Introduction

Skilling is an online brokerage firm established in 2016, aiming to offer a seamless and transparent trading experience for retail and professional traders alike. Regulated by multiple financial authorities, Skilling provides access to a diverse range of financial instruments through its cutting-edge platforms, striving to simplify complex trading processes.

Key Features

• Multiple Trading Platforms: Skilling offers its intuitive proprietary platform, Skilling Trader, alongside the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and the advanced cTrader platform, catering to various trading styles and preferences.
• Wide Range of Instruments: Traders can access over 800 CFD instruments, including Forex pairs, stocks, indices, commodities (like gold and oil), and popular cryptocurrencies.
• Competitive Spreads: The platform is known for offering competitive spreads, particularly on major Forex pairs, aiming to reduce trading costs for users.
• Robust Regulation: Skilling is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles, providing a level of security and investor protection.
• Educational Resources: Skilling provides a comprehensive “Skilling Academy” with articles, guides, and tutorials designed to educate traders of all experience levels on various aspects of trading and market analysis.
• Demo Account: A free, unlimited demo account is available, allowing users to practice trading strategies with virtual funds in a risk-free environment.
• Fast Execution: Skilling emphasizes fast trade execution speeds, crucial for high-frequency trading and minimizing slippage.

Pros

• User-friendly interface, especially on the proprietary Skilling Trader platform, suitable for beginners.
• Choice of three powerful trading platforms (Skilling Trader, cTrader, MT4) provides flexibility.
• Extensive selection of over 800 CFD instruments across multiple asset classes.
• Competitive spreads and transparent pricing structure.
• Strong regulatory oversight from CySEC and FSA enhances trust and security.
• Valuable educational resources and a comprehensive Skilling Academy.
• Dedicated customer support available in multiple languages.
• Easy and quick account opening process.

Cons

• Limited research tools and market analysis compared to some larger, more established brokers.
• Customer support is not 24/7, which might be inconvenient for traders in certain time zones.
• Primarily focused on CFD trading, which carries inherent risks and may not be suitable for all investors.
• Withdrawal fees may apply depending on the method and amount.
• Some advanced features or niche instruments available on other platforms might be missing.

Pricing

Skilling operates with a transparent pricing model, primarily relying on competitive spreads and, for certain account types or instruments, commissions. Key aspects of their pricing include:

• Spreads: Skilling offers variable spreads that are generally competitive. For Standard Accounts, spreads on major Forex pairs can start from approximately 0.7 pips.
• Account Types:
  • Standard Account: Commission-free trading on most Forex and CFD instruments, with spreads being the primary cost.
  • Premium Account (or Skilling Trader Premium/cTrader Premium): Designed for high-volume traders, offering tighter spreads (starting from 0.1 pips) but with a commission charged per lot traded (e.g., $30 per million USD traded).
• Commissions: Specific instruments like stock CFDs typically incur a commission per trade. Premium accounts also have commissions on Forex and metals.
• Swap Fees: Overnight holding fees (or swap fees) are applied to positions held open beyond market close. These can be positive or negative depending on the instrument and position direction.
• Deposit/Withdrawal Fees: Many deposit methods are free of charge. However, some withdrawal methods, particularly bank transfers, may incur fees, and it’s essential to check the specific charges for your chosen method.
• Inactivity Fees: An inactivity fee may be charged if an account remains dormant (no trading activity or deposits/withdrawals) for an extended period, typically 12 months or more.

For the most precise and up-to-date pricing information, including minimum deposit requirements and detailed fee structures, it is always recommended to consult Skilling’s official website directly.