Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Tickmill, 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, established in 1999, is a publicly traded online broker recognized for its high trust level, boasting a Trust Score rating of 95 out of 99 as per ForexBrokers.com. This makes it a highly trusted choice for traders, bolstered by the fact that it holds four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, which signify high trust and trust respectively. Despite not being a bank, FXCM's long-standing presence in the financial market highlights its stability and reliability.
In contrast, Tickmill, founded in 2014, is a privately-owned online broker with a Trust Score rating of 86 out of 99, which indicates that it is trusted, though not at the level of FXCM. Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, pointing to its credibility in the industry. Like FXCM, Tickmill is not a bank, yet it offers a solid regulatory standing for traders seeking a secure and trustable platform.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
For commissions and fees, Tickmill generally comes out cheaper than FXCM. Tickmill earns 5/5 stars and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers for this category, while FXCM earns 4/5 stars and ranks #17 out of 63. FXCM’s forex pricing tends to sit slightly above the industry average, whereas Tickmill remains one of the stronger choices for active traders seeking low all-in costs.
FXCM offers standard, commission-free pricing and a commission-based option. In May 2024, average EUR/USD spreads were about 0.78 pips across FXCM’s EU, U.K., and Australia entities, and around 1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. On commission-based accounts, average core spreads were about 0.28 pips (May 2024), with an effective all-in cost around 0.74 pips once commissions are included. FXCM also has an Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) that can return $5–$25 per million traded, which may improve pricing for high-volume traders. As with most brokers, spreads can widen during rollover or in fast-moving markets.
Tickmill offers two accounts: Classic (spread-only) and Raw (spread plus commission). The Classic account is commission-free but carried higher average spreads of about 1.76 pips (Aug 2023) on EUR/USD. The Raw account lists a typical EUR/USD spread of 0.11 pips (Oct 2023) and now charges a $3-per-side commission ($6 per standard lot), putting the estimated all-in cost near 0.71 pips—still highly competitive even after the increase. The Raw account’s $100 minimum keeps the barrier to entry low while delivering Tickmill’s best pricing.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.70 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing FXCM vs Tickmill for range of investments: both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and both support copy trading. Neither broker provides access to exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges, and neither lets you buy actual cryptocurrency; however, each offers cryptocurrency CFDs. In terms of available markets, FXCM lists 440 tradeable symbols with 46 forex pairs, while Tickmill offers 637 symbols with 63 forex pairs—giving Tickmill the larger product list overall.
For ratings, both FXCM and Tickmill earn 3.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments. Looking at category rankings from a pool of 63 brokers, FXCM is placed at #21, while Tickmill is at #30. In short, Tickmill provides more symbols and forex pairs, whereas FXCM holds the higher category rank despite the smaller catalog.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 63 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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 vs Tickmill: both brokers cover the essentials for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo account for simulated trading, web-based and Windows desktop platforms, and copy trading. FXCM adds a proprietary platform built in-house, while Tickmill relies on third-party software. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is available at both brokers; only Tickmill also supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Both let you place orders directly from charts.
According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks 4th out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks 24th. Pick FXCM if you want an in-house platform and a higher-rated toolset; choose Tickmill if MT5 access is a priority and you’re comfortable with third-party platforms.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 91 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and Tickmill both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, lets you draw trendlines on charts, and auto-saves your drawings. In independent testing, FXCM earned 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked #16 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill scored 4 stars and ranked #25.
FXCM stands out for charting depth with 59 technical studies versus Tickmill’s 30, and it syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account—Tickmill does not. If you want more advanced chart analysis and seamless watchlist syncing across devices, FXCM is the stronger pick. If you need the essentials with alerts and drawing tools on both iPhone and Android, Tickmill still gets the job done.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing FXCM vs Tickmill for market research, both forex brokers check key boxes. You get daily market commentary, an economic calendar with upcoming events, and a sentiment tool that shows the long/short split across instruments. Each also streams forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Neither broker includes Autochartist.
The main differences are in third‑party research add‑ons. FXCM includes Trading Central and TipRanks, while Tickmill offers Acuity Trading’s Signal Centre but does not include Trading Central or TipRanks. In our ratings, FXCM scores 4.5/5 for Research and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill earns 4/5 and ranks #19. If you want extra analysis and stock‑style insights alongside daily commentary and premium news, FXCM has the edge; if you prefer Signal Centre tools, Tickmill is worth a look.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
FXCM and Tickmill both provide forex and CFD education suitable for beginners, with each broker offering well over 10 pieces of learning content such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. You’ll also find ongoing support through online client webinars at least once a month. For structured learning, both brokers deliver at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, making it easier to start from scratch and progress to more complex topics.
When it comes to quality scores, FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks 13th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 14th. In short, both are strong choices for learning the basics and beyond, with FXCM holding a slight edge in ratings and overall placement.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 FXCM is better than Tickmill. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In the FXCM vs Tickmill cryptocurrency trading comparison, neither broker supports purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both allow trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
FXCM and Tickmill both support PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals, but only FXCM offers ACH/SEPA transfers, while 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 637 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 63 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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). | 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.70 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 91 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FXCM Review | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Tickmill Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill