Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore is one of Asia’s premier forex trading hubs, and choosing the right broker is critical for sophisticated investors. Admirals (formerly Admiral Markets) and TMGM (TradeMax Global Markets) are two MAS-regulated brokers competing for Singapore traders. Admirals, with a strong 4.1 rating, is known for its robust educational resources, transparent pricing, and support for MetaTrader 4 and 5. TMGM, rated 3.3, attracts traders with ultra-low spreads on its raw account and high leverage options. Both brokers offer SGD accounts and support local deposit methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Cards. This comparison dives into costs, regulation, platforms, and payment methods tailored to Singapore’s trading environment, helping you decide which broker fits your strategy in 2025.
| Instrument | Admirals | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | TMGM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | TMGM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | TMGM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | TMGM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 | Admirals |
For Singapore traders, trading costs directly impact profitability. Admirals offers average spreads of 0.6 pips on EUR/USD via its Zero account with a low commission, while its Trade.MT4 account provides spreads from 0.8 pips with no commission. TMGM’s raw account from $0.0 pips but charges $7 per lot round turn. Over 100 standard lots per month, Admirals’ total cost is roughly $50 less than TMGM’s, making it more economical for active traders. Both brokers have no hidden fees on SGD deposits, but wire transfers may incur bank charges. Scalpers and day traders in Singapore will find Admirals more cost-competitive.
| Account Type | Admirals | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Asset Class | Admirals | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | TMGM |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the go-to platforms for Singapore traders needing advanced charting, automated trading via EAs, and custom indicators. Admirals also provides its proprietary WebTerminal and a Trading Central add-on for technical analysis. TMGM sticks with MT4/MT5 but includes a WebTrader version. For mobile trading, both have fully featured apps. Admirals’ additional tools like the Trade.MT5 platform’s time & sales and depth of market appeal to seasoned investors. TMGM’s platform offering is solid but lacks the extra analytical layers that sophisticated Singapore traders often demand.
| Factor | Admirals | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | TMGM |
| 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 |
Admirals uses a mixed execution model: Market Maker for its Trade.MT4 account and Straight Through Processing (STP) for Zero accounts, with no dealing desk intervention. Orders fill typically in under 30ms. TMGM is an STP broker with no requotes, averaging 20ms execution. For active Singapore traders requiring fast execution, both perform well. However, Admirals’ two-tier system allows traders to choose the model that suits their strategy – Market Maker for stability or STP for raw spreads. TMGM’s execution is slightly faster but lacks that flexibility.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Admirals and TMGM are both regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Securities and Futures Act. Admirals holds a CMS licence with a registered office in Singapore, ensuring strict compliance with client fund segregation, margin requirements, and periodic audits. TMGM is also MAS-licensed (CMS100128) but operates with an international entity serving non-US clients. For Singapore traders, Admirals’ onshore entity provides additional comfort with stronger dispute resolution through FIDReC. TMGM’s offshore structure may involve different leverage and margin rules. Overall, both are legal, but Admirals offers tighter local oversight.
| Payment Method | Admirals | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 1 to 4 business days to process, with internal processing typically completed within 1 business day. |
Singapore traders can fund their accounts easily. Admirals accepts PayNow (instant, fee-free), Bank Transfer (1-2 business days), and Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard, 0-2% fee). Minimum deposit is SGD 100. TMGM also supports PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Cards, with a minimum of SGD 200. Withdrawals are processed to the same method used for deposit. Admirals typically processes withdrawals within 1 business day; TMGM within 2-3 days. No broker charges internal transfer fees, but bank wire fees may apply. Both brokers allow SGD-denominated withdrawals, avoiding conversion costs for local traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 open swap-free accounts at both brokers. Admirals offers Islamic accounts on all account types with no swap charges on overnight positions, though it may apply a threshold on holding periods beyond 30 days. TMGM also provides Islamic accounts, but conditions include a maximum number of days (commonly 14-30) or a fee if positions are held longer. Singapore’s Muslim traders should review each broker’s policy carefully and contact customer support for current terms. Admirals’ longer grace period and no hidden costs make it more attractive for long-term swing traders.
| Support Feature | Admirals | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Admirals provides customer support in English and Chinese via live chat, phone, and email, with a local Singapore hotline. Their team is available 24/5 during market hours. TMGM also offers multilingual support (English, Chinese, Vietnamese) 24/5 via live chat and email. Neither offers full 24/7 support. For urgent issues during Asian trading hours, both respond quickly. Admirals’ local office presence in Singapore gives it a slight edge in handling queries related to MAS regulations and local banking methods.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | TMGM | 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 |
| Resource | Admirals | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Admirals |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose TMGM if you...
For sophisticated Singapore traders seeking a reliable, MAS-regulated broker with competitive costs, Admirals is the clear winner. Its superior rating (4.1 vs 3.3) reflects stronger local regulation, tighter spreads on active accounts, and a richer platform suite with MetaTrader 5 and proprietary tools. The support for PayNow and Bank Transfer makes funding seamless in SGD. TMGM is a viable alternative for traders who prioritise high leverage and ultra-low raw spreads, but its lower rating and offshore execution model may concern risk-averse investors. For long-term growth and security in Singapore’s financial hub, Admirals is the recommended choice in 2025.