AM
Admiral Markets
3.8 / 5Score: 2 / 4
Global multi-asset trading with tier-1 regulation, tight spreads, and high leverage for serious forex and CFD traders.
- Min deposit
- $100
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, CySEC, ASIC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 10/13/2026
Admiral Markets vs KTBST Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Admiral Markets and KTBST Securities serve very different trader profiles, from global multi-asset forex trading to Thai equities access. Our proprietary research gives Admiral Markets the edge overall with a 3.8/5 rating versus 3.3/5 for KTBST Securities. Here's the full breakdown.
KS
KTBST Securities
3.3 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A zero-deposit gateway into Thai equities and ETFs backed by over three decades of local market experience.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SEC
Overall Winner
Admiral Markets
Best for Beginners
KTBST Securities
Lowest Fees
Admiral Markets
Top Regulation
Admiral Markets
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | AM Admiral Markets | KS KTBST Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 2001 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Tallinn, Estonia | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, ASIC | SEC |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $3/lot | $0.15/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Proprietary Web | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, KATCH |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Indices |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Admiral Markets
$100
KTBST Securities
$0
Spreads From
Admiral Markets
0 pips
KTBST Securities
0 pips
Commission
Admiral Markets
$3/lot
KTBST Securities
$0.15/lot
Deposit Fees
Admiral Markets
None
KTBST Securities
None
Withdrawal Fees
Admiral Markets
None
KTBST Securities
None
Pros & cons
AM
Admiral Markets
Pros
- Backed by tier-1 regulators including the FCA and ASIC for added trader protection
- Spreads starting from as low as 0 pips on select accounts
- High leverage ceiling of up to 1:500 for experienced traders
- Broad market coverage spanning forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto
- Industry-standard MT4 and MT5 platforms with full EA and indicator support
- No fees charged on deposits or withdrawals
- Higher overall satisfaction rating at 3.8 out of 5
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $100 is higher than fully no-deposit competitors
- Commission of $3 per lot is notably higher than KTBST's $0.15 per lot
- High leverage options may pose excessive risk for inexperienced traders
- Proprietary platform is less specialized than dedicated regional equity tools
KS
KTBST Securities
Pros
- No minimum deposit required, ideal for beginners with limited capital
- Low commission of just $0.15 per lot on trades
- Long-standing track record dating back to 1992
- No deposit or withdrawal fees charged
- Conservative leverage structure reduces risk of overexposure
- Dedicated proprietary platforms tailored to local market needs
Cons
- Limited to a single regulatory licence from Thailand's SEC
- Maximum leverage capped at just 1:5, restrictive for forex-style strategies
- Narrower market access limited to stocks, ETFs, and indices
- No support for industry-standard platforms like MT4 or MT5
- Lower overall rating at 3.3 out of 5 compared to competitors
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Admiral Markets
Lowest fees Admiral Markets
Best regulation Admiral Markets
Better for beginners KTBST Securities
Admiral Markets is our overall winner in this matchup, earning a 3.8/5 on our rating scale compared to KTBST Securities's 3.3/5. Admiral Markets pulls ahead thanks to tier-1 regulatory coverage from the FCA and ASIC, tighter spreads from 0 pips, higher leverage up to 1:500, and a far broader market selection spanning forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto. KTBST Securities still earns respect for its $0 minimum deposit and long operating history since 1992, making it a viable entry point for cost-conscious beginners focused on Thai equities, but it simply can't match Admiral Markets's global scope or regulatory depth for most traders.
Regulation & Safety
Admiral Markets operates under a robust multi-jurisdictional framework, holding licences from the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia). This tier-1 and tier-2 regulatory combination gives traders strong recourse through investor compensation schemes and strict capital adequacy requirements.
KTBST Securities, by contrast, is regulated solely by Thailand's SEC. While this provides legitimate local oversight for Thai residents trading domestic equities, it doesn't offer the same internationally recognized protections that FCA or ASIC oversight provides.
For traders who prioritize regulatory depth and cross-border legal protections, Admiral Markets is the clear winner here. KTBST Securities remains a credible, locally-licensed option but is better suited to traders operating specifically within the Thai market.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, putting them on equal footing at the headline level. However, the commission structures diverge sharply: Admiral Markets charges around $3 per lot, while KTBST Securities charges a much lower $0.15 per lot.
Despite KTBST's lower per-lot commission, Admiral Markets's broader account offerings and tighter institutional-grade spreads on its Raw/Zero-style accounts often translate into more competitive all-in trading costs for active forex and CFD traders.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome point of parity. Cost-conscious traders should still calculate total round-trip costs based on their specific instrument and volume, since commission structures impact high-frequency strategies differently than swing trading.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
KTBST Securities has a distinct advantage for traders with limited starting capital, requiring a $0 minimum deposit. This makes it exceptionally accessible for beginners who want to test the platform without committing funds upfront.
