Tickmill review 2026

Quick verdict

Tickmill is a CFD broker that looks well suited to a trader who wants low trading costs and is happy to pay a small fixed commission. A CFD (contract for difference) lets you trade the price of an asset going up or down without owning it. Tickmill offers three accounts: Classic, Raw and TradingView Raw. Its Raw account starts at a $100 minimum deposit, with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot per side on forex and precious metals.

On safety, Tickmill works through four regulated entities: Tickmill UK Ltd (FCA), Tickmill Europe Ltd (CySEC), Tickmill Ltd (FSA Seychelles) and Tickmill South Africa (Pty) Ltd (FSCA). Which one serves you depends on where you live, and that matters a lot, so read the next section carefully.

What we like: a clear commission, five platform choices (MT4, MT5, TradingView, Tickmill Trader and the Tickmill App), and a wide mix of deposit methods. What to watch: the broker publishes a retail loss figure of 69% for Tickmill UK Ltd, which is a reminder that most retail CFD traders lose money. We also could not confirm a minimum deposit for the Classic account, or how long withdrawals take. We tell you exactly where to check those on the Tickmill website.

Our short answer: Tickmill is a serious, multi-regulated broker with transparent costs, but you must make sure you are opening your account with the right entity and you must understand the risk of leverage before you deposit anything.

Is Tickmill legit and safe?

Tickmill is not a one-company broker. It is a group of companies, and each company holds its own licence from a different regulator. This is common for international brokers. The company that serves you decides which rules protect you, so always ask: which Tickmill entity is my contract with?

Here are the four licences recorded in our data, all taken from Tickmill's own page on where it is regulated.

A regulator is a government body that gives a broker permission to offer financial services and can punish it if it breaks the rules. A licence number is like an ID card for the firm. You can look up that number on the regulator's public register and see the firm's name, status and permissions.

How to check any licence yourself in about five minutes: open the regulator's register (links are on this page for each licence), type the licence number, and compare three things. First, the company name must match the name in your account agreement. Second, the status must be authorised or active. Third, the website listed on the register should be Tickmill's. If any of the three does not match, stop and contact Tickmill support before you deposit.

FCA licence (Tickmill UK Ltd)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the regulator in the United Kingdom. Tickmill UK Ltd holds FCA licence number 717270. You can search it on the FCA register at https://register.fca.org.uk/.

UK-regulated brokers follow some of the strictest conduct rules in retail trading. For example, they must show clear risk warnings. In line with that, Tickmill publishes the figure that 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Tickmill UK Ltd. Read that sentence twice. It means that for most clients of that entity, trading CFDs ended with a loss.

This entity serves clients in the United Kingdom. If you live in Africa, Asia or Latin America, you will normally be placed with a different Tickmill company, so do not assume FCA protection applies to you.

CySEC licence (Tickmill Europe Ltd)

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) regulates investment firms in Cyprus, and its licences allow firms to serve clients across the European Union. Tickmill Europe Ltd holds CySEC licence 278/15. The register is at https://www.cysec.gov.cy/en-GB/entities/investment-firms/cypriot/.

European rules usually limit leverage for retail clients and add other protections. If you are a resident of the European Economic Area, this is likely your entity. Again, if you live outside Europe, you will probably not be signed up here.

FSA Seychelles licence (Tickmill Ltd)

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles is an offshore regulator. Tickmill Ltd holds licence SD008. The public list of regulated entities is at https://fsaseychelles.sc/regulated-entities.

This entity matters for many readers of The Forex Bridge, because the leverage figures Tickmill publishes of 1:500, with up to 1:1000 on selected MT5 symbols, are listed for Tickmill Ltd (FSA Seychelles). Be honest with yourself about what that means. Offshore regulation is real regulation, but it is usually lighter than UK or European rules, and the investor protections available to you may be different. Before you deposit, read the client agreement and look for sections on how client money is held and what happens if the company fails.

FSCA licence (Tickmill South Africa (Pty) Ltd)

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is South Africa's financial regulator. Tickmill South Africa (Pty) Ltd is recorded as financial services provider FSP 49464. You can search the FSCA register at https://www.fsca.co.za/Fais/Search_FSP.htm.

If you live in South Africa, this is the entity that is meant to serve you. Check the register, confirm the name and the status, and make sure your agreement is with the South African company.

