ForexBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn How We Make Money

FXCM vs XM Group 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs XM Group, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

FXCM
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: Starts from $50
  • Trust Score: 95
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 440
XM Group
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Trust Score: 88
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 1394

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.

Regulation

FXCM, founded in 1999, stands out as a well-established online broker with a high ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 95 out of 99, indicating that it is highly trusted. The company is publicly traded, adding an additional layer of transparency for investors, though it is not a bank. FXCM holds 4 Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating a strong regulatory standing, and 2 Tier-2 licenses, further cementing its trusted status.

On the other hand, XM Group, founded in 2009, also boasts a strong regulatory presence with 4 Tier-1 licenses, but it holds only 1 Tier-2 license. With a Trust Score of 88 out of 99, XM Group is considered trusted according to ForexBrokers.com ratings, though it is not a publicly traded company and does not operate as a bank. Both brokers are notable for their regulatory compliance, though FXCM holds a slight edge in trust and transparency.

Feature FXCM logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Year Founded info 1999 2009
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 4 4
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1

Fees

When it comes to commissions and fees, FXCM and XM Group have distinct offerings for their customers. FXCM provides a reasonable pricing structure that slightly exceeds the industry average for forex trading. For standard accounts, the time-weighted average spreads on the EUR/USD currency pair stood at 0.78 for regions including the EU, U.K., and Australia as of May 2024. In contrast, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity had higher spreads averaging 1.38. For traders using commission-based accounts, the average spread was a more competitive 0.28 pips, excluding commission charges. FXCM offers an Active Trader Rebate Program, providing rebates that range from $5 to $25 per million traded if you meet the requisite trading volume, though better deals are available from competitors like Tickmill and FP Markets. Nevertheless, FXCM maintains a solid reputation with a four-star rating and ranks 24th out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.

On the other hand, XM Group's pricing is less transparent, with expensive standard account spreads and no published average spreads for their XM Zero commission-based accounts. The absence of specific data on spreads can make it more challenging for traders to fully gauge the benefits and costs associated with XM Group's services. Despite these shortcomings, XM Group still garners a four-star rating for its commissions and fees. However, it sits at the 33rd position among 63 brokers in the same category as per ForexBrokers.com rankings.

In summary, FXCM may offer more detailed and flexible financial options depending on the type of account and trading volume, while XM Group generally lacks transparency, particularly for its XM Zero account. Both brokers share a commendable four-star rating for commissions and fees, but FXCM has a slight edge in the rankings, making it a potentially more appealing choice for cost-conscious traders.

Feature FXCM logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Minimum Deposit info Starts from $50 $5
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.78 info 1.6 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.78 info 0.8 info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

FXCM and XM Group both cater to forex enthusiasts by offering forex trading as either Contracts for Difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. However, when it comes to the breadth of tradeable symbols and forex pairs, XM Group holds the upper hand. FXCM offers a decent 440 tradeable symbols and 43 forex pairs, while XM Group provides a more extensive selection with 1,394 tradeable symbols and 55 forex pairs. This variety provides users with more options for diversifying their trading portfolio.

If you're interested in trading exchange-traded securities, XM Group has a significant advantage. Unlike FXCM, which does not offer direct access to U.S. or international stock exchanges, XM Group allows clients to purchase actual shares, such as Apple or Vodafone. Both platforms support copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives trading, although neither facilitates buying actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of overall range of investments, XM Group's richer offerings earn it a rating of 4.5 stars, compared to FXCM's 3.5 stars, placing XM Group at a more favorable #23 spot in ForexBrokers.com's rankings, versus FXCM's #47 ranking.

Feature FXCM logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 440 1394
Forex Pairs (Total) info 43 info 55
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info No Yes
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info No Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

FXCM and XM Group both provide substantial options for traders exploring different platforms and tools. Each of these brokers offers a free demo account for simulated trading, allowing users to practice without risk. When it comes to proprietary platforms, FXCM has developed its own in-house software, while XM Group opts not to. Both brokers provide a Windows-based desktop download, as well as a web-based platform for trading. Copy trading is available with both providers, although FXCM offers access to ZuluTrade, differentiating it from XM Group, which does not. Both support the widely used MetaTrader 4 platform, but only XM Group offers MetaTrader 5. Neither broker supports DupliTrade.

For those interested in charting tools and indicators, FXCM and XM Group have various offerings. FXCM provides ten drawing tools compared to XM Group's fifteen. Both platforms allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts. FXCM stands out with its customizable watch lists, featuring thirteen columns, while XM Group offers seven. In terms of ratings, FXCM is lauded for its trading platforms and tools with a five-star rating and ranks sixth out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, XM Group earns a respectable four-star rating, placing thirty-first in the same category. The choice between these brokers may depend on which specific tools and features align best with a trader's personal needs and strategies.

Feature FXCM logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info Yes info No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 115 30
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 10 15
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 13 7
View More

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FXCM and XM Group provide users with comprehensive iPhone and Android applications that cater to investors' needs. Both platforms offer essential features, including stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to sync watchlist symbols across all devices, ensuring that any changes you make are updated seamlessly on your online account. Additionally, both brokers allow trendline drawing and viewing of various time frames—like daily, weekly, or intraday—on their mobile app charts.

