FM
FP Markets
3.8 / 5Score: 2 / 4
Deep market access and razor-thin spreads built for serious forex and CFD traders.
- Min deposit
- $100
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, CySEC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/2/2026
FP Markets vs LHV: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
FP Markets and LHV serve very different types of traders, but only one delivers a stronger all-round package. In this detailed 2026 comparison, we break down fees, regulation, platforms, and market access to help you decide.
L
LHV
3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A zero-deposit, no-commission gateway into stocks, ETFs, and crypto investing.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- Finantsinspektsioon, FCA
Overall Winner
FP Markets
Best for Beginners
LHV
Lowest Fees
FP Markets
Top Regulation
FP Markets
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | FM FP Markets | L LHV |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 2005 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Tallinn, Estonia |
| Regulation | ASIC, CySEC | Finantsinspektsioon, FCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $3/lot | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, LHV Broker |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Crypto, Indices |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
FP Markets
$100
LHV
$0
Spreads From
FP Markets
0 pips
LHV
0 pips
Commission
FP Markets
$3/lot
LHV
None
Deposit Fees
FP Markets
None
LHV
None
Withdrawal Fees
FP Markets
None
LHV
None
Pros & cons
FM
FP Markets
Pros
- Higher overall rating of 3.8/5 on our proprietary scoring system
- Significantly higher leverage ceiling at up to 1:500
- Broader instrument selection spanning six distinct asset classes
- Wider platform choice with four supported trading environments
- Strong tier-1 regulatory oversight from ASIC and CySEC
- Competitive raw spreads starting from 0 pips
- No hidden deposit or withdrawal charges
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $100 is higher than LHV's $0 threshold
- Commission of $3 per lot adds cost for very high-frequency scalpers
- High leverage carries increased risk for inexperienced traders
- Platform variety may feel overwhelming for absolute beginners
L
LHV
Pros
- No minimum deposit makes it highly accessible for new investors
- Zero per-trade commission simplifies cost planning
- Long operating history since 1999 builds institutional trust
- Regulated by both the FCA and Finantsinspektsioon
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Straightforward proprietary platforms suited to casual investors
Cons
- Lower overall rating of 3.4/5 compared to FP Markets' 3.8/5
- Maximum leverage capped at just 1:5, limiting capital efficiency
- Narrower market range with only four asset classes covered
- No support for MT4, MT5, or TradingView integrations
- Less suited to active forex or CFD trading strategies
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner FP Markets
Lowest fees FP Markets
Best regulation FP Markets
Better for beginners LHV
FP Markets is the stronger overall choice, earning a 3.8/5 on our rating scale compared to LHV's 3.4/5. FP Markets wins on leverage, market variety, platform choice, and regulatory strength, while LHV remains a niche option for beginners who want a zero minimum deposit and simple stock/ETF exposure.
Regulation & Safety
Both brokers operate under credible, tier-1 regulatory frameworks, giving traders a reasonable degree of confidence in fund security. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC in Australia and CySEC in Cyprus, two of the more rigorous oversight bodies in the retail trading space.
LHV, on the other hand, is licensed by Estonia's Finantsinspektsioon and the UK's FCA, both respected regulators within the European financial system. On our proprietary rating system, FP Markets edges ahead here, largely due to ASIC's stringent capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules.
Neither broker carries obvious red flags in terms of safety, so this category comes down to a matter of degree rather than a stark safety gap. Traders prioritizing strict regulatory enforcement may lean slightly toward FP Markets.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, which puts them on paper parity when it comes to headline pricing. FP Markets applies a modest commission of $3 per lot on its raw spread accounts, a fairly standard rate in the ECN/STP brokerage space.
LHV charges no per-trade commission at all, which can be appealing for lower-frequency investors who prefer a simpler fee structure. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome feature for cost-conscious traders on both sides.
Where FP Markets pulls ahead is in overall cost efficiency for active forex and CFD traders, since its raw spread plus low commission model tends to outperform standard markup pricing over high trading volumes. LHV's no-commission model works better for buy-and-hold investors trading stocks or ETFs infrequently.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
LHV clearly wins on entry accessibility, requiring a $0 minimum deposit compared to FP Markets' $100 threshold. This makes LHV an attractive starting point for absolute beginners who want to test the waters without committing capital upfront.
However, accessibility alone doesn't guarantee a superior trading experience once funds are deposited. FP Markets' $100 minimum remains low by industry standards and is easily justified by the broader market access and platform tools it unlocks.
