FP Markets

FP Markets is a leading Australian forex and CFD broker founded in 2005 in Sydney, bringing nearly two decades of experience to the retail trading industry. The broker has established itself as a go-to choice for traders seeking ECN pricing combined with diverse platform options. Regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), and FSA (St. Vincent), FP Markets provides both tier-1 regulatory coverage and international accessibility.

What sets FP Markets apart from many competitors is its exceptional platform diversity. The broker offers four trading platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and IRESS. The inclusion of IRESS is particularly notable, as it provides direct market access (DMA) to real stock exchanges including the ASX, NYSE, and NASDAQ, allowing traders to buy and sell actual shares alongside CFD trading. This combination of CFD and DMA stock trading is relatively rare among forex-focused brokers.

FP Markets provides access to over 10,000 tradable instruments across forex, share CFDs, indices, commodities, metals, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. The Raw ECN account delivers institutional-grade spreads from 0.0 pips, positioning FP Markets alongside IC Markets and Pepperstone as one of Australia's premier ECN brokers.

FP Markets offers two main account types for forex and CFD trading. The Raw account provides spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a commission of $3 per lot per side ($6 round turn), which is among the lowest commission rates offered by any ECN broker. The Standard account features spread-only pricing from 1.0 pips with no commission. The IRESS account for DMA stock trading has its own commission structure based on exchange rates.

The $6 round-turn commission on the Raw account gives FP Markets a pricing edge over competitors like IC Markets ($7) and Pepperstone ($7) that charge $3.50 per side. This $1 per lot savings can add up significantly for high-volume traders. The broker's $100 minimum deposit is moderate and reflects the broker's positioning for serious traders.

FP Markets does not charge deposit fees for most payment methods including credit/debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. Withdrawal processing is generally free, though it may take 1-3 business days depending on the method. There are no inactivity fees, which is advantageous for less active traders.

FP Markets provides educational resources including trading guides, video tutorials, and webinars covering forex and CFD trading concepts. The content covers basic to intermediate topics and is supplemented by regular market analysis articles from the broker's research team.

Research tools include an economic calendar, daily market commentary, and technical analysis reports. The cTrader and IRESS platforms offer built-in analysis tools and market depth data for more advanced research. While FP Markets' educational offering is adequate, traders seeking comprehensive educational programs may want to supplement with external resources.

FP Markets offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with availability during extended business hours. Support is available in multiple languages including English, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese, reflecting the broker's strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The help center provides documentation covering account management, platform guides, and trading conditions. Support quality is generally good, with knowledgeable staff who can assist with platform-specific queries across all four platforms. Response times may vary depending on the time of day and complexity of the inquiry.

FP Markets is ideal for traders who want the most competitive ECN pricing ($3/lot commission) combined with platform diversity including the unique IRESS DMA stock trading capability. It is particularly well-suited for Australian traders who value ASIC regulation, cTrader enthusiasts, and investors who want both CFD trading and direct stock market access through a single broker. FP Markets also appeals to high-volume traders who benefit from the industry-low Raw account commission. The $100 minimum deposit and focus on professional-grade tools make it less suitable for complete beginners with very small accounts.