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 and FXCM both offer competitive — but not market-leading — commissions and fees. XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #12 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while FXCM scores 4/5 stars and ranks #25 of 63. Spreads and discounts vary by account type and location, and can widen during rollover or fast markets, so it’s worth checking live pricing before you trade.
At XTB, the spread-only Standard account is the go-to for most retail traders, with average EUR/USD spreads of about 1.0 pip (Q4 2023). XTB also has a commission-based Professional account, but it’s being phased out and is limited to eligible elective professionals in the U.K. and EU. Minimum deposits start at 250 in your base currency. For high-volume traders, XTB’s Lower Spread Group can rebate 5%–30% of the spread once you hit monthly volume tiers from 20 to 1,000 lots, which can narrow costs meaningfully.
FXCM’s overall pricing sits slightly above the industry average, though its numbers vary by region and account type. In May 2024, average EUR/USD spreads were about 0.78 pips for EU/U.K./Australia standard accounts and roughly 1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. FXCM’s commission-based account averaged 0.28 pips before commissions, with an effective cost near 0.74 pips after adding the commission-equivalent. The Active Trader Rebate Program (not offered in the U.K. or EU) returns $5–$25 per million traded if you meet volume thresholds starting around $10 million per month; requirements can be steep, such as a $25,000 balance and $50 million monthly volume in some cases.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | Starts from $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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.
Comparing XTB vs FXCM for range of investments: XTB lists 7,184 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, while FXCM offers 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading and let you speculate on cryptocurrencies via CFDs; neither lets you buy actual crypto. A key difference is stock access: XTB lets clients buy real exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international markets (for example, Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone in London), whereas FXCM does not.
FXCM does provide copy trading, which XTB lacks. Based on ForexBrokers.com ratings for Range of Investments, XTB earns 5 stars and ranks 15th out of 63 brokers, while FXCM earns 3.5 stars and ranks 48th. In short, choose XTB if you want a wider selection and access to real stocks in the U.S. and abroad; pick FXCM if copy trading matters and you’re comfortable with a leaner lineup.
| 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 check key boxes for trading platforms and tools: each offers a free demo account, an in-house proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, a web-based platform, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. Where they differ is platform breadth and social features. FXCM supports copy trading and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while XTB does not offer copy trading and does not support MT4. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Counts for built-in technical indicators and watchlist columns aren’t specified here.
For overall quality, FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while XTB earns 4.5 stars and ranks #9, according to ForexBrokers.com. If you want MT4 or copy trading, FXCM has the edge. If you prefer a streamlined, proprietary experience with a free demo to practice, XTB remains a strong alternative.
| 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.
Both XTB and FXCM serve their clients with valuable market insights through daily market commentary and forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters. While both platforms excel in providing sentiment-based trading tools, which help traders gauge market positions on various currency pairs, they differ in the range of technical analysis tools. FXCM stands out by offering powerful features from Trading Central, while XTB does not include this resource in its offerings. Moreover, FXCM enhances its market analysis capabilities with the inclusion of TipRanks, unlike XTB, which lacks this tool in its repertoire.
In terms of supplementary tools, neither XTB nor FXCM incorporate resources from Autochartist or Acuity Trading. However, both platforms ensure traders stay informed with comprehensive economic calendars displaying crucial global events. When it comes to recognition in the industry, XTB receives a prestigious 5-star rating for research, placing it at the 7th spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, FXCM is not far behind with a commendable 4.5-star rating, securing the 11th position in the same category.
| 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.
Comparing XTB vs FXCM for beginner education, both brokers provide forex and CFD learning materials that are easy to access and follow. Each offers monthly client webinars, at least 10 beginner-focused trading videos, and at least 10 advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up. This mix of videos and regular live sessions helps new traders learn core concepts and stay engaged over time.
For quality and recognition, XTB edges ahead with a 5-star Education rating and a #11 ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while FXCM earns 4.5 stars and ranks #14. If you’re a beginner choosing between the two, XTB has a slight advantage on paper, but both platforms deliver plenty of videos and ongoing webinars to help you build confidence in forex and CFD trading.
| 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 #15.
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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| 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 (SFC 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 | 1.00 | 0.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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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