Between Stake and GO Markets, which one comes out on top overall?

Stake comes out ahead in our overall assessment, earning a 3.4/5 rating compared to GO Markets's 3.3/5. This edge stems mainly from Stake's stronger regulatory combination, lower trading costs, and easier accessibility for new investors. Your ideal pick still depends on whether you're a stock investor or a multi-asset forex/CFD trader — refer to our full breakdown above.

Which broker charges less to trade, Stake or GO Markets?

Stake is the more cost-efficient option, offering spreads from 0 pips with zero per-trade commission. GO Markets starts spreads at 0.1 pips and adds a $3 per lot commission on top, which can accumulate for frequent traders. Neither platform charges deposit or withdrawal fees.

How much money do I need to open an account with Stake versus GO Markets?

Stake requires no minimum deposit whatsoever, allowing you to start with any amount you're comfortable with. GO Markets requires a $200 minimum deposit to open a trading account, which is fairly typical for forex/CFD brokers.

Is Stake or GO Markets the safer, more regulated broker?

Stake is regulated by two tier-1 authorities, the ASIC and the FCA, giving it a robust regulatory footprint. GO Markets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC, which is solid but generally considered slightly less rigorous than FCA oversight. Both are legitimate, licensed brokers, but Stake holds a marginal edge in regulatory strength.

What trading platforms are available on Stake compared to GO Markets?

Stake operates its own proprietary web and mobile platforms, built specifically for straightforward stock trading. GO Markets instead supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which offer advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and broader customization options.

Can I open accounts with both Stake and GO Markets at the same time?

Yes, there is nothing stopping you from maintaining accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders actually diversify this way, using Stake for straightforward stock investing and GO Markets for forex, CFD, or crypto trading with leverage.

Which broker offers more market variety, Stake or GO Markets?

GO Markets offers considerably broader market access, covering forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto — five distinct categories in total. Stake focuses specifically on stocks, making it a narrower but more specialized offering for equity-focused investors.

Does Stake or GO Markets offer leverage for trading?

GO Markets provides leverage up to 1:500 for eligible clients, which is attractive for active forex and CFD traders looking to amplify position sizes. Stake caps leverage at 1:1, meaning all positions are fully funded with no margin trading available, which suits conservative, long-term stock investors.

Which broker has been operating longer, Stake or GO Markets?

GO Markets is the more established broker, having launched in 2006, giving it nearly two decades of operating history. Stake is comparatively newer, founded in 2017, though it has built a strong reputation for its beginner-friendly stock trading model in that time.

Which broker is better suited to complete beginners?

Stake is generally the better fit for beginners thanks to its zero minimum deposit, zero-commission structure, and simplified proprietary platform designed for straightforward stock investing. GO Markets can still suit beginners interested in forex or CFDs, but its $200 minimum deposit and MetaTrader learning curve make it slightly less approachable for absolute newcomers.

Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/6/2026

Stake vs GO Markets: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Stake and GO Markets serve very different types of traders, but only one comes out on top in our 2026 rating. Stake edges ahead with tighter spreads, stronger tier-1 regulation, and a zero minimum deposit. GO Markets still holds appeal for active forex and CFD traders who need higher leverage and broader market access.

OVERALL WINNER

Stake

3.4 / 5Score: 5 / 5

Zero-commission stock investing with no minimum deposit and tier-1 regulatory backing.

Min deposit: $0
Max leverage: 1:1
Spread from: 0 pips
Regulators: ASIC, FCA

GO Markets

3.3 / 5Score: 0 / 5

A veteran multi-asset broker offering high leverage and full MetaTrader access across five market categories.

Min deposit: $200
Max leverage: 1:500
Spread from: 0.1 pips
Regulators: ASIC, CySEC

Visit Broker

Overall Winner

Stake

Best for Beginners

Stake

Lowest Fees

Stake

Top Regulation

Stake

Full comparison Fees & Accounts Pros & cons Verdict Summary FAQ

Side-by-side comparison

Core features compared head-to-head.

Feature	S Stake	GM GO Markets
Overview
Rating	3.4 / 5	3.3 / 5
Founded	2017	2006
Headquarters	Sydney, Australia	Melbourne, Australia
Regulation	ASIC, FCA	ASIC, CySEC
Fees & Limits
Min Deposit	$0	$200
Spreads From	0 pips	0.1 pips
Commission	None	$3/lot
Max Leverage	1:1	1:500
Platforms & Markets
Trading Platforms	Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile	MT4, MT5
Markets Offered	Stocks	Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Pros & cons

Stake

Pros

Achieves the highest overall rating in this comparison at 3.4/5
Spreads start as low as 0 pips, undercutting many competitors
Charges no per-trade commission on stock transactions
No minimum deposit required, ideal for new investors
Backed by two respected tier-1 regulators, ASIC and FCA
No fees charged on deposits or withdrawals
Streamlined proprietary platforms designed for simplicity

