PN
Phillip Nova
3.4 / 5Score: 3 / 5
Zero minimum deposit and commission-free trading make Phillip Nova the most accessible gateway into multi-asset markets.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:20
- Spread from
- 0.6 pips
- Regulators
- MAS
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/8/2026
Phillip Nova vs Tickmill: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Phillip Nova and Tickmill are both solid, tier-1 regulated brokers, but our independent rating gives Phillip Nova the edge overall at 3.4/5 versus 3.3/5. Tickmill fights back with tighter spreads and higher leverage, making this a genuinely close contest worth understanding in detail.
T
Tickmill
3.3 / 5Score: 2 / 5
Raw spreads from 0.0 pips and MetaTrader compatibility make Tickmill a favorite for cost-conscious, high-volume traders.
- Min deposit
- $100
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, CySEC, FSCA
Overall Winner
Phillip Nova
Best for Beginners
Phillip Nova
Lowest Fees
Tickmill
Top Regulation
Tickmill
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | PN Phillip Nova | T Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 2005 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Singapore | London, UK |
| Regulation | MAS | FCA, CySEC, FSCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | $2/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:20 | 1:500 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, POEMS | MT4, MT5 |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Phillip Nova
$0
Tickmill
$100
Spreads From
Phillip Nova
0.6 pips
Tickmill
0 pips
Commission
Phillip Nova
None
Tickmill
$2/lot
Deposit Fees
Phillip Nova
None
Tickmill
None
Withdrawal Fees
Phillip Nova
None
Tickmill
None
Pros & cons
PN
Phillip Nova
Pros
- Higher overall rating at 3.4/5 on our independent scoring
- No per-trade commission simplifies cost calculations
- No minimum deposit removes barriers for new traders
- Broader market access spanning five asset classes including crypto
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Established broker with roots dating back to 2005
- Regulated by Singapore's reputable MAS authority
Cons
- Lower maximum leverage capped at 1:20
- Wider spreads from 0.6 pips compared to competitors
- Single regulatory jurisdiction versus multi-licence competitors
- Proprietary platforms lack the third-party tool ecosystem of MT4/MT5
- No support for popular MetaTrader platforms
T
Tickmill
Pros
- Tighter raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips
- Higher maximum leverage up to 1:500
- Regulated across three respected jurisdictions
- Full MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 compatibility
- Transparent, predictable per-lot commission model
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Strong fit for algorithmic and expert-advisor trading
Cons
- Higher minimum deposit requirement of $100
- Slightly lower overall rating at 3.3/5
- Commission charges add complexity to cost calculations
- No cryptocurrency market access
- Higher leverage increases risk exposure for inexperienced traders
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Phillip Nova
Lowest fees Tickmill
Best regulation Tickmill
Better for beginners Phillip Nova
Phillip Nova is the better all-round choice for most traders, edging out Tickmill 3.4/5 to 3.3/5 on our independent rating thanks to its zero minimum deposit, commission-free structure, and broader market access including crypto. However, Tickmill remains the sharper pick for cost-conscious, high-volume traders who want 0.0 pip raw spreads and leverage up to 1:500, along with multi-jurisdictional regulatory coverage across the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA.
Regulation & Safety
Both brokers operate under reputable, tier-1 financial regulators, so neither can be dismissed on safety grounds. Phillip Nova is regulated by Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), one of the most respected single regulators in Asia-Pacific, known for strict capital adequacy and client asset segregation rules.
Tickmill, by contrast, holds licences across three separate jurisdictions: the UK's FCA, Cyprus's CySEC, and South Africa's FSCA. This multi-licence structure gives Tickmill an edge in regulatory breadth, offering traders in different regions a locally-regulated entity to open an account with.
For traders who prioritise a single, tightly-supervised Asian regulator, Phillip Nova's MAS oversight is more than sufficient. But those who value redundancy across multiple regulatory bodies, or who are based in Europe, the UK, or Africa, will likely feel more reassured by Tickmill's broader compliance footprint.
Fees & Spreads
This is where Tickmill clearly wins on paper. Tickmill advertises spreads from 0.0 pips, though this comes with a trade-off: a commission of $2 per lot on its raw pricing accounts. Phillip Nova, meanwhile, offers spreads from 0.6 pips but charges no per-trade commission at all.
For high-frequency or high-volume traders, Tickmill's raw spread plus commission model often works out cheaper in absolute terms, especially on major forex pairs where spread compression matters most. For casual or lower-volume traders, Phillip Nova's simpler no-commission structure may actually be more cost-predictable and easier to budget for.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome point of parity. Ultimately, the 'cheaper' broker depends entirely on trading frequency and lot size — scalpers lean Tickmill, casual traders lean Phillip Nova.
Account Accessibility & Minimum Deposit
Phillip Nova is significantly more accessible to newer or smaller-capital traders, requiring a $0 minimum deposit to open an account. This removes a common barrier to entry and lets beginners test the platform with minimal financial commitment.
