The Skilling Decision Map
| Decision Question | FxFind Finding |
|---|---|
| Main reason to consider it | Skilling Trader, cTrader, MT4, and TradingView integration, with Standard and Premium pricing tiers. |
| Main limitation | Leverage, investor protection, and some promotional terms depend on the contracting entity. Withdrawal and inactivity fees can also affect total cost. |
| Most natural fit | Beginner and intermediate traders who value platform choice and convenient funding options. |
| Relevant account/platform setup | Standard accounts start at €100 with spread-only pricing. Premium accounts start at €5,000 or qualifying volume and add commission. Both tiers are available on Skilling Trader, cTrader, and MT4. |
| FxFind Rating | 8.08/10 |
View the FxFind rating breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Trust and Safety | 7.8/10 |
| Fees and Commissions | 8.5/10 |
| Deposits and Withdrawals | 8.2/10 |
| Tradable Instruments | 7.5/10 |
| Setup | 9.0/10 |
| Account Opening | 9.0/10 |
| Customer Support | 8.0/10 |
| Trading Conditions | 8.5/10 |
| Market Research and Education | 7.0/10 |
Platform choice is a notable feature, but clients should compare the account costs and protections tied to their entity as well as the available platforms.
Pros
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Four platform routes, including cTrader and MT4 automation options, plus TradingView chart integration.
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Standard accounts have no commission; Premium accounts offer spreads from 0.1 pip with volume-based commission.
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Several deposit and withdrawal methods are supported.
Cons
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Premium accounts require €5,000 or qualifying volume, compared with €100 for Standard accounts.
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Withdrawal fees may apply to wire transfers, additional daily withdrawals, or withdrawals without trading activity.
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Cyprus ICF compensation eligibility and leverage differ from the terms under the Seychelles entity.
Skilling by Client Region and Legal Entity
Legal Entities by Client Region
| Client Location / Group | Contracting Entity | Regulator | Licence | What Changes for the Client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EEA / Cyprus | Skilling Limited | CySEC | 357/18 | The Cyprus/EEA MiFID framework applies. Retail leverage, product rules, complaints procedures, and investor protections differ from those under the offshore entity; compensation eligibility depends on the entity and client. |
| International / Seychelles entity (subject to exclusions) | Skilling (Seychelles) Limited | FSA (Seychelles) | SD042 | The Seychelles framework applies. UK, EU, and Australian retail protections and compensation schemes do not automatically apply. Leverage, products, and dispute routes may differ. |
Protection by Entity
Eligible EU residents may receive protection of up to €20,000 through the Cyprus ICF. The FSA Seychelles entity has no statutory compensation fund. Skilling also reports segregated client funds and negative balance protection, but these features do not make the entities’ compensation arrangements equivalent.
Skilling does not accept clients from Belgium, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, or North Korea.
Trading Costs by Account and Instrument
Representative Trading Costs
The spreads below are broker-reported averages, not guaranteed execution prices. On the cited EU terms, Standard accounts have spreads from 0.8 pips and Premium accounts from 0.1 pip.
| Instrument | Spread Basis | Commission | Important Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Average spread: 0.8 pips | Standard: $0 commission. Premium: volume-based commission; approximately $35 per $1 million for Skilling Trader and cTrader, or $40 per $1 million for MT4 on cited EU terms. | Premium terms specify spreads from 0.1 pip; the average is not a guaranteed account-specific price. |
| GBP/USD | Average spread: 1.1 pips | Standard: $0 commission. Premium: volume-based commission; approximately $35 per $1 million for Skilling Trader and cTrader, or $40 per $1 million for MT4 on cited EU terms. | Premium terms specify spreads from 0.1 pip; the average is not a guaranteed account-specific price. |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | Average spread: 0.38 points | Standard: $0 commission. Premium: volume-based commission; approximately $35 per $1 million for Skilling Trader and cTrader, or $40 per $1 million for MT4 on cited EU terms. | Premium terms specify spreads from 0.1 pip; the stated average is in points and should not be compared directly with pip figures. |
| S&P 500 CFD | Average spread: 1 points | Standard: $0 commission. Premium: volume-based commission; approximately $35 per $1 million for Skilling Trader and cTrader, or $40 per $1 million for MT4 on cited EU terms. | Premium terms specify spreads from 0.1 pip; the stated average is in points, not pips. |
Premium commission is volume-based. The figures here do not specify a per-side or round-turn convention, so they should not be treated as per-side charges.
