Tickmill Pricing Explained: All Plans, Costs & Fees (2026)
Complete breakdown of Tickmill pricing — all plans, hidden fees, and how to save money.
Tickmill Pricing Overview
Tickmill offers a completely free account structure with no monthly subscription fees across all trading account types. The London-based ECN/STP broker launched in 2014 and has built its business model around transparent commission-based pricing rather than hidden spreads and monthly charges. Whether you're starting with a demo account, paper trading, or committing real capital, you won't pay a dime just to access Tickmill's platforms.
What you do pay for are the actual trades you execute. Tickmill's pricing revolves around raw spreads (starting from 0.0 pips on professional accounts) plus transparent per-side commissions. For scalpers, algorithmic traders, and active forex professionals, this structure often beats traditional markup-based brokers that hide their costs in wider spreads. The catch? You'll need at least $100 to fund a Classic or Pro account, and $50,000 for VIP features.
All Tickmill Plans Compared
Tickmill offers four distinct account types, each designed for different trader profiles and capital sizes. Unlike many brokers that charge monthly premiums for advanced tiers, Tickmill keeps all accounts free but differentiates them by features, execution quality, and spread structures.
| Account Type | Monthly Cost | Minimum Deposit | Spread Structure | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo | $0 | $0 (virtual capital) | Real market spreads | Practice, strategy testing, platform familiarization |
| Classic | $0 | $100 | Standard spreads (variable, typically 1.0–2.5 pips on EUR/USD) | Beginner to intermediate traders, lower-volume traders |
| Pro | $0 | $100 | Raw spreads from 0.0 pips + commission (typically $3–5 per round-trip lot) | Active traders, scalpers, algorithmic traders seeking tight costs |
| VIP | $0 | $50,000 | Raw spreads from 0.0 pips + preferential commission (typically $2–3 per round-trip lot) | Professional traders, hedge funds, algorithmic traders at scale |
Demo Account: Tickmill's demo is genuinely free and comes with $10,000 in virtual capital. You get access to MT4 and MT5, real market data, and the full suite of charting tools—all without handing over a credit card. The spreads you see are live market spreads, so your backtest and forward-test results will be realistic. This is worth using for at least a few weeks before committing real money.
Classic Account: The entry-level live trading account requires a $100 minimum deposit. You'll trade with standard (markup) spreads—typically 1.0 to 2.5 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD—with no additional commission. This tier is aimed at retail traders who aren't placing 50+ trades per day and value simplicity over squeezing the last tenth of a pip. It's a sensible choice if your edge doesn't depend on fractional-pip optimization.
Pro Account: Also requires a $100 minimum, but offers raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips plus a transparent per-side commission. On EUR/USD, you might see 0.2–0.5 pip spreads with a $3–5 commission per standard lot (one round-trip). For traders executing 20+ trades per month, the math often favors Pro over Classic: the tighter spreads and explicit commissions beat paying 1.0+ pips in hidden markup.
VIP Account: The $50,000 minimum is steep, but VIP clients get the tightest spreads (0.0 pips) and reduced commissions (typically $2–3 per lot). VIP also unlocks FIX API access for algorithmic traders and dedicated support. If you're running a systematic strategy or managing client capital, the lower all-in cost per trade can justify the deposit.
Free Plan / Free Trial
Tickmill's demo account is both free and fully functional, making it one of the better entry points for evaluating an ECN broker. You get:
- $10,000 in virtual trading capital
- Full access to MT4 and MT5 platforms
- Real-time quotes and market data (no delay)
- All charting, indicators, and Expert Advisor functionality
- No time limit—you can keep the demo active indefinitely
- Live market conditions (spreads, slippage, execution speed)
The demo is worth spending 2–4 weeks on. Test your strategy under real market conditions, verify that Tickmill's execution speed meets your needs, and confirm that the spread/commission structure aligns with your trading plan. Many traders skip the demo and regret it; Tickmill makes skipping a mistake easy to avoid.
Once you're ready for live trading, there's no additional trial period. You deposit real money and open a live account immediately. However, the low $100 minimum on Classic and Pro accounts effectively is a soft trial—you can fund a small account, test with real risk, and scale up once you're confident.
Hidden Costs and Fees
Tickmill is transparent about spreads and commissions, but several fee categories exist outside the trading bid-ask:
- Inactivity Fee: Accounts with no trades for 12 months incur a monthly $25 fee. If you're a part-time trader, keep at least one small trade per year to avoid this.
- Withdrawal Fees: Most withdrawal methods are free, but wire transfers may incur bank fees (often $15–30 depending on your bank). Tickmill doesn't charge a processing fee, but your bank might.
