Short answer
Pocket Option is ahead on our score, 4.1/5 against 3.4/5 for Binarium.
Pocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders
Skip Pocket Option if: You want a regulator behind your money, or contests make you trade too much
Binarium fits: Testing with the smallest possible deposit
Skip Binarium if: You want any outside protection for your money
Score by score
Pocket Option 4.1/5
- Platform and apps4.7
- Costs and minimums4.8
- Payment options4.6
- Support4.2
- Licensing and openness2.6
Binarium 3.4/5
- Platform and apps3.8
- Costs and minimums4.5
- Payment options3.9
- Support3.5
- Licensing and openness1.6
How the two sites look
Pocket Option and Binarium in brief
Pocket Option (2017). Pocket Option has run since 2017 and is built around short fixed-time trades: choose up or down and a timer, and a correct call pays a set percentage. Next to the chart sit copy trading, a signals panel and regular contests. An MT5 account for forex and CFDs is offered separately.
Binarium (2012). Binarium has sold fixed-time options since 2012, historically to Russian-speaking markets, with very low minimums for small accounts.
Licence and safetyBetter here: Pocket Option
Neither Pocket Option nor Binarium is authorised by a leading regulator or by any regulator in Asia. Both run through offshore companies, so there is no compensation fund and no local authority to complain to.
Official warnings and alert-list entries we found: Pocket Option 4, Binarium 1.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | No leading or Asian regulator. Pocket Option cites an offshore MISA licence from the Comoros. | No. Binarium Ltd in St Vincent and the Grenadines has no licence and no dispute body. |
| Official warnings we found | FCA, CFTC, RBI, Bank of Russia | Bank of Russia |
| Dispute body | No outside dispute body | No outside dispute body |
On licensing and openness Pocket Option scores higher (2.6 vs 1.6).
Entry cost and chargesBetter here: Pocket Option
Both ask for the same first deposit: $5. The smallest trade is $1 on Pocket Option and $1 on Binarium.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest deposit | $5 | $5 |
| Lowest trade | $1 | $1 |
| Charges | No pay-in fee listed; currency conversion costs can apply | No pay-in or pay-out fee listed |
| Pay-out charges | None from the platform; your payment provider may charge | None listed |
| Dormant account fee | Not mentioned in the sources we checked – read the current terms | Check the current terms |
| Bonus | Deposit bonuses, often 50–100%, with volume rules that can block withdrawals | Deposit bonuses with volume rules |
Payouts and the win rate you needLevel
Both advertise the same top payout (92%), so the break-even win rate is identical: 52.1%.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| Top payout | 92% | 92% |
| Win rate to break even | 52.1% | 52.1% |
| Note | 92% applies to popular assets at busy hours; quieter hours are reported 7–12 points lower | Sources cite a top payout of 90–92% |
Top payouts apply to a few assets at the busiest hours. Look at the payout on the trade ticket before you open a trade; it is often lower.
Platform and phone appsBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option. A browser platform with several chart styles, indicators and drawing tools. Copy trading and signals sit beside the chart, which makes it easy for a beginner to copy trades before understanding them.
Binarium. A web terminal with turbo trades (1–5 minutes) and longer trades in 15-minute steps up to months.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Browser, Android, iPhone, MT5 (forex) | Browser, Android |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone | Browser app only | No |
| Extras | Copy trading, Contests, Small minimum | Account levels, Small minimum |
Instruments and trade durations
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| Instruments | 100+ | – |
| Markets | Currencies, Crypto, Commodities, Shares, Indices | Currencies, Crypto, Commodities, Indices |
| Trade durations | 3 seconds – 4 hours | 60 seconds – 3 months |
Paying in and cashing outBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option. Money normally goes back the way it came in. Your ID and address are checked before the first pay-out. An active bonus can block a withdrawal until its volume is reached.
Binarium. USD 5 minimum; documents may be requested first.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-in methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto |
| Pay-out methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto |
| Smallest withdrawal | $10 | $5 |
| Pay-out speed | Typically 1–3 working days; crypto often quicker (user reports) | Depends on method and level |
Practice accountLevel
Both have a free practice account, so you can try the two platforms with virtual money before depositing.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| Practice balance | $50,000 | Yes |
| Try without signing up | Yes | – |
SupportBetter here: Pocket Option
| What we compare | Pocket Option | Binarium |
|---|---|---|
| How to reach support | Live chat, Email, Help pages | Live chat, Email |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
Which markets they acceptBetter here: Binarium
Pocket Option accepts residents of 17 of the markets we cover, Binarium of 18.
Only Binarium: 1 markets
Philippines
Strengths and weak points
Pocket Option
- +Accounts open from USD 5 and trades from USD 1
- +Copy trading and contests on the same screen as the chart
- +Many ways to pay in, including crypto and local agents in Asia
- +Light web platform that runs well on a phone
- −Only an offshore Comoros licence
- −Named by the UK FCA, the US CFTC and India's RBI
- −Bonuses lock your balance behind trading volume
- −Refuses residents of the Philippines and Japan
Binarium
- +USD 5 minimum deposit and withdrawal
- +Trades from 60 seconds to 3 months
- +Copy trading service
- +Simple platform for small accounts
- −No regulator and no dispute body
- −European regulator warnings reported by third parties
- −Fewer payment methods than the big names
- −Few support channels
So, Pocket Option or Binarium?
Pocket Option is better in 5 of 7 categories here. Pocket Option is ahead on our score, 4.1/5 against 3.4/5 for Binarium.
Our choice: Pocket Option
Our pickPocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders
+50% bonusConditions
Go to Pocket OptionWhichever you pick, practise on the demo first, keep the first deposit small and withdraw part of it before adding more. Binary options are high-risk and most retail accounts lose money.
Quick answers
Pocket Option or Binarium: which is better?
Pocket Option is ahead on our score (4.1/5 vs 3.4/5). Pocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders. Binarium fits: Testing with the smallest possible deposit.
Which needs a smaller deposit, Pocket Option or Binarium?
Both ask for the same first deposit: $5.
Which pays more, Pocket Option or Binarium?
Both advertise the same top payout (92%), so the break-even win rate is identical: 52.1%.
Does any regulator supervise Pocket Option or Binarium?
No leading regulator and no Asian regulator licenses either of them. Both work through offshore companies, so your money has little protection.
More comparisons and guides
- Pocket Option vs IQ Option
- Pocket Option vs Expert Option
- Pocket Option vs Olymp Trade
- Pocket Option vs Binomo
- Pocket Option vs IQcent
- Pocket Option vs BinaryCent
- Pocket Option vs Exnova
- Pocket Option vs Quotex
Pocket Option review →Binarium review →Is Pocket Option legit? →Is Binarium legit? →