Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italian retail traders looking to trade forex and CFDs, choosing between FXTM and Tickmill is a common dilemma. Both brokers are well-established internationally and accept clients from Italy, but they cater to slightly different trading styles. FXTM (ForexTime) holds a higher overall rating of 4.3/5, praised for its extensive educational content, multiple account types, and strong customer support in Italian. Tickmill, rated 4.0/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads and fast execution, making it a favorite among scalpers and algorithmic traders. In Italy, where cost-conscious retail traders often prioritize spreads and commissions, Tickmill’s Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips is compelling. However, FXTM offers more flexibility with fixed and floating spread accounts, plus a wider range of tradable instruments including commodities and indices. Both brokers operate under CySEC regulation (EU entity) and accept Italian clients via SEPA transfers, but neither is directly supervised by CONSOB. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading goals in Italy’s competitive retail forex market.
| Instrument | FXTM | 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 | $200 | $100 | Tickmill |
When comparing trading costs for Italy traders, Tickmill generally offers lower spreads on its Raw account, with EUR/USD spreads starting at 0.0 pips plus a $3.5 per lot commission (round trip). FXTM’s standard account has spreads from 1.3 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, while its ECN account offers spreads from 0.1 pips plus a $4 per lot commission. For Italian scalpers trading high volumes, Tickmill’s raw pricing can save significant costs over time. However, FXTM’s fixed spread accounts provide certainty for traders who prefer predictable costs, especially during volatile news events. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees for SEPA transfers, but Tickmill’s inactivity fee after 6 months may be a factor for occasional traders.
| Account Type | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXTM and Tickmill offer the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by Italian traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. FXTM also provides its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile trading, which includes integrated educational content and market analysis. Tickmill focuses exclusively on MT4/MT5, ensuring a streamlined experience for experienced traders. For Italian traders who value mobile trading with built-in learning tools, FXTM’s proprietary app is an advantage. Both brokers offer web-based platforms with no download required, ensuring compatibility with any device.
| Factor | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Tickmill is known for its fast execution speeds, with an average of 40-50 ms on its Raw account, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. FXTM also offers good execution, but its standard accounts may have slightly higher latency due to the broker’s larger client base. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution on ECN/raw accounts, ensuring no requotes. For Italian traders who prioritize speed, Tickmill is the better choice.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
For Italian traders, regulation is a key concern. Neither FXTM nor Tickmill is regulated by CONSOB, Italy’s financial regulator. Instead, they operate under CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) licenses, which allow them to offer services to EU clients under the MiFID II passporting regime. This means Italian traders are protected by ESMA rules, including negative balance protection and leverage limits (1:30 for forex). FXTM also has an FCA-regulated entity in the UK, offering additional investor protection under the FSCS scheme (up to £85,000). Tickmill is also regulated by the FCA. While CONSOB oversight is absent, both brokers are well-established and regulated by respected authorities, providing a safe trading environment for Italian retail clients.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Italian traders can fund their accounts at both FXTM and Tickmill using SEPA bank transfers (free, typically 1-2 business days), international bank transfers, credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. Unfortunately, neither broker directly supports PostePay, a popular prepaid card in Italy. For SEPA deposits, you will need to use your Italian bank IBAN. FXTM has a minimum deposit of just €10, making it highly accessible for beginners, while Tickmill requires €100. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for SEPA and e-wallets, with no fees from the brokers (your bank may charge). Both brokers require account verification (ID and proof of address) before withdrawals, in line with AML regulations.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | 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 |
Both FXTM and Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Italy who require Sharia-compliant trading, meaning no interest is charged or earned on overnight positions. FXTM provides swap-free accounts on all account types upon request, with no additional fees. Tickmill also offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw accounts, but you must contact support to activate it. Both brokers require that the account is not used for hedging or arbitrage abuse. Italian Muslim traders can choose either broker, but FXTM’s broader account options may be more flexible for different trading strategies.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
FXTM offers customer support in Italian via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Italian-speaking agents available during market hours. Tickmill also provides support in Italian, but primarily via email and live chat, with phone support in English. FXTM’s support is more comprehensive for Italian speakers, including Italian-language webinars and educational materials. Tickmill’s support is efficient but less localized. For Italian traders who prefer native-language assistance, FXTM has a clear advantage.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FXTM | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FXTM |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Tickmill if you...
For Italy retail traders, the choice between FXTM and Tickmill comes down to priorities. FXTM offers a more comprehensive package for beginners and intermediate traders, with lower minimum deposits (€10), Italian-language support, and a wealth of educational tools. Tickmill excels in cost efficiency and execution speed, making it ideal for cost-conscious scalpers and algorithmic traders. Both brokers accept SEPA transfers and are regulated by CySEC/FCA, though not by CONSOB. Neither supports PostePay, so Italian traders will need to use SEPA or cards. If you value learning and flexibility, choose FXTM. If raw spreads and speed matter most, Tickmill is your better option.