278/15) is supervised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. Its address is 3rd Floor, Suite 1, Siafi Street, Porto Bello Building, 3042 Limassol. Retail clients are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000 and receive statutory negative balance protection.
Outside Europe, Tickmill uses Tickmill Ltd in Seychelles (FSA securities dealer licence SD008), Tickmill Asia Ltd in Malaysia (Labuan FSA licence MB/18/0028) and Tickmill South Africa (Pty) Ltd (FSCA licence FSP 49464). These offshore entities offer higher leverage and are not backed by a formal investor compensation scheme, although the broker states that client money is kept segregated at tier-one banks.
The broker does not accept residents of the US, Canada or any jurisdiction where local law forbids CFDs. Complaints are handled internally first; unresolved UK/EU disputes may be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the CySEC ADR list respectively. For offshore entities, Tickmill refers clients to the Seychelles FSA or Labuan FSA complaints units, but no third-party ombudsman is named.
Trading Instruments
Tickmill provides a solid multi-asset line-up for a MetaTrader broker, covering major FX pairs, precious metals, energies, global stock indices, select European and US equities, German government bonds and a handful of crypto CFDs. Contract sizes follow industry standards (100,000 base for FX, 100 barrels for oil, 1 lot = 100 shares for equities). No futures or ETF CFDs are offered beyond what is wrapped inside MT5 share instruments.Forex trading
The firm quotes 60+ pairs, including majors, minors and exotics such as USD/TRY and EUR/ZAR. Typical Pro spreads average 0.1 pips on EUR/USD during London–New York overlap, charged alongside a $4 round-turn commission. Leverage is capped at 1:30 (EEA/UK) and up to 1:500 offshore. Trading runs 24/5; slight trading breaks occur at rollover 23:59–00:05 server time.
Commodity trading
Gold and silver are offered against USD and EUR, while spot WTI and Brent represent the energy segment. Minimum lot size is 0.01, and margin requirements mirror FX leverage limits. Swaps on metals are published in points daily; oil CFDs expire monthly and follow the CME front-month minus a fair-value adjustment.
Index trading
Cash indices include US30, US500, NAS100, GER40, UK100, EU50, JPN225 and AUS200. Futures-style CFDs on GER40 and US indices are also quoted to avoid daily swap when rolling longer-term positions. Typical spread on US500 during liquid hours is 0.4 points (Pro). Dividends are adjusted as cash credits/debits.
Share trading
Via MT5, traders get 50+ single-stock CFDs, mainly US large-caps (Apple, Amazon, Tesla) and German DAX names. Leverage is 1:5 EU/UK and up to 1:20 offshore. Corporate actions such as splits and mergers adjust the CFD automatically; dividends post on ex-div date minus withholding tax.
Cryptocurrency trading
Tickmill lists BTC/USD, ETH/USD, LTC/USD and XRP/USD as 5-day CFDs, meaning no weekend trading. Leverage is limited to 1:2 for EU/UK and 1:20 offshore. Daily financing is expressed as a percentage rather than points due to high underlying rates. During extreme volatility, the broker reserves the right to widen spreads and increase margin overnight.
Bonds and interest rates
A single government-bond CFD, the German 10-year Bund (BUND), is available with a minimum contract of €10 per tick. Margin is 1% offshore and 5% in the EEA/UK. Trading follows Eurex hours and incurs no coupon adjustments; daily swap reflects the underlying repo rate.
Trading platforms
Platforms |
PC / MAC |
Smartphones |
Tablets |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | |||
| MetaTrader 5 |
| Trading Information | |
|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Mobile, Proprietary Web |
| Demo Account | |
| Hedging | |
| Scalping | |
| US Traders | |
| Arabic Traders | |
Tickmill supports the full MetaTrader suite plus web and mobile variants, but offers no proprietary desktop platform. Both MT4 and MT5 are available for Windows, macOS (via emulation), WebTrader and iOS/Android. The broker provides free Autochartist, VPS hosting (qualifying volume), FIX API access on request and built-in copy trading through Myfxbook AutoTrade and SignalStart.
Execution is market-based with no dealing-desk intervention declared; the UK/EU entities classify this as STP, while the Seychelles/Malaysia/South Africa entities market themselves as ECN. All platforms support hedging; scalping and EAs are explicitly allowed.
