Admirals vs Tickmill: A Comprehensive Comparison for Singapore Traders
Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Singapore Traders
Singapore is one of Asia's most dynamic financial hubs, and traders here demand brokers that offer low costs, robust platforms, and reliable local support. Admirals (formerly Admiral Markets) and Tickmill are two well-established brokers that cater to sophisticated investors, including those in Singapore. Both provide access to forex, indices, commodities, and more, with competitive trading conditions. However, they differ in key areas such as regulation, account types, and fee structures. Admirals scores 4.1/5, slightly ahead of Tickmill's 4/5, but Tickmill often wins on raw spread costs. For Singapore traders, factors like MAS regulation (both are unregulated locally), payment methods like PayNow, and platform availability are crucial. This comparison breaks down every aspect to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are a primary concern, especially for those trading high volumes. Tickmill excels here with its Raw Spread account, offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot per side. Admirals' Zero account starts at 0.5 pips with a $2 commission per lot, making it slightly more expensive for scalpers. On standard accounts, Admirals' spreads average around 0.9 pips, while Tickmill's Classic account offers spreads from 1.6 pips with no commission. Over 100 lots per month, Tickmill can save a Singapore trader $50–100 in direct costs, depending on the pair traded.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 |
Leverage Comparison - Singapore Traders
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry standards favored by Singapore traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Admirals goes a step further with its proprietary WebTrader and a suite of analytical tools, including the popular Market Heat Map and Trading Central integration. Tickmill keeps it simpler, focusing on MT4/MT5 with minimal extras. For Singapore traders who value additional research tools, Admirals provides an edge, while Tickmill's clean platform setup appeals to those who prefer a no-frills experience.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Admirals |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is a key differentiator for active Singapore traders. Tickmill boasts an average execution speed of under 0.2 seconds with no requotes, thanks to its Straight Through Processing (STP) model. Admirals also offers fast execution, typically under 0.3 seconds, using a combination of STP and Market Maker execution. For scalpers and high-frequency traders, Tickmill's slightly faster execution and lower latency may be preferable, while Admirals' execution is more than adequate for most trading styles.
Regulation & Safety for Singapore Traders
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for Singapore traders, given that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) imposes strict rules on locally licensed brokers. Neither Admirals nor Tickmill holds a MAS license, meaning they operate under offshore regulators. Admirals is regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Tickmill is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and FSA (Seychelles). This means Singapore traders do not benefit from MAS investor protection schemes, such as the SDIC. However, both brokers have strong reputations and adhere to international standards. Traders should weigh the absence of MAS oversight against the brokers' global track records.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Singapore
| Payment Method | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Singapore traders will appreciate that both Admirals and Tickmill support local payment methods, including PayNow, bank transfer, and credit card. Admirals allows SGD deposits via PayNow with instant processing and no fees, making it ideal for quick funding. Bank transfers in SGD are also accepted, though they may take 1–2 business days. Tickmill similarly supports PayNow for SGD deposits, along with credit card deposits that are processed instantly. Withdrawals at both brokers are generally free, but bank transfers may incur intermediary bank charges. For Singapore traders, PayNow is the most efficient method for both deposits and withdrawals, ensuring fast access to funds.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Singapore Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in Singapore can trade with peace of mind at both Admirals and Tickmill, as each offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts. Admirals provides these accounts upon request, with no swap charges on positions held overnight, aligning with Sharia principles. Tickmill automatically offers Islamic accounts to clients residing in Muslim-majority countries, including Singapore, without requiring a formal request. Both brokers ensure that no additional fees are hidden in the spreads for these accounts. However, traders should note that some instruments may have limited availability on Islamic accounts, so it's worth checking with support before trading.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Customer support is vital for Singapore traders, especially during Asian trading hours. Admirals offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in multiple languages, including English. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with phone support available during business hours. Both brokers have responsive teams, but Admirals has a slight edge with its more comprehensive FAQ and educational resources tailored to traders. For urgent issues, Tickmill's live chat is equally efficient.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Admirals |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Admirals |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | Admirals | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
Admirals
Tickmill
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Singapore Guide
Choose Admirals if you...
- Value extensive research tools and educational resources for sophisticated trading decisions.
- Prefer a broker with a slightly higher overall rating and a longer track record in the industry.
- Want access to a proprietary WebTrader and advanced analytical features like Trading Central.
- Need flexible account types with competitive spreads and a strong focus on trader education.
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a cost-conscious trader who prioritizes the lowest possible spreads and commissions.
- Focus on high-volume or scalping strategies where execution speed and low costs matter most.
- Prefer a streamlined, no-frills platform experience with reliable MT4/MT5 access.
- Want automatic Islamic account eligibility without needing to request it separately.
FAQ - Admirals vs Tickmill in Singapore
Final Verdict - Singapore 2026
For Singapore traders, the choice between Admirals and Tickmill ultimately depends on your trading priorities. Admirals stands out with its comprehensive research tools, educational offerings, and slightly higher overall rating, making it ideal for sophisticated investors who value analysis. Tickmill, on the other hand, wins on raw cost efficiency and execution speed, appealing to active traders focused on minimizing expenses. Both brokers support local payment methods like PayNow, bank transfer, and credit card, ensuring convenient SGD transactions. However, the absence of MAS regulation means you should proceed with caution and consider your risk tolerance. If low spreads are your main driver, Tickmill edges ahead; for a richer trading ecosystem, Admirals is the stronger choice.