Home » Reviews of Online Brokers and Trading Platforms » GO Markets Broker Review
Written by Zornitsa Stefanova
Zornitsa Stefanova is experienced forex and crypto analyst. She also covers various financial topics such as stocks trading and retirement investments.
, | Updated:

Established in Melbourne nearly 20 years ago, GO Markets is widely regarded as the first forex broker to start offering MetaTrader to Aussie traders. The company has grown by leaps and bounds after its launch, currently reaching customers from more than 150 countries and regions. The broker is committed to providing tight spreads through ECN-style order execution, coupled with full support for the MetaTrader platform suite.

Its global presence is backed by licenses from the regulatory authorities of Australia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Cyprus, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Over the years, the broker has expanded its product range to over 2,000 financial markets, including over 50 forex pairs, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds. A handful of cryptocurrencies are also tradable through CFDs.

Overall Summary of GO Markets
Year Founded2006
Minimum DepositNo minimum deposit requirements
Tradable InstrumentsForex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies
Open an AccountHow to Open an Account at GO Markets
Trading CostsSpreads, Fees, and Commissions at GO Markets

GO Markets positions itself as a solid option for both experienced and novice traders, offering raw spreads, deep liquidity, and low non-trading costs. The broker accommodates customers with institutional-grade analytics, automated trading, VPS hosting, and a decent enough range of educational materials. These are all features that resonate with both beginner and intermediate-to-advanced traders. Platform coverage is also outstanding, with support for MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, although availability varies based on country.

Trustpilot Score
Chart loading
TrustPilot Review Count
Chart loading
Licenses by Regulator Tier
Chart loading
Number of Available FX Pairs
Chart loading

At the time of writing, GO Markets has a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 stars based on 701 consumer reviews. Positive feedback mostly highlights the responsive chat support, transparent pricing, and the lack of hidden fees. On the other hand, critical comments often point to occasional slippage during high-volatility events and withdrawal delays. In this in-depth review, we look beyond marketing slogans to analyze the hard data and regulatory details. We also compare GO Markets with its closest competitors, helping prospective clients make informed decisions.

Key Pros and Cons

If you are looking for a quick snapshot of GO Markets, here are a few key pros and cons of trading with this broker.

Key Pros

  • Supervised by ASIC in Australia and CySEC in Europe
  • Raw spreads from 0.0 pips with GO Plus+ accounts and low round-turn commissions of $5 for forex
  • Great platform coverage, with support for MT5, MT4, TradingView, and cTrader
  • Over 2,000 tradable markets, including 50 or so currency pairs
  • Free VPS hosting for monthly volumes of 10 or more standard lots in forex and gold
  • Advanced market research and analytics via MetaTrader Genesis
  • 24/7 multilingual customer support with fast response times
  • Negative balance protection for retail clients from Europe and Australia

Key Cons

  • Does not facilitate options trading or purchasing physical stocks
  • Does not accept clients from major markets like Canada and the US
  • No negative balance protection for retail customers at the offshore branches
  • Higher leverage (1:500) available only to professional traders and clients of the offshore entities
  • All accounts use variable spreads, which may not suit traders looking for price stability
  • Does not offer Guaranteed Stop-Loss Orders (GSLOs) to risk-averse traders
  • Some Trustpilot reviewers complain of delayed withdrawals

Overall, GO Markets stands out for its strong regulatory oversight, competitive raw spreads, and broad platform support, including MT5, MT4, TradingView, and cTrader. It offers a wide range of tradable markets and advanced analytics tools, making it well-suited for intermediate and advanced traders seeking efficient execution. On the downside, options trading and physical stocks are unavailable, while the absence of guaranteed stop-loss orders and the occasional withdrawal delays are notable drawbacks mentioned by some customers.

Company Information

2006

Launch in Australia

GO Markets was incorporated in Melbourne in 2006 under the legal name GO Markets Pty Ltd and quickly gained recognition as one of the first Australian brokers to offer MetaTrader 4 to retail clients. The company is privately owned and not listed on any stock exchange. We consider this advantageous because it allows the broker to adjust its pricing and technology more freely without the pressure of meeting short-term earnings targets faced by publicly listed companies. The latest ASIC filings indicate the broker is registered under Australian Business Number 85 081 864 039 and was granted a financial services license (254963) by ASIC.

2017-2025

Global Footprint Expansion

Following a decade of domestic growth, the broker embarked on international expansion. GO Markets Ltd was established in 2017 after obtaining an investment services license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The move enabled the broker to distribute its products across the European Economic Area through a passporting regime under the Markets of Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II). Two years later, the broker received an offshore license from the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSCM), enabling it to further expand its global footprint.

In 2020, the company also gained authorization from the financial regulator of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where it is incorporated under the name GO Markets LLC. Another license was issued by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSAS). These multiple entities allow the group to provide leverage and promotions that suit different regions and regulatory regimes, all while operating under one unified brand.

A small group of founding shareholders and senior executives seems to own most of the brand, with no major public disclosures of outside venture capital or private equity investments. Up until 2020, the group was led by CEO Christopher Gore who left his position after 11 years with the brokerage. The firm has suffered no major disciplinary actions or regulatory fines over the past two decades.

GO Markets consists of the following corporate entities, with their respective registered office addresses.

  • GO Markets PTY Ltd, regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under license number 254963, with registered offices at L7 447 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia.
  • GO Markets Ltd, authorized by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 322/17, with offices located at 38 Spyrou Kyprianou, CCS Building, 2nd Floor, Office 201, Kato Polemidia, 4154, Limassol, Cyprus.
  • GO Markets International Ltd, overseen by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSAS) under license number SD043. The office branch is located in the IMAD Complex, Office 12, 3rd Floor, L’Île du Port, Mahe, Seychelles.
  • GO Markets Pty Ltd (MU), a global business company regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSCM), with an office address at Level 7, Office 12, Iconebene Lot B441, Rue de L’Institut, Ebene, Mauritius.
  • GO Markets LLC, a company registered with the Financial Services Authority of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines under number 332. The division’s offices are located at Floor 1, First St. Vincent Bank Ltd, James Street, Kingstown.

Why Trade with GO Markets?

Our reviewers conducted extensive research to compile a list of valid reasons for choosing GO Markets over competing brokers. Our findings are based on comprehensive tests with both demo and live accounts, which allowed us to gain a first-hand perspective on the broker’s strengths and weaknesses. We summarize the main advantages of trading with GO Markets below.

AspectWhat we like
RegulationThe broker holds licenses from one tier-1 regulator (ASIC) and one tier-2 watchdog (CySEC), demonstrating a satisfactory level of regulatory compliance and oversight.
Trading ConditionsGO Plus+ accounts enable trading with spreads as low as 0.0 pips and low round-turn commissions of $5, which renders them perfect for high-volume and active traders.
Product RangeGO Markets’ selection encompasses over 2,000 leveraged CFDs, with coverage of less commonly available asset classes like bonds and exchange-traded funds.
Platforms and ToolsTraders face a choice from several popular third-party platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView.
Account SetupOpening a live account takes between 10 and 15 minutes tops provided customers have prepared their verification documents in advance.
Deposits and WithdrawalsGO Markets clients enjoy free deposits and withdrawals via a standard range of payment methods, including Skrill, Neteller, Visa, Mastercard, and bank transfers.
Research and EducationBeginner and intermediate traders benefit from an economic calendar, daily market insights, informative podcasts, webinars, and free courses.
Customer SupportThe broker provides timely chat support in several languages, including Chinese and Indonesian.

High-frequency traders, scalpers, and those using algorithmic traders will likely benefit the most from GO Markets’ raw pricing and fast order execution. However, long-term investors who want to mix short-term speculative trading with holding physical stocks might find the range of products limited.

Regulation

Regulation is arguably the single most important factor to consider when choosing a CFD broker. GO Markets operates under five distinct legal entities, each authorized in a separate jurisdiction. The original Australian arm, GO Markets Pty Ltd, is licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under financial services license number 254963.

ASIC is regarded as a tier-1 regulator owing to its stringent minimum capital and client funds segregation requirements. The regulator mandates retail leverage caps of 1:30 for major and 1:20 for non-major currency pairs. Brokers licensed by ASIC are obligated to provide mandatory negative balance protection to all retail traders.

The European entity, GO Markets Ltd, operates under a CySEC licence number 322/17, passporting investment services across the EEA under the MiFID II regulatory framework. CySEC is often classified as a tier-2 regulator. The watchdog is less strict than the FCA in the UK or ASIC but considerably more robust than offshore regulators.

Leverage for retail clients under the EU entity aligns with the requirements of the European Securities and Markets Association (ESMA). The caps are 1:30 for major forex pairs, 1:20 for non-major pairs and gold, 1:10 for most other commodities, 1:5 for stocks, and 1:2 for cryptocurrencies. GO Markets provides mandatory investor compensation of up to €20,000 per retail client, covered by the Cypriot Investor Compensation Fund (ICF).

Traders outside Australia and the European Economic Area can open live accounts at one of the following three offshore entities.

  • GO Markets was issued an offshore license by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSAS), which allows it to extend its reach to global customers. The Seychelles entity is not legally obligated to offer negative balance protection, although it may absorb clients’ negative balances as business expenses occasionally.
  • Alternatively, customers can opt for registering at the Mauritius branch, licensed and regulated by the local Financial Services Commission (FSC) under permit number GB19024896. The Mauritius entity offers forex leverage of up to 1:500 but retail traders are liable for any negative balances they incur, as a customer support representative confirmed.
  • GO Markets also has a branch in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where it is registered with the local Financial Services Authority (FSA). This division also facilitates trading with maximum leverage of 1:500 but does not provide negative balance protection to retail clients.
RegionEntityAuthorityLicense
AustraliaGO Markets PTY LimitedAustralian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)License number: 254963
EU and EEAGO Markets LimitedCyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)License number: 322/17
SeychellesGO Markets International LimitedFinancial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSAS)License number: SD043
MauritiusGO Markets PTY Limited (MU)Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSCM)License number: GB19024896
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesGO Markets LLCFinancial Services Authority (FSA)Registration number: 332

The broker holds the funds of Aussie traders in segregated bank accounts at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and the National Australia Bank (NAB). Customers registered under the Cyprus division have their money segregated but no information is publicly available as to where exactly the money is stored. External auditors review the broker’s financial records on a regular basis.

GO Markets does not service customers from some jurisdictions, most notably the United States, Canada, Belgium, Ukraine, and Israel. Clients are automatically redirected to the regulated entity that corresponds to their jurisdiction.

Regulation

  • A clean regulatory track record with no disciplinary actions
  • No negative balance protection at two of the three offshore entities
  • Investor compensation of up to €20,000 at the Cyprus branch
  • Leverage of up to 1:500 at the offshore entities
  • Holds client funds at reputable banks like NAB and CBA

KYC Procedure for Account Creation and Depositing

Registering at GO Markets is a straightforward process that can be completed in roughly 10 to 15 minutes provided applicants have the necessary documents at hand. Applicants are automatically redirected to the respective regulated entity with the help of geolocation.