Admiral Markets requires a $100 minimum deposit, which is still relatively low by industry standards but represents a real barrier compared to KTBST's zero-deposit entry point.
If initial capital is your primary constraint, KTBST Securities wins this category outright. However, traders should weigh this convenience against the narrower market access and lower leverage ceiling that come with the KTBST account.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Admiral Markets supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, alongside its own Proprietary Web terminal. This gives traders access to a mature ecosystem of expert advisors, custom indicators, and automated trading tools that MT4/MT5 are globally known for.
KTBST Securities instead offers a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and its own KATCH platform, tailored more specifically to Thai equity and ETF trading workflows.
Traders who value algorithmic trading, third-party plugin support, and a globally familiar interface will likely prefer Admiral Markets's MT4/MT5 offering. Those focused purely on straightforward Thai stock trading may find KTBST's proprietary suite perfectly sufficient.
Market Access & Leverage
Admiral Markets offers a significantly wider market range, covering Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto — six asset classes in total. Leverage climbs as high as 1:500, appealing to experienced traders running leveraged forex and CFD strategies.
KTBST Securities focuses on a narrower set: Stocks, ETFs, and Indices, with maximum leverage capped at 1:5. This conservative leverage ceiling reflects its equities-focused, SEC-regulated business model.
Traders seeking diversified multi-asset exposure and higher leverage flexibility will gravitate toward Admiral Markets. Those specifically interested in long-term equity and ETF investing with lower risk exposure may find KTBST's conservative structure more appropriate.
Company Background & Track Record
KTBST Securities has the longer operating history, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, giving it three decades of presence in the regional securities market. Admiral Markets was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia.
Both firms have built sustained reputations within their respective niches — Admiral Markets as a global multi-asset forex and CFD broker, and KTBST Securities as an established domestic securities house in Thailand.
Longevity alone shouldn't be the deciding factor, but it does suggest both brokers have weathered multiple market cycles, which adds a layer of operational credibility to each.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Admiral Markets wins overall
Admiral Markets edges out KTBST Securities overall based on our expert rating score.
AM
Highest Rated
Admiral Markets
3.8 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.8/5).
Admiral MarketsBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
KTBST SecuritiesLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Admiral MarketsStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Admiral Markets
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent proprietary research, Admiral Markets comes out ahead with an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5, compared to KTBST Securities's 3.3 out of 5. Admiral Markets's advantage stems from its stronger regulatory coverage, broader market access, and higher leverage ceiling. That said, your personal trading style and budget should guide the final decision, so review the detailed comparison sections above.
Both brokers advertise spreads from 0 pips, but their commission models differ considerably. Admiral Markets charges roughly $3 per lot while KTBST Securities charges only $0.15 per lot. Depending on your trading volume and instrument choice, the cheaper option can vary, so it's worth calculating your expected round-trip costs for each.
Admiral Markets requires a minimum deposit of $100 to get started, while KTBST Securities has no minimum deposit requirement at all. This makes KTBST Securities notably more accessible for beginners or traders who want to test the waters before committing larger sums.
Admiral Markets is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, giving it a broader and more internationally recognized regulatory footprint. KTBST Securities is regulated solely by Thailand's SEC. For traders prioritizing multi-jurisdictional oversight, Admiral Markets offers stronger safety assurances.
Admiral Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own Proprietary Web platform, giving traders access to a globally recognized trading ecosystem. KTBST Securities offers its Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the KATCH platform, which are tailored specifically for Thai equity trading.
Yes, there's nothing stopping you from opening accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders choose to diversify across multiple platforms to access different markets, tools, or regulatory environments depending on their specific trading goals.
Admiral Markets offers significantly higher leverage, up to 1:500 for eligible traders, compared to KTBST Securities's conservative cap of 1:5. This makes Admiral Markets more suitable for leveraged forex and CFD strategies, while KTBST's lower leverage suits more conservative equity investors.
Admiral Markets offers significantly broader market access, covering forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto across six total asset classes. KTBST Securities focuses more narrowly on stocks, ETFs, and indices, making it better suited to equity-focused investors rather than multi-asset traders.
KTBST Securities has the longer track record, having been founded in 1992 in Bangkok, Thailand. Admiral Markets was founded later in 2001 and is headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia. Both brokers have established solid reputations within their respective regional and global niches.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.