Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs BDSwiss, 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 and BDSwiss are both online brokers with distinct profiles and levels of trust. Established in 1999, FXCM is publicly traded, which often brings more scrutiny and transparency to its operations. It holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 95, placing it in the highly trusted category. FXCM has 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, showcasing a strong regulatory standing in the industry.
In contrast, BDSwiss was founded in 2012 and is not publicly traded. This broker has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73, indicating an average risk level. BDSwiss holds one Tier-1 license and does not have any Tier-2 licenses. While both brokers are not banks, their regulatory statuses and trust scores underscore differences in perceived reliability and oversight.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
FXCM slightly edges above the industry average in terms of forex trading fees, with varied spreads depending on the account type. For standard accounts, average spreads on the EUR/USD pair in May 2024 were 0.78 for EU, U.K., and Australia, and 1.38 for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity, both a bit higher than average. If you opt for a commission-based account, spreads improved significantly to an average of 0.28 pips, not including commissions. However, including commission equivalents brings the effective rate to about 0.74 pips. Active traders can benefit from FXCM’s rebate program, receiving discounts based on trading volume, although these discounts aren't available in the U.K. or EU. As an extra perk, deeper discounts come with higher trading volumes. This broker scores a solid 4 stars for commissions and fees, ranking #25 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
BDSwiss offers competitive pricing within its commission structures, although its spreads are noticeably higher than many top forex brokers. Classic account holders face a spread of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which is relatively pricey. Those with a Raw account experience spreads of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, bringing the effective spread to around 1.3 pips. The VIP account steps down slightly to 1.2 pips, which might still be on the higher side but offers predictability in costs. BDSwiss matches FXCM with a 4-star rating in the commissions and fees category but holds a slightly lower rank, placing at #30 of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, both FXCM and BDSwiss provide reliable trading experiences, with FXCM offering a touch more versatility with its tiered rebate program for high-volume traders. While neither broker leads the pack in low trading costs, they each offer competitive rates and comprehensive services for those looking to engage in forex trading. Consider each of their fee structures and rating approvals as you determine the best fit for your trading needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing FXCM and BDSwiss for their investment options, both brokers offer forex trading available through CFDs or spot contracts. However, there is a significant difference in the number of tradeable symbols available; FXCM provides access to 440 symbols, while BDSwiss stands out with 1081 symbols, making it a more versatile choice for investors seeking diverse options. In terms of forex pairs, BDSwiss also has a slight edge with 53 pairs compared to FXCM's 46. Both platforms include the option for cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer actual cryptocurrency purchases. Similarly, neither FXCM nor BDSwiss provides direct access to trading exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges such as NASDAQ or the London Stock Exchange.
Both brokers support copy trading, allowing users to replicate strategies from experienced traders. Despite these similarities, BDSwiss is rated higher for its range of investments, earning 4 stars compared to FXCM's 3.5 stars. ForexBrokers.com ranks BDSwiss at #34 out of 63 brokers, while FXCM trails behind at #47. This ranking suggests that BDSwiss may offer a more comprehensive selection of investment products, appealing to investors who prefer a wider array of trading options.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | 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.
Both FXCM and BDSwiss offer comprehensive trading platforms with a variety of features for traders of all levels. They both provide the convenience of simulated paper trading through free virtual demo accounts and have developed their own proprietary platforms in-house. Users can access the Windows-based desktop download and web-based platforms from both brokers. Additionally, traders can engage in copy trading with either broker, while also taking advantage of MetaTrader 4 (MT4). However, BDSwiss edges ahead by offering MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which FXCM does not. Contrastingly, FXCM includes ZuluTrade access, a feature not present with BDSwiss, and allows traders to utilize 13 columns for watch lists compared to BDSwiss's seven.
Charting capabilities are also strong with both brokers, enabling direct trading from stock charts. FXCM provides 10 drawing tools for charting, while BDSwiss offers a slightly broader range with 15 tools. When it comes to overall trading platforms and tools, FXCM holds an impressive five-star rating and is ranked sixth out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. BDSwiss, on the other hand, receives a four-star rating and is positioned at number 24. This distinction reflects the slight edge FXCM holds in providing a more enriched trading toolset for its users.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and BDSwiss both offer accessible mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders can engage with the market at their convenience. Both platforms value user experience, providing essential features like stock and forex price alerts, drawing tools for trendlines, and multiple time frame viewing options on their charts. However, FXCM outshines BDSwiss with its advanced charting features, offering 59 technical studies compared to BDSwiss's 30. Additionally, FXCM provides watchlist symbol syncing across devices, allowing seamless updates between the mobile app and the online account—an area where BDSwiss falls short.
In terms of convenience, both apps allow users to create real-time quote watchlists and auto-save chart drawings. FXCM seems to have a slight edge in customer satisfaction, boasting a 4.5-star rating compared to BDSwiss's 4-star rating. Furthermore, FXCM is ranked #16 in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, whereas BDSwiss holds the #24 spot. This indicates that while both apps are reliable, FXCM may offer a richer experience for those who prioritize extensive analysis tools and cross-platform compatibility.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both FXCM and BDSwiss offer daily market commentary, but they diverge in several key aspects. FXCM stands out by providing forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, which BDSwiss does not. Both brokers offer tools from Trading Central, including technical analytics, yet BDSwiss offers additional research tools from Autochartist that FXCM does not. FXCM also provides a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, a feature not available with BDSwiss. Furthermore, FXCM offers market research from TipRanks, whereas BDSwiss does not.
In terms of additional tools, neither broker offers research tools from Acuity Trading, such as the Signal Centre, but both provide an economic calendar showing global news events. Overall, FXCM receives a higher research rating of 4.5 stars compared to BDSwiss’s 4 stars. In the ForexBrokers.com rankings, FXCM holds the 11th position out of 63 brokers for its research offerings, while BDSwiss is ranked at 24th, reflecting FXCM's stronger emphasis on providing comprehensive market insights.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For newcomers venturing into the world of forex and CFDs, both FXCM and BDSwiss offer a comprehensive suite of educational resources designed to build foundational knowledge. Each broker provides over 10 pieces of educational content, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring beginners have access to ample learning materials. They both conduct monthly online educational webinars and house a searchable archive of past sessions, facilitating both live learning and convenient revisits. Additionally, they're committed to nurturing beginner skills, as evidenced by offerings of 10 beginner-focused educational videos. For those seeking to elevate their expertise, each broker presents at least 10 advanced educational videos, tailored to the needs of experienced traders.
Beyond video content and webinars, traders can deepen their understanding by using the investor dictionaries offered by both brokers, each containing definitions for more than 50 investing terms. In terms of quality, FXCM takes a slight lead with a 4.5-star rating for its educational resources, compared to BDSwiss's 4-star rating. Considering their standings among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks at #14 in the education category, while BDSwiss follows at #19. Both brokers clearly emphasize the importance of education, creating a solid foundation for anyone eager to thrive in forex and CFDs trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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 BDSwiss. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
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
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
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Both FXCM and BDSwiss do not provide the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers FXCM and BDSwiss, both offer ACH or SEPA transfers, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but FXCM surpasses BDSwiss by also providing PayPal as a payment option.
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 | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | 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 | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FXCM Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | FXCM | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | BDSwiss Review |
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