MAM Accounts
MAM accounts are a unique way to invest in the financial markets, from forex to stocks and shares. They essentially let you place your money with established investors who will trade on your behalf, in return for a small fee. Multiple online brokers offer MAM systems and this review will delve into what exactly a managed account is, as well as comparing the top brokers and accounts to help you get started.
MAM Brokers
#1 - AvaTrade
Why We Chose AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker, established in 2006 and regulated across 9 jurisdictions. Over 400,000 users have signed up with the broker which processes over 2 million trades each month. The firm offers multiple trading platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary WebTrader. 1250+ financial instruments are available for day trading, alongside a comprehensive education center and multilingual customer support.
"AvaTrade offers the full package for short-term traders. There is powerful charting software, reliable execution, transparent fees, and fast account opening with a low minimum deposit."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBol, FSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM
- Platforms: WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro)
Pros
- AvaTrade is a heavily regulated and trustworthy broker with licenses from the ASIC, CySEC and more
- Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs), as well as the AvaSocial and DupliTrade tools
- There's a great range of fee-free deposit methods, including bank wire, credit cards and popular e-wallets like Skrill
Cons
- There is no ECN account with raw spreads
- Traders from the US are not accepted
- It’s a shame that there are no rebate schemes for serious traders looking for additional perks - CMC Markets would be a better choice here
#2 - Pepperstone
Why We Chose Pepperstone
Established in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a top-rated forex and CFD broker with over 400,000 clients worldwide. It offers access to 1,300+ instruments on leading platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, maintaining low, transparent fees. Pepperstone is also regulated by trusted authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, ensuring a secure environment for day traders at all levels.
"Pepperstone stands out as a top choice for day trading, offering razor-sharp spreads, ultra-fast execution, and advanced charting platforms for experienced traders. New traders are also welcomed with no minimum deposit, extensive educational resources, and exceptional 24/7 support."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto, Spread Betting
- Regulator: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit: $0
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Pros
- There’s support for a range of industry-leading charting platforms including MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader, catering to various short-term trading styles, including algo trading.
- Pepperstone boasts impressive execution speeds, averaging around 30ms, facilitating fast order processing and execution that’s ideal for day trading.
- Pepperstone emerges as a low-cost broker, especially for serious day traders with spreads from 0.0 in the Razor account and rebates of 25%+ through the Active Trader program.
Cons
- Pepperstone’s demo accounts are active for only 30 days, which may not be not long enough to familiarize yourself with the different platforms and test trading strategies.
- Pepperstone does not support cTrader Copy, a popular copy trading feature built into the excellent cTrader platform and available at alternatives like IC Markets.
- Despite enhancements to its range of markets, crypto offerings are relatively limited compared to other brokers such as eToro, with no option to invest in real coins.
#3 - IC Markets
Why We Chose IC Markets
IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
"IC Markets offers superior pricing, exceptionally fast execution and seamless deposits. The introduction of advanced charting platforms, notably TradingView, and the Raw Trader Plus account, ensures it remains a top choice for intermediate to advanced day traders."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
- Regulator: ASIC, CySEC, FSA
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade
- Minimum Deposit: $200
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Pros
- As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
- IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
- IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for day traders.
Cons
- Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
- While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
- The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
#4 - Eightcap
Why We Chose Eightcap
"Eightcap delivers in every area for day traders with a growing selection of charting platforms and AI-powered tools. Now sporting 250+ crypto CFDs and the Crypto Crusher market scanner, it's also become a stand-out choice for crypto trading, winning our 'Best Crypto Broker' award two years in a row."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
- Regulator: ASIC, FCA, xCySEC, SCB
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
Pros
- Eightcap stands out with a selection of powerful trading tools, including MT4 and MT5, the innovative algorithmic trading platform Capitalise.ai, and more recently the 50-million strong social trading network TradingView.
- After bolstering its roster in 2021, Eightcap offers one of the most extensive selections of cryptocurrency CFDs in the market, with crypto/fiat pairs, crypto/crypto pairs, plus crypto indices for broader exposure to the market.
- With tight spreads from 0 pips, low commission fees, and high leverage up to 1:500 for certain clients, Eightcap provides cost-effective and flexible trading conditions that can accommodate an array of strategies, including day trading and scalping.
Cons
- Eightcap needs to continue bolstering its suite of instruments to match category leaders like Blackbull Markets with its 26,000+ assets, featuring a particularly weak selection of commodities.
- The demo account expires after 30 days and can only be extended upon request - a notable inconvenience compared to the likes of XM with its unlimited demo mode.
- Despite a useful library of educational guides and e-books, Eightcap still trails IG’s comprehensive toolkit for aspiring traders with its dedicated IG Academy app and 18 course categories.
#5 - RoboForex
Why We Chose RoboForex
RoboForex is an online broker, established in 2009 and registered with the IFSC in Belize. Traders can choose from five accounts (Prime, ECN, R StocksTrader, ProCent, Pro) catering to different needs with trades from 0.01 lots and spreads from 0 pips. RoboForex has also enhanced its offering over the years, adding CFD instruments and launching its stock trading platform, plus the CopyFX system.
"RoboForex is great if you want a vast range of 12,000+ day trading markets with ECN accounts, powerful charting and loyalty promotions. It also stands out for stock traders with its user-friendly R StocksTrader platform, featuring 3,000+ shares, fees from $0.01 and sophisticated watchlists."
