FXCM vs Markets.com 2025

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.

Regulation

When comparing FXCM and Markets.com, both brokers have a strong regulatory presence, having been founded in 1999. FXCM is publicly traded, unlike Markets.com, which offers an added layer of transparency for potential investors. In terms of regulatory licenses, FXCM holds four Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, while Markets.com holds three. Both brokers are not banks, yet they are well-regarded in the forex trading world.

The ForexBrokers.com Trust Score further underscores their reliability, with FXCM scoring a 95 out of 99, denoting a highly trusted broker status. Markets.com follows closely behind with a Trust Score of 93, also placing it in the highly trusted category. FXCM has the edge with additional Tier-2 licenses, holding two compared to Markets.com's one, further enhancing its trusted status among online traders.

Feature	FXCM	Markets.com
Year Founded info	1999	1999
Publicly Traded (Listed) info	Yes	No
Bank info	No	No
Tier-1 Licenses info	4	3
Tier-2 Licenses info	2	1
Tier-3 Licenses info	0	0
Tier-4 Licenses info	0	1

Fees

When it comes to commissions and fees, FXCM earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 25th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 51st. FXCM’s pricing for forex is slightly higher than the industry average on its standard account, but it offers clear, publishable data and alternatives that can lower costs. Markets.com does not publish comparable average spread figures, which makes direct comparison harder.

FXCM’s May 2024 time‑weighted average spread on EUR/USD was 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia entities, and 1.38 pips under its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity (above the industry average). Its commission-based account averaged a 0.28‑pip core spread (excluding commission) in May 2024; after adding the commission (about 0.50 pips per round turn), the effective spread is closer to 0.74 pips. FXCM’s Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) offers five tiers that rebate $5 to $25 per million traded for qualifying volumes; requirements vary by region—for example, in the U.K., a $25,000 balance and $50 million in monthly volume brings the commission to $2.50 per side ($5 round turn). As with most forex brokers, spreads can widen at rollover or during volatile conditions.

Markets.com does not provide average spread data, so typical EUR/USD pricing and effective spreads aren’t publicly comparable. That opacity helps explain its lower ranking (51/63) and 3.5/5 fee rating versus FXCM’s 25/63 ranking and 4/5 rating. If you prioritize fee clarity, FXCM’s published spreads, commission-based option, and volume rebates offer more visibility into potential trading costs, while with Markets.com you’ll need to rely on live quotes and official disclosures to gauge your actual fees.

Feature	FXCM	Markets.com
Minimum Deposit info	Starts from $50	$100
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info	0.9 info	N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info	0.8 info	N/A info
Non-wire bank transfer info	Yes	No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info	Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info	Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info	Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Range of investments

Comparing FXCM vs Markets.com for range of investments: both brokers support forex trading via CFDs/spot, offer copy trading, and provide cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto or exchange-traded shares in the U.S. or abroad. The biggest difference is scale. Markets.com lists 2,179 tradeable symbols and 57 forex pairs, while FXCM offers 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs. If you want more markets to explore under one roof, Markets.com has the larger catalog.

Independent ratings also favor Markets.com for breadth. ForexBrokers.com scores Markets.com 4 out of 5 stars and ranks it 30th of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, compared with FXCM’s 3.5 out of 5 stars and a 48th place ranking. Bottom line: both cover popular instruments, copy trading, and crypto CFDs, but Markets.com edges out FXCM with a wider selection.

Feature	FXCM	Markets.com
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info	Yes	Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info	440	2179
Forex Pairs (Total) info	46 info	57
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info	No	No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info	No	No
Copy Trading info	Yes	Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info	No	No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info	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.

Trading platforms and tools

FXCM vs Markets.com: Both online brokers offer free demo accounts for paper trading, proprietary in-house platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each supports copy trading and MetaTrader 4 (MT4). A key difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5) support—Markets.com offers MT5, while FXCM does not.

When it comes to charting and execution, FXCM lets you place trades directly from a chart, whereas Markets.com does not. According to ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools ratings, FXCM scores 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers, while Markets.com scores 4 stars and ranks #27. If you need MT5, Markets.com fits the bill; if trading from charts and higher-rated platform tools matter most, FXCM stands out.

Feature	FXCM	Markets.com
Virtual Trading (Demo) info	Yes	Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info	Yes	Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info	Yes	Yes
Web Platform info	Yes	Yes
Copy Trading info	Yes	Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info	Yes	Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info	No	Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info	115	89
Charting - Trade From Chart info	Yes	No

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

FXCM and Markets.com both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts and watchlists that sync across devices and the web. For charting, FXCM stands out with 59 built-in technical studies. Markets.com’s own app has no built-in studies; if you trade through MT4, you get MT4’s default indicators. Both apps let you draw trendlines on stock or forex charts.

FXCM also auto-saves your chart drawings, while Markets.com does not. In independent reviews, FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #16 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, compared with Markets.com at 4 stars and #34. If you value deeper mobile charting and saved annotations, FXCM has the edge; if you just need core features like alerts and synced watchlists, both apps cover the basics.