When signing up, onboarding customers must provide some personal information, including their full name, country of residence, birth date, email, and mobile phone number. New traders must also select their preferred base currency and platform, facing a choice from multiple options like TradingView, MT5, MT4, and cTrader.

There is also a standard know-your-customer (KYC) procedure as mandated by anti-money laundering regulations. This typically involves answering a series of questions that aim to establish the customer’s employment status and source of wealth. They will ask whether you are employed, where, and what your annual income is. Applicants must provide copies of a government-issued identification document and a proof of address, which can be a recent utility bill and bank statement.

Australian and European customers typically must pass a client appropriateness test to determine whether they have sufficient understanding of leveraged derivative trading. The questions are generally related to margin calls, stop-out levels, and the impact of leverage on traders’ profits and losses. Customers must answer most questions correctly to complete the registration.

Those who pass the KYC check and appropriateness test will have their accounts verified within no more than one business day. Once verified, customers can head to their secure personal area in the account dashboard to fund their live balance. Account approval delays typically result from uploading blurry photos of documents or involuntarily entering incorrect personal and contact information.

Account Opening

  • Account approval within one day
  • Quick identity verification with OCR technology
  • Appropriateness test for retail traders
  • Quick and easy demo account setup

Account Types

Retail traders can choose from two main account options, namely Standard and GO Plus+. European customers can set up their accounts in EUR, PLN, or USD. The offshore entities support a greater range of base account currencies, including AUD, GBP, SGD, NZD, CHF, HKD, CAD, EUR, PLN, and USD. The broker has no minimum deposit requirements for either account type but recommends starting with at least $200 to ensure you can maintain sufficient margin.

Standard Accounts

Standard accounts offer a spread-only pricing model with zero commissions on all assets bar Hong Kong stocks. Spreads for major pairs like EUR/USD start from 0.8 pips and average around 0.9 pips during highly liquid periods of the day when trading sessions overlap. This account is a viable option for beginners and casual retail traders looking for straightforward pricing that does not necessitate calculating any commission-related expenses. Leverage is capped at 1:30 for EU and Aussie customers, and 1:500 for clients in other jurisdictions.

GO Plus+ Accounts

The GO Plus+ account is designed for traders seeking access to lower raw spreads. It involves commissions of $2.50 (€2 for EU customers) per standard lot, per side. Spreads start from 0.0 pips, with an average of 0.1 pips for major pairs like EUR/USD. Despite the commission, this account involves lower trading costs overall, aligning with similar offerings from rival brokers like Pepperstone and IC Markets.

Professional Accounts

Beyond these two retail options, GO Markets offers professional accounts to traders from Australia and Europe, with maximum leverage reaching 1:500. Customers must meet specific requirements to become eligible. For example, European traders must have a portfolio of at least €500,000 and place at least 10 large orders per quarter. Another requirement mandates having a professional experience in the financial industry of one or more years. Clients must satisfy at least two of these requirements to qualify for professional accounts under the CySEC entity.

Aussie traders aiming for Sophisticated Investor status need either a trading history of at least 20 positions with a total value of AU$500,000 per quarter, or at least one year of professional industry experience. For High Net Worth Investor status, traders must have a portfolio worth at least AU$2.5 million, or a combined income of AU$250,000 or more over the past two years. Notably, professional traders in Australia can also benefit from a one-time negative balance protection of up to AU$100,000, at the broker’s discretion.

Swap-Free Islamic Accounts

Swap-free trading accounts are available to customers of the Mauritius-regulated branch. This account option is intended for traders who cannot pay or receive interest on their overnight positions. Instead of swaps, the broker charges fixed administrative fees after a grace period of 11 days. Positions in forex and metals incur a $40 administrative fee per night, while indices and cryptocurrencies are charged $8 and $10. Trades involving Bitcoin and spot crude oil are subject to administrative fees of $50 and $15, respectively. Note that swap-free accounts support only one base currency (USD).

FeatureStandardGO Plus+
Minimum Deposit$0 ($200 recommended)$0 ($500 recommended)
Minimum Spread0.8 pips0.0 pips
Commission$0 per side$2.50/€2 per side
Maximum Leverage1:30 (retail), 1:500 (pro)1:30 (retail), 1:500 (pro)
Negative Balance ProtectionYes (retail)Yes (retail)
Suitable ForBeginners and casual tradersHigh-volume and algorithmic traders

Demo Accounts

New customers can test the waters by opening free demo accounts at GO Markets. They simply must provide their first and last name, a mobile number, and a valid email address. The broker will send them their login credentials, password, and server name via email. We tested the service with an MT5 demo account. Demo accounts expire 30 days after registration and come with $100,000 in free virtual funds to practice with.

Account Types

  • Offers both spread-only and commission-based accounts
  • Exceptionally competitive GO Plus+ commissions ($2.50 per side)
  • Swap-free trading supported for both retail accounts
  • Professional accounts with 1:500 leverage
  • Demo accounts with $100,000 in virtual funds

Trading Fees and Other Costs

  • Trading Costs: These include spreads, commissions, and overnight financing charges.
  • Non-Trading Costs: This category comprises account management, deposit, withdrawal, currency conversion, and inactivity fees.