Costs Outside the Trade
| Trader Behavior | Possible Cost | Broker Rule |
|---|---|---|
| No trading activity | Approximately $11.70 per month | Charged after 12 months with no trading activity. |
| Making withdrawals | 2.5% for additional daily withdrawals or withdrawals with zero trading activity; wire-transfer fees also apply | One free withdrawal per day, except bank wires, which cost €15–€25. The structured wire schedule gives SEPA at €15 and SWIFT at €25 / $25 / £25 or 260 SEK/NOK. |
| Depositing through Skrill | Up to 2.9% | Standard deposit fees are $0; Skrill may incur a transaction fee of up to 2.9%. |
| Holding positions overnight | Swap fees | Overnight swap fees apply. |
| Converting account currency | Currency conversion fee | A currency conversion fee applies; no rate or amount is specified. |
Total costs depend on trading frequency, account tier, and withdrawal habits, not just the spread. Premium’s lower stated starting spread comes with commission and a higher funding threshold. Inactivity and withdrawal rules may also affect clients who trade infrequently or move funds often.
Key Trade-Offs to Consider
Platform choice comes with distinct automation limits
Skilling offers its own web and mobile platform, cTrader, MT4, and TradingView integration. Platform choice matters most when automation is part of a trading setup: cTrader supports cBots, while MT4 supports Expert Advisors in a desktop/VPS environment. Skilling Trader is a browser and mobile platform, not a documented user-programmable algorithmic engine. TradingView strategies alone do not provide universal live broker execution.
Lower stated spreads require a larger account or qualifying volume
Standard accounts start at €100 and have zero commission. Premium accounts require €5,000 or qualifying volume and charge commission. Premium spreads start at 0.1 pip, compared with 0.8 pips on Standard accounts. This pricing route is more relevant to traders whose activity can justify the threshold and commission than to those seeking a simple spread-only account.
Higher offshore leverage comes with a different protection framework
EU retail clients are capped at 1:30 overall, while non-EU clients under the Seychelles entity can access up to 1:500. The offshore entity has no statutory compensation fund, unlike the up-to-€20,000 Cyprus ICF protection available to eligible EU residents. These are different legal arrangements, not interchangeable versions of one account.
Build a Trading Setup
Account and Platform Compatibility
| Account | Compatible Platforms | Pricing Model | Automation | Important Constraint | Natural Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilling Trader Standard | Skilling Trader / TradingView | €100 minimum; spread from 0.8 pips; zero commission | Skilling Trader is not documented as a user-programmable algorithmic engine; TradingView automation has limitations described below. | TradingView strategy orders use its broker emulator; direct unattended live execution requires a compatible broker/API/bridge. | Spread-only trading through Skilling Trader or a TradingView chart workflow. |
| Skilling Trader Premium | Skilling Trader / TradingView | €5,000 or qualifying volume; spread from 0.1 pip; $35 per $1 million volume commission on cited EU terms | Skilling Trader is not documented as a user-programmable algorithmic engine; TradingView automation has limitations described below. | Premium threshold and commission apply; TradingView strategy orders are not universal live execution. | Traders seeking the Premium pricing tier on Skilling Trader or through TradingView integration. |
| Skilling Trader Unleveraged | Skilling Trader / TradingView | 1:1; market/product spread; €100-style platform minimum where applicable | Skilling Trader is not documented as a user-programmable algorithmic engine; TradingView automation has limitations described below. | Unleveraged crypto/asset mode; availability depends on entity. | Clients using the unleveraged mode for supported assets. |
| cTrader Standard | cTrader | €100 minimum; spread from 0.8 pips; zero commission | cBots in C# or Python; cloud cBots can run 24/7. Creating and testing bots is centered on cTrader Windows/Mac. | Broker permissions can affect automation. | Manual or automated cTrader trading on Standard pricing. |