Tickmill requires a $100 minimum deposit, which, while still modest by industry standards, is a meaningful step above Phillip Nova's zero-dollar threshold. For traders building capital slowly or wanting to dip a toe in before committing funds, Phillip Nova's approach is far friendlier.
This accessibility gap is a core reason Phillip Nova earns our 'Best for Beginners' award in this matchup.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Phillip Nova runs on its own proprietary web and mobile platforms, plus POEMS, its established multi-asset trading suite. This gives it a more integrated, house-built experience but means traders won't have access to the vast ecosystem of third-party MT4/MT5 tools, indicators, and expert advisors.
Tickmill, on the other hand, supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. This is a major advantage for traders who already have MT4/MT5 strategies, custom indicators, or automated expert advisors they want to deploy without any adjustment.
Traders who value flexibility, algorithmic trading, and a huge third-party plugin ecosystem will likely prefer Tickmill's MetaTrader setup, while those who want a clean, all-in-one proprietary experience may lean toward Phillip Nova.
Leverage & Market Access
Tickmill offers considerably higher maximum leverage at 1:500, compared to Phillip Nova's more conservative 1:20 cap. Higher leverage can amplify both gains and losses, so this is a double-edged consideration rather than an outright win for either side.
On market access, Phillip Nova edges ahead with five asset classes — forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto — while Tickmill covers four, omitting cryptocurrency trading entirely. Traders wanting exposure to digital assets alongside traditional instruments will find Phillip Nova's offering more complete.
Risk-tolerant traders chasing higher leverage ratios will gravitate to Tickmill, while diversified portfolio builders wanting crypto exposure under one roof will prefer Phillip Nova.
Our Verdict
Phillip Nova takes the overall win in our independent rating, scoring 3.4/5 against Tickmill's 3.3/5, driven largely by its zero minimum deposit, commission-free trading, and wider market coverage. It's the stronger pick for beginners, crypto-curious traders, and those who want simplicity over complexity.
Tickmill isn't far behind, and for a specific type of trader — one focused on tight raw spreads, high leverage, and MetaTrader compatibility — it remains a genuinely excellent choice. Its multi-jurisdictional regulation also gives it an edge for traders wanting broader regulatory coverage.
In short: choose Phillip Nova for accessibility and simplicity, choose Tickmill for cost efficiency at volume and platform familiarity.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Phillip Nova wins overall
Phillip Nova edges out Tickmill overall based on our expert rating score.
PN
Highest Rated
Phillip Nova
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
Phillip NovaBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Phillip NovaLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
TickmillStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Tickmill
Frequently asked questions
Phillip Nova scores higher overall on our independent rating system, holding a 3.4/5 rating versus Tickmill's 3.3/5. Phillip Nova wins on accessibility and commission-free trading, while Tickmill counters with tighter spreads and higher leverage. The best choice ultimately depends on your trading style — see our full verdict above for a detailed breakdown.
Phillip Nova offers spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, while Tickmill starts at 0.0 pips but charges $2 per lot in commission. High-volume traders often find Tickmill cheaper overall, while casual traders may prefer Phillip Nova's simpler no-commission structure. Check the fees section above for a full breakdown.
Phillip Nova requires a minimum deposit of $0, making it highly accessible for beginners. Tickmill requires $100 to open an account, which is still modest but noticeably higher than Phillip Nova's zero-dollar threshold.
Phillip Nova is regulated by Singapore's MAS, a highly respected single regulator known for strict oversight. Tickmill holds licences from the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA, giving it broader multi-jurisdictional regulatory coverage. Both are considered safe, tier-1 regulated brokers, though Tickmill offers wider regulatory redundancy.
Phillip Nova supports its own Proprietary Web and Mobile platforms alongside POEMS, its multi-asset trading suite. Tickmill supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which offer a vast ecosystem of third-party indicators and expert advisors.
Yes, you can hold accounts at multiple brokers simultaneously. Many traders diversify across platforms to access different markets, tools, and fee structures, using Phillip Nova for crypto and beginner-friendly access while using Tickmill for tighter spreads on high-volume forex trades.
Tickmill offers significantly higher maximum leverage at 1:500, compared to Phillip Nova's more conservative cap of 1:20. Higher leverage can magnify both profits and losses, so traders should weigh their risk tolerance carefully before choosing based on leverage alone.
Phillip Nova offers cryptocurrency trading alongside forex, CFDs, indices, and commodities, covering five asset classes in total. Tickmill does not currently offer crypto trading, focusing instead on forex, CFDs, indices, and commodities across four asset classes.
Phillip Nova earns our award for best broker for beginners thanks to its $0 minimum deposit and commission-free trading structure. This combination removes common barriers to entry, making it easier for new traders to start with minimal upfront financial commitment.
Tickmill's raw spread model, starting from 0.0 pips plus a $2 per lot commission, often works out more cost-effective for high-frequency and high-volume traders. Phillip Nova's simpler no-commission structure with spreads from 0.6 pips tends to suit lower-volume or casual traders better.
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.