OANDA vs FXCM 2025
In this head to head comparison of OANDA vs FXCM, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of OANDA vs FXCM, 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.
OANDA, established in 1996, and FXCM, founded in 1999, are two online brokers that offer forex trading but differ in several key areas, including their regulatory framework and Trust Score ratings. OANDA holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating a strong regulatory position, while FXCM has 4 Tier-1 licenses and an additional 2 Tier-2 licenses. Both brokers are not publicly traded and are not banks, but they maintain a solid presence in the trading world with OANDA earning a Trust Score of 93 and FXCM slightly higher at 95, as rated by ForexBrokers.com.
While OANDA's regulatory standing benefits from a greater number of Tier-1 licenses, FXCM's higher Trust Score indicates slightly more trust from ForexBrokers.com. However, OANDA remains a highly trusted choice with its 93 Trust Score. Investors looking to choose between these two brokers should consider these regulatory credentials and trust levels to better match their trading needs and preferences.
Feature |
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Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 |
Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | Yes |
Bank | No | No |
Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
Both OANDA and FXCM earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but their cost profiles differ. FXCM ranks #25 of 63 in this category, while OANDA ranks #35 of 63. OANDA’s trading costs tend to be on the high side versus the cheapest brokers, whereas FXCM’s pricing is described as slightly above the industry average yet can be competitive on its commission-based plan.
OANDA’s default (commission-free) spreads were about 1.61 pips on EUR/USD in July 2024. Its Core Pricing option lowers the spread but adds a commission of $5 per $100,000 per side ($10 round turn) and requires a $10,000 minimum deposit; in the example provided, that brings EUR/USD to roughly 1.4 pips all-in versus 1.6 pips on the standard plan. OANDA also lets you trade as small as 1 unit, offers Elite Trader rebates of $5–$17 per million in select regions (plus potential TradingView subscription reimbursements), and publishes trailing average spreads for added pricing transparency.
FXCM’s Standard account averaged 0.78 pips on EUR/USD in May 2024 for the EU, U.K., and Australia (1.38 pips at its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity). Its commission-based accounts averaged 0.28 pips excluding commissions in May 2024, with an effective cost around 0.74–0.78 pips after adding the commission. FXCM’s Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) has five tiers; as an example, in the U.K. a $25,000 balance and $50 million in monthly volume can drop the commission to $2.50 per side ($5 round turn), yielding an effective EUR/USD cost near 0.78 pips based on a 0.28-pip core price. Spreads can widen during rollover or volatile markets. Based on these figures, FXCM’s commission-based pricing undercuts OANDA’s default and even OANDA’s Core example, while OANDA stands out for tiny trade sizes and automated execution across its accounts.
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Minimum Deposit | $0 | Starts from $50 |
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.69 | 0.9 |
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 0.8 |
Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing the range of investments, OANDA offers far more markets than FXCM. OANDA lists 4,172 tradeable symbols and 69 forex pairs, while FXCM provides 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs and/or spot contracts (availability varies by region). Both also support copy trading.
OANDA stands out for access to exchange-traded stocks: you can buy shares on U.S. and international exchanges through OANDA, while FXCM does not offer exchange-traded equities. For crypto, OANDA lets you buy actual cryptocurrency as well as crypto CFDs; FXCM offers crypto CFDs only. Reflecting this broader lineup, OANDA earns 4 stars and ranks #28 out of 63 for Range of Investments, compared with FXCM’s 3.5 stars and #48 ranking.
Feature |
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Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 440 |
Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 46 |
U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
OANDA vs FXCM: both brokers check the key boxes for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account for paper trading, a proprietary (in‑house) platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. Copy trading is available at both, and each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4). The key difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5): OANDA offers MT5, while FXCM does not. Both also let you place trades directly from charts. For ratings, FXCM earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools on ForexBrokers.com, while OANDA scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #15.
If you need MT5, OANDA is the clear pick. If you prioritize a higher platform-and-tools rating, FXCM has the edge. Either way, both brokers provide user-friendly web and desktop platforms, plus demo accounts to practice—making this OANDA vs FXCM comparison a close call for traders looking for capable platforms and useful tools.
Feature |
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Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 115 |
Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing OANDA vs FXCM for mobile trading apps: both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, along with price alerts to help you track forex (and related instruments) on the go. Each app supports chart drawing tools, including trendlines, and both auto-save your chart annotations so you don’t lose your work between sessions.
Key differences come down to syncing and indicators. FXCM syncs your mobile watchlists with your online account, while OANDA does not. For charting, FXCM offers 59 technical studies versus OANDA’s 30. Despite that, OANDA earns a higher overall mobile rating at 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, compared with FXCM’s 4.5 stars and #16 ranking. Choose OANDA if top-rated app experience matters most, or FXCM if you value deeper indicator choices and watchlist syncing.
Feature |
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Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 59 |
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing OANDA vs FXCM for market research, both brokers check key boxes: daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, a sentiment tool showing long/short ratios, and a global economic calendar. Neither offers tools from Acuity Trading.
The differences come down to third-party research add-ons and accolades. OANDA includes tools from Autochartist, while FXCM integrates Trading Central and TipRanks (OANDA does not). Based on these offerings and overall execution, ForexBrokers.com rates OANDA at 5 stars and ranks it #4 out of 63 for Research, while FXCM earns 4.5 stars and ranks #11. Choose OANDA if you want Autochartist included; pick FXCM if Trading Central and TipRanks matter more to you.
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Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
Autochartist | Yes | No |
Trading Central | No | Yes |
Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
TipRanks | No | Yes |
Acuity Trading | No | No |
Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing OANDA vs FXCM education, both brokers deliver plenty of forex and CFD learning content. Each hosts ongoing online webinars (at least one per month) and offers a library with at least 10 beginner-focused videos, plus at least 10 advanced videos for later skill-building. That means new traders can start with the basics, then move into more complex topics without switching platforms.
In terms of recognition, OANDA earns 5 stars for Education, while FXCM receives 4.5 stars. However, in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category rankings out of 63 brokers, FXCM sits higher at #14, while OANDA is #19. In short: both meet the mark for beginners with ample videos and frequent webinars; OANDA edges ahead on star rating, and FXCM places higher in the category ranking.
Feature |
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Webinars | Yes | Yes |
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that OANDA is better than FXCM. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
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Overall Rating |
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Trust Score | 93 | 95 |
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Research |
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Online broker OANDA lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trade cryptocurrency CFDs, whereas FXCM does not offer delivered crypto but does provide cryptocurrency CFDs.
OANDA and FXCM both support ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, while the availability of Visa or Mastercard funding is not specified for either broker.
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 5Overall Rating | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Mobile Trading |
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Research |
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Education |
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Trust Score | 93 | 95 | |
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | OANDA Review | FXCM Review |
Broker Screenshots | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Regulation | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Trust Score | 93 | 95 | |
Year Founded | 1996 | 1999 | |
Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | Yes | |
Bank | No | No | |
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
Investments | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 440 | |
Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 46 | |
U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.69 | 0.9 | |
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 0.8 | |
Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
Funding | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Minimum Deposit | $0 | Starts from $50 | |
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
Trading Platforms | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
cTrader | No | No |
Trading Tools | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 115 | |
Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Trading | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 59 | |
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Research | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
Autochartist | Yes | No | |
Trading Central | No | Yes | |
TipRanks | No | Yes | |
Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Education | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Major Forex Pairs | OANDA | FXCM | |
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GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
Review | OANDA Review | FXCM Review |
Overall | OANDA | FXCM | |
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Overall Rating |
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Commissions & Fees |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading |
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Research |
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Education |
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Trust Score | 93 | 95 | |
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | OANDA Review | FXCM Review |