| cTrader Premium | cTrader | €5,000 or qualifying volume; spread from 0.1 pip; $35 per $1 million volume commission on cited EU terms | cBots in C# or Python; cloud cBots can run 24/7. Creating and testing bots is centered on cTrader Windows/Mac. | Premium threshold and commission apply; broker permissions can affect automation. | cTrader users whose activity and pricing needs fit the Premium tier. |
| cTrader Unleveraged | cTrader | 1:1; market/product spread; €100-style platform minimum where applicable | cTrader supports cBots; broker permissions can affect automation. | Unleveraged mode; the current public account table does not show a separate pricing tier. | Clients using cTrader’s unleveraged account mode. |
| MT4 Standard | MT4 | €100 minimum; spread from 0.8 pips; zero commission | Expert Advisors (MQL4) on desktop/VPS environment. | Full EA and custom-script functionality is desktop/VPS-centric; Skilling does not offer VPS hosting. | MT4 users who want spread-only pricing and desktop-based automation. |
| MT4 Premium | MT4 | €5,000 or qualifying volume; spread from 0.1 pip; $40 per $1 million volume commission on cited EU terms | Expert Advisors (MQL4) on desktop/VPS environment. | Premium threshold and commission apply; Skilling does not offer VPS hosting. | MT4 users whose trading volume and cost preferences fit the Premium tier. |
Platform-Specific Differences
| Platform | Web | Desktop | Mobile | Automation | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilling Trader | Yes — browser | No native desktop install documented | iOS and Android | No user-programmable algorithmic engine documented | Coded automation is better served by cTrader or MT4 where offered. |
| TradingView | Yes | Yes — desktop app | iOS and Android | Partial: Pine strategies, server-side alerts, and webhooks; unattended live execution requires a compatible broker/API/bridge. | A Pine strategy alone does not provide universal live broker auto-execution. |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes — Windows/macOS | iOS and Android | Yes — cBots in C# or Python; cloud cBots can run 24/7 and can be started from Web, Mobile, or Desktop. | Creating, editing, backtesting, and optimising cBots is centered on Windows/Mac; broker permissions can affect automation. |
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes — WebTrader | Yes — desktop terminal | iOS and Android | Yes — MQL4 Expert Advisors on desktop/VPS. | Full automation and custom-script functionality is desktop/VPS-centric; Skilling offers no VPS hosting. |
Practical Setup Assessment
Skilling Trader is the proprietary browser and mobile platform for manual trading. TradingView provides charting and alerts through a real Skilling account, a TradingView account, and broker enablement; it is not a standalone route for unattended execution. Coded strategies can run through cTrader cBots or MT4 Expert Advisors, but Skilling does not provide VPS hosting. Copy trading, social trading, and API trading are also available, though account-specific terms for these features are not specified here.
Trading Conditions and Position Management
Entering the Market
Slippage can be favorable or unfavorable, particularly in volatile markets. The stated execution risk is the slippage disclosure; execution statistics, order types, and execution-venue details are not specified here.
Leverage
The market leverage figures below apply to EU / CySEC retail and professional clients. Separately, EU retail leverage is capped at 1:30 overall, while non-EU clients under the FSA Seychelles entity can access up to 1:500.
| Market | Maximum Retail Leverage | Professional / Other Eligible Leverage | What Determines It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex | 1:30 | 1:200 | EU / CySEC retail and professional classification; entity and client classification affect leverage and product availability. |
| Indices | 1:20 | 1:200 | EU / CySEC retail and professional classification; entity and client classification affect leverage and product availability. |
| Commodities | 1:20 | 1:30 | EU / CySEC retail and professional classification; entity and client classification affect leverage and product availability. |
| Stocks | 1:5 | 1:10 | EU / CySEC retail and professional classification; these are share CFDs, not share ownership. |
| Bonds | - | - | Not offered. |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 | 1:2 | EU / CySEC retail and professional figures; crypto access varies by entity and jurisdiction. |
| Other | - | - | Not offered. |
Margin Calls and Stop-Outs
A margin call is triggered at a 100% margin level. Automatic position liquidation begins when the margin level falls to 50%.
