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 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Plus500 and FXCM, Plus500's pricing is slightly above the industry average, particularly for active traders. Plus500's spreads for the EUR/USD were 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry norm. While Plus500 does not offer discounts to retail clients, it provides cash rebates for those qualified as Professional clients. Plus500 has a rating of 4.0 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #25 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in this category.
In contrast, FXCM has a mixed pricing model with slightly higher than average standard account spreads but competitive rates for commission-based accounts. For May 2024, FXCM's standard EUR/USD spread averaged 0.78 pips in regions like the EU, the UK, and Australia, and 1.38 pips in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. FXCM's commission accounts offered average spreads of 0.28 pips, but effective spreads turn out to be around 0.74 pips when commissions are included. FXCM also features an Active Trader Rebate Program with discounts ranging from $5 to $25 per million traded, depending on your trading volume and location. FXCM shares the same 4-star rating as Plus500 but holds a slightly better rank at #24 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | Starts from $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.78 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.78 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Plus500 and FXCM in terms of available range of investments, Plus500 stands out with a significantly broader offering. Plus500 boasts 5500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs, while FXCM provides access to 440 symbols with 43 forex pairs. Notably, Plus500 allows investment in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to purchase popular shares like Apple and Vodafone directly. On the other hand, FXCM does not offer access to exchange-traded securities in the U.S. or international markets but does support copy trading, which is not available on Plus500.
Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs and provide cryptocurrency derivatives, yet neither supports purchasing actual, delivered cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, Plus500 receives 4.5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 24th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, FXCM holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 47th. Overall, Plus500 offers a more diverse range of investment options, making it more appealing to investors seeking a wider selection.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 43 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Plus500 and FXCM, both brokers offer accessible trading experiences through web-based platforms that work in any browser. Plus500 and FXCM provide in-house developed proprietary platforms and free virtual demo accounts for newcomers to practice. However, FXCM takes the lead by offering additional features such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4), compatibility with ZuluTrade, and a Windows-based desktop download platform, which Plus500 does not provide. This gives FXCM a broader appeal for traders looking for more traditional and advanced trading features.
In terms of charting capabilities, Plus500 supports 36 drawing tools compared to FXCM’s 10, yet FXCM compensates by allowing trades directly from stock charts. FXCM's watch list is slightly more comprehensive with 13 columns or fields, exceeding Plus500’s 10. Rating-wise, FXCM stands out with a perfect five-star rating and a #6 ranking out of 63 brokers for their Trading Platforms and Tools, compared to Plus500's 4.5 stars and a #14 ranking. Overall, while both brokers offer solid options for traders, FXCM’s larger variety of platforms and tools makes it a more versatile choice for those seeking extensive features and integration options.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 10 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 13 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and FXCM, both offer a comprehensive trading experience for iPhone and Android users. Both apps provide essential features like price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, including easy syncing of these lists across devices and accounts. This ensures that any changes made on one platform are automatically updated elsewhere. Traders using either app can access multiple time frames on charts, whether daily, weekly, or intraday, and draw trendlines seamlessly. However, FXCM has the added advantage of auto-saving chart drawings, a feature not available in the Plus500 app.
In terms of charting capabilities, Plus500 excels with 115 technical studies compared to FXCM's 59, offering traders more tools for analysis. Both apps have received commendable user ratings, each scoring 4.5 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading platforms. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is slightly ahead in the rankings, positioned at #14 out of 63 brokers, while FXCM follows closely at #16. Both platforms provide a reliable and efficient trading experience, catering to both novice and experienced traders alike.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 59 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by Plus500 and FXCM, both online brokers cater generously to beginners in the world of forex and CFDs. Each platform provides over ten educational materials in various formats, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. These resources are designed to help beginners understand forex and CFD trading. Both Plus500 and FXCM conduct monthly webinars to maintain continuous learning opportunities. Additionally, they each have a user-friendly archive of past sessions to ensure easy access to previous content.
Plus500 and FXCM extend their educational reach by offering over ten beginner-friendly videos, while also including advanced materials for experienced traders. However, a notable difference emerges as FXCM provides an investor dictionary that explains over 50 trading terms, a resource not available via Plus500. This extensive glossary contributes to FXCM's higher education rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars compared to Plus500's 4.0 stars. In a ranking of 63 brokers, this slight edge is reflected in FXCM's higher education category ranking at #14, leaving Plus500 at #31. For those looking to deepen their understanding of investing terminology, FXCM might be the more appealing option.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | 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
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 95 |
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Both Plus500 and FXCM do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, Plus500 and FXCM both support PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for deposits and withdrawals, but only FXCM offers the additional flexibility of ACH or SEPA transfers, which Plus500 does not provide.
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 (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 43 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). 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 | 1.5 | 0.78 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.78 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | Starts from $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 13 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 10 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 59 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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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