Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs FXOpen, 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, established in 1999, and FXOpen, founded in 2003, offer online trading services but differ significantly in terms of trust and regulation. FXCM is publicly traded, which adds a layer of transparency for investors. Meanwhile, FXOpen is not publicly listed. Neither company functions as a bank. In terms of regulatory oversight, FXCM holds 4 Tier-1 licenses, making it highly trusted, and 2 Tier-2 licenses, which are also considered reliable. FXOpen, on the other hand, holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses.
When evaluating the ForexBrokers.com Trust Score, a key measure of broker reliability, FXCM scores an impressive 95 out of 99, categorizing it as highly trusted. FXOpen scores a 76, marking it as posing an average risk. This means that FXCM offers a more secure option for traders who prioritize trust and regulatory compliance in their trading platform choice.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
FXCM vs FXOpen on commissions and fees: Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for pricing, but FXCM ranks higher at #25 of 63 while FXOpen sits at #45 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com). FXCM’s overall pricing for forex is slightly higher than the industry average, yet it offers paths to lower costs for active traders. FXOpen lacks published average spread data, making a direct, like-for-like price comparison harder despite the same star rating.
FXCM’s May 2024 data shows average EUR/USD spreads of 0.78 pips on standard accounts in the EU, U.K., and Australia, and 1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission-based accounts averaged 0.28 pips (excluding commissions), with an estimated effective spread near 0.74 pips after adding about 0.50 pips per round-turn in commissions. The Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) has five tiers and requires at least $10 million in monthly volume, paying $5 to $25 per million traded. In the U.K., holding $25,000 and trading $50 million per month can drop the commission to $2.5 per side ($5 round-turn), yielding an effective spread around 0.78 pips (based on a 0.28-pip core). As with many brokers, spreads can widen during rollover or unusual market conditions.
For FXOpen, average spread data is not available. It holds a 4 out of 5 stars rating and is ranked #45 of 63 for Commissions and Fees by ForexBrokers.com. Without published averages, you’ll need to check live quotes and account-specific commissions to gauge costs versus FXCM. If you qualify for FXCM’s volume discounts or trade via its lower-core-spread commission setup, FXCM may offer clearer—and potentially lower—effective pricing depending on your account entity and monthly volume.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.9 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts [DELETED] | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) [DELETED] | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing FXCM vs FXOpen on range of investments, FXCM offers far more choice overall: 440 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs, versus FXOpen’s 87 symbols and 25 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex via CFDs or spot contracts, and both support copy trading. If you’re looking for stock ownership, neither broker offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges. For crypto, both allow trading through derivatives but do not provide access to buy actual cryptocurrencies.
Ratings echo the lineup differences: FXCM earns 3.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and is ranked 48th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while FXOpen scores 3 out of 5 stars and ranks 63rd. In short, FXCM suits traders who want a wider selection of markets, while FXOpen caters to those who prefer a simpler menu centered on key forex pairs and crypto derivatives.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 87 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 25 |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
FXCM and FXOpen both make it easy to get started with a free demo account, plus web and Windows desktop platforms. FXCM adds a proprietary, in-house platform alongside MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while FXOpen skips a house platform but supports both MT4 and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Each broker includes copy trading and lets you place orders directly from charts, so you can manage trades without switching screens.
For platform quality, FXCM stands out: it’s rated 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. FXOpen earns 4 stars and ranks #54. Choose FXCM if you want an in-house platform and high marks for tools; pick FXOpen if MT5 access matters most while still getting MT4, copy trading, and browser/desktop options.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields [DELETED] |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and FXOpen both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts and real-time quote watchlists available on each. FXCM stands out by syncing watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, so changes follow you across devices, while FXOpen does not support watchlist syncing.
For charting, both apps let you draw trendlines, but FXCM provides 59 technical studies compared with 30 at FXOpen and also auto‑saves your chart drawings (FXOpen does not). Reflecting these differences, ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM 4.5 stars and ranks it 16th out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while FXOpen earns 4 stars and ranks 55th. If mobile charting depth and cross‑device convenience matter, FXCM has the edge; if you just need the basics on iPhone or Android, FXOpen can still fit the bill.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | ||
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM and FXOpen both cover the basics for market research with daily commentary, top-tier forex news (from sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones), and an economic calendar. Neither integrates Autochartist. FXCM goes further by offering Trading Central analytics, a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, and research from TipRanks. FXCM does not use Acuity Trading tools, and FXOpen does not list Trading Central, a sentiment tool, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading among its features.
According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM earns a 4.5/5 research rating and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers, while FXOpen holds a 3/5 rating and is ranked #64. In short, traders who want built-in analysis and sentiment data may prefer FXCM, whereas FXOpen covers essential news, commentary, and calendar tools for straightforward market tracking.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
FXCM vs FXOpen for beginner education: FXCM has a clear edge. FXCM runs online client webinars at least once a month and offers 10+ beginner videos plus 10+ advanced videos that cover trading topics step by step. FXOpen does not hold monthly educational webinars and does not meet the 10-video threshold for beginner or advanced content. Whether either broker provides a broader set of at least 10 forex/CFD educational pieces overall, a searchable archive of past webinars, or an investor dictionary with 50+ terms was not specified.
The ratings reflect this gap. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM scores 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #14 of 63 brokers, while FXOpen earns 3 stars and ranks #59. If you’re a new trader looking for structured learning through videos and live sessions, FXCM is likely the stronger pick. FXOpen may suit traders who do not rely on frequent webinars or large video libraries.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | ||
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) [DELETED] | ||
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) [DELETED] |
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 FXOpen. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while FXOpen finished with an overall rank of #54.
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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FXOpen
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 76 |
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Both FXCM and FXOpen do not provide the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, instead, they offer the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
FXCM offers ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, while FXOpen supports Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | FXOpen | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 76 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| 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 | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 87 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 25 | |
| 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). |
| Cost | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.9 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | FXCM | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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