MetaTrader 4
MT4 remains the broker’s flagship, covering all forex pairs and most CFD categories. Traders get nine time-frames, four pending order types, one-click dealing and an unlimited number of custom indicators/EAs. Tickmill pre-installs Autochartist for pattern recognition and provides a London-based VPS (free above 20 lots/month). MT4 accounts are available under Classic, Pro and VIP pricing structures; leverage caps depend on the entity (1:30 FCA/CySEC, up to 1:500 offshore).
Back-testing is limited to one currency at a time, so systematic traders with multi-asset portfolios may prefer MT5. Nevertheless, latency is low – the broker advertises average execution below 15 ms from its Equinix LD4 server, although this is not independently verified.
MetaTrader 5
MT5 adds Depth of Market, partial order fills, two extra pending order types and 21 time-frames. Stock-based CFDs (shares and ETFs) are restricted to MT5, making it essential for anyone wanting single-stock exposure. The integrated strategy tester supports multi-currency optimisation and cloud agents, useful for quant traders.
Copy trading is available directly from the MT5 Signals tab, subject to the usual service fees and performance subscription costs. Tickmill also permits hedging on MT5 (off by default), giving traders flexibility unusual for a netting-based platform.
Copy trading
Tickmill partners with Myfxbook AutoTrade and SignalStart, both accessible via the client area. Providers must demonstrate at least three-month verified track records; followers can set volume multipliers, equity stops and maximum open positions. Pricing is performance- or subscription-based, with the broker not charging an additional spread mark-up. MT4/MT5 Signals are also available, but performance fees depend on the individual signal provider.
Payment methods
Tickmill publishes a reasonably broad list of funding options: international bank transfer (SWIFT/SEPA), Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Sticpay, FasaPay, UnionPay and several regional gateways. Cryptocurrency deposits are not advertised publicly. The minimum deposit is 100 base currency for all live accounts (bank wires must equal or exceed this after fees).
The broker waives its own deposit fees and covers third-party charges on bank wires above 5,000 base currency; smaller wires may incur correspondent bank costs (£20–£25 typical). Card and e-wallet deposits are processed instantly or within one hour, while bank transfers take 1–3 business days.
Withdrawals must normally be returned to the original funding method up to the deposited amount. Tickmill processes requests within one business day; e-wallets receive funds the same day, cards 2–7 business days and wires 2–5 business days. One free withdrawal per month is offered; additional same-month requests may attract a 2% fee or intermediary bank charges.
Base account currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, PLN and AUD (entity dependent). Choosing a base currency that matches your funding source helps avoid conversion spreads charged by banks or card issuers. All payout requests require full KYC verification; the broker reserves the right to request additional proof of source of funds for large withdrawals.
| Brand | Minimum | Fees | Processing Time |
| 100 | None | Instant–1 hour | |
| 100 | None | Instant–1 hour | |
| 100 | Broker covers fees ≥5,000; otherwise bank charges apply | 1–3 business days | |
| 100 | None | Instant | |
| 100 | None | Instant | |
| 100 | None | Instant | |
| 100 | None | Instant |
| Brand | Minimum | Fees | Processing Time |
| 25 | None | 2–7 business days | |
| 25 | None | 2–7 business days | |
| 25 | First withdrawal each month free, then bank charges (£20–£25 typical) | 2–5 business days | |
| 25 | None | Same day | |
| 25 | None | Same day | |
| 25 | None | 1–3 business days | |
| 25 | None | Same day |
Account types
Tickmill offers perpetual demo accounts alongside three live tiers – Classic, Pro and VIP – plus a swap-free (Islamic) option available on request. Pricing transparency is good: all live tiers publish typical spreads to one decimal place and list per-lot commissions where applicable. Maximum retail leverage is set by the supervising regulator: 1:30 (FCA/CySEC) versus up to 1:500 (Seychelles/Labuan/FSCA).
| Market | Leverage |
|---|---|
| Commodities CFDs | 1:20 (CySEC | Pro Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:500 (CySEC | Pro Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:500 (FCA | Pro Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:20 (FCA | Retail Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:1000 (FSAS) |
| Bonds CFDs | 1:100 (CySEC | Pro Account) |
| Bonds CFDs | 1:100 (FCA | Pro Account) |
| Bonds CFDs | 1:5 (CySEC | Retail Account) |
| Bonds CFDs | 1:5 (FCA | Retail Account) |
| Bonds CFDs | 1:100 (FSAS) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:125 (CySEC | Pro Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:125 (FCA | Pro Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:10 (CySEC | Retail Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:10 (FCA | Retail Account) |
| Commodities CFDs | 1:125 (FSAS) |
| Crypto CFDs | 1:200 (CySEC | Pro Account) |
| Crypto CFDs | 1:2 (CySEC | Retail Account) |
| Crypto CFDs | 1:200 (FSAS) |
| Forex CFDs | 1:500 (CySEC | Pro Account) |
| Forex CFDs | 1:500 (FCA | Pro Account) |
| Forex CFDs | 1:30 (CySEC | Retail Account) |
| Forex CFDs | 1:30 (FCA | Retail Account) |
| Forex CFDs | 1:1000 (FSAS) |
| Indices CFDs | 1:100 (CySEC | Pro Account) |
| Indices CFDs | 1:10 (CySEC | Retail Account) |
| Indices CFDs | 1:100 (FCA) |
| Indices CFDs | 1:100 (FSAS) |
Classic account
The Classic account suits beginners seeking simplicity. Pricing is spread-only, with typical EUR/USD spreads around 1.6 pips under normal liquidity. All instruments except individual shares are available, and traders may choose MT4 or MT5. The minimum first deposit is 100 base currency units. Because spreads incorporate the broker’s fee, costs are easy to estimate but can be higher than on Pro or VIP for active scalpers.
Pro account
Aimed at intraday traders and algorithmic users, the Pro account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $2 per side ($4 round-turn) commission per 100,000 FX lot. Commissions are charged in the account currency at equivalent rates (e.g., €2 or £1.60 per side). The same 100-unit minimum deposit applies. All platforms and products are supported. Compared with other ECN-style brokers, Tickmill’s commission is competitive, particularly for small-balance traders.
VIP account
The VIP account reduces the commission to $1 per side but requires a maintained balance of 50,000 or equivalent. Alternatively, traders who reach a monthly notional of 50 lots can apply for an upgrade. Spreads and execution are identical to the Pro tier; the key benefit is lower trading costs for high-volume users. A dedicated account manager is assigned, although 24/7 phone dealing is not offered.
Islamic (swap-free) account
Muslim clients can request a swap-free variant of Classic or Pro during onboarding. All overnight interest charges are replaced by a flat administration fee after three nights on selected instruments; major forex pairs and gold remain free of financing for up to three days. Crypto, share and exotic FX instruments are not available in Islamic format.
Demo accounts
Demo accounts load with virtual balances from 5,000 to 50,000 (trader-selectable) and do not expire, provided the user logs in at least once every 60 days. Real-time pricing mirrors the Pro feed. Traders can open multiple demos, test both MT4 and MT5 and adjust leverage within the limits of their chosen regulatory entity. Because margin calls and stop-outs are simulated, execution quality may differ slightly from live trading during high-impact news releases.
Support
Tickmill provides multilingual customer service 24/5 via live chat, email and a London-based phone line (+44 20 3608 6100). Chat wait times are usually under one minute during European hours, although complex cases escalate to email. The website is translated into 15 languages, but specialist teams (e.g., VIP desk) operate in English only.
A searchable knowledge base covers account opening, platform guides and funding rules. Tutorial videos for MT4/MT5 and Autochartist are available on the Tickmill blog. There is no chatbot triage; users start with a human representative. Out-of-hours email replies arrive within 12 hours on average.
Conclusion
Tickmill combines tight Pro/VIP pricing with FCA and CySEC oversight, making it attractive to serious retail traders who value cost efficiency over fancy front-ends. The absence of a proprietary platform is offset by solid MT4/MT5 integration, VPS hosting and established copy-trading partnerships. Funding is straightforward and well-priced, and the Classic account offers an accessible route for beginners.
The main limitations are the lack of share dealing outside MT5, no investor compensation under the offshore entities and restricted weekend support. High leverage (up to 1:500) can magnify losses as quickly as profits, so beginners should use conservative settings. Overall, Tickmill suits cost-sensitive forex and CFD traders who are comfortable with the MetaTrader ecosystem and willing to select the regulatory entity that best matches their risk tolerance.
