Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Capital.com vs FXCM, 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.
Capital.com and FXCM are prominent online brokers offering investment services. Capital.com, established in 2016, operates as a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange. FXCM, a veteran in the trading industry founded in 1999, is a publicly traded entity, providing an additional layer of transparency to potential investors. Both brokers are not banks, but they hold multiple licenses that reflect their commitment to regulatory compliance. Capital.com holds three valuable Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, whereas FXCM boasts four Tier-1 licenses, along with two Tier-2 licenses, indicating a stronger regulatory foundation.
In terms of trustworthiness, ForexBrokers.com assigns Capital.com a Trust Score of 87, categorizing it as trusted. On the other hand, FXCM receives an impressive Trust Score of 95, placing it in the highly trusted bracket. This suggests that while both platforms are reputable, FXCM might offer a slight edge in terms of perceived reliability according to industry standards. When choosing between these two brokers, potential users may consider FXCM's longer market presence and its status as a publicly traded company as indicators of stability and trust. However, with strong regulatory credentials, Capital.com remains a solid choice for traders seeking a secure platform.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2016 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When it comes to trading costs, Capital.com outshines many competitors with a pricing structure that is slightly more favorable than the industry norm. Offering a universal account for retail traders and specialized accounts for elective professionals, it provides flexibility in trading choices. The standout feature is its average spread of 0.67 pips on the EUR/USD, confirmed for April 2024, positioning Capital.com as an excellent choice for those seeking low-cost forex trading. Capital.com earns a perfect 5-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranking it 3rd among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
FXCM, on the other hand, presents a slightly pricier option for forex traders compared to the industry average. It offers an average spread of 0.78 pips for the EUR/USD in its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings, with the spread reaching up to 1.38 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Their commission-based accounts, however, offer a more competitive spread of 0.28 pips, excluding commissions. Moreover, FXCM provides active trader discounts through its rebate program, which, although beneficial, is outmatched by the offers from brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets. Despite these dynamics, FXCM holds a respectable 4-star rating and is ranked 25th out of 63 by ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees.
In essence, while both Capital.com and FXCM bring unique offerings to the table, Capital.com comes ahead with its lower trading costs and higher ratings. Traders looking for cost efficiency may find Capital.com's competitive spreads particularly attractive, while those interested in active trading programs might explore the volume-based discounts available at FXCM.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | Starts from $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 0.78 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 0.78 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 the range of investments available between Capital.com and FXCM, Capital.com stands out with a notable advantage. Offering 5585 tradeable symbols, Capital.com provides an expansive selection when it comes to both CFDs and spot contracts. Furthermore, if forex trading is a priority, Capital.com boasts a diverse assortment of 125 forex pairs, significantly surpassing FXCM's 46 pairs. Both platforms offer the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. However, neither broker provides access to exchange traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges such as Apple or Vodafone.
FXCM, while offering a more limited selection with 440 tradeable symbols, does provide the unique feature of copy trading, which isn't available on Capital.com. Despite this, for those prioritizing a broader range of investment options — particularly in forex pairs — Capital.com might be the preferable choice. Reflecting these differences, Capital.com earns a higher rating of 4.5 stars for its range of investments compared to FXCM’s 3.5 stars. Additionally, Capital.com is ranked #22 by ForexBrokers.com in this category, while FXCM holds the #47 spot, further demonstrating Capital.com's broader investment options.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5585 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Capital.com and FXCM provide comprehensive solutions for traders looking to engage in online trading. Both platforms offer a variety of formats, including desktop downloads for Windows and convenient web-based platforms that cater to traders who prefer flexibility. Each broker has developed their own proprietary platform, allowing them to offer unique features tailored to their users. For those starting out or wanting to test their strategies, both Capital.com and FXCM provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, making it easier to practice without financial risk.
FXCM distinguishes itself by offering copy trading and integration with ZuluTrade, while Capital.com does not support these features. Instead, Capital.com focuses on providing an extensive set of drawing tools for charting, outstripping FXCM with 60 tools compared to 10. Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 (MT4), although neither offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5) or DupliTrade. Additionally, FXCM provides more comprehensive watchlist options with 13 fields compared to Capital.com's 11. In terms of overall ratings, FXCM edges ahead with 5 stars for platforms and tools and is ranked 6th by ForexBrokers.com, while Capital.com holds a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 10th. This makes FXCM a strong contender for traders seeking a wider range of trading tools and features.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 97 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 10 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 13 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Capital.com and FXCM provide comprehensive mobile trading options, supporting apps for both iPhone and Android users. These platforms allow traders to receive real-time stock and forex price alerts, and both offer the ability to analyze multiple time frames on their charts. However, when it comes to syncing watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account, only FXCM offers this feature, keeping your changes consistent across platforms. While both apps support drawing trendlines, FXCM excels in the charting department with 59 technical studies compared to Capital.com's 30, offering deeper analytical capabilities.
Creating watchlists with real-time quotes is straightforward on both platforms, and any chart drawings you make will be automatically saved. User ratings of 4.5 stars reflect the strength of each app, yet their rankings by ForexBrokers.com hint at a slight edge for Capital.com, which sits at #11 against FXCM’s #16 among 63 brokers. This slight difference in ranking highlights Capital.com's app as a slightly more favored choice for mobile trading enthusiasts.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 59 |
| 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.
Both Capital.com and FXCM provide users with valuable daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They both include sentiment-based trading tools, offering insights into long or short positions across various currency pairs. Additionally, each platform provides market research from TipRanks and offers an economic calendar detailing global news events. While these features align closely, a key difference lies in their use of research tools from Trading Central. FXCM offers tools from Trading Central, whereas Capital.com does not include such resources from this provider.
When it comes to rankings and ratings, both brokers attain an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars for their research offerings. However, FXCM is positioned slightly higher at number 11 compared to Capital.com's rank of 14 in the Research category by ForexBrokers.com. This subtle distinction indicates a slight edge in FXCM’s offerings, potentially due to the inclusion of Trading Central tools, which might cater better to traders seeking more diverse research tools.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational resources available for beginners between Capital.com and FXCM, both platforms offer a solid range of materials for budding traders interested in forex and CFDs. Capital.com provides an array of resources with a minimum of 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Similarly, FXCM matches this by offering over 10 educational resources focused on forex and CFDs. Additionally, both offer a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars. However, a key difference is that FXCM hosts at least one new online educational webinar each month, a feature not available with Capital.com.
In terms of video content, both brokers provide beginner and advanced educational videos covering key trading topics. Each platform also includes an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, enhancing the learning experience for newcomers. With both platforms rated at 4.5 stars for their educational offerings, Capital.com takes a slight edge in rankings, coming in eighth out of 63 brokers, while FXCM ranks fourteenth. This suggests that while both provide valuable educational content, Capital.com might offer a slightly more comprehensive package overall.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 Capital.com is better than FXCM. Capital.com finished with an overall rank of #10, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15.
Capital.com stands out for its quality research, strong educational content, and innovative web platform. Capital.com holds fewer regulatory licenses and offers a narrower range of markets than some of the best brokers, but still significantly outperforms the industry average.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 95 |
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Both Capital.com and FXCM do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Capital.com and FXCM both support PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for deposit and withdrawal of funds, but while FXCM offers ACH and SEPA transfers, Capital.com does not.
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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| Trust Score | 87 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Capital.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
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