Trading Restrictions
| Trading Activity | Status | Important Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Scalping | Allowed | No additional condition is specified. |
| Hedging | Allowed | No additional condition is specified. |
| News trading | Allowed | Slippage can be favorable or unfavorable during volatile conditions. |
| API trading | Available | Account-specific terms are not specified. |
Tradable Markets: Range and Restrictions
| Asset Class | Approx. Instruments | What Is Notable | Main Restriction / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex | 73 | Margin FX trading; swaps may apply | Leverage and product availability depend on client classification and legal entity. |
| Indices | 18 | Cash- and futures-referenced index derivatives | Leverage and product availability depend on client classification and legal entity. |
| Commodities | 18 | Spot- and futures-referenced commodity derivatives | Leverage and product availability depend on client classification and legal entity. |
| Stocks | 760+ | Share CFDs; no ownership or voting rights | Leverage and product availability depend on client classification and legal entity. |
| Bonds | Not Offered | - | - |
| Cryptocurrencies | 50+ | Crypto access varies by entity and jurisdiction | Leverage and product availability depend on client classification and legal entity. |
Share exposure is through CFDs, not ownership of the underlying shares, and bonds are not offered. Access to other listed markets depends on the client’s entity and classification.
Opening, Funding, and Withdrawing From an Account
Account Opening and Verification
Skilling requires identity verification (KYC). The minimum deposit for a Standard live account is $100; Premium accounts on the cited EU terms require €5,000 or qualifying volume. Demo and Islamic accounts are also available. Clients in Belgium, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and North Korea are restricted.
Deposit Methods
| Method | Deposit Minimum | Broker Fee | Expected Arrival | Important Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Pay | €100 | No broker deposit fee; bank or payment-provider fees may apply | Instant | Requires a supported Apple device, eligible card, and supported country or region. Availability also depends on the broker's payment provider. |
| Google Pay | €100 | No broker deposit fee; bank or payment-provider fees may apply | Instant | Requires a supported device or country and an eligible card or bank account. Availability depends on the issuer and the broker's payment provider. |
| Mastercard | €100 | No broker deposit fee; bank or payment-provider fees may apply | Instant | Your card must support online payments and be accepted by the broker. Issuer, country, currency, and authentication limits may apply. |
| PayPal | €100 | No broker deposit fee; bank or payment-provider fees may apply | Instant | Requires an eligible PayPal account in a supported country. Currency, account status, and payment-feature availability may vary. |
| Skrill | €100 | Usually no broker fee; Skilling may impose up to 2.9% at its discretion | Instant | Requires an eligible Skrill account. Country availability, account verification, and transaction limits may apply. |
| Visa | €100 | No broker deposit fee; bank or payment-provider fees may apply | Instant | Your card must support online payments and be accepted by the broker. Issuer, country, currency, and authentication limits may apply. |
| Wire Transfer | €100 | No broker deposit fee; bank or payment-provider fees may apply | 1–3 business days | Use the beneficiary, bank details, and payment reference provided. Intermediary bank fees, currency conversion, and processing delays may apply. |
Withdrawal Methods
| Method | Withdrawal Minimum | Broker Fee | Expected Arrival | Important Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Pay | €50 or equivalent | Usually free; 2.5% non-trading fee and 2.5% on additional same-day withdrawals may apply | Broker processing usually within 1 working day | Not a standalone payout balance; refunds return to the original linked payment card. |