With that out of the way, let’s look closely at the trading and non-trading charges customers are liable for at GO Markets.

Costs/FeesWhat Is This?With GO Markets
SpreadsThe cost is built into the price of your trades, so a wider bid-ask spread means you will pay more.Minimum spreads from 0.8 pips with Standard and 0.0 pips with GO Plus+ accounts
CommissionA fixed fee applied when opening and closing positions, serving as an alternative to widening the spreads.$2.50 per side, per standard lot with Go Plus+ accounts
Financing ChargesThe cost of maintaining leveraged positions past the market rollover time.GO Markets has standard swap rates for overnight positions. Accounts are either credited or charged based on the market and the position’s direction (long or short).
Deposit FeesFees charged by the broker when you fund your balanceNone at GO Markets (see more in Deposit Methods below)
Withdrawal FeesFees charged when requesting withdrawals from your balanceNone at GO Markets (see more in Withdrawal Methods below)
Inactivity FeesFees charged on inactive trading accountsNo inactivity fees for offshore customers, €15 after 3 months for EU customers

Spreads

GO Markets delivers competitive pricing on its two main account options, offering average spreads of 0.9 pips for EUR/USD and 1.1 pips for USD/JPY with Standard accounts. These enable commission-free trading at the expense of a slightly higher spreads as the broker adds a 0.8-pip markup on most currency pairs’ prices. This pricing generally overlaps with the offerings of other major contenders like Pepperstone and Fusion Markets whose EUR/USD spreads average 1.1 pips and 0.97 with commission free accounts.

GO Plus+ accounts offer even better value despite the $2.50 commission charged in each direction of a forex trade. Clients who opt for this account type enjoy average spreads of 0.1 pips for EUR/USD and 0.3 pips for USD/JPY. These values are competitive compared to the broader industry where median spreads for commission-based accounts also fluctuate between 0.1 and 0.5 pips.

InstrumentStandard AccountGO Plus+ Account
EUR/USD0.9 pips0.1 pips
GBP/USD1.0 pip0.2 pips
USD/JPY1.1 pips0.3 pips
USD/CHF1.3 pips0.5 pips
AUD/USD1.0 pip0.2 pips
USD/CAD1.3 pips0.5 pips
NZD/USD1.1 pips0.3 pips

As you shall see from the calculations below, the total costs when trading with a GO Plus+ account are significantly lower than those with Standard accounts. GO Plus+ users pay only $3.50 per side, per standard lot in EUR/USD, with commission expenses included. By contrast, users with commission-free accounts incur more than twice the expenses, paying $9 per side for the same pair.

Standard Accounts

  • Average EUR/USD Spread: 0.9 pips
  • Total Cost: 0.9 x $10 = $9.00 per side and $18.00 round-turn

GO Plus+ Accounts

  • Average EUR/USD Spread: 0.1 pips
  • Commission: $2.50 per side, $5.00 round-turn
  • Total Cost: (0.1 x $10) + $2.50 = $1.00 + $2.50 = $3.50 per side ($7.00 round-turn)

The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of how GO Markets performs against rival brokers with similar pricing models. It includes only the average forex spreads for commission-free accounts at each broker. Rivals like Fusion Markets and Pepperstone also offer marked-up spreads on their Standard accounts, adding 0.9 pips and 1.0 pips to raw prices, respectively.

InstrumentGO MarketsPepperstoneFusion MarketsFP Markets
EUR/USD0.90 pips1.10 pips0.97 pips1.18 pips
GBP/USD1.00 pip1.30 pips1.06 pips1.49 pips
USD/JPY1.10 pips1.30 pips1.11 pips1.40 pips
USD/CHF1.30 pips1.40 pips1.22 pips2.06 pips
AUD/USD1.00 pip1.10 pips0.97 pips1.45 pips
USD/CAD1.30 pips1.40 pips1.05 pips1.75 pips
NZD/USD1.10 pips1.30 pips1.08 pips1.51 pips

Commissions

Customers with GO Plus+ accounts are charged lower-than-average forex commissions of $2.50 each way or $5.00 in both directions of a trade. These rates are quite competitive compared to those at contenders like Pepperstone and FP Markets, where standard lots in currency pairs incur commissions of $3.50 and $3.00 per side, respectively. Fusion Markets is among the few brokers to outcompete GO Markets on commissions, offering rates of $2.25 per side per standard lot. Here are the commission charges GO Markets customers can anticipate based on lot size.

  • One standard lot consisting of 100,000 base currency units incurs a $5 round-turn commission.
  • One mini lot consisting of 10,000 base currency units is charged a $0.50 round-turn commission.
  • One micro lot containing 1,000 base currency units attracts a $0.05 round-turn commission.

Spreads & Commissions

  • Lower-than-average forex commissions of $2.50 per side
  • Spreads from 0.8 pips with Standard accounts, with a 0.9-pip average for EUR/USD
  • Minimum spreads from 0.0 pips with GO Plus+ accounts

Financing Charges

GO Markets charges overnight funding fees on all leveraged instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and stocks. Leveraged trades held open past market rollover times either pay or receive swap interest based on position direction and market conditions. The broker’s swap charges are based on the underlying interbank tom-next rates plus an added markup of around 1% annually. Forex positions opened on Wednesdays incur triple swap fees to account for the weekends. Customers eligible for Islamic accounts pay administrative fees ($40 for forex) after a longer-than-usual grace period of 11 days.