Feature	FXCM	Markets.com
Android App info	Yes	Yes
Apple iOS App info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info	59	(default on MT4, none on Markets app)
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info	Yes	No

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

FXCM and Markets.com both provide strong market research support for traders looking to stay updated and informed. They each offer daily market commentary and deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring users receive high-quality information. Additionally, both platforms include sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars to help traders make more informed decisions. However, a closer look reveals some key differences. FXCM stands out by offering Trading Central analytics, which Markets.com does not, providing an edge for those who value comprehensive technical insights. FXCM also includes market research from TipRanks, adding another layer of depth to its research offerings, while Markets.com does not. Neither platform, however, features Autochartist or Acuity Trading research tools.

When it comes to ratings, FXCM has a slight edge over Markets.com in research, earning a 4.5-star rating and ranking 11th out of 63 brokers in the Research category by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Markets.com holds a 4-star rating, ranking 17th among its peers. While both brokers offer valuable resources for traders, FXCM's higher rating and rank suggest a more comprehensive suite of research tools and support, potentially making it a more attractive option for those prioritizing in-depth analysis and insights in their trading decisions.

Feature	FXCM	Markets.com
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info	Yes	Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info	Yes	Yes
Autochartist info	No	No
Trading Central info	Yes	No
Client sentiment data info	Yes	Yes
TipRanks info	Yes	No
Acuity Trading info	No	No
Economic Calendar info	Yes	Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

FXCM and Markets.com both deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education. Each broker offers at least 10 beginner videos, plus monthly educational webinars, so newcomers can learn the basics in a guided way. They also provide at least 10 advanced videos, giving you room to grow as your skills improve. Altogether, both brokers easily clear the baseline of 10+ educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs.

For quality, FXCM has the edge: it earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com scores 4 stars and ranks #34. If education is your top priority, FXCM is the stronger pick for beginners. Markets.com remains a good option with frequent webinars and a sizable video library if you prefer its platform and still want helpful learning resources.

Feature	FXCM	Markets.com
Webinars info	Yes	Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info	Yes	Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info	Yes	Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than Markets.com. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.

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	Markets.com
Overall Rating info
Trust Score info	95	93
Range of Investments
Commissions & Fees
Platforms & Tools
Research
Mobile Trading
Education

FAQs

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Overall Rating	FXCM	Markets.com
Overall Rating info
Commissions & Fees
Range of Investments
Platforms & Tools
Mobile Trading
Research
Education
Trust Score info	95	93
Winner	check_circle
Review	FXCM Review

Broker Screenshots	FXCM	Markets.com
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info

Regulation	FXCM	Markets.com
Trust Score info	95	93
Year Founded info	1999	1999
Publicly Traded (Listed) info	Yes	No
Bank info	No	No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info	Yes info	Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info	4	3
Tier-2 Licenses info	2	1
Tier-3 Licenses info	0	0
Tier-4 Licenses info	0	1

Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted)	FXCM	Markets.com
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info	Yes	Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info	Yes	No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info	No	No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info	No	No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info	No	No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info	Yes	No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info	No	No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info	No	No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info	Yes info	Yes info

Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted)	FXCM	Markets.com
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info	Yes	No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info	Yes	Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) info	No	No
India (SEBI Authorised) info	No	No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info

Investments	FXCM	Markets.com
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info	Yes	Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info	440	2179
Forex Pairs (Total) info	46 info	57
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info	No	No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info	No	No
Copy Trading info	Yes	Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info	No	No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info	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	Markets.com
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info	0.9 info	N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info	0.8 info	N/A info
Inactivity Fee info	Yes	No
Order execution: Agency info	Yes	No
Order execution: Market Maker info	Yes	Yes

Funding	FXCM	Markets.com
Minimum Deposit info	Starts from $50	$100
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info	Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info	Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info	Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info	Yes	No

Trading Platforms	FXCM	Markets.com
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info	Yes	Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info	Yes	Yes
Web Platform info	Yes	Yes
Copy Trading info	Yes	Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info	Yes	Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info	No	Yes
cTrader info	No	No

Trading Tools	FXCM	Markets.com
Virtual Trading (Demo) info	Yes	Yes
Price Alerts info	Yes	No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info	115	89
Charting - Trade From Chart info	Yes	No
Charts can be saved info	Yes	Yes

Mobile Trading	FXCM	Markets.com
Android App info	Yes	Yes
Apple iOS App info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info	59	(default on MT4, none on Markets app)
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info	Yes	Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info	Yes	No
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info	Yes	No

Research	FXCM	Markets.com
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info	Yes	Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info	Yes	Yes
Autochartist info	No	No
Trading Central info	Yes	No
TipRanks info	Yes	No
Client sentiment data info	Yes	Yes
Economic Calendar info	Yes	Yes

Education	FXCM	Markets.com
Webinars info	Yes	Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info	Yes	Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info	Yes	Yes

Major Forex Pairs	FXCM	Markets.com
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info	Yes	Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review	FXCM Review

Overall	FXCM	Markets.com
Overall Rating info
Commissions & Fees
Range of Investments
Platforms & Tools
Mobile Trading
Research
Education
Trust Score info	95	93
Winner	check_circle
Review	FXCM Review