| Google Pay | €50 or equivalent | Usually free; 2.5% non-trading fee and 2.5% on additional same-day withdrawals may apply | Broker processing usually within 1 working day | Not a standalone payout balance; refunds return to the original linked payment method. |
| Mastercard | €50 or equivalent | Usually free; 2.5% non-trading fee and 2.5% on additional same-day withdrawals may apply | About 1–5 working days | Available only through supported card-payout or refund routes; issuer and regional restrictions apply. |
| PayPal | €50 or equivalent | Usually free; 2.5% non-trading fee and 2.5% on additional same-day withdrawals may apply | Usually instant to 1 working day | Requires an eligible PayPal account; country, verification, currency, and account limits apply. |
| Skrill | €50 or equivalent | Up to 2.9%; exact charge depends on route | Usually instant to 1 working day | Requires an eligible Skrill account; verification, country, and wallet limits apply. |
| Visa | €50 or equivalent | Usually free; 2.5% non-trading fee and 2.5% on additional same-day withdrawals may apply | About 1–5 working days | Available only through supported card-payout or refund routes; issuer and regional restrictions apply. |
| Wire Transfer | €50 or equivalent | SEPA €15, SWIFT €25 / $25 / £25 or 260 SEK/NOK | About 1–5 working days after processing | Enter bank, recipient, and SWIFT/BIC details accurately; fees and processing delays may apply. |
Payment Rules
Apple Pay and Google Pay withdrawals are not paid to a separate wallet balance; refunds return to the original linked payment method. Card withdrawals are available only through supported card-payout or refund routes. Wire transfers require accurate beneficiary, bank, payment-reference, and SWIFT/BIC details. Intermediary bank charges and processing delays may also apply.
Customer Support
| Route | Access | Hours | Human / Automated | Languages / Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Live chat | Mon–Fri 07:00–22:00 CET | Human / agent-assisted | Multilingual. |
| [email protected] | Messages accepted 24/7; support Mon–Fri 07:00–22:00 CET; replies stated within 24 hours | Human / agent-assisted | Multilingual; asynchronous. | |
| Phone | +357 22 276710 | Mon–Fri 07:00–22:00 CET | Human / agent-assisted | Multilingual; regional availability may vary. |
| Help Center | Self-service | 24/7 access | Automated / self-service | Localized self-service content. |
Customer feedback often mentions helpful account managers and prompt responses. Some users report difficult-to-resolve withdrawal issues or lengthy verification cases; these are individual reports, not independently established outcomes.
Research, Trading Tools, and Education
| User Need | Available Resources | Provider | Access Requirement | Depth / Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade ideas and setups | Trading Ideas | Skilling / TradingView workflow | Broker or platform access may be required; requirements depend on entity, account tier, and platform. | Actionable setups with levels or scenarios where supported; coverage is limited to selected instruments and timeframes, and outcomes are not guaranteed. |
| Track scheduled economic events | Economic Calendar | Skilling | Full-access and login requirements are not specified and may vary by entity or platform. | Scheduled events include actual, forecast, and previous data; unscheduled news and other market-moving events may not be captured. |
| Chart prices and study markets | Price Charts; Technical Analysis | TradingView | A real Skilling account, a TradingView account, and Skilling enablement/support setup are required for the TradingView connection. | Chart history, indicators, and price-based analysis depend on timeframe, data feed, and platform features; indicators and models can produce false signals. |
| Receive market notifications | Trading Alerts | TradingView | A real Skilling account, a TradingView account, and Skilling enablement/support setup are required for the TradingView connection. | Alerts notify users of events or patterns; they are not complete investment recommendations. |
Separate learning resources include an Education Centre, academy articles, and eBooks. These are distinct from TradingView’s charting and analysis tools.