Tickmill fees and spreads explained

When you trade CFDs, the broker earns money in two main ways: the spread and the commission. Some brokers also charge swap fees. Let us explain each one in plain words.

The spread is the small gap between the buy price and the sell price. It is measured in pips for forex. A pip is the smallest standard step in a currency price, usually the fourth decimal place. The moment you open a trade, you start slightly behind because you buy at the higher price and could only sell at the lower one. A tighter spread means a smaller starting loss.

The commission is a fixed fee charged for each trade, on top of the spread. A lot is the standard trade size in forex. On the Tickmill Raw account, the published commission is $3 per lot per side for forex and precious metals. "Per side" means you pay when you open the trade and again when you close it, so a full round trip costs twice that figure. On the TradingView Raw account, the commission is $3.5.

Tickmill states spreads from 0.0 pips on the Raw account. That is the lowest possible starting point, and it is why commission exists: the broker takes its fee from the commission instead of from a wide spread.

What does 0.0 pips really mean?

A spread of 0.0 pips sounds like free trading. It is not. "From 0.0 pips" means the spread can drop to zero at the best moments, usually in very liquid markets like major currency pairs during busy hours. At quiet times, or during big news, spreads can become much wider. The word "from" is the key. It describes the best case, not the average.

We did not find a published average spread in the data we confirmed, so we do not quote one. To see what you really pay, open a demo account and watch the live spread on the pair you want during the hours you plan to trade. Write down the numbers on a few different days.

Commission: a simple way to count your cost

Because the commission is charged per side, you can calculate your cost per trade in three small steps. First, take the commission for one side. Second, double it, because you also pay when you close. Third, add the spread cost for that trade. The total is your real cost. Repeat this on a Classic account and a Raw account and compare. For many traders, the Raw account with its commission is cheaper if they trade often, but a Classic account may be simpler if they trade rarely. We could not confirm the exact Classic spread, so check the accounts page on the Tickmill website before choosing.

Swaps and other fees to check

A swap (also called a rollover fee) is a small charge or credit for holding a trade open overnight. It depends on the interest difference between the two currencies in a pair. If you plan to hold trades for days, swaps can matter more than the spread. The swap figures are not in the data we confirmed, so look at the specifications for your instrument inside the platform.

Also check for any fee for inactivity and for withdrawals through your chosen method. Ask Tickmill support in writing and keep the reply.

Account types at Tickmill

Tickmill offers three account types: Classic, Raw and TradingView Raw. The right one depends on how you trade and which platform you like.

The Classic account is the simple option. Costs are usually built into the spread, so there is no separate commission. We could not confirm the exact spread or the minimum deposit for Classic, so check the accounts overview at https://www.tickmill.com/trading/accounts-overview.

The Raw account is built for traders who care about low spreads. Spreads start from 0.0 pips, and the commission is $3 per lot per side on forex and precious metals. The minimum deposit is $100.

The TradingView Raw account is made for people who want to trade on the TradingView charting platform. It also uses raw pricing, with a commission of $3.5.

Which account is better for a beginner?

If you are completely new, start with a demo account first. A demo account uses virtual money, so you can learn the platform without any risk. When you move to a real account, pick the one whose costs are easiest to understand. Many beginners prefer a single all-in spread because there is one number to watch. Others prefer a Raw account because the cost is clear and small. Neither is wrong, but do not choose an account only because it has the lowest headline number.

A simple test before you fund an account

Before you deposit, check these four things for the account you are considering: the commission, the typical spread on your favourite pair, the minimum deposit, and the platforms it supports. Write them in a note. If any one of these is missing on the Tickmill site, ask support by chat or email and save the answer. If the answer is vague, treat that as a warning sign.

Minimum deposit: how much do you need to start?

The minimum deposit we confirmed is $100 for the Raw account. That is the amount you need to fund the account in order to start trading with it. We did not confirm a minimum deposit for the Classic account or for TradingView Raw, so please check those on the Tickmill accounts page.

A low minimum is not the same as a safe amount to trade. Even with a small deposit, leverage can make losses move fast. A sensible habit is to deposit only money you can afford to lose completely, and to risk only a tiny part of your account on each trade.

Also remember that deposit minimums can differ by payment method and by the entity you join. If your first deposit is smaller than the required amount, the transfer may be refused or delayed. Read the deposit page before sending money, and start with a small test transfer if your method allows it.

Deposit and withdrawal methods

Tickmill lists these deposit methods: bank transfer, cards, Skrill, Neteller and UnionPay. For withdrawals, the listed options are: to the original payment method, bank transfer, cards, Skrill, Neteller and UnionPay. The source for both lists is the Tickmill deposit and withdrawal page at https://www.tickmill.com/conditions/deposit-and-withdrawal.

Availability can change depending on your country and your entity. For example, a method that is open to a client of one entity may be closed to another. Before you plan your funding, log in and look at the cashier page for your own account.

The same-method rule

Tickmill states that withdrawals go to the original payment method. This is a common anti-fraud rule across the industry. It means that money you deposited with a card normally goes back to that card, and money from a bank goes back to that bank. It keeps the money trail clean, and it protects you if someone steals your login.

It also has a practical result. Choose the method you will use for withdrawals when you make your first deposit. If you deposit with a method that is hard to use in your country, withdrawing can become a headache.

Safe habits for deposits

Use only payment methods in your own name. Never let a friend or agent pay for you, and never send money to a personal account that someone gives you in a chat message. Only use the payment details inside your own logged-in client area. Scammers often copy broker names and ask for transfers to private accounts.

How long do Tickmill withdrawals take?

We could not confirm a published processing time for Tickmill withdrawals, so we will not guess a number. A broker's processing time is usually only part of the story anyway. The full time you wait includes the broker's review, then the time your payment provider or bank needs to deliver the money.

What we can say is where to look. The Tickmill deposit and withdrawal page lists the methods and conditions, and the client area shows the status of each request. Ask support what the processing time is for your exact method and country, and ask for the reply in writing.

How to test a withdrawal safely

The best way to learn how a broker treats withdrawals is to do a small one early. Deposit a modest amount, trade carefully or not at all, and request a small withdrawal to the same method. Note the date and time of your request and the date the money arrives. If it works smoothly, you will feel more confident about larger amounts later. If it goes badly, you have lost very little.

Common reasons a withdrawal is delayed

Delays often come from simple things: your profile is not fully verified, the name on the payment method does not match the name on your account, you asked to withdraw to a different method than you used to deposit, or the request was made on a weekend or a public holiday. Complete your identity checks early, with clear photos of your documents, and keep your details consistent everywhere.

Trading platforms

Tickmill offers a good spread of platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView, Tickmill Trader and the Tickmill App.

MT4 stands for MetaTrader 4. It is the classic forex platform, loved for its simple layout and its huge library of indicators and automated trading programs called Expert Advisors. MT5 (MetaTrader 5) is its newer sibling, with more timeframes, more built-in tools and more asset types. Many traders still prefer MT4 because it is lighter and familiar.

TradingView is a popular charting website. Its charts are clean and easy to use, and many traders already use it for analysis. Tickmill supports trading from TradingView through the TradingView Raw account.

Tickmill Trader is the broker's own trading platform, and the Tickmill App is for managing your account and funds on your phone. We recommend you test the mobile apps on your own phone, because performance on slow connections can differ a lot.

Which platform should you choose?

If you are new, pick the platform you find easiest to read, not the one with the most features. Open the demo, place a few practice trades, and learn how to set a stop-loss (an order that closes your trade at a set loss) and a take-profit (an order that closes it at a set gain). Your platform choice should make these actions obvious.

Phone trading and connection tips

Many traders in Africa, Asia and Latin America trade from a phone with mobile data. If your connection is unstable, avoid opening trades at the moment of big news releases. Slow data can cause late orders. Always set a stop-loss when you open a trade, so you are protected even if your connection drops.

Leverage and risk

Leverage lets you control a large position with a small amount of your own money. Tickmill states a maximum and default leverage of 1:500 for Tickmill Ltd (FSA Seychelles), and up to 1:1000 on selected MT5 symbols. The 1:500 figure comes from the Tickmill trading conditions page, where the broker says the "maximum and default leverage are 1:500".

Think of leverage as a magnifying glass. It makes your gains bigger, but it makes your losses bigger as well, and it can wipe out your deposit very fast. High leverage is the main reason many beginners lose their money. You do not have to use the maximum. Most careful traders use only a small part of what is allowed.

