Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs IUX, 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.
Founded in 1999, FXCM is a well-established online broker with a strong presence in the financial market. It is publicly traded, offering transparency to its clients, and holds 4 Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. Additionally, FXCM possesses 2 Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 95 out of 99, it is considered a highly trusted broker, making it a favored choice for many traders.
In contrast, IUX was established more recently in 2016 and operates without the backing of being publicly traded. This broker holds 1 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 license, reflecting a more modest regulatory standing. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 78, IUX is regarded as an average risk brokerage. While it is a viable option for some traders, its trust rating and regulatory credentials are not as strong as those of FXCM.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FXCM and IUX, both brokers offer distinct pricing structures tailored to different types of traders. FXCM's forex trading costs lean slightly above the industry average. In May 2024, FXCM's standard account spreads on the EUR/USD pair averaged 0.78 pips in the EU, U.K., and Australia, and 1.38 pips for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity, exceeding the industry norm. Their commission-based accounts showed lower spreads averaging 0.28 pips, but the effective spread climbs to around 0.74 pips when factoring in a commission-equivalent of 0.50 pips per round-turn trade. Notably, FXCM’s Active Trader Rebate Program provides discounts based on trading volume but isn’t available in the U.K. or EU. FXCM achieves a rating of 4 stars and ranks #25 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
Conversely, IUX offers a range of account types that cater to various trading needs. Their standard accounts demand only a $10 minimum deposit, with the Standard+ account supporting deposit bonuses but with wider spreads. The Pro account, featuring a spread-only model, offers lower spreads than standard accounts without additional commissions, with an average spread of 0.7 pips on the EUR/USD pair. The Raw account requires a $500 minimum deposit and boasts the lowest spreads but includes a $6 commission per 100,000 units. The effective spread for this account averages around 0.6 pips when the commission is considered. While IUX provides competitive pricing, especially with its Pro account, it does not surpass the industry's lowest-cost solutions. IUX also garners a 4-star rating but ranks lower at #48 for commissions and fees among 63 brokers.
Overall, FXCM and IUX both offer valuable options for traders, with FXCM providing deeper discounts through its active trader tiers, while IUX’s straightforward account options cater to a diverse clientele. However, each broker has its own strengths, and potential users should consider factors like trading volume, account type, and region-specific availability when selecting the best option to suit their trading needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | 10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 0.6 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FXCM and IUX both cater to forex traders by offering trading through CFDs or spot contracts. FXCM stands out by offering a greater variety of tradeable symbols, with 440 available compared to IUX's 152. When it comes to forex pairs, FXCM also leads, providing access to 46 pairs, whereas IUX offers 34. However, neither broker allows trading in U.S. exchange-traded securities, such as Apple shares, and both restrict access to buying actual cryptocurrencies, only offering cryptocurrency derivatives.
While FXCM does not facilitate trading in international exchange-traded securities, IUX does, allowing investments in companies like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. In terms of copy trading, FXCM offers this feature, unlike IUX. Both brokers boast a similar rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investments. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks slightly higher at #47 among 63 brokers, compared to IUX's #60 ranking, reflecting its broader offering, particularly in tradeable symbols and forex pairs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 152 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 34 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing FXCM and IUX, both online brokers present unique features in their trading platforms and tools. FXCM stands out with its comprehensive offerings, including a proprietary platform, simulated trading with a demo account, and the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform. It also supports copy trading and integrates with ZuluTrade, providing an edge for traders interested in social trading. In addition, FXCM allows trading directly from stock charts and offers a moderate selection of 10 drawing tools for charting.
IUX also offers a proprietary platform, along with a free demo account, and supports the newer MetaTrader 5 (MT5). However, it lacks in the copy trading department and does not integrate with ZuluTrade or MetaTrader 4 (MT4). On the positive side, IUX provides a rich array of 89 drawing tools and an extensive watch list customization with 46 columns. Despite these features, FXCM is rated higher with five stars for its trading platforms and tools, ranking 6th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IUX holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 59th on the same list.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 106 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 89 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 46 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and IUX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android devices, but they cater to different trading needs. FXCM’s app stands out with features like price alerts and the ability to sync watchlists with an online account, which are not available with IUX. When it comes to technical charting, IUX offers 106 technical studies, which is more than FXCM’s 59. However, FXCM provides the ability to draw trendlines on charts, a feature absent in the IUX app. Both apps allow users to view multiple time frames and automatically save chart drawings, catering to traders who require detailed technical analysis.
For creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both FXCM and IUX offer this capability in their apps. FXCM, however, receives higher accolades for mobile trading, achieving a 4.5-star rating compared to IUX’s 3.5-star rating. Additionally, FXCM is ranked #16 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, while IUX is positioned at #60. This suggests that FXCM may provide a more versatile and user-friendly mobile trading experience for those who value advanced features and integration.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 106 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| 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 the market research offerings of FXCM and IUX, FXCM clearly stands out with its extensive suite of tools and resources. FXCM provides daily market commentary and delivers forex news sourced from high-profile entities like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Additionally, FXCM utilizes advanced technical analysis tools from Trading Central and offers a sentiment-based trading tool, helping traders understand long and short positions across various currency pairs. Market research from TipRanks is also available, enhancing the trader's ability to make informed decisions. They also provide an economic calendar to keep track of key global events. On the other hand, while IUX does offer an economic calendar, it lacks the daily market commentary, top-tier forex news, and advanced research tools that FXCM provides.
Considering these differences, it's no surprise that FXCM has received a 4.5-star rating for its research capabilities compared to IUX's 3-star rating. Furthermore, FXCM's research offerings have earned it an impressive 11th place ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IUX is positioned much lower at 59th place. For traders who prioritize comprehensive market research, FXCM offers a richer selection of tools and resources to aid in successful trading strategies, making it a preferred choice over IUX.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| 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 compared to IUX. FXCM provides beginner traders with over 10 educational pieces, such as articles and videos, focusing primarily on forex and CFDs. In addition to this, FXCM hosts monthly online webinars that clients can participate in and offers a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars. These features make it easier for beginners to continuously learn and grow their trading skills at their own pace. IUX, on the other hand, does not offer the same breadth of basic educational resources. While they do provide more than 10 beginner-focused videos, they lack the variety found in FXCM's offerings and do not host educational webinars or maintain a library of past sessions.
FXCM also exceeds IUX in providing educational support for more advanced traders. It offers at least 10 advanced educational videos tailored specifically for experienced traders, while IUX does not include this level of advanced content. Furthermore, FXCM provides an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, a tool especially helpful for those new to trading. Due to these comprehensive educational resources, FXCM has earned a reputable 4.5-star rating for education and is ranked 14th in the education category by ForexBrokers.com, out of 63 brokers. In contrast, IUX holds a 3-star rating and is ranked 59th, indicating a significant gap in educational support for budding traders.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 IUX. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while IUX finished with an overall rank of #55.
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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IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 78 |
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While both FXCM and IUX do not offer the capability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, they each provide options to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
In a head-to-head comparison of deposit and withdrawal options, FXCM surpasses IUX by offering a wider variety of methods including ACH, SEPA transfers, and PayPal, in addition to shared options like Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while IUX lacks both ACH, SEPA, and PayPal capabilities.
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 | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | IUX | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 152 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 34 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 0.6 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | 10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 46 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 106 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 89 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 106 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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