Deposit Fees

The broker does not charge additional fees for deposits with Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, or bank transfers. While GO Markets imposes no internal charges, some external fees may still apply, including intermediary charges from international banks, transaction or conversion fees from payment providers, or cash advance fees for credit cards. Onboarding customers should factor these potential expenses in when selecting their funding method. For additional details, see Deposit Methods.

Withdrawal Fees

GO Markets has waived all internal fees on customers’ withdrawals. However, third-party intermediaries and receiving banks may impose their own charges on transfers to non-Australian banks. Again, these potential external costs are important to consider as they might impact your overall expenses in the long term. For further information, see Withdrawal Methods.

Inactivity Fees

GO Markets does not impose inactivity fees at its Mauritius, Seychelles, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines branches. However, the CySEC entity’s terms stipulate that European customers will have €15 deducted from their available balance after 3 months of inactivity. This applies to accounts with no trading activity, open positions, deposits, or pending withdrawals for extended periods. The broker may close accounts that have remained inactive for 12 or more months after notifying the customer.

Inactivity Fees

  • Charges higher inactivity fees of €15 at the CySEC branch
  • European customers penalized after 3 months of inactivity
  • No inactivity fees under the offshore entities

Overall on Fees

GO Markets stands out with competitive pricing across both Standard and GO Plus+ accounts. The Standard option offers commission-free trading with spreads that are in line with major industry rivals, making it suitable for traders who prefer simplicity. In contrast, the GO Plus+ account provides tighter spreads combined with low commissions, delivering better value for active traders seeking cost efficiency. Deposit and withdrawal fees are waived, though external charges from banks or payment providers may apply. Inactivity fees are not imposed by the offshore entities, but European clients suffer balance deductions after a relatively short period of inactivity.

Trading Fees and Other Costs

  • Raw pricing with spreads as low as 0.0 pips with GO Plus+ accounts
  • Extremely competitive commission rates with GO Plus+ accounts
  • Commission-free trading with forex spreads from 0.8 pips
  • Inactivity fees after 3 months only at the CySEC branch
  • No internal fees on deposits and withdrawals

Desktop Trading Platforms

GO Markets provides customers with a comprehensive selection of platforms and supplementary tools to accommodate different trading styles and experience levels. The broker supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4, alongside its more advanced successor, MetaTrader 5, which comes with additional features. TradingView is also available for customers seeking advanced charting capabilities and access to a thriving social trading community.

Precision-focused platforms like cTrader are supported as well. Note, however, that platform availability depends on your country of residence. For instance, cTrader is currently offered through the Mauritius entity but is unavailable to clients of the CySEC-regulated branch. Customers can further enhance their performance with tools like MetaTrader Genesis, which provides access to institutional-grade analytics.

MetaTrader 4

GO Markets provides a robust trading experience via MetaTrader 4 (MT4), the most popular third-party platform globally and a favorite among forex traders worldwide. The platform is packed with useful features, including 30 built-in technical indicators and 24 graphical objects for precise market analysis. Users also have access to one-click trading for quick order placement, a feature that resonates particularly well with scalpers. Customers can engage in algorithmic trading via built-in Expert Advisors (EAs) or develop custom ones in the MQL4 language. Additionally, MT4 offers customizable price alerts and is compatible with both desktop and mobile devices.

  • 30 indicators and 24 graphical objects
  • Algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors
  • Customizable price alerts
  • One-click trading benefits day traders and scalpers
  • Browser access via GO WebTrader

MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 5 is the improved version of MT4, offering a multi-asset trading environment with advanced execution and analytical tools. The platform provides broader market access and supports additional order types, including trailing stop orders. Instant, request, and exchange execution modes are all supported by MT5. Users can perform more detailed technical analysis as the platform allows them to open up to 100 currency charts simultaneously. Additionally, MT5 outperforms its predecessor by offering 21 timeframes (as opposed to 9 in MT4) for a more granular market study. Apart from algorithmic trading, the platform enables fundamental analysis, which renders it ideal for more experienced customers.

  • Stop, limit, market, and trailing stop orders
  • Up to 100 charts of forex quotes can be opened simultaneously
  • Supports technical and fundamental analysis
  • Over 80 objects for technical analysis
  • Offers position hedging and Level II pricing

GO Markets also supports MetaTrader Genesis, an institutional-grade suite of trading tools, seamlessly integrated with both MT4 and MT5. This add-on provides advanced analytics, customized indicators, and market sentiment insights. Users benefit from enhanced order execution and risk management features, enabling them to place, modify, and manage orders with greater precision and efficiency.

Apple discontinued support for 32-bit apps, so macOS Catalina and later users must either install the MT5 native build or use a Wine-wrapped MT4 installer provided in the GO Markets help centre.

TradingView

TradingView, also offered by GO Markets, is a third-party platform celebrated for its advanced charting and social trading features. It comes equipped with powerful technical analysis tools, including more than 400 indicators and over 110 smart drawing tools, plus customizable layouts to suit individual preferences. Traders can use Pine Script™ to build custom indicators and strategies, test them with the strategy tester, and set up to 13 custom alerts. The seamless integration ensures lightning-fast execution and real-time data for CFDs on a broad range of assets, including forex and cryptocurrencies.

  • Seamless chart and layout customization
  • Stock screener to search markets by price, market cap, and volume
  • Strategy backtesting with over 100,000 included scripts
  • 13 customizable alerts for strategies, indicators, and prices
  • More than 20 customizable chart types

cTrader

Customers of the Mauritius division can opt for cTrader, a feature-rich platform built for traders who prioritize execution speed and precision. It features an advanced charting suite for technical analysis and supports a diverse range of order types, including market, limit, and trailing stop orders. The platform allows for robust algorithmic trading using cBots and custom systems coded in C#.

