Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs FXCM, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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FOREX.com and FXCM both began operations in 1999 and have established themselves in the world of online brokerage. Both companies are publicly traded, but neither operates as a bank. In terms of trustworthiness, ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com with a perfect Trust Score of 99, while FXCM holds a slightly lower, yet strong, Trust Score of 95. These ratings reflect the companies' standings in terms of reliability and security measures, based on a scale where scores of 90 to 99 denote a highly trusted status.
When it comes to regulatory oversight, FOREX.com holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, and 1 Tier-2 license, considered trusted. In contrast, FXCM has obtained 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses. This indicates that both brokers are well-regulated, but FOREX.com has a slight edge in terms of the number of highest-level licenses. These regulatory credentials underline the brokers' commitments to maintaining secure and compliant trading environments for their clients.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
Looking at commissions and fees, FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #15 out of 63 for this category, while FXCM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #17. Both brokers offer standard spread-only pricing and commission-based plans with volume discounts, and your actual costs will vary by account type, trading volume, region, and market conditions.
FOREX.com’s Standard account tends to be pricier in the U.S., with average EUR/USD spreads around 1.4 pips (July 2023). Outside the U.S., EUR/USD averaged about 0.74 pips (July 2023, time-weighted). Its commission-based RAW account posted typical EUR/USD spreads near 0.13 pips (February 2024), plus a base commission of $7 per standard lot (about 0.7 pips all-in at entry tier). Six volume tiers offer rebates of $2–$9 per million, but unless you trade more than roughly $50 million per month, the all-in costs for U.S. clients are often close to the Standard plan. The best pricing kicks in for very large volumes (over $2 billion per month).
FXCM’s pricing is also a touch above the industry average. In May 2024, average EUR/USD spreads were about 0.78 pips for the EU, U.K., and Australia, and about 1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. FXCM’s commission-based option had underlying EUR/USD spreads near 0.28 pips (May 2024), with commissions bringing the effective spread to around 0.74 pips. Its Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) has five tiers with $5–$25 per million traded in rebates. For example, in the U.K., a $25,000 balance and at least $50 million in monthly volume can reduce the commission to $2.50 per side ($5 round-turn), which with a 0.28-pip core price results in an effective spread near 0.78 pips. Spreads may widen during rollover or volatile markets.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Starts from $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.8 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FOREX.com offers a much wider range of investments than FXCM. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both provide crypto CFDs (but neither lets you buy actual crypto). The biggest gap is breadth: FOREX.com lists about 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, while FXCM offers roughly 440 symbols and 46 pairs. FOREX.com also lets you buy exchange-traded securities directly on U.S. and international exchanges—think shares like Apple or Vodafone—something FXCM doesn’t support.
Feature-wise, FXCM stands out for copy trading (FOREX.com doesn’t offer it). Even so, FOREX.com earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 for Range of Investments, compared with FXCM’s 3.5 stars and #21 ranking. Choose FOREX.com if you want the broadest product list and access to stocks; consider FXCM if copy trading within a smaller lineup is your priority.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 46 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
In this FOREX.com vs FXCM comparison of trading platforms and tools, both brokers check the key boxes: free demo (paper) trading, in-house platforms, a Windows desktop download, and a browser-based platform. Each supports trading directly from charts and offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4). The main platform differences are that FOREX.com also supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while FXCM does not, and FXCM offers copy trading, while FOREX.com does not.
Both brokers earn 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools. In ForexBrokers.com’s category rankings, FXCM places #4 out of 63 brokers, while FOREX.com ranks #5. If you want MT5, choose FOREX.com; if copy trading matters, FXCM is the better fit. Either way, you get strong web and desktop access plus a free demo to practice before trading live.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both the FOREX.com and FXCM mobile apps are available on iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts, synced watchlists across mobile and web, drawing trendlines on charts, and auto-saving your chart drawings. That means you can set alerts, track your favorite symbols, and pick up where you left off on any device without extra steps.
Where they differ most is in charting depth and third-party reviews. FOREX.com offers 90 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 59 at FXCM. In independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com earned 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while FXCM earned 4.5 stars and ranks #16. If you want a wider range of indicators, FOREX.com has the edge; if you just need a capable app with alerts, syncing, and drawing tools, FXCM still delivers.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 59 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FOREX.com and FXCM are closely matched for market research. Both deliver daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources, Trading Central tools, a sentiment gauge for long vs. short positions, and an economic calendar. Neither broker includes Autochartist or research from Acuity Trading. Each earns a 4.5-star Research rating.
Where they differ: FXCM adds TipRanks research, while FOREX.com does not. Even so, FOREX.com ranks higher for Research with ForexBrokers.com (#7 of 63) compared to FXCM (#11 of 63). If TipRanks is important to you, FXCM has the edge; if overall ranking and similar toolsets matter more, FOREX.com may be the better fit.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing FOREX.com vs FXCM for beginner education: both brokers deliver strong learning support for new forex and CFD traders. Each runs ongoing client webinars at least once a month and offers sizable video libraries with at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, making it easy to progress from basics to more complex strategies.
According to ForexBrokers.com, both FOREX.com and FXCM earn 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education. However, FOREX.com ranks higher overall in the Education category (#4 out of 63 brokers) compared with FXCM (#13 out of 63). If rankings matter to you, FOREX.com has the edge, while FXCM remains a solid choice with similar quality resources for beginners.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FOREX.com is better than FXCM. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #4, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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FOREX.com vs FXCM: neither broker supports buying actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
FOREX.com vs FXCM: both brokers support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, while Visa or Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.8 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Starts from $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 115 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 | 59 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | FXCM Review |
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