Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
Founded in 2008, Plus500 has established itself as a highly trusted online broker, achieving a top-tier Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This score is a reflection of its strong regulatory foundation, boasting 6 Tier-1 licenses which indicate high trust and 3 Tier-2 licenses that label it as a trusted entity. Despite not being a bank, Plus500 maintains a significant presence in the industry and is publicly traded, adding to its transparency and reliability for investors.
FXCM, founded earlier in 1999, is also a trusted name in the world of online trading. It holds a commendable Trust Score of 95 according to ForexBrokers.com, supported by 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses. Like Plus500, FXCM is publicly traded, offering investor confidence through transparency. Although FXCM isn't tied to banking operations, its long-standing presence and solid regulatory adherence have earned it a respected status among brokers.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
Plus500 and FXCM both earn 4.0/5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, Plus500 places #24 of 63, while FXCM ranks #25 of 63. Both sit near the middle of the pack on pricing, with key differences in spreads, discounts, and how active traders may reduce costs.
Plus500’s pricing is slightly above the industry average. For the EUR/USD, its average spread was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than typical. Plus500 doesn’t offer retail discounts, but eligible Professional clients can qualify for cash rebates similar to an active-trader program.
FXCM’s pricing also trends a bit higher than average. In May 2024, EUR/USD spreads on its Standard account averaged 0.78 pips in the EU, U.K., and Australia, and 1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. FXCM’s commission-based accounts showed low core spreads near 0.28 pips (excluding commissions); once you factor in commissions, the effective spread is closer to about 0.74 pips. FXCM offers a five-tier Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) with monthly volume thresholds starting around $10 million and rebates from $5 to $25 per million traded. As with many brokers, spreads can widen during rollover or fast markets.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | Starts from $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Plus500 edges out FXCM for range of investments. Plus500 lists about 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs, while FXCM offers roughly 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, and both let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs—neither broker allows buying actual, delivered crypto.
Plus500 also provides access to real, exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international markets, whereas FXCM does not. FXCM counters with copy trading, a feature Plus500 lacks. Reflecting these differences, ForexBrokers.com rates Plus500 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments (22nd out of 63), compared with FXCM at 3.5 stars (48th out of 63). If you want the widest selection and the ability to buy actual shares, Plus500 fits better; if you value copy trading within a tighter lineup, FXCM may appeal.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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.
Plus500 and FXCM both offer free demo accounts and their own in-house trading platforms. Plus500 centers on a clean, web-based platform and does not provide a Windows desktop download, while FXCM offers both a browser platform and a full Windows desktop platform. FXCM also lets you trade directly from charts and supports copy trading; Plus500 does not include these features.
For third-party tools, FXCM supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), whereas Plus500 does not; neither broker offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5). In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools ratings, Plus500 scores 4.5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers, while FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks #6. In short, Plus500 may appeal if you want a straightforward web experience and a demo to practice, whereas FXCM fits traders who want desktop software, MT4 access, chart trading, and copy trading options.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both the Plus500 and FXCM mobile apps are available on iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts and watchlist syncing so your changes carry over between mobile and web. According to ForexBrokers.com, both earn 4.5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, with Plus500 ranked #14 out of 63 brokers and FXCM ranked #16.
For charting, Plus500 offers more technical studies (115 vs. FXCM’s 59) and lets you draw trendlines, just like FXCM. The key difference is saving your work: FXCM’s app auto-saves chart drawings, while Plus500’s does not. If you want a wider set of indicators, the Plus500 app stands out; if keeping your annotations saved matters most, the FXCM app has the edge.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 59 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing market research capabilities, both Plus500 and FXCM provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed. However, FXCM offers forex news from notable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas Plus500 lacks this feature. While neither broker offers analysis tools from Autochartist, both do provide tools from Trading Central, which can help traders with technical insights. Plus500 and FXCM also feature sentiment-based trading tools that display long or short positions across different instruments.
Looking at their unique offerings, FXCM steps ahead by providing market research from TipRanks, a service absent in Plus500's offerings. Both brokers ensure users have access to an economic calendar featuring global news events. In overall research rankings, Plus500 is rated 4.0 stars and sits at #19 according to ForexBrokers.com, while FXCM earns 4.5 stars with an impressive #11 ranking among 63 brokers, making FXCM a slightly more comprehensive choice for market research enthusiasts.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Plus500 vs FXCM: which broker is better for beginner education? Both brokers provide plenty of forex and CFD learning materials. Each offers monthly educational webinars, more than 10 beginner videos to help you get started, and 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go further. Still, FXCM scores higher for education overall (4.5/5 stars, ranked #14 of 63 by ForexBrokers.com), while Plus500 earns 4.0/5 stars and ranks #31.
If you want a simple path into trading basics, Plus500’s beginner video lineup and regular webinars make it easy to learn the essentials at your own pace. If you prefer a deeper catalog and more detailed training as you grow, FXCM edges ahead thanks to its broader educational coverage and higher third‑party rating. Either way, beginners will find structured guidance on forex and CFD concepts, platforms, and risk management.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Plus500 is better than FXCM. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
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FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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Online brokers Plus500 and FXCM do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide cryptocurrency contracts for difference (CFDs) for trading.
In our Plus500 vs FXCM comparison of deposit and withdrawal options, FXCM supports ACH/SEPA while Plus500 does not; both brokers accept PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | Plus500 | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | FXCM | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.8 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | Starts from $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 115 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 59 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Plus500 Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | FXCM Review |
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