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 brokerage compared to the more recent entrant, IUX, which started in 2016. FXCM is publicly traded, adding a layer of transparency that IUX lacks since it is not listed on any stock exchange. Neither of these brokers operate as banks, focusing solely on providing trading services.
When it comes to regulatory credentials, FXCM stands out with four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, signaling a strong degree of trust and reliability in the financial markets. This reputation is further reinforced by FXCM’s impressive Trust Score of 95 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, IUX, which holds only one Tier-2 license and no Tier-1 licenses, has a lower Trust Score of 69, placing it in the high-risk category. This tangible difference in regulatory backing reflects the varying confidence levels traders might have when choosing between these two online brokers.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, FXCM presents a mixed offering. The standard account spreads for FXCM vary depending on the region, with the EU and UK spreads averaging 0.78 on the EUR/USD and those in St. Vincent and the Grenadines coming in at 1.38, both slightly higher than the industry average. However, for its commission-based accounts, FXCM offers competitive spreads averaging 0.28, though these are before commission fees. FXCM’s Active Trader Rebate Program provides discounts based on trading volume, yet the program is not available in all regions such as the UK or EU. Overall, FXCM is rated four stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #24 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Alternatively, IUX provides various account types that cater to different trading needs with lower entry requirements. Their Standard and Standard+ accounts require a mere $10 minimum deposit, offering spreads of 0.9 and 0.7 pips on average for EUR/USD, without additional commission fees. For more active traders, the Raw and Pro accounts have a higher minimum deposit requirement of $500, with the Raw account offering very low spreads plus a commission fee. IUX’s fees are competitive for a smaller broker but do not particularly stand out in the market. Like FXCM, IUX also receives a four-star rating for commissions and fees and holds the #49 position among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Both FXCM and IUX provide distinct options concerning commissions and fees. FXCM is noted for its potential savings with high trading volumes, while IUX shines in its low initial deposit requirement with competitive spreads for its account offerings. When selecting between these brokers, traders should carefully consider their trading volume, preferred pricing models, and regional availability to find the best fit for their investment strategy.
| 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 provide access to forex trading, offering currency pairs as contracts for difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. In terms of sheer quantity, FXCM boasts a broader selection with 440 tradeable symbols, including 43 forex pairs, while IUX offers a narrower range of 152 symbols and 34 forex pairs. Neither platform provides options for buying actual shares on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple, and both lack the capability for users to purchase actual cryptocurrencies. However, they both facilitate trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. A notable difference is that FXCM supports copy trading, allowing users to mimic the trades of experienced investors, whereas IUX does not offer this feature.
Despite their similarities and differences, both brokers hold the same rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investment offerings. When it comes to international markets, IUX allows clients to buy shares from international exchanges, like Vodafone in London, whereas FXCM does not. Although ForexBrokers.com ranks FXCM higher at #47 out of 63 brokers for their range of investments compared to IUX's rank at #60, the choice between these two may depend on specific trading needs such as copy trading and access to international exchanges.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 152 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 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 #63.
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
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 69 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 69 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 69 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| 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 | 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | 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 | No |
| Investments | FXCM | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 152 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 69 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill