Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
When it comes to choosing a reliable online broker, both XTB and FXCM present strong options in the world of forex trading. Founded in 2002, XTB operates as a publicly traded company, similar to FXCM, which has been in operation since 1999. Neither of the brokers are banks, but both hold a range of licenses adding to their credibility. Highlighting their regulatory strength, XTB holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, earning it a Trust Score of 96 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This places it in the highly trusted category.
FXCM, on the other hand, holds a slightly greater number of Tier-1 licenses, boasting four of them, along with two Tier-2 licenses, which speaks volumes about its trusted status in the industry. Although its Trust Score is just a point lower than XTB's, at 95, it still sits comfortably in the highly trusted bracket. Both brokers, being publicly traded and regulated in multiple jurisdictions, offer dependable choices for traders seeking assurance and transparency.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
XTB earns 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers. It offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account that is largely being phased out and limited to elective professionals in the U.K. and EU. Using Q4 2023 data, the EUR/USD spread averaged 1.0 pip on the Standard account. Minimum deposit is 250 in your base currency. For smaller trade sizes, the Standard account tends to be cheaper, while high-volume pricing between Standard and Pro has been similar. XTB’s Lower Spread Group can rebate 5% to 30% of the spread once you trade 20 to 1,000 lots per month.
FXCM earns 4/5 stars and ranks #17 out of 63 for commissions and fees. Its forex pricing is slightly above the industry average. In May 2024, average EUR/USD spreads were 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings and 1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. FXCM’s commission-based pricing showed 0.28-pip core spreads (excluding commission), with an effective cost near 0.74 pips once the commission-equivalent is included. The five-tier Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) pays $5 to $25 per million traded, starting at $10 million in monthly volume, and requirements can vary by region. Spreads can widen during rollover or volatile market conditions.
Comparing the two: XTB’s Standard account averages 1.0 pip on EUR/USD and offers spread rebates up to 30% for high-volume traders, but its Pro account is mostly unavailable. FXCM’s standard spreads can be sharper in certain regions (0.78 pips in the EU/U.K./AU), and its commission plan delivers low core pricing, though effective costs are closer to 0.74 pips after commissions. If you trade smaller sizes and want a straightforward setup, XTB’s Standard account is appealing. High-volume traders who qualify for FXCM’s commission pricing and regional rebates may achieve lower effective costs, while noting program availability differs by country.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | Starts from $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.8 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB offers a far wider range of markets than FXCM. You’ll find 7,184 tradeable symbols at XTB versus 440 at FXCM, and 71 forex pairs compared with FXCM’s 46. Both brokers support forex trading available as CFDs or spot contracts. XTB also lets you buy real exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges (not just CFDs), while FXCM does not. For crypto, neither broker supports buying actual coins, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs. Copy trading is available at FXCM, but not at XTB.
These differences show up in third-party reviews: XTB earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while FXCM scores 3.5 stars and ranks #21. If you want the broadest choice of markets and the option to buy real stocks, XTB stands out. If copy trading matters more, FXCM has that feature and still covers key markets, including forex and crypto CFDs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 46 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
XTB and FXCM both offer free demo accounts for simulated trading, plus proprietary trading platforms available as Windows desktop downloads and web-based platforms. Each broker lets you trade directly from charts and includes familiar charting tools and customizable watchlists. The big differences: FXCM supports copy trading and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while XTB does not. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, FXCM is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while XTB earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9. If you want MT4 or copy trading, FXCM is the better fit. If you prefer an in-house platform with straightforward web and desktop access, XTB is a strong alternative. Test both using their demo accounts to see which workflow you like best.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 115 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and FXCM both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app lets you set stock and forex price alerts, draw trendlines on charts, and automatically saves your drawings. Both are highly rated at 4.5 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps.
The main differences come down to chart tools and watchlists. FXCM provides 59 technical studies and syncs your watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while XTB includes 39 studies and does not sync watchlists. Despite that, XTB ranks higher with ForexBrokers.com (#8 out of 63 brokers) compared to FXCM (#16). Choose FXCM if synced watchlists and more built-in indicators matter most; choose XTB if you prefer a higher-ranked app and can manage watchlists separately.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 59 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and FXCM both cover the market research basics very well. Each broker provides daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. You’ll also get a sentiment tool showing long vs. short positioning and an economic calendar for global events. Neither platform includes Autochartist or tools from Acuity Trading. The key difference is third-party research: FXCM integrates Trading Central and TipRanks, while XTB does not.
According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB earns 5 stars for Research and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers, while FXCM scores 4.5 stars and ranks 11th. If you want a highly rated research experience with strong in-house content and top-tier news, XTB has the edge. If you prefer extra tools like Trading Central signals and TipRanks insights alongside daily coverage, FXCM is a great fit.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XTB and FXCM both deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education. Each broker offers a steady schedule of online client webinars at least once a month, plus plenty of video lessons that cover the basics and move into advanced trading topics. For newcomers, both brokers check the box with at least 10 beginner videos, and they also provide 10 or more advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper.
In head-to-head ratings, XTB has a slight edge for education with a 5-star score and a rank of 11th out of 63 brokers, while FXCM comes in at 4.5 stars and 13th out of 63. If you want a wider selection with top marks, XTB is the stronger pick; if you’re comparing two solid choices with active webinars and rich video libraries, both XTB and FXCM are worth considering.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 XTB is better than FXCM. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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FXCM
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 95 |
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In a head-to-head comparison, online brokers XTB and FXCM do not support purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both provide access to trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
In the XTB vs FXCM online broker comparison for deposits and withdrawals, FXCM supports ACH/SEPA while XTB does not; both brokers offer PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | XTB | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | FXCM | |
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| Regulation | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.8 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | Starts from $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 115 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 59 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XTB Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | XTB | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | FXCM Review |
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