Tickmill has built a reputation as a no-frills, execution-focused broker that appeals to serious traders who prioritize low costs and reliable order fills over flashy marketing and bonus programs. Founded in 2014 and regulated by the FCA and CySEC, Tickmill has steadily grown its client base by delivering what matters most: competitive spreads and fast execution.
In this review, we evaluate Tickmill against our standard criteria, with particular attention to their Pro account, which is the primary offering that distinguishes them in the competitive ECN broker space.
Tickmill Overview
Tickmill operates through multiple entities: Tickmill UK Ltd (FCA), Tickmill Europe Ltd (CySEC), Tickmill Ltd (FSA Seychelles), and Tickmill Asia Ltd (LFSA). The broker offers forex, indices, commodities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies through MT4 and MT5. With a focus on institutional-grade execution, Tickmill positions itself as a serious broker for serious traders.
Regulation and Safety
Tickmill's regulatory profile is strong. The FCA license is among the most respected in the industry, requiring strict capital adequacy, fund segregation, and participation in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) that protects client funds up to GBP 85,000. The CySEC license adds EU-wide coverage with the Investor Compensation Fund protecting up to EUR 20,000.
This dual tier-1 regulation places Tickmill in the same regulatory class as the industry's best-regulated brokers. Fund safety is not a concern with Tickmill, provided you open your account under the UK or EU entity.
Account Types
| Account | Spread | Commission | Min Deposit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | From 1.6 pips | None | $100 | Beginners |
| Pro | From 0.0 pips | $4/lot round turn | $100 | Active traders |
| VIP | From 0.0 pips | $2/lot round turn | $50,000 | High-volume traders |
Spreads and Costs
Tickmill's Pro account delivers genuinely competitive spreads. The average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips combined with the $4 per round turn commission produces an all-in cost of approximately 0.5 pips. This is competitive with other ECN brokers and substantially cheaper than standard-account brokers charging 1.0+ pip spreads.
For comparison, Exness Raw Spread offers similar 0.0 pip spreads with $7 per round turn commission (0.7 pip equivalent), while the Pro account at Exness offers 0.1-0.6 pip spreads with no commission. Tickmill's Pro is marginally cheaper on an all-in basis than most competitors, though the difference is small and execution quality matters more than fractions of a pip.
Execution Quality
Tickmill reports average execution speed of 0.20 seconds (200ms) with over 99% of orders executed without requotes. While this is acceptable, it is notably slower than market leaders like Exness (under 25ms). For scalpers executing dozens of trades per day, this speed difference can be meaningful. For swing traders and position traders, it is inconsequential.
Trading Platforms
Tickmill offers MT4 and MT5, both fully supported with all order types, Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. The broker also provides VPS hosting for traders running automated strategies, which is a valuable service for EA-dependent traders who need uninterrupted connectivity. For volatility-based entries, see our Bollinger Bands strategy guide.
One limitation is the absence of a proprietary platform. Brokers like Exness (Exness Terminal) offer modern, web-based alternatives to MetaTrader that some traders prefer for their cleaner interface and TradingView-powered charting.
Our Verdict: 7.5/10
Tickmill is a solid, well-regulated broker with competitive Pro account spreads and reliable execution. It is an excellent choice for intermediate traders who prioritize low costs and do not need extensive educational resources or bonus programs. The FCA regulation provides genuine security for your funds.
However, for the best overall package, we continue to recommend Free Trading Guide for its superior education and accessibility, or Free Trading Guide for the fastest execution and tightest spreads in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickmill is a solid broker with strong FCA and CySEC regulation, competitive Pro account spreads from 0.0 pips, and reliable execution. It is well-suited for intermediate to advanced traders who prioritize low trading costs.
Tickmill's Pro account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $4 per round turn lot ($2 per side). The average EUR/USD spread is approximately 0.1 pips, making the all-in cost about 0.5 pips equivalent.
Yes, Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles), and LFSA (Malaysia). The FCA and CySEC licenses provide tier-1 regulatory protection including fund segregation and compensation schemes.
Tickmill's minimum deposit is $100 for all account types. This is reasonable but higher than brokers like XM ($5) or Exness ($0) that cater more directly to beginners.
Trading foreign exchange on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The high degree of leverage can work against you as well as for you. Before deciding to trade foreign exchange, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment, and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with foreign exchange trading and seek advice from an independent financial advisor if you have any doubts. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article contains affiliate links, meaning ForexBastion may receive compensation at no additional cost to you.