Additionally, cTrader provides integrated real-time news and an economic calendar directly within the interface for increased convenience. GO Markets also facilitates copy trading via cTrader, a solution that allows users to identify and automatically replicate the strategies of top-performing traders, offering a streamlined way to leverage expertise in the market.

  • Limit, market, stop, and trailing stop orders
  • Integrated economic calendar delivering real-time news
  • Built-in platform guides and tutorials
  • A versatile range of drawing tools and chart types
  • Copy trading add-on

Desktop Platforms

  • An impressive range of supported third-platforms
  • Free VPS for active MT4 and MT5 users
  • Enables copy trading via cTrader, MT4, and MT5
  • MetaTrader Genesis add-on for improved market analysis

Mobile Trading Platforms

GO Markets provides extensive mobile solutions to ensure traders can manage their accounts and execute trades anytime, anywhere, using their preferred device. Among the options is the proprietary GO Markets app, available for both iOS and Android. The user-friendly application facilitates trading over 1,000 CFDs across forex, stocks, indices, and commodities, delivering transparent pricing and low-latency execution.

The proprietary app requires at least iOS 12.4 and Android 5.0 or later to run decently. Another option for GO Markets clients is to connect their accounts to the dedicated mobile applications for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or cTrader. On the downside, the MetaTrader mobile apps fall short on advanced charting capabilities and lack support for custom indicators or EAs, limiting algorithmic trading to desktop computers.

GO Markets Mobile Trading App
FeatureAndroidiOS
Minimum System Requirements5.0 or later12.4 or later
User RatingN/AN/A
User ReviewsN/AN/A
Supported LanguagesEnglishEnglish
Forex Pairs5050
Other Tradable AssetsStocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrenciesStocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies
FeaturesCustom watchlists, global watchlists, low-latency execution, transparent pricingMarket movers feature, 6 or so timeframes, customizable watchlist, low-latency execution, transparent pricing
Biometric AuthenticationYesYes
2-Factor AuthenticationYesYes

Mobile Trading

  • Robust MetaTrader mobile apps with biometric login and push alerts
  • Proprietary apps for iOS and Android
  • Seamless in-app account funding and withdrawal process
  • Limited drawing tools and custom indicators

Trading Instruments

GO Markets caters to customers with a varied range of over 2,000 CFDs across popular and more niche asset classes, including currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, indices, hard and soft commodities, and stocks. Further portfolio diversification is possible with bonds and exchange-traded funds, also tradable through CFDs. Market coverage is country-specific, however. For example, treasuries are available only to customers registered under the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines entity.

Number of Tradable Instruments Available
Asset ClassGO MarketsPepperstoneFP Markets
NumberSelectionNumberNumber
Forex50Very Good9370
Indices15Good1915
Stock CFDs1,800Very Good1,100+10,000+
Commodities10Average4012
Cryptocurrencies39Very Good3112
ETFs50+Very GoodN/A40+

Forex

Forex remains GO Markets’ flagship product, with leverage of up to 1:30 in Europe and 1:500 at the offshore entities. Liquidity is sourced from a pool of tier-one and tier-two liquidity providers, including prominent names in the banking sector like JP Morgan, UBS, and Saxo Bank. Forex traders face a choice from around 50 currency pairs, including crosses like NZD/JPY and AUD/CHF.

Indices

The selection of index CFDs encompasses around 15 options, including benchmarks like US500, DAX40, CAC40, ASX200, and FTSE100. Some indices are tradable through CFDs on their respective futures contracts. Typical spreads range from 0.27 points on US2000 to 5.64 points for HK50. The maximum leverage customers can access is limited to 1:20 for major indices at the CySEC branch and 1:500 at the Mauritius-regulated division.

Stocks

Equity traders can access around 1,800 stock CFDs covering blue-chip and high-beta companies publicly listed on major exchanges like the NYSE HKEX, NASDAQ, and ASX. Stock traders are liable for market data fees of AU$22 for Australian and HK$120 for Hong Kong stocks, with a minimum commission of HK$120 for the latter. Australian and US stocks incur commissions of 0.08% and $0.02 per share, respectively. Leverage is capped at 1:5 in Australia and Europe, while the international entity offers higher ratios of 1:20. Corporate action adjustments for dividends and splits are automatically applied to positions.

Commodities

The list of commodities is not that extensive, encompassing around 10 options. On the positive side, GO Markets customers can diversify their portfolios with both hard and soft commodities, including gold, silver, copper, natural gas, crude oil, wheat, and soybeans. Spreads for XAU/USD average $0.13, with maximum leverage of 1:20 in the EU and 1:500 at the Mauritius division.

Cryptocurrencies

GO Markets enables swap-free trading in 39 cryptocurrencies, including Ripple, Bitcoin, Solana, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Trading is available around-the-clock, allowing customers to respond to the fast-moving crypto prices at any time. As for leverage caps, customers from Europe and Australia can increase their market exposure with ratios of up to 1:2. Those registered under the Mauritius entity benefit from significantly higher crypto leverage, reaching 1:500.

ETFs and Bonds

On top of popular assets like forex and commodities, GO Markets provides exposure to more niche options, including over 50 exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These are all available through contracts for difference that do not entail physical ownership. Some of the most popular options from this category include Van Eck Gold Miners, iShares Russell 2000, and iShares Bitcoin Trust. Bond traders can dip their toes in Euro Bund Futures and UK Gilt Futures. Leverage is restricted to 1:5 or 1:20, depending on which regulated entity customers join.

Instruments Unavailable at GO Markets

  • Physical stocks are not offered. Clients can only trade stock CFDs, not the underlying shares themselves.
  • Physical futures cannot be traded through GO Markets, either, as the broker only offers CFDs on futures.
  • Options are also unavailable here. CFDs are pretty much the only option (no pun intended) for derivative traders who join this broker.

Traded Instruments

  • A decent enough selection of around 2,000 markets
  • A standard range of 50 or so currency pairs
  • No physical stocks and options
  • Swap-free trading for 39 cryptocurrencies

Trade Execution

GO Markets operates as an ECN-style broker, routing client orders directly to its liquidity providers without intervention from a dealing desk. According to internal statistics, the broker reports an average execution speed of around 144 milliseconds for limit and 145 milliseconds for market orders, most of which are filled at the requested price or better under normal market conditions.

The company does not publish third-party execution audits to independently verify these claims. According to the broker’s execution policy, GO Markets partners with over 15 external liquidity providers, including the following major banks, brokers, and financial services companies.

  • Goldman Sachs
  • Morgan Stanley
  • UBS
  • State Street
  • 26 Degrees (formerly Invast Global)
  • Jefferies
  • LMAX
  • CMC Markets
  • CFH
  • HC Tech
  • Citadel
  • XTX Markets
  • Fast Match

The broker aggregates liquidity through major data centers, providing low-latency access to tier-one bank quotes. GO Markets supports all trading styles, including scalping, hedging, news and algorithmic trading, which makes it suitable for a wide range of customers.

Algorithmic traders benefit from a complimentary VPS service provided they meet the minimum monthly trading volume of 10 standard lots in forex or gold. Otherwise, a monthly fee of $25 applies. Custom FIX API connectivity is available for high-frequency and institutional clients, typically subject to setup fees and minimum monthly commissions, though the exact terms may vary depending on client requirements.

Trade Execution

  • ECN-style execution with no dealing desk intervention
  • Average execution speed of 144 to 145 ms based on order type
  • Complimentary VPS hosting for larger monthly volumes
  • Draws liquidity from UBS, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and more
  • No restrictions on trading strategies

Deposit Methods

GO Markets supports 10 base currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, CHF, NZD, HKD, PLN, and SGD. The supported base currencies vary depending on the entity and the selected payment method. For instance, Neteller deposits are processed only in GBP, USD, AUD, EUR, and SGD. Regardless, the versatile range of supported currencies enables traders to minimize their conversion expenses.

As for the available deposit methods, some of these are country-specific. Australian traders can fund their live balance with local solutions like BPay and the popular e-wallet PayPal. Mastercard, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, and bank transfers are accepted across all entities. Cryptocurrencies are not an option for the time being. There is no minimum deposit requirement, but the broker recommends starting with at least $200 to ensure you can maintain sufficient margin.

MethodProcessing TimeSupported CurrenciesMinimumCost
VisaUp to 1 hourUSD, GBP, AUD, EUR, NZD, SGD, CHF, CAD, HKD$0 ($200 recommended)No internal fees
MastercardUp to 1 hourUSD, GBP, AUD, EUR, NZD, SGD, CHF, CAD, HKD$0 ($200 recommended)No internal fees
Skrill1 to 2 hoursUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD, NZD$0 ($200 recommended)No internal fees
Neteller1 to 2 hoursUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD$0 ($200 recommended)No internal fees
PayPalInstantUSD, AUD$0 ($200 recommended)No internal fees
BPay1 to 2 daysAUD$0 ($200 recommended)No internal fees
Bank Transfer1 to 2 daysAUD, USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CHF, CAD, HKD, SGD, PLN$0 ($200 recommended)No internal fees

Card deposits normally go through within an hour, while Neteller and Skrill transactions take between 1 and 2 hours to reflect in your balance. Bank transfers are the slowest deposit method by far, requiring 1 to 2 business days to go through. First-time deposits require 1 to 3 business days to process and the same goes for withdrawals. The broker clearly states in its help and payment sections it does not charge internal fees on deposits regardless of the method used. Customers may incur additional fees on behalf of their banks, card issuers, or payment service providers.

Deposits

  • No internal charges across all deposit methods
  • Card deposits processed within an hour
  • Local payment methods like BPay
  • No cryptocurrency deposits at the moment
  • 9 base account currencies

Withdrawal Methods

The broker returns withdrawals to the same funding source, in line with anti-money laundering regulations. When using cards, customers can withdraw no more than the initial amount deposited with the respective card. First-time withdrawals may require up to 3 business days, while subsequent requests take 1 to 2 business days to process at the Mauritius entity. Withdrawal processing times may vary across regulated branches.

GO Markets does not charge internal withdrawal fees but banks and payment service providers may impose additional external charges. The supported withdrawal methods largely overlap with the available deposit options, including e-wallets, cards, and bank transfers. The broker does not specify any minimum withdrawal limit.

