Focus Option vs FP Markets

Focus Option or FP Markets – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare Focus Option and FP Markets in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Focus Option vs FP Markets Comparison Table 2024
Focus Option FP Markets
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3.7
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4
Focus Option is ranked #8 among binary options brokers. FP Markets is ranked #65 among CFD brokers.
Focus Option is an offshore broker that specializes in binary options as well as CFDs. Binary options trading on forex, cryptos and three commodities is done through the broker's simple web-based platform with average payouts between 70% and 95%. The broker also offers a mobile app for trading CFDs, with 300+ tradeable instruments. Established in 2005 in Australia, FP Markets is an ASIC- and CySEC-regulated broker boasting an extensive suite of tradable assets. Its Standard and Raw accounts cater to traders at every level, while it packs a punch in the tooling department, from the MetaTrader suite and intuitive TradingView to actionable trading ideas from Trading Central and AutoChartist.
Pros
  • Web-based platform provides a quick and easy way to access markets
  • Good selection of cryptocurrencies available including Bitcoin
  • Binary options contracts from 30 seconds to 30 days
  • Accepts crypto deposits and withdrawals
  • $10 low minimum deposit
  • Easy sign-up process
  • Payouts up to 95%
  • $1 minimum trade
  • FP Markets offers a superb selection of tradable assets, especially since expanding its suite of commodities and supporting over 10,000 stocks.
  • With MetaTrader, cTrader, Iress and more recently TradingView, FP Markets is one of the most accommodating brokers in terms of platform choice.
  • FP Markets delivers fast and dependable support, available 24/5 with average response times of less than 1 minute during testing.
  • FP Markets has a seamless onboarding experience, standing out with crypto deposits and over 10 base currencies, catering to global traders.
  • FP Markets has integrated top-notch research tools from Trading Central and Autochartist, helping traders identify short-term opportunities based on chart patterns, indicators, and other technical factors.
Cons
  • Offshore regulation raises safety concerns
  • Average trading terms on CFDs with spreads from 3 pips on GBP/USD
  • Clients based in the USA cannot use the broker’s products
  • While pricing in the Raw account is excellent, spreads in the Standard account trail the cheapest brokers with a 1.1-pip average spread on the EUR/USD compared to the 0.8-pip average at IC Markets.
  • FP Markets’ Iress platform is only available to clients in Australia. It also primarily emphasizes stock trading over forex trading, and data fees can accumulate rapidly unless you're an active trader or maintain a high-balance account.
  • FP Markets trails the best MetaTrader brokers, despite offering a Trader's Toolbox on MT4, just 130 instruments are available, limiting opportunities for serious traders, especially compared to Pepperstone with its 1,300 assets.
  • Although Traders Hub provides rich research, notably the Daily Report, Technical Report, Market Insights, and Fundamental Analysis, it needs to widen its daily content variety and keep its forex news updated to match category leaders like IG.
Awards
  • Best Global Forex Value Broker 2023 - Global Forex Awards
  • Best Forex Partners Programme Asia 2023 - Global Forex Awards
  • Best Forex Broker Europe 2023 - Global Forex Awards
  • Best Global Forex Value Broker 2022 - Global Forex Awards
  • Best Global Forex Value Broker 2021 - Global Forex Awards
FCA Regulated
No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Instruments
Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Metals, Indices CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, ETFs, Crypto
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$10 $40
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
$1 0.01 Lots
Regulator
ASIC, CySEC, FSA
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App

FP Markets does not provide a proprietary web-based or mobile app, a downside for beginners. However, there are the mobile versions of MT4/MT5, cTrader, and TradingView that offer real-time quotes, advanced charting tools, account management features, and order execution. Australian clients are also exclusively offered access to the Iress mobile platform, which delivers sophisticated features including analytics, module linking, and multiple portfolio management.

iOS App Rating
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rating full
4
Android App Rating
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rating full
4
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4
No Yes
MetaTrader 5
No Yes
cTrader
No Yes
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
Yes Yes
Autochartist
No Yes
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
No Yes
ECN Account
No Yes
DMA Account
No Yes
MAM Account
No Yes
PAMM Account
No Yes
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
No Yes
Market Maker
Yes No
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader
Copy Trading
No Yes
Copy Trading Platform
FP Markets introduced a proprietary social copy trading platform, alongside access to the MetaTrader signals market. These offerings, coupled with support for Myfxbook, establish FP Markets as an excellent option for social copy trading, even if the system is less intuitive compared to cTrader Copy.
Social Trading
No Yes
Trade Signals
Yes
VPS Hosting
Yes Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
$0
Islamic Account
No Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • JPY
  • TRY
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Natural Gas
  • Oil
  • Platinum
  • Palladium
  • Copper
  • Aluminium
  • Soybeans
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Steel
  • Iron
  • Cocoa
  • Cotton
  • Sugar
  • Coffee
CFD
Focus Option offers CFD trading through an intuitive mobile app, with 300+ tradeable instruments spanning forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, shares and indices. Leverage ranges from 1:20 to 1:50 and spreads are variable, starting from 1 pip, with no commission. FP Markets offers CFD trading on a first-rate selection of financial markets, spanning stocks, major global indices, commodities, metals, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. With tight spreads, fast execution speeds, leverage up to 1:500 and top-tier liquidity, short-term traders get an efficient and seamless trading experience.
Leverage
1:50 1:30 (UK), 1:500 (Global)
FTSE Spread
NA 1.64
GBPUSD Spread<
3 1.9 average
Oil Spread
1 0.04
Stocks Spread
Variable Variable
Forex
Focus Option offers 22 forex pairs tradeable via binary options, including a selection of majors and minors. FX pairs are also available to trade with margin on Focus Option's mobile app, which offers high leverage up to 1:50 and spreads from 1 pip. FP Markets stands out as an excellent option for forex traders, boasting a selection of over 70 currency pairs covering a wide range of currencies, especially since expanding its choice of exotics. With average spreads of just 0.1 on the EUR/USD in its Raw account, the broker provides competitive pricing for traders.
Assets
39 70+
GBPUSD Spread
3 0.2
EURUSD Spread
1 0.1
EURGBP Spread
3 0.3
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
Focus Option clients can trade binary options on an extensive list of 80+ cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum plus smaller altcoins like Tron and 0x. Crypto CFDs are also available through the broker's mobile app with high leverage. FP Markets supports CFDs on popular cryptos including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin. Yet while you can speculate on price movements through CFDs, direct ownership of coins is not supported. FP Markets also doesn’t add up-and-coming tokens for crypto enthusiasts on the pulse.
Spread
NA 17.3 (Bitcoin)
Coins
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • XRP
  • USDT
  • BTC
  • LTC
  • ADA
  • AAVE
  • ATOM
  • DOGE
  • KSM
  • CRO
  • THETA
  • LINK
  • YFI
  • YCC
  • MATIC
  • RUNE
  • SOL
  • MANA
  • MIOTA
  • XMONEY
  • XMR
  • SUSHI
  • BAT
  • ADA
  • BCH
  • BTC
  • DOG
  • DOT
  • EOS
  • ETH
  • LNK
  • LTC
  • RPL
  • SOL
  • XLM
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
Binary Options
Focus Option offers binary options trading on 140+ instruments including forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, indices and company shares. Contracts include 30 seconds, 1 min, 2 mins, 5 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins, 1 hr, end of day, and long-term contracts up to 30 days. Decent payouts typically climb to 95%. The browser-based platform is beginner-friendly with sophisticated analysis tools.
Payout
95%
Expiration Times
30 seconds - 1 week
Boundary Options
No No
Ladder Options
No No
Focus Option FP Markets
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