Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs AvaTrade, 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.
FXCM (founded 1999) and AvaTrade (founded 2006) are online brokers with high safety marks. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM has a Trust Score of 95/99 and AvaTrade scores 94/99, placing both in the highly trusted 90-99 range. FXCM is publicly traded, while AvaTrade is private, and neither firm is a bank.
In terms of regulation, both brokers hold 4 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com). FXCM also maintains 2 Tier-2 licenses, while AvaTrade holds 3 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). This mix of top-tier and mid-tier oversight signals strong regulatory supervision for clients comparing FXCM vs. AvaTrade.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, AvaTrade edges out FXCM on headline pricing for most retail traders, while FXCM can appeal to high-volume traders who qualify for rebates. AvaTrade’s typical EUR/USD spread is about 0.9 pips (June 2024), close to the industry average. FXCM’s pricing is slightly higher than average overall, though its commission-based accounts can narrow costs. After adding commissions, FXCM’s effective cost on EUR/USD is about 0.74 pips—competitive, but not always cheaper than AvaTrade’s standard 0.9 pips. Availability and pricing can vary by region for both brokers, and spreads may widen during rollover or volatile markets.
FXCM commissions and fees: Standard account spreads averaged 0.78 pips on EUR/USD in the EU, U.K., and Australia during May 2024, and 1.38 pips with its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Commission-based accounts averaged a 0.28-pip core spread in May 2024, with an estimated effective cost of about 0.74 pips after commissions. The Active Trader Rebate Program (not offered in the U.K. or EU) pays $5–$25 per $1 million traded, and requirements vary by entity; for example, in the U.K., a $25,000 balance and at least $50 million in monthly volume can reduce commissions to $2.50 per side ($5 round-turn), bringing effective EUR/USD costs near 0.78 pips. Rating: 4.0/5 stars; ranking: 17th out of 63 for Commissions and Fees (ForexBrokers.com).
AvaTrade commissions and fees: Retail spreads are near the industry average at about 0.9 pips on EUR/USD (June 2024). Traders who qualify as elected professionals can access tighter pricing around 0.6 pips, comparable to some low-cost peers. While not the very cheapest versus select entry-level accounts at CMC Markets or Tickmill, AvaTrade remains price-friendly for many users. Rating: 4.5/5 stars; ranking: 14th out of 63 for Commissions and Fees (ForexBrokers.com).
| Feature |
FXCM
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 0.93 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.61 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing FXCM vs AvaTrade for investment range: both support forex trading (available as CFDs and/or spot, depending on region). AvaTrade lists more total markets, with about 1,260 tradeable symbols and 53 forex pairs, while FXCM offers around 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Neither broker lets you buy actual exchange-traded shares in the U.S. or abroad; stock access is via CFDs rather than owning the shares outright.
Both brokers include copy trading and offer cryptocurrency via CFDs, but not actual delivered crypto. For Range of Investments, AvaTrade earns 4 stars, while FXCM scores 3.5 stars. That said, ForexBrokers.com ranks FXCM higher in this category (#21 out of 63) than AvaTrade (#26). If sheer number of markets matters most, AvaTrade has the edge; if you weigh rankings differently, FXCM may appeal.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1260 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 53 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 AvaTrade both check the key boxes for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account for paper trading, an in-house proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, a web-based platform, copy trading, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and the ability to place trades directly from charts. The main difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5): AvaTrade supports MT5, while FXCM does not—useful if you prefer MT5’s newer features. Specific counts for built-in technical indicators and watch list fields were not provided.
For overall platform and tool quality, FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while AvaTrade scores 4.5 stars and ranks #13. If top-tier platform and tool ratings are your priority, FXCM has the edge. If MT5 access matters most, AvaTrade is the better fit, while both remain beginner-friendly thanks to their free virtual demo accounts.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 80 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and AvaTrade both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts and keeps your watchlists synced between mobile and the web, so changes carry over wherever you log in. Charting is strong on both, with trendline drawing available. One key difference: FXCM auto-saves your chart drawings, while AvaTrade does not, which may matter if you annotate charts often.
For technical studies, AvaTrade offers 73 indicators compared with FXCM’s 59. Despite that gap, both apps earn 4.5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps rankings out of 63 brokers, AvaTrade sits at #13 and FXCM at #16. If you value a larger set of indicators, AvaTrade has the edge; if auto-saving chart work is important, FXCM may suit you better.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 73 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM vs AvaTrade: for market research, FXCM has the edge. FXCM delivers daily market commentary and adds TipRanks insights, while AvaTrade does not offer either of those. Both brokers provide forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, include Trading Central tools, offer a sentiment gauge showing long/short ratios, and feature an economic calendar. Neither broker supports Autochartist or Acuity Trading tools.
In independent reviews, FXCM earns 4.5 stars for Research and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while AvaTrade scores 4 stars and ranks #28. If you want daily commentary and TipRanks, choose FXCM; if you mainly need headline news, Trading Central analysis, sentiment data, and a calendar, both platforms will cover those needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
FXCM and AvaTrade both deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education with well over 10 pieces of content, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Each broker runs live client webinars at least once a month, and both offer 10+ beginner videos as well as 10+ advanced videos, giving new traders a clear path from basics to more in‑depth strategies.
For quality markers, ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM at 4.5 stars for Education and AvaTrade at 4 stars. In the Education category rankings out of 63 brokers, FXCM is #13 while AvaTrade is #2. If you want one of the highest-ranked education hubs, AvaTrade stands out; if you prefer a higher star score, FXCM edges ahead. Either way, beginners will find plenty of helpful videos and regular webinars to get started.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
AvaTrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
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 AvaTrade. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10, while AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #15.
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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AvaTrade
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 94 |
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FXCM vs AvaTrade: neither broker allows buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading for exposure without owning the underlying asset.
FXCM vs AvaTrade: FXCM supports ACH/SEPA transfers and offers PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals, while AvaTrade lacks ACH/SEPA but also supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires.
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 | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 94 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 | |
| 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 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1260 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 0.93 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.61 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 80 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 73 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FXCM Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | FXCM | AvaTrade | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 94 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | AvaTrade Review |
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