MethodProcessing TimeCost
Visa1 to 2 business daysNo internal fees
Mastercard1 to 2 business daysNo internal fees
Skrill1 to 2 business daysNo internal fees
Neteller1 to 2 business daysNo internal fees
PayPal1 to 2 business daysNo internal fees
Bank Transfer1 to 2 business daysNo internal fees

Withdrawal Methods

  • 24-hour withdrawal processing
  • Up to 3 days processing of first withdrawals
  • No internal withdrawal fees
  • No minimum withdrawal limit stipulated
  • A somewhat limited range of withdrawal options

Customer Support Contacts

GO Markets delivers customer service through live chat, email, and local phone lines in Australia, Cyprus, Seychelles, Mauritius, and the Caribbean region. There is also an internal ticketing system inside the client portal. Live chat is available 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday but the exact working hours are region-specific. For instance, support reps at the Seychelles-regulated entity are at customers’ disposal from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beijing time.

Response times are commendably quick. Our test chats connected to an agent in under 30 seconds, and email queries received a response within half an hour or so. Support staff are knowledgeable on technical platform issues and can escalate account-specific questions to the back-office team without unnecessary hassles.

The help section provides valuable information on deposits, withdrawals, account management, and trading. More importantly, the broker offers multilingual support in languages other than English, including Chinese and Indonesian.

Support ContactContact DetailsResponse
Help CenterAvailable on the website 24/7Self-service
Live Chat24/5Within 30 seconds
Telephone+1 212 858 9589 (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)
1800 885 571, +61 385 667 680 (Australia)
+248 4 671 903 in English, 400 120 8537 in Chinese (Seychelles)
+230 5869 0074 (Mauritius)
+357 25023910 (Cyprus, Europe)
A couple of minutes
Emailsupport.mu@gomarkets.com
support@gomarkets.eu
customers_svg@gomarkets.com
asiaaccounts@gomarkets.sc
support@gomarkets.com (Australia)
30 minutes to 2 hours

Customer Support

  • Multilingual support, including in Chinese and Indonesian
  • Exceptionally quick email response times
  • Available Monday through Friday only
  • Dedicated local lines and email addresses

Research and Educational Materials

GO Markets pretty much provides a standard range of research tools and educational materials designed to help customers advance their knowledge, stay informed, and make smarter trading decisions. The broker offers webinars, structured courses, trading strategy guides, an economic calendar, regular market insights, dedicated account setup and beginners’ guides to support both novice and experienced traders.

  1. Webinars and Courses: GO Markets hosts live webinars and podcasts, and offers free courses covering topics from forex basics to trading strategies and technical analysis.
  2. Trading Strategies Guides: The broker supplies practical guides that help traders develop and refine their own trading strategies.
  3. Economic Calendar: The up-to-date economic calendar keeps traders informed about key global events that can impact the markets.
  4. Market Insights: Regular market insights and analysis are provided to help traders understand current trends and opportunities.
  5. Account Setup Guide: The step-by-step instructions make it easy for new clients to register and navigate their trading accounts.
  6. Beginners’ Guide: Comprehensive resources are available for those just starting out, covering the fundamentals of trading.

While some top-tier brokers may offer a broader selection of interactive tools or more frequent live events, GO Markets’ suite is decent enough and can accommodate traders seeking structured learning and timely market information.

Research & Education

  • Daily market insights
  • A proprietary economic calendar
  • Mostly suitable for beginner and intermediate traders
  • Live webinars and courses uploaded infrequently

Security and Money Guarantees

Client funds are kept separately from the company’s operating capital and held in trust accounts with highly rated banks. In the event of corporate insolvency, neither GO Markets nor its creditors can access these funds, but traders are still responsible for any losses incurred due to market volatility.

Retail clients registered under the CySEC entity are covered by the local Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000 per claim. While Australian law does not mandate an investor compensation scheme like the ICF in Cyprus, ASIC’s strict capital-adequacy rules and regular audits help reduce the risk of broker failure. Both ASIC and CySEC require negative balance protection for retail clients, so traders cannot lose more than their deposited funds.

For added security, clients can enable two-factor authentication (2FA) with Google Authenticator in the client portal. All login credentials and personal data are transmitted over SSL-encrypted channels, and login attempts from new IP addresses trigger email alerts.

EntityRegulatorAmount CoveredNegative Balance Protection
GO Markets LtdCyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)€20,000
GO Markets Pty LimitedAustralian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)N/A
GO Markets Pty Ltd (MU)Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSCM)N/A
GO Markets LLCFinancial Services Commission of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (FSC SVG)N/A
GO Markets International LtdFinancial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSAS)N/A

Security of Funds

  • Holds client funds in top-tier Australian and European banks
  • Investor compensation of up to €20,000 at the CySEC branch
  • No investor compensation outside of Europe
  • No negative balance protection at Mauritius and St. Vincent entities

Conclusion

GO Markets is a well-established, regulated broker offering low-cost forex and CFD trading through widely used third-party platforms like MetaTrader and TradingView. Its main strengths lie in its raw-spread pricing, fast order execution, tier-1 and tier-2 licenses, and adequate customer support. Algorithmic traders benefit from free VPS hosting after exceeding certain monthly volumes, with no restrictions on trading approaches like scalping and hedging.

On the downside, the research and education section could be expanded to accommodate more advanced traders. Customers registered under the three offshore entities have no access to investor compensation and negative balance protection, which obviously works to their disadvantage. On balance, GO Markets is a good fit for cost-conscious customers, beginners, and algorithmic traders, especially if they are already familiar with MetaTrader. Long-term investors seeking exposure to physical stocks should look elsewhere.

Overall

  • Raw spreads from 0.0 pips give good value
  • Regulated by credible watchdogs like CySEC and ASIC
  • A very solid range of third-party platforms
  • An average range of educational materials and market research tools
  • Transparent pricing and short support response times
Written by Z. Stefanova