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 |
FOREX.com vs. FXCM on commissions and fees: both earn 4.5 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees rankings, FOREX.com places #15 of 63 brokers, while FXCM is #17 of 63. Here’s how their pricing shakes out on popular account types and the EUR/USD pair.
FOREX.com: In the U.S., the Standard account’s typical EUR/USD spread is about 1.4 pips; outside the U.S., it averaged 0.74 pips (July 2023). The RAW Spread account posts a typical 0.13‑pip spread (February 2024) plus a $7 per standard lot commission round‑turn ($3.50 per side). That commission is roughly 0.7 pips, putting the all‑in around 0.83 pips before rebates. Active traders can earn $2–$9 per million in rebates across six tiers. For most U.S. traders doing under $50 million per month, the RAW account’s all‑in costs end up close to the Standard account, with differences mainly in execution and platforms. The RAW account is available in the U.S., EU, and Canada.
FXCM: Standard spreads on EUR/USD averaged 0.78 pips in the EU, U.K., and Australia (May 2024), and 1.38 pips under the St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. FXCM’s commission-based pricing averaged a 0.28‑pip core spread; after commissions, the effective spread is about 0.74 pips. Its Active Trader Rebate Program (five tiers) pays $5–$25 per million once you trade at least $10 million monthly. In the U.K., for example, a $25,000 balance and $50 million in monthly volume can reduce commissions to $2.50 per side ($5 round‑turn), making the effective cost around 0.78 pips on EUR/USD. As with any broker, spreads can widen during rollover or in fast 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.
Comparing the range of investments, FOREX.com offers far more variety with about 5,500 tradable symbols versus FXCM’s 440. Currency traders also get more choice at FOREX.com with 80 forex pairs, compared to 46 at FXCM. Both brokers let you trade forex either as spot or as CFDs, and both support cryptocurrency CFDs (but not direct coin purchases).
For stocks, only FOREX.com lets clients buy actual exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges; FXCM does not offer real share dealing. If you want copy trading, FXCM provides it, while FOREX.com does not. Reflecting these differences, ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com 5 stars and ranks it #6 out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, while FXCM earns 4.5 stars and ranks #21.
| 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 both deliver strong market research for everyday traders. Each offers daily market commentary, streaming forex news from top-tier outlets (e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters, Dow Jones), Trading Central tools for technical and fundamental insights, a sentiment gauge showing long/short positioning, and a handy economic calendar. Neither broker integrates Autochartist or Acuity Trading at this time.
The key difference: FXCM adds TipRanks research, while FOREX.com does not. Even so, FOREX.com earns a higher Research score—5 stars and a #7 rank out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com—compared with FXCM’s 4.5 stars and #11 rank. Choose FOREX.com if top-rated, in-house research matters most; pick FXCM if TipRanks integration is a must-have alongside solid market news and tools.
| 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 education for beginners, both FOREX.com and FXCM deliver a large library of forex and CFD learning materials. Each broker easily clears the bar of 10+ educational pieces, runs client webinars at least once a month, and offers 10 or more beginner-friendly videos that explain core trading topics. As you progress, both also provide 10+ advanced videos, so you can continue building skills beyond the basics.
Where they differ is in third-party ratings: ForexBrokers.com gives FOREX.com a 5-star Education score and ranks it #4 out of 63 brokers, while FXCM earns 4.5 stars and ranks #13. In short, both are strong for new traders, but FOREX.com has a slight edge for those seeking the highest-rated, wide-ranging lessons and regular live sessions. FXCM is still a solid pick with plenty of tutorials and webinars, especially if its platform or features suit your style.
| 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
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FXCM
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|---|---|---|
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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 CMA 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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