Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs ATFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing FXCM and ATFX, it's important to understand how their regulatory credentials stack up. FXCM, founded in 1999, is a publicly traded online broker and boasts a strong presence with a Trust Score of 95 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating that it is highly trusted. ATFX, founded in 2017, operates privately and carries a Trust Score of 85, which signifies that it is trusted but slightly less so than FXCM. Both brokers are not banks but have secured 4 Tier-1 licenses each, which are considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting their commitment to maintaining stringent regulatory standards.
Additionally, both FXCM and ATFX hold 2 Tier-2 licenses each, reinforcing their credibility in the market. While FXCM's public trading status and higher Trust Score might appeal to those prioritizing established market confidence, ATFX’s impressive array of licenses since its recent founding in 2017 showcases that it has quickly gained a reputable standing in the competitive world of online brokerage.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, FXCM earns 4 stars and ranks #25 out of 63 brokers for this category, while ATFX receives 3 stars and ranks #61 out of 63. That gap largely reflects the availability of detailed pricing at FXCM versus the lack of average spread data from ATFX, which makes an apples-to-apples cost comparison harder.
FXCM’s forex pricing is slightly higher than the industry average on its standard accounts, with May 2024 time-weighted average spreads on EUR/USD around 0.78 in the EU, U.K., and Australia, and 1.38 via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission-based accounts averaged 0.28 pips (excluding commissions) in May 2024; after adding a commission equivalent of about 0.50 pips per round turn, the effective spread is closer to 0.74 pips. Active traders may lower costs via FXCM’s five-tier rebate program (not available in the U.K. or EU), offering $5 to $25 per million traded. In the U.K., for example, a $25,000 balance and at least $50 million in monthly volume can reduce commissions to $2.50 per side ($5 round turn), yielding an effective EUR/USD spread near 0.78 pips based on a 0.28-pip core price. As with most brokers, spreads can widen during rollover or volatile market conditions.
ATFX does not provide average spread data, so its day-to-day trading costs are less transparent in this specific comparison. Its 3-star rating and #61 ranking for Commissions and Fees indicate there may be more cost-effective choices for fee-sensitive traders. If you’re weighing these two, FXCM’s published averages and tiered discounts give a clearer view of potential costs, while ATFX would require checking live quotes and account terms to gauge your likely spreads and total trading expenses.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.9 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing FXCM vs ATFX for range of investments, FXCM lists about 440 tradeable symbols versus ATFX’s 150. FXCM offers 46 currency pairs, while ATFX has 44. Both let you trade forex via CFDs or spot contracts. Neither broker provides direct share dealing on U.S. or international exchanges; stock exposure is through CFDs. Copy trading is available at both. For crypto, neither allows buying actual coins, but both offer cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both brokers earn 3.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments on ForexBrokers.com. In the 63-broker lineup, FXCM ranks 48th and ATFX ranks 58th. If you want a bigger catalog beyond core forex pairs, FXCM has the larger list, while traders focused on popular pairs, copy trading, and crypto derivatives will find similar choices at either broker.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
FXCM and ATFX both provide a free demo account, web and Windows desktop platforms, copy trading, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and the ability to place orders directly from charts. A key difference is platform choice: FXCM also offers its own proprietary platform, while ATFX does not. ATFX, however, adds MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which FXCM does not support. Details about DupliTrade and ZuluTrade availability, as well as the number of technical indicators, drawing tools, and watchlist columns, were not specified in the information provided.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, FXCM holds a 5-star rating and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #63. If you want an in-house platform alongside MT4, FXCM stands out; if you need MT5, ATFX may be the better fit. Consider which platform features matter most to your trading before deciding.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and ATFX both offer iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, real-time watchlists, and the ability to draw trendlines that auto-save to your charts. A key difference is syncing: FXCM syncs your watchlist symbols between the mobile app and your online account, while ATFX does not. That makes it easier with FXCM to switch between phone and desktop without re-creating lists.
For charting depth, FXCM includes 59 built-in technical studies versus 7 at ATFX, giving active traders many more indicators to test strategies on the go. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM’s mobile app earns 4.5 stars and ranks 16th, while ATFX scores 3.5 stars and ranks 64th. If you value richer chart tools and synced watchlists, FXCM is the better pick; if you only need the basics with alerts on iOS or Android, ATFX can still get the job done.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 7 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM and ATFX both deliver daily market commentary and handy economic calendars. FXCM goes further on news and sentiment: it streams forex headlines from premium sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, includes Trading Central analysis, TipRanks insights, and a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions. ATFX also offers Trading Central and adds Autochartist for pattern and setup ideas, but it does not provide premium news feeds or a sentiment gauge. TipRanks and Acuity Trading integrations for ATFX are not specified.
For research quality, FXCM earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX scores 3/5 stars and ranks #55. Choose FXCM if you want news-driven insight plus sentiment data; pick ATFX if Autochartist’s pattern scanning alongside Trading Central fits your trading style.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing FXCM and ATFX for beginner education: both brokers provide at least 10 beginner-friendly trading videos, so you’ll find plenty of step-by-step content to get started. FXCM runs at least one educational webinar each month, while ATFX does not offer monthly client webinars. FXCM also delivers at least 10 advanced trading videos for when you’re ready to level up, whereas ATFX does not meet that advanced-video threshold. Whether each broker offers a searchable archive of past webinars, a large investor dictionary, or 10+ total forex/CFD education pieces beyond videos was not specified.
By third-party measures, FXCM scores higher for education with 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. ATFX holds 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #28. In short: if you want frequent live learning and deeper video coverage as you progress, FXCM has the edge; if you mainly need beginner videos, both brokers can work.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than ATFX. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
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ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 |
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Both FXCM and ATFX do not provide options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they each offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives instead of the underlying asset.
FXCM vs ATFX: both brokers support Skrill and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, but only FXCM additionally offers ACH/SEPA and PayPal options.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | ATFX | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.9 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | FXCM | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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