However, FXCM stands out with its offering of 59 technical studies compared to XM Group’s 30, providing more tools for in-depth market analysis. Another point in FXCM's favor is the auto-save feature for chart drawings, which XM Group lacks. Both brokers allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, yet FXCM edges ahead in ratings, with a 4.5-star review compared to XM Group's 4-star rating. This distinction is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where FXCM is placed at #16 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, while XM Group is positioned at #29. Ultimately, for traders prioritizing advanced technical studies and convenience in chart usage, FXCM offers a slightly superior mobile trading experience.

Feature FXCM logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 59 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes No
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

FXCM and XM Group both deliver essential market insights, offering daily market commentary and top-tier forex news sourced from respected names like Bloomberg and Reuters. While both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools to show the ratios of long or short positions on various instruments, only FXCM extends its offerings with market research from TipRanks. Additionally, both brokers offer technical analysis support through Trading Central, though neither incorporates Autochartist or Acuity Trading's Signal Centre in their suite of research tools. Each platform provides an economic calendar to keep traders updated on significant global events.

When analyzing their research performance, XM Group holds a slight edge with a 5-star rating, compared to FXCM's 4.5 stars. Ranked by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group is placed at #8 out of 63 brokers, while FXCM is at #11. Both platforms deliver a robust framework for market research, but XM Group's slightly superior ranking indicates its broader appeal in this category.

Feature FXCM logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info Yes Yes
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both FXCM and XM Group provide a wealth of learning materials to help newcomers understand forex and CFD trading. FXCM excels by offering a comprehensive set of resources including more than ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars specifically focused on forex and CFDs. They also provide monthly online webinars and a searchable archive for past events. What sets FXCM somewhat apart is their inclusion of an investor dictionary with over 50 definitions of key investing terms, helping to clarify complex jargon for beginners.

XM Group mirrors FXCM’s offerings with its own collection of educational content aimed at beginners, with more than ten resources covering forex and CFDs, alongside regular webinars that are also archived for later viewing. While XM Group may lack an investor dictionary, it compensates with high-quality beginner and advanced educational videos that cover a broad spectrum of trading topics. XM Group's educational efforts are highly recognized, earning them a 5-star rating and a #7 ranking out of 63 brokers for education by ForexBrokers.com, compared to FXCM’s 4.5 stars and #14 ranking. Both brokers provide strong avenues for education, making them excellent choices for those eager to learn about trading.

Feature FXCM logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info Yes Yes
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than XM Group. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17.

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 logoFXCM
XM Group logoXM Group
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 95 88
Range of Investments 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with FXCM or XM Group?

Neither FXCM nor XM Group provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both brokers offer the ability to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.

What funding options does each broker offer?

FXCM provides a wider range of deposit and withdrawal options than XM Group, supporting ACH, SEPA, and PayPal in addition to common choices like Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas XM Group offers Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal.




announcementPlease 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

×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxActivTrades
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxACY Securities
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAdmirals
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlpari
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxATFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAvaTrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAxi
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBDSwiss
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBlackBull Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCity Index
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCMC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxDooPrime
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxEarn
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeasyMarkets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxEightcap
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxExness
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFinecoBank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFOREX.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFP Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXCM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXGT.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXOpen
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXPrimus
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFxPro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxGBE brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHFM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIFC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxiFOREX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIG
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIronFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIUX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLegacyFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLibertex (Forex Club)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMarkets.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMarkets4you
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMoneta Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMultiBank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOANDA
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOcta
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPepperstone
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPlus500
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxQuestrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRoboForex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSaxo
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSpreadex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSwissquote
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxThinkMarkets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTickmill
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTMGM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTopFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrade Nation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrading 212
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVantage
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVT Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXM Group
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXTB
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXtrade

Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating FXCM XM Group
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 95 88
Winner check_circle
Review FXCM Review XM Group Review
Broker Screenshots FXCM XM Group
Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) info
Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) info
Research Gallery (click to expand) info
Education Gallery (click to expand) info
Regulation FXCM XM Group
Trust Score info 95 88
Year Founded info 1999 2009
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes
Tier-1 Licenses info 4 4
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) FXCM XM Group
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info No No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info No No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info No No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) FXCM XM Group
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info Yes No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes No
UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) info No Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No No
Investments FXCM XM Group
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 440 1394
Forex Pairs (Total) info 43 info 55
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info No Yes
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info No Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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 XM Group
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.78 info 1.6 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.78 info 0.8 info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
Inactivity Fee info Yes Yes
Execution: Agency Broker info Yes No
Execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding FXCM XM Group
Minimum Deposit info Starts from $50 $5
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
Trading Platforms FXCM XM Group
Proprietary Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
cTrader info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info Yes info No
Trading Tools FXCM XM Group
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 13 7
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 115 30
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 10 15
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading FXCM XM Group
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 59 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes No
Mobile Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research FXCM XM Group
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education FXCM XM Group
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info Yes Yes
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes No
Major Forex Pairs FXCM XM Group
GBP/USD info Yes Yes
USD/JPY info Yes Yes
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF info Yes Yes
USD/CAD info Yes Yes
NZD/USD info Yes Yes
AUD/USD info Yes Yes
Review FXCM Review XM Group Review
Overall FXCM XM Group
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 3.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 95 88
Winner check_circle
Review FXCM Review XM Group Review
arrow_upward

close