- Currency Conversion: If you deposit in USD but your account is in EUR (or vice versa), Tickmill applies a conversion markup—typically 1–2% above mid-market rates. Deposit in your account's base currency to avoid this.
- Overnight Financing (Swap/Rollover): Holding positions overnight incurs overnight financing costs. These vary by instrument and market direction but are standard across all brokers. On a 1 standard lot of EUR/USD, expect $1–5 per night depending on rate differentials.
- News Data / Premium Add-Ons: Tickmill's news feed is included. Advanced analytics tools (third-party plugins) may carry optional fees, but the core platform includes everything you need.
The inactivity fee is the most likely surprise. If you take a six-month break and forget about your Tickmill account, you'll return to find a $25 deduction. Keep the account active with at least one micro-lot trade per year to dodge this.
Tickmill Pricing vs Competitors
How does Tickmill stack up cost-wise against peers? Here's a real-world example: trading 1 standard lot of EUR/USD on a $1,000 account.
| Broker | Account Type | Spread (pips) | Commission | Total Cost Per Lot (round-trip) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tickmill Classic | $100 min | 1.5 (avg) | None | $15 |
| Tickmill Pro | $100 min | 0.3 (avg) | $4 per lot | $7 |
| Interactive Brokers (Forex Pro) | $10k min | 0.2 (avg) | $2 per lot | $6 |
| Oanda (Standard) | $1 min | 1.0–2.0 (avg) | None | $10–20 |
| IG Markets (FX) | Retail | 1.6–2.0 (avg) | None | $16–20 |
The verdict: Tickmill Pro undercuts most competitors on an all-in basis for active traders. Interactive Brokers is slightly cheaper per trade but requires a $10k minimum (100x more than Tickmill). Oanda and IG Markets are cheaper if you trade less than 5 times per month, but for 20+ monthly trades, Tickmill Pro's tight spreads + low commissions win. Tickmill Classic is a middle ground—less aggressive than Pro but more expensive than competitors if you trade frequently.
Is Tickmill Worth the Price?
For Scalpers and Active Traders: Yes. If you execute 50+ trades per month, Tickmill Pro or VIP saves you hundreds of dollars annually compared to traditional brokers. The 0.0 pip spreads and transparent commission structure leave zero room for hidden markup.
For Swing and Position Traders: Maybe. If you hold positions for days or weeks, overnight financing costs dwarf spread/commission fees. The $5–10 you save per trade is offset by $15–50 in overnight costs. Tickmill is still competitive, but the pricing advantage shrinks. Classic may be sufficient for your volume.
For Demo/Learning: Absolutely. The free, unlimited demo with real spreads and execution is excellent for skill-building before deploying capital.
For the $50k+ Professional: VIP makes sense if you're running algorithms at volume. The preferential commission and FIX API justify the account deposit. Everyone else should avoid VIP unless you're managing significant AUM.
For Beginners with Small Accounts: Start with the demo. If you're committing only $100–500, Classic is fine (spreads matter less at low volume). Once you're profitable and trading 10+ times per week, migrate to Pro.
How to Save on Tickmill
- Use the Demo First: Avoid the inactivity fee by running a few small trades every 12 months. The demo lets you practice without risking capital or paying fees.
- Deposit in Your Account Currency: If your account is in EUR, deposit EUR to sidestep 1–2% FX conversion markups. Tickmill supports USD, EUR, GBP, and others—choose the match.
- Upgrade to Pro Early: If you're placing more than 10 trades per month, the Pro account's tighter spreads outweigh the commission cost. The crossover math typically favors Pro for 15+ monthly trades.
- Minimize Overnight Holdings: Swap fees (overnight financing) add up fast. If you're scalping, day-trade to avoid them. If you swing trade, accept swaps as a cost of capital and size accordingly.
- Avoid Wire Withdrawals: Bank wire transfers incur fees. Use credit card or e-wallet withdrawals where available to save $15–30 per payout.
- Don't Overleverage: Higher leverage doesn't cost more at Tickmill, but it amplifies losses. Stick to 10:1–20:1 even if 100:1 is available.
Tickmill doesn't offer loyalty discounts or promotional rebates. The savings come from choosing the right account tier and trading discipline, not from coupon codes or seasonal offers.
Bottom line: Tickmill is worth the price if your trading style aligns with its strengths: active forex/CFD trading, algorithmic execution, and tight cost structures. The free demo, low minimums, and transparent fees make it a solid choice for professionals and a reasonable gamble for ambitious retail traders.