Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Spreadex, 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 Spreadex are online brokers founded in 1999. FXCM is publicly traded, while Spreadex is privately held, and neither company is a bank.
Regulation and trust: FXCM holds 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, compared to Spreadex with 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. On ForexBrokers.com’s 99-point Trust Score, FXCM scores 95 (highly trusted), while Spreadex scores 70 (average risk). For context, ForexBrokers.com rates 90–99 as highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and under 59 not trusted.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 |
| 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 | 0 |
FXCM and Spreadex both offer pricing that can work for active forex traders, but FXCM’s costs are a bit more complex. FXCM’s standard spreads are slightly above the industry average overall, with EUR/USD spreads averaging 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia entities in May 2024, and 1.38 pips for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission-based accounts were cheaper on paper, averaging 0.28 pips before commissions, though the effective cost rises once commissions are included. FXCM also offers an Active Trader Rebate Program in some regions, which can lower trading costs for higher-volume clients. FXCM is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #17 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Spreadex is simpler to understand, with no separate commission structure in the details provided here. In January 2024, its average EUR/USD spread was 0.81 pips, while the minimum spread of 0.6 pips was available 60% of the time during the month. That puts Spreadex close to FXCM’s standard pricing in some regions, though FXCM’s commission-based account can be cheaper for traders who qualify for lower rates or rebates. Spreadex is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #27 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In short, FXCM may be the better fit for traders who want access to lower pricing through commission-based accounts or active trader discounts, while Spreadex offers a straightforward spread-only setup with costs that are competitive but not quite as low overall. For casual traders, the difference may be small; for high-volume traders, FXCM’s discount programs could make a bigger impact.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.9 | 0.81 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.8 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FXCM and Spreadex both let traders access forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and both also offer cryptocurrency CFDs. Neither broker provides direct access to exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international stock exchanges, and neither lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency. Where they differ is in the size of their markets: FXCM offers 440 tradeable symbols and 46 forex pairs, while Spreadex gives access to a much larger selection with 10,000 tradeable symbols and 52 forex pairs.
For extra features, FXCM supports copy trading, while Spreadex does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, Spreadex comes out ahead with a 5-star rating and a #13 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with FXCM’s 4.5-star rating and #21 ranking. For traders who want the broader overall choice, Spreadex has the edge, while FXCM still offers a solid range with the added benefit of copy trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 52 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). | 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 Spreadex both give traders a free demo account, a proprietary platform, and a web-based trading platform, so each broker makes it easy to test strategies and trade online from a browser. Both also let users trade directly from a chart, which can be helpful for quick order placement. Where FXCM pulls ahead is in platform choice and add-ons: it offers a Windows desktop download, copy trading, and MetaTrader 4, while Spreadex does not support these options.
In third-party ratings, FXCM comes out stronger for trading platforms and tools, earning 5 out of 5 stars and ranking #4 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Spreadex still scores well, but at 4 out of 5 stars and #37 out of 36 brokers, it trails FXCM in this category. For traders who want more platform flexibility and social trading features, FXCM has the edge, while Spreadex may suit those who prefer a simpler setup with web access and demo trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 58 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and Spreadex both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and both support price alerts plus basic chart drawing tools like trendlines. FXCM goes further for active chart users, with 59 technical studies in its app, automatic saving for chart drawings, and watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account. That makes it easier to move between devices without losing track of your setup.
Spreadex also covers the essentials on mobile, but it falls behind FXCM in a few important areas. It does not offer watchlist syncing, and its app does not auto-save chart drawings. In overall mobile trading app ratings, FXCM scores 4.5 out of 5 and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers, while Spreadex scores 4 out of 5 and ranks #36, making FXCM the stronger choice for traders who want a more connected and feature-rich mobile experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM and Spreadex both give traders a good range of market research tools, including daily market commentary, news from leading sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus an economic calendar and sentiment tools that show how traders are positioned. Each also offers helpful insight for tracking major events and market mood, making both platforms useful for staying informed.
FXCM stands out more for research overall, thanks to Trading Central tools and TipRanks coverage, while Spreadex has the edge with Autochartist. In ForexBrokers.com’s Research ratings, FXCM scores 4.5 out of 5 and ranks #11 out of 36 brokers, compared with Spreadex at 4 out of 5 and #29, so FXCM comes out ahead for traders who want deeper market analysis.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn forex and CFD trading, FXCM has the stronger education offering compared with Spreadex. FXCM provides forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus online client webinars held at least once a month. It also offers 10 or more beginner videos and 10 or more advanced videos, making it a better choice for traders who want both starter lessons and more in-depth material as they gain experience. FXCM is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #13 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Education category.
Spreadex also gives beginners useful video content, with 10 or more beginner trading videos available, and it earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars for Education. However, it does not meet the same level of forex or CFD education coverage as FXCM, does not offer monthly educational webinars, and does not have 10 or more advanced educational videos for experienced traders. In the ForexBrokers.com Education ranking, Spreadex places #36 out of 36 brokers, so while it has some learning resources, FXCM clearly offers more support for traders who want to build knowledge over time.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 Spreadex. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10, while Spreadex finished with an overall rank of #33.
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
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Spreadex
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 70 |
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FXCM vs Spreadex: these online brokers do not allow buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both provide cryptocurrency CFD trading.
FXCM vs Spreadex: FXCM supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, whereas Spreadex supports bank wires but not ACH/SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill; Visa/Mastercard availability 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 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | Spreadex | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Spreadex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Spreadex | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 70 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 52 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). | 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 | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.9 | 0.81 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 58 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FXCM Review | Spreadex Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Spreadex | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Spreadex Review |
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