Who Skilling Fits
| Trader Profile | Why It May Suit Them | Main Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner or intermediate trader comparing platform workflows | Skilling offers its proprietary platform, cTrader, MT4, and TradingView integration, as well as a demo account. | Platform capabilities differ, particularly for coded automation; account tier and legal entity also affect terms. |
| Manual trader seeking spread-only pricing | Standard accounts have zero commission and a €100 minimum on the cited EU terms. | Standard spreads start at 0.8 pips, while published average spreads vary by instrument. |
| Active trader considering lower starting spreads or automation | Premium accounts have spreads from 0.1 pip; cTrader supports cBots and MT4 supports desktop Expert Advisors. | Premium requires €5,000 or qualifying volume and charges commission. Skilling does not offer VPS hosting. |
| Trader prioritizing higher leverage | Non-EU clients under the Seychelles entity can access leverage up to 1:500. | The Seychelles entity has no statutory compensation fund; EU retail leverage is capped at 1:30 overall. |
Before you deposit
Key Conditions to Verify Before Funding
Contracting entity and protection Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
Check whether the account will be held by Skilling Limited in Cyprus or Skilling (Seychelles) Limited; leverage and compensation arrangements differ.
Account minimum and Premium pricing Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
The Standard live-account minimum is $100. Premium terms require €5,000 or qualifying volume and add volume-based commission.
Withdrawal charges Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
One withdrawal per day is free except bank wires. Additional daily withdrawals or withdrawals without trading activity can incur a 2.5% fee.
Inactivity fee Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
A monthly fee of approximately $11.70 applies after 12 months without trading activity.
Country eligibility Tap to read the check Tap to collapse
Skilling restricts clients from Belgium, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and North Korea.
FxFind's Assessment on Skilling
Skilling offers several trading setups: clients can use its web and mobile platform, cTrader, MT4, or TradingView integration, with Standard and Premium pricing routes. The account tiers have different costs. Standard is spread-only, while Premium requires €5,000 or qualifying volume and adds commission. The lower Premium starting spread should be weighed against the funding threshold and the client’s trading activity.
Leverage and investor protection also depend on the contracting entity. EU retail clients have a different framework from non-EU clients using the Seychelles entity, where leverage can reach 1:500 but there is no statutory compensation fund. Beginners and intermediate traders who value platform choice and can use Standard pricing may find the setup relevant. Those requiring a specific compensation arrangement, a broker-provided VPS, or a commission account with a lower threshold may find it less suitable.
Review method: This assessment draws on regulatory-register information, broker product and account terms, platform-vendor specifications, payment and support details, and FxFind scoring. See the FxFind Broker Review Methodology for scoring criteria and weightings.
Questions Readers Usually Have About Skilling
Which Skilling entity serves EU clients, and what protection applies?
EEA and Cyprus clients contract with Skilling Limited, regulated by CySEC under licence 357/18. Eligible EU residents may receive up to €20,000 of protection through the Cyprus ICF. Eligibility depends on the client and entity.
How do Skilling Standard and Premium accounts differ?
On the cited EU terms, Standard accounts have a €100 minimum, spreads from 0.8 pips, and zero commission. Premium requires €5,000 or qualifying volume, has spreads from 0.1 pip, and charges volume-based commission: $35 per $1 million for Skilling Trader and cTrader, and $40 per $1 million for MT4.
What is Skilling’s minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit for a Standard live account is $100. Premium accounts on the cited EU terms require €5,000 or qualifying volume, so the threshold depends on the account tier.
What leverage does Skilling offer?
EU retail clients are capped at 1:30 overall, with market-specific limits such as 1:20 for indices and commodities and 1:5 for stocks. Non-EU clients under the FSA Seychelles entity can access up to 1:500. The applicable terms depend on the legal entity and client classification.
Can I automate trades on Skilling?
cTrader supports cBots in C# or Python, while MT4 supports MQL4 Expert Advisors on desktop or a VPS environment. Skilling does not offer VPS hosting. TradingView strategies and alerts do not by themselves provide universal unattended live execution.
Does Skilling charge withdrawal fees?
One withdrawal per day is free except bank wires, which incur fees. Additional daily withdrawals or withdrawals with zero trading activity can incur a 2.5% fee; wire charges depend on route and currency.
Which countries are restricted by Skilling?
Skilling restricts clients from Belgium, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and North Korea. For other clients, the available entity affects protections and trading terms.