- DayTrading Review Team
- Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures
- Regulator: IFSC
- Platforms: R StocksTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Minimum Deposit: $10
- Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
- Leverage: 1:2000
Pros
- The broker offers leverage up to 1:2000 for certain account types, which is among the highest in the industry. This high leverage allows day traders to maximize their trading potential, albeit with a corresponding increase in risk.
- RoboForex offers over 12,000 instruments, providing more short-term trading opportunities than the vast majority of online brokers, with forex, stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and futures.
- The R Stocks Trader platform rivals leading solutions like MT4, with netting and hedging capabilities, comprehensive backtesting, Level II pricing, and a flexible workspace.
Cons
- RoboForex provides a variety of account types, which, while offering flexibility, can be overwhelming for newer traders trying to choose the most suitable option for their trading style. Alternatives, notably eToro, provide a smoother entry into online trading with one retail account.
- Despite 15+ years in the industry and registering with the Financial Commission, RoboForex is authorized by one ‘Red-Tier’ regulator – the IFSC in Belize, lowering the level of regulatory protections for traders.
- While RoboForex offers competitive spreads, some of its account types come with high trading commissions up to $20 per lot, trailing the cheapest brokers, such as IC Markets.
What Is A MAM Account?
A multi-account management system, or MAM account, is a structure whereby a fund manager executes orders for several different accounts with the same broker. Essentially, this means that you can select someone with more experience to identify market movements, perform analysis and place orders for you.
Clients with MAM accounts can diversify their portfolios and spread their risk by taking advantage of other investors’ experience, or by splitting their capital among several different managers. They are a great option for newcomers or those with limited time.
How Does A MAM System Work?
A broker with MAM accounts gives investors flexibility and choice as they can select the fund manager they wish to entrust their capital to. Once you have opened an account, you can deposit funds and partition some of your capital to be used by a certified money manager.
MAM accounts are transparent as you can see exactly what trades are being made and remove control from the manager in a few clicks. The best brokers offering MAM solutions offer intuitive dashboards to track activity, profit and loss in real-time.
How To Compare MAM Brokers & Accounts
While MAM accounts are inherently less hands-on than other speculative investment approaches, there can still be a significant difference in the experience and profits you may walk away with. From trustworthiness and entry barriers to manager expertise and interface simplicity, below are the key factors to consider when comparing brokers.
Minimum Deposit
To ensure clients are serious about using their services, many brokers will have a minimum deposit, requiring prospective customers to put forward capital to get started. Limits can vary drastically from a few dollars to several thousand, so be sure to look within your budget.
Fee Structure
Before opening a MAM account with your chosen broker, ensure you know how much of any profits they will take. Most brokers take a commission on your trades (this can be higher with MAM accounts) but some also charge monthly fees for their services. On top of this, check if there are deposit and withdrawal fees as these charges can add up.
Customer Support
As someone will be managing your money, you want to be sure that you can get in contact with the manager or broker should you need to. We recommend looking for brokers that have a good-sized customer support team that is accessible throughout market hours.
Additional Tools
Even though someone is managing your portfolio, it can still be important to find a broker that you can learn from. Many companies offer MT4 webinars, one-to-one sessions and a variety of learning resources to ensure clients can improve their skills. This is particularly useful for beginners who may only use MAM accounts whilst they develop their own trading strategies.
Security
Fraud risk is reduced by the automation of MAM platforms. However, it’s still important to open an account with a regulated broker. This will help give you legal recourse in the event of dishonesty or insolvency. It’s also worth doing your due diligence on the fund manager you plan to entrust your capital to. The top platforms rank their best fund managers with a detailed history of their past performance.
Market Access
Most MAM accounts offer access to all major markets, meaning forex, stocks, commodities and cryptos. A larger range of markets will not only allow you to make your own investments on the side of the MAM account but also help to diversify your portfolio and spread your risk.
Payments
Deposits and withdrawals can have a significant effect on your MAM experience. Find a broker that supports payments using methods that you are familiar with, such as wire transfer or payment cards. You should also look into transaction charges and processing times to ensure you can access your money quickly and cheaply.
Note, some MAM accounts have fixed intervals when pay-outs are received, whether that’s weekly, monthly or a mixture.
Final Word On MAM Accounts
MAM brokerage accounts are a great tool for those who do not have the time or knowledge to constantly scour the financial markets for profitable opportunities. Simply by partitioning your account you can pass on the manual labour to someone with more experience than you. Not all MAM accounts are the same, however, so you should consider all the key points above when comparing brokers.
FAQs
What Is A MAM?
MAM stands for multi-account manager. Essentially, with MAM accounts the fund managers have the power to execute orders using your investment capital. People using MAM can further diversify their portfolios by utilising several MAM accounts or managers.
How Does MAM Work?
A MAM account gives experienced managers full control over a predetermined portion of your brokerage account. They then carry out market analysis and place trades with your money, along with their own and that of their other clients.
Should I Open A MAM Account?
If you want to take a backseat whilst your expert account manager executes trades for you then opening a MAM account might be for you. MAM accounts allow for total transparency as you can see what trades are being made and remove control over your money at regular intervals.
How Do I Compare MAM Brokers And Accounts?
When comparing brokers with MAM accounts, we recommend focussing on the success of the fund managers offered, alongside platforms, fee structures and customer service details. A full guide is provided above.
Which Brokers Offer MAM Accounts?
Many mainstream brokers offer MAM accounts, including FXChoice, Swissquote, FXPro, Avatrade, AxiTrader, Infinox, FXTM, IC Markets, FXCM and Pepperstone. Check out our detailed reviews before signing up for additional information.