Cons

Leverage capped at 1:1, meaning no margin trading available
Market access limited primarily to stocks
Lacks MT4/MT5 support for traders wanting advanced charting or EAs
Newer brand, founded in 2017, with less market history than GO Markets
No access to forex, commodities, or crypto CFDs

GO Markets

Pros

Offers substantially higher leverage, up to 1:500
Broader market access spanning forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto
Longer operating history, established since 2006
Full MetaTrader 4 and 5 support for advanced trading and automation
No fees on deposits or withdrawals
Regulated by both ASIC and CySEC

Cons

Lower overall rating in our assessment at 3.3/5
Wider spreads starting from 0.1 pips versus Stake's 0 pips
Charges a $3 per lot commission on trades
Requires a $200 minimum deposit, a barrier for smaller accounts
CySEC regulation is generally viewed as less stringent than FCA

Our expert verdict

Editor's verdict

Overall winner Stake

Lowest fees Stake

Best regulation Stake

Better for beginners Stake

Stake is the overall winner in this matchup, scoring 3.4/5 on our proprietary rating system versus 3.3/5 for GO Markets. Stake's combination of tier-1 regulation from ASIC and FCA, zero-pip spreads, and a $0 minimum deposit makes it the more accessible and cost-efficient choice for most traders. GO Markets remains competitive for those who specifically want higher leverage, MT4/MT5 access, or a broader multi-asset offering including forex and crypto CFDs.

Regulation & Safety

Regulation is one of the clearest differentiators in this comparison. Stake is regulated by two respected tier-1 authorities, the ASIC in Australia and the FCA in the United Kingdom, giving it a strong dual-jurisdiction safety net.

GO Markets is also credible, holding licences from ASIC and CySEC. While CySEC is a recognized EU regulator, it is generally viewed as slightly less stringent than the FCA in terms of client fund protections and oversight.

For risk-conscious traders prioritizing regulatory pedigree, Stake's ASIC-FCA combination gives it a modest but meaningful edge in our overall safety assessment.

Fees, Spreads & Commissions

Cost efficiency clearly favors Stake in this matchup. Stake advertises spreads from 0 pips with no per-trade commission, resulting in a genuinely low-cost structure for stock trading.

GO Markets, by contrast, starts spreads at 0.1 pips and layers on a $3 per lot commission, which is standard for a raw-spread forex/CFD account but adds up for high-frequency traders.

Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a positive on both sides. However, when it comes to pure trading cost, Stake's zero-commission model is the more transparent and beginner-friendly option.

Minimum Deposit & Accessibility

Stake requires no minimum deposit at all, making it exceptionally accessible for beginners or those wanting to test the platform with a small amount of capital.

GO Markets requires a $200 minimum deposit, a relatively standard figure in the forex/CFD brokerage space but still a real barrier compared to Stake's $0 threshold.

For newer traders or those building capital gradually, Stake's zero-deposit accessibility is a significant practical advantage.

Trading Platforms & Tools

Stake operates on proprietary web and mobile platforms built specifically for stock investing, offering a clean, modern interface tailored to equity traders.

GO Markets instead relies on the industry-standard MT4 and MT5 platforms, which are packed with advanced charting, automated trading (EAs), and a huge library of third-party indicators.

Traders who value customization, algorithmic trading, or familiarity with MetaTrader will likely prefer GO Markets, while those who want a streamlined stock-trading experience will lean toward Stake.

Market Access & Leverage

GO Markets offers a substantially broader market selection, covering forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto, alongside leverage up to 1:500 for eligible accounts.

Stake, in contrast, is focused primarily on stocks, with leverage capped at 1:1, meaning no leveraged trading is available.

This makes GO Markets the clear choice for multi-asset traders and those who want to use leverage, while Stake suits investors focused specifically on direct stock ownership.

Our Verdict

Weighing all factors together, Stake earns the higher overall rating of 3.4/5 compared to GO Markets's 3.3/5, driven largely by its stronger regulatory profile, lower costs, and zero minimum deposit.

That said, this is not a knockout victory. GO Markets remains a strong, more established option (founded in 2006 vs. 2017) for traders who need forex, CFD, and crypto access with higher leverage and MetaTrader platforms.

Our recommendation: choose Stake if you're a beginner-focused stock investor prioritizing low costs and simplicity; choose GO Markets if you're an active multi-asset trader who needs leverage and broader market access.

Verdict summary

The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.

Editor's verdict

Stake wins overall

Stake edges out GO Markets overall based on our expert rating score.

Highest Rated

Stake

3.4 / 5 / 5

Category winners

Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
Stake
Better for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Stake
Lower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Stake
Stronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Stake

Frequently asked questions

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.