Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs RoboForex, 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.
FXCM and RoboForex are both well-known online brokers, but they have distinct differences in trust ratings and regulatory oversight. Founded in 1999, FXCM holds a high Trust Score of 95 out of 99, indicating a high level of trust. This broker is publicly traded and holds four Tier-1 licenses along with two Tier-2 licenses, reflecting strong regulatory compliance and a long-standing reputation in the financial markets. Although FXCM is not a bank, its regulatory standing provides an added layer of confidence for traders seeking a secure platform.
In contrast, RoboForex, which started in 2009, has a Trust Score of 73 out of 99, placing it in the average risk category. Unlike FXCM, RoboForex is privately owned and holds only one Tier-1 license, with no Tier-2 licenses, indicating less regulatory coverage. While RoboForex is not a bank either, its relative youth and fewer licenses suggest that traders should weigh these factors when considering which broker aligns best with their trading needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing the commission and fee structures of FXCM and RoboForex for forex trading, FXCM tends to have a slightly more competitive offering, though it's still above the industry average. FXCM’s standard account spreads for the EUR/USD averaged 0.78 pips in regions like the EU, UK, and Australia in May 2024, while the spread was higher at 1.38 pips in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They manage to lower effective spreads on commission-based accounts to 0.74 pips by offsetting low underlying spreads of 0.28 pips with a commission-equivalent of 0.50 pips per round-turn trade. This makes FXCM a slightly better choice for traders looking for tighter spreads, provided you meet the qualifications for their Active Trader Rebate Program, which can significantly discount costs for high-volume traders.
RoboForex, on the other hand, offers average spreads of 1.3 pips for the EUR/USD on their Procent and Pro accounts. This is fairly high compared to FXCM's offerings, particularly when factoring in the potential for rebates. The costs associated with RoboForex might seem less appealing to those who trade large volumes. In terms of active trading incentives, FXCM provides a tier-based rebate system with discounts ranging from $5 to $25 per million traded, potentially minimizing the costs further if you reach high trading volumes.
When it comes to ratings, FXCM earns 4 out of 5 stars, while RoboForex receives 3.5 out of 5 stars for their commission and fee structures, according to ForexBrokers.com. FXCM is ranked #24 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees, whereas RoboForex comes in at #55. This illustrates a moderate advantage for FXCM in terms of their pricing and fee competitiveness in the forex trading landscape.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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 FXCM to RoboForex based on the range of investments they offer, both brokers provide opportunities for forex trading, either as a CFD or a spot contract. FXCM offers a total of 440 tradeable symbols, including 43 forex pairs, while RoboForex provides a much larger selection with 8,400 tradeable symbols and 28 forex pairs. Neither FXCM nor RoboForex allows direct purchases of U.S. or international exchange-traded securities like individual company shares. However, both platforms offer copy trading and the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though not actual cryptocurrencies.
In terms of ratings and rankings, RoboForex outshines FXCM with a Range of Investments rating of 4.5 stars compared to FXCM's 3.5 stars. On ForexBrokers.com, RoboForex holds the 20th spot out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, while FXCM is positioned at 47th. This indicates that RoboForex might be a better choice for traders looking for a wider variety of investment options.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 8400 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 28 |
| 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.
FXCM and RoboForex both provide a range of trading platforms and tools tailored to suit investors' needs, but there are notable differences between them. Both brokers offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, making it easier for new traders to practice without risking real money. While FXCM boasts a proprietary platform developed in-house, RoboForex lacks this feature but compensates with its MetaTrader 5 offering, which FXCM does not provide. Both brokers support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and offer Windows-based desktop and web-based trading options. Copy trading is available through both brokers, but FXCM has the edge with ZuluTrade integration, which is not available with RoboForex.
In terms of charting, RoboForex impresses with 15 drawing tools compared to FXCM’s 10, but FXCM excels in having 13 columns for watch lists against RoboForex’s 7. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, adding convenience for users. Based on ratings and rankings, FXCM scores higher with a perfect 5-star rating and a #6 rank in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com, in contrast to RoboForex's 4-star rating and #43 rank. These factors make FXCM a slightly more favorable choice for traders seeking comprehensive tools and platforms.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FXCM and RoboForex offer strong solutions for traders on the go. Both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android users, enabling access to critical features like stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Additionally, both apps allow traders to view charts in multiple different time frames, whether daily, weekly, or intraday. However, FXCM stands out with a more comprehensive charting experience, offering 59 technical studies compared to RoboForex's 30, along with the added advantage of watchlist symbol syncing, which RoboForex lacks.
FXCM also holds the edge in overall app ratings and industry rankings. With a 4.5-star rating, it surpasses RoboForex's 4-star rating among user reviews. When considering its rank among 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, FXCM secures the #16 spot, while RoboForex trails at #43, according to ForexBrokers.com. Both apps save drawings automatically and support real-time quotes in watchlists, ensuring that traders have up-to-date information. However, FXCM's superior features and higher rankings may offer a more seamless trading experience for those prioritizing advanced functionality and integration across platforms.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of FXCM and RoboForex, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Additionally, both brokers equip traders with technical analytics from Trading Central to enhance trading decisions. However, FXCM stands out with its sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the ratio of long or short positions in various instruments, a feature RoboForex does not offer. Moreover, FXCM provides valuable insights from TipRanks, whereas RoboForex lacks this resource. On the other hand, RoboForex has a unique advantage with research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which FXCM does not provide.
For economic calendars, both brokers offer comprehensive listings of current and upcoming global economic events. In terms of overall research capabilities, FXCM scores higher with a 4.5-star rating compared to RoboForex's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks as the 11th broker out of 63 in the Research category, whereas RoboForex holds the 37th position. These rankings reflect FXCM's broader range of research tools and resources, making it a more appealing choice for traders seeking in-depth market analysis.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When evaluating FXCM and RoboForex in terms of educational resources for beginners, FXCM distinctly shines. FXCM provides a comprehensive suite of educational materials, including a variety of articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. Their commitment to education is further demonstrated with regular monthly webinars and an accessible library of past recordings. Beginners can benefit from FXCM's collection of beginner-friendly videos, and there's also a variety of advanced videos for more seasoned traders. Additionally, FXCM offers an extensive investor dictionary, making it easier for novices to understand trading jargon. These offerings contribute to FXCM's notable 4.5-star rating for education, placing them 14th among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, RoboForex falls short in comparison with a 3.5-star rating for education and a rank of 56 out of 63 brokers. They do not provide a similar depth of resources; they lack the minimum ten educational pieces on forex or CFDs and do not conduct monthly educational webinars. Unlike FXCM, RoboForex also does not offer a searchable archive of past webinars or the same volume of beginner and advanced educational videos. Additionally, RoboForex does not feature a comprehensive investor dictionary. For those starting their trading journey, FXCM stands as a more informative and resource-rich option, facilitating a better understanding of the trading world.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 RoboForex. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while RoboForex finished with an overall rank of #46.
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
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both FXCM and RoboForex do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both FXCM and RoboForex provide a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, allowing users to transact with ease and flexibility.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | RoboForex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 8400 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 28 | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXCM Review | RoboForex Review |
| Overall | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | RoboForex Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill