Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Markets.com, 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.
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 | 1999 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing FXCM and Markets.com in terms of commissions and fees, FXCM's pricing for forex trading tends to be slightly above the industry average. For its standard account spreads, FXCM's time-weighted average spread on the EUR/USD currency pair in May 2024 was 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings, while for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity the spread was 1.38 pips—higher than the industry norm. Commission-based accounts exhibited average spreads of 0.28 pips, but the effective spread is approximately 0.74 pips after incorporating the commission-equivalent of 0.50 pips per round-turn trade.
FXCM also offers an Active Trader Rebate Program outside the U.K. and EU, featuring a five-tier rebate structure. Depending on the trading volume—beginning at a minimum of $10 million per month—traders can receive rebates ranging from $5 to $25 per million traded. Despite these rebates, competitors like Tickmill and FP Markets may provide more appealing rates for active traders. For FXCM clients in the U.K., a $25,000 account balance and $50 million in monthly trading volume could see significant fee reductions, where commissions per side could fall to $2.5, bringing the effective spread to 0.78 pips based on the same time reference data.
For commissions and fees, FXCM earns a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 25th out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Markets.com, for which specific average spread data is not available, receives a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars and holds the 50th position among the 63 brokers evaluated. These ratings and rankings can guide traders in determining which platform might align more closely with their cost considerations and trading strategies.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| 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 | 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.
When comparing the investment offerings of FXCM and Markets.com, both online brokers provide forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. FXCM offers 440 tradeable symbols, which includes 46 forex pairs, while Markets.com provides a larger selection with 2179 tradeable symbols and 57 forex pairs. Despite the wider selection at Markets.com, neither broker offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, so clients cannot purchase shares like Apple or Vodafone directly through these platforms.
Both FXCM and Markets.com support the exciting feature of copy trading, allowing clients to replicate the trades of successful investors. For those interested in cryptocurrencies, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives but do not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. When examining their ratings, FXCM holds a 3.5-star rating for its range of investments, while Markets.com edges higher with a 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is ranked #47 out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, whereas Markets.com stands at #29, indicating a broader array of investment options at the latter.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 57 |
| 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools of FXCM and Markets.com, both brokers provide a solid range of features, including the availability of free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms. Each broker offers a Windows-based desktop download platform and a web-based trading platform accessible via the browser. Additionally, both support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), but only Markets.com extends its offerings to include MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For those interested in copy trading, FXCM supports ZuluTrade whereas Markets.com does not. Neither broker offers DupliTrade.
FXCM provides a more comprehensive charting experience with 10 drawing tools compared to Markets.com's four. Additionally, FXCM allows traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, a feature not available with Markets.com. When it comes to watch lists, FXCM offers functionality with 13 columns, versus Markets.com's six. Overall, FXCM is rated five stars for trading platforms and tools, with a strong ranking of 6th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Markets.com, while offering a commendable suite of tools, is rated four stars and ranked 27th in the same category.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FXCM and Markets.com deliver apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, allowing users to trade conveniently on the go. Both platforms also enhance user experience by offering stock and forex price alerts and seamless syncing of watchlists between the app and the online account. FXCM, however, takes a lead with its offering of 59 technical studies for charting, while Markets.com primarily relies on the default studies available on the MT4 platform. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines on charts, but FXCM stands out by offering multiple time frame views, unlike Markets.com.
Additionally, FXCM's app automatically saves chart drawings, a feature that Markets.com's app lacks. Traders looking to create watchlists with real-time quotes will find that both platforms support this functionality. However, in terms of overall user satisfaction, FXCM has an edge with a rating of 4.5 stars out of five, compared to the 4 stars awarded to Markets.com. This is further reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where FXCM holds the 16th position, significantly ahead of Markets.com, which ranks 33rd out of 63 brokers. These distinctions highlight FXCM's superior mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 comparing the educational resources for beginners at FXCM and Markets.com, there's a noticeable difference in the breadth and depth of material available. FXCM offers a comprehensive range of over ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring beginners have a strong foundation. Meanwhile, Markets.com does not match this level of educational content, providing fewer resources in these areas. Both platforms hold monthly webinars to help clients expand their trading knowledge, but FXCM further supports learning with a searchable archive of past webinars, a feature Markets.com lacks. Additionally, FXCM and Markets.com each provide over ten beginner-friendly educational videos, catering to new traders eager to grasp essential trading concepts.
For those seeking an extensive educational experience, FXCM stands out with an investor dictionary containing more than 50 terms, a resource that Markets.com doesn’t offer. Both brokers do a commendable job in presenting advanced educational videos, which is beneficial for experienced traders hoping to enhance their skills. When rated, FXCM achieves 4.5 stars for education, positioning itself as a more favorable option compared to Markets.com, which holds 4 stars. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM enjoys a higher placement at #14 out of 63 brokers, while Markets.com comes in at #34, reflecting the stronger emphasis on educational offerings at FXCM.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 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 |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 93 |
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Both FXCM and Markets.com do not provide options to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
FXCM outshines Markets.com in terms of funding flexibility by supporting ACH and SEPA transfers and embracing PayPal alongside Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Markets.com accepts withdrawals and deposits through Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks the option for ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transactions.
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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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