For cautious beginners with very limited starting capital, LHV's zero-deposit policy is a genuine advantage worth noting.
Trading Platforms & Tools
FP Markets offers a considerably more robust platform lineup, supporting MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView integration, and a proprietary mobile app. This gives traders flexibility to choose between industry-standard charting tools and modern web-based execution.
LHV's platform suite is comparatively limited, consisting of a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and its LHV Broker interface. These tools are functional for straightforward stock and ETF investing but lack the depth of charting and automated trading support found in MT4/MT5 environments.
Active forex and CFD traders who rely on Expert Advisors, custom indicators, or advanced charting will find FP Markets' platform ecosystem far more capable of meeting professional demands.
Market Range & Leverage
FP Markets supports a considerably wider range of instruments, including Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto — six asset classes in total. LHV covers Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, and Indices, a narrower four-category offering geared more toward long-term investing than active trading.
Leverage is another area of stark contrast: FP Markets offers up to 1:500, appealing to forex and CFD traders who want capital-efficient exposure. LHV caps leverage at just 1:5, reflecting its more conservative, investment-oriented business model.
Traders seeking diversified access to fast-moving forex and commodity markets will find FP Markets far better suited to their needs, while long-term equity investors may not mind LHV's lower leverage ceiling.
Our Verdict
When weighing the full picture, FP Markets emerges as the stronger all-round broker, scoring 3.8/5 versus LHV's 3.4/5 on our independent rating system. It offers superior leverage, broader market access, a more advanced platform suite, and arguably tougher regulatory oversight.
LHV still holds genuine appeal for a specific type of trader: the cautious beginner who wants to start investing in stocks or ETFs without any minimum deposit and without commission fees. Its longer operating history since 1999 also adds a layer of institutional trust for European investors.
Ultimately, most active traders — particularly those focused on forex, CFDs, or commodities — will get significantly more value from FP Markets' feature set. LHV remains a solid, low-barrier alternative for beginners with modest starting capital and simpler investment goals.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
FP Markets wins overall
FP Markets edges out LHV overall based on our expert rating score.
FM
Highest Rated
FP Markets
3.8 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.8/5).
FP MarketsBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
LHVLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
FP MarketsStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
FP Markets
Frequently asked questions
Yes, based on our independent rating system, FP Markets scores 3.8 out of 5 compared to LHV's 3.4 out of 5. FP Markets pulls ahead thanks to stronger leverage options, broader market coverage, and a more advanced platform suite. That said, LHV remains a viable choice for beginners focused on simple stock and ETF investing with no minimum deposit.
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but FP Markets applies a $3 per lot commission while LHV charges no commission at all. For high-frequency forex and CFD traders, FP Markets' raw spread model typically works out cheaper overall, while LHV's zero-commission structure suits infrequent stock or ETF investors.
FP Markets requires a minimum deposit of $100 to open an account, while LHV requires no minimum deposit at all, making it the more accessible entry point for beginners with limited starting capital.
Both brokers hold credible regulatory licenses, but the strength of oversight differs slightly. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC, both known for strict capital and compliance standards, while LHV is regulated by Finantsinspektsioon and the FCA. Both are considered tier-1 regulatory environments, though FP Markets edges ahead on our safety scoring.
FP Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and a proprietary mobile app, giving traders flexibility across charting and automation tools. LHV offers a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and its own LHV Broker interface, which are more suited to straightforward stock and ETF investing.
FP Markets offers significantly higher leverage of up to 1:500, appealing to active forex and CFD traders who want greater capital efficiency. LHV caps leverage at just 1:5, reflecting its more conservative, investment-focused business model.
Yes, though each suits a different type of beginner. LHV's $0 minimum deposit and no-commission structure make it easier for cautious beginners to start small with stocks or ETFs. FP Markets, while requiring a $100 deposit, offers more educational tools and platform variety for beginners ready to explore forex and CFD trading.
FP Markets covers a broader range including Forex, CFDs, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, and Crypto. LHV offers a narrower selection focused on Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, and Indices, making it better suited to long-term equity-style investing rather than active multi-asset trading.
Yes, there is nothing preventing traders from opening accounts with both brokers simultaneously. Many investors diversify across platforms, using FP Markets for active forex and CFD trading while using LHV for long-term stock or ETF holdings.
LHV has the longer operating history, founded in 1999 in Tallinn, Estonia, compared to FP Markets, which was founded in 2005 in Sydney, Australia. Both have established solid reputations within their respective regulatory jurisdictions over multiple decades.
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.