Remember also that leverage depends on the entity and on the rules of your country. Entities under European or UK rules usually offer much lower leverage, so do not expect the same numbers everywhere.

The risk figure you should know

Tickmill publishes that 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Tickmill UK Ltd. This is the broker's own figure for that entity. It is not a prediction about you, but it is a fair picture of how hard it is to make money in this market. If you decide to trade, treat it as a skill that takes time, not as a quick way to get rich.

Margin call and stop-out in simple words

Margin is the part of your money the broker holds while a leveraged trade is open. If your trade moves against you and your free money gets low, the broker may send a margin call, which is a warning. If it keeps falling, the platform will start closing your trades automatically. That is a stop-out. We did not confirm Tickmill's exact stop-out level, so read it in the account terms before trading real money.

Five habits that protect your money

First, always use a stop-loss. Second, risk only a very small part of your account on any single trade. Third, do not trade money you need for rent, food or school fees. Fourth, do not add to losing trades hoping for a recovery. Fifth, keep a simple journal of each trade and what you learned.

Who is Tickmill best for?

Tickmill looks like a good fit for several kinds of trader, and a weaker fit for others.

It suits traders who want transparent, low costs. The Raw account has spreads from 0.0 pips and a clear $3 per lot per side commission on forex and precious metals, so it is easy to count your cost. It also suits people who like MT4 or MT5, because both are available, and people who want TradingView, because there is a dedicated account for it.

It suits traders who live in a place where one of Tickmill's regulated entities can serve them, including South Africa through the FSCA-listed entity.

It may not suit people who want a very detailed, published promise on withdrawal time, because we could not confirm one. It may also not suit someone who expects high leverage under a top-tier regulator, because the highest figures are for the offshore FSA Seychelles entity.

Finally, it is not for anyone who cannot afford to lose the money they deposit. All CFD trading carries a high risk of loss.

How to open a Tickmill account

Opening an account normally takes a short time. Here are the steps in order.

1. Open the official website at https://www.tickmill.com and make sure the address is exact. Do not follow a link from a private message.
2. Choose your country of residence carefully. This decides which Tickmill entity will serve you.
3. Fill in the registration form with your real name, email and phone number.
4. Verify your identity. You will need a photo ID and proof of address. Use clear photos and make sure the names match everywhere.
5. Pick your account type: Classic, Raw or TradingView Raw.
6. Read the client agreement and the risk warning. Check the name of the company you are signing with.
7. Open a demo account first and practise.
8. When you feel ready, make a small deposit with a method in your own name.
9. Place a small test trade with a stop-loss, and later a small withdrawal to test the process.

Take your time. A broker that is safe will not pressure you to deposit fast.

The fine print

Here are the points we want you to read before you commit, in plain words.

First, CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money quickly because of leverage. Tickmill itself states that 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Tickmill UK Ltd.

Second, your protection depends on your entity. A UK client, a European client, a South African client and a client of the Seychelles entity can each have different rules, different compensation schemes and different leverage limits.

Third, the facts in this review come from Tickmill's own website and its regulators' registers, checked on 2026-10-15. Brokers change their terms. Always confirm the current numbers on the official page before you deposit.

Fourth, some things we could not confirm: the Classic account's spread and minimum deposit, withdrawal processing times, and the exact stop-out level. Please check them yourself.

Fifth, The Forex Bridge may earn a fee if you open an account through our links. This never changes our facts or our opinion. We do not show affiliate links to visitors from India, where offshore forex trading is not permitted for residents.

Our final verdict

Tickmill is a broker with a clear, simple cost structure, a strong choice of platforms, and four regulated entities across the UK, Cyprus, the Seychelles and South Africa. For a trader who has done their homework, the Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3 per lot per side commission is competitive and easy to understand.

The main things that hold us back from giving unlimited praise are the ones we could not confirm: the Classic account details and the withdrawal times. They are not red flags by themselves, but you should ask Tickmill about them before you send money.

Our advice: confirm which Tickmill entity will hold your account, check its licence on the official register, practise on a demo, start with a small deposit, test a small withdrawal, and never use more leverage than you can handle. If you do these things, you protect yourself far better than any broker's marketing can.