Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs GBE brokers, 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, is a well-regarded online broker known for its solid regulatory standing and public listing. It holds an impressive Trust Score of 95 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is highly trusted. FXCM's strong regulatory position is underscored by its possession of 4 Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of trust, and 2 additional Tier-2 licenses. It is not a bank, but it assures reliability through these licenses and its presence on a stock exchange, offering clients an added layer of transparency and accountability.
Founded in 2013, GBE Brokers is a newer player in the online brokerage industry. It is privately held and, like FXCM, is not a bank. It holds one Tier-1 license, providing a basic level of high trust for its clients. However, with a Trust Score of 71 from ForexBrokers.com, GBE Brokers ranks within the average risk category, which suggests potential clients should weigh this factor carefully. Without any Tier-2 licenses, GBE Brokers may not offer the same regulatory assurance as its more established counterpart, FXCM.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2013 |
| 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 | 1 |
When considering FXCM and GBE brokers for your trading needs, examining their commissions and fees is essential. FXCM's forex trading pricing is slightly above the industry average. During May 2024, spreads on the EUR/USD for FXCM's EU, U.K., and Australia branches averaged 0.78 pips, while the St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity had a higher average of 1.38 pips. On commission-based accounts, average spreads were 0.28 pips, excluding commission charges. FXCM offers an Active Trader Rebate Program, providing rebates from $5 to $25 per million traded for accounts with significant monthly volumes, though it's not available in the U.K. and EU. Overall, FXCM achieves a 4-star rating and ranks 24th among 62 brokers for its commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, GBE brokers do not have specific average spread data available for comparison against the industry. Despite this lack of detailed information, GBE brokers also receive a 4-star rating for commissions and fees. However, its ranking is lower, sitting at 37th out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating that while it may be on par in terms of customer satisfaction, it may not be as competitive as FXCM in terms of fees and their management.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
Considering the range of investments, both FXCM and GBE brokers offer a strong selection of trading opportunities. FXCM provides an extensive choice with 440 tradeable symbols and 43 forex pairs, while GBE brokers takes a slight lead with 500 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs. Both platforms support forex trading as either CFDs or spot contracts, but neither offers exchange-traded securities like U.S. or international stocks. This might be a limitation for investors looking to trade physical shares.
In terms of cryptocurrency offerings, FXCM and GBE brokers both allow trading cryptocurrency derivatives, but they do not provide the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies. Copy trading is available on both platforms, aligning them with modern trading options tailored for novices and experienced traders alike. Despite their similar offerings, FXCM and GBE brokers received identical ratings of 3.5 stars for their range of investments. Nevertheless, when ranked among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, GBE brokers slightly outperformed FXCM, securing the 44th spot compared to FXCM's 47th.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 71 |
| 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.
When exploring online trading platforms, FXCM and GBE Brokers present distinct choices for traders. FXCM shines with its proprietary platform developed in-house, offering traders a unique experience alongside the industry-favored MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Meanwhile, GBE Brokers provides the benefit of using MetaTrader 5 (MT5), appealing to those preferring the latest tools. Both brokers permit trading via desktop and web-based platforms, solidifying accessibility for users. Each platform carries support for copy trading, yet FXCM goes a step further by providing access to ZuluTrade, a popular social trading option.
In terms of features, FXCM and GBE Brokers are evenly matched in some areas, each offering free virtual demo accounts and trading directly from stock charts. However, FXCM takes the lead with an impressive 13 columns for watch lists, compared to GBE's seven, and receives higher ratings for trading platforms and tools, earning 5 stars along with a top-six ranking by ForexBrokers.com. GBE Brokers, rated 4 stars and ranked 57th, offers more drawing tools for charting with 15 available. Both platforms are well-equipped, yet FXCM's proprietary options and additional trading features consistently set it apart for many traders.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary 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 | 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.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FXCM and GBE Brokers cater to users on iPhone and Android platforms, making trading accessible regardless of device preference. They offer price alerts and real-time watchlists, ensuring traders stay informed on market dynamics. Both brokers provide features like drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts, which are essential for doing in-depth market analysis. However, FXCM surpasses GBE Brokers with its seamless watchlist symbol syncing, allowing users to maintain their watchlist across devices. This added convenience is a significant advantage for those who actively manage their portfolios.
FXCM impresses with 59 technical studies available within its app, while GBE Brokers offers a more limited selection of 30 studies. For those who rely on technical analysis, the broader range of options available in FXCM's app could be a deciding factor. Additionally, both apps offer the autosave feature for chart drawings, providing a seamless user experience. With a rating of 4.5 stars, FXCM holds a competitive edge in user satisfaction compared to GBE Brokers' 4-star rating. On top of this, FXCM ranks #16 in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, significantly outperforming GBE Brokers, which stands at #57. This ranking underscores FXCM's superior position in providing a user-friendly and efficient mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 comparing FXCM and GBE brokers in terms of market research, it's clear that FXCM offers a more comprehensive suite of resources. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to sentiment-based trading tools, which help traders understand market dynamics. However, FXCM stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, along with research tools like Technical Analytics from Trading Central. Moreover, FXCM users benefit from insights through TipRanks, adding depth to their market analysis. In contrast, GBE brokers lack these features, which limits their research offerings.
Additionally, both brokers provide economic calendars for tracking global news events, which are essential tools for traders. Despite some similarities, FXCM's higher rating of 4.5 stars for research compared to GBE brokers' 3 stars underscores their superior offering. This distinction is further reflected in their ranking by ForexBrokers.com, where FXCM is ranked #11 out of 62 brokers in the Research category, while GBE brokers lag significantly behind at #61, indicating a notable gap in market research capabilities.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, FXCM stands out as a superior choice compared to GBE Brokers. FXCM not only offers more than 10 educational resources such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs, but also provides interactive, client-focused webinars every month. For those who prefer to learn at their own pace, a comprehensive archive of previously recorded webinars is readily accessible. In terms of beginner and advanced video content, FXCM ensures its traders are well-equipped with over 10 videos tailored for both novice and seasoned traders. Additionally, it features a detailed investor dictionary, boasting definitions for over 50 investing terms, further solidifying its educational offerings.
Conversely, GBE Brokers lacks a comparable range of educational resources, failing to meet the minimum standard of 10 educational materials focused on trading. The absence of webinars and a searchable webinar archive makes it difficult for newcomers to benefit from a structured learning path. Their limited library, particularly for beginner and advanced videos, and the lack of an investor dictionary, reflects their modest focus on investor education. Ranked #62 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, GBE Brokers lags in educational resources, earning a 3-star rating compared to FXCM’s impressive 4.5-star score. This makes FXCM a more favorable choice for those seeking a richer educational experience in the world of trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than GBE brokers. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #56.
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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GBE brokers
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 |
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Both FXCM and GBE Brokers do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both FXCM and GBE brokers provide a comprehensive range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, ensuring flexible and convenient financial transactions for their users.
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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2013 | |
| 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 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 71 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary 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 | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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