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 | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing XTB and FXCM, each online broker has distinct offerings regarding commissions and fees that cater to different types of traders. XTB features two account types: a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, though the latter is being largely phased out and is primarily available to certain legacy clients in Europe. Overall, XTB's pricing is roughly average industry-wide, with an average forex spread of 1 pip for the EUR/USD during Q4 2023. XTB is rated 4.5 stars and ranked 11th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees. For traders in Europe recognized as elective professionals, XTB provides spread rebates of up to 30% through its Lower Spread Group, making it a strong choice for high-volume traders.
FXCM, on the other hand, generally offers pricing slightly above the industry average. For forex trading, their average spread for the EUR/USD can vary significantly depending on the geographic region. As of May 2024, the spread averaged 0.78 in EU, U.K., and Australia, while in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, it was higher at 1.38 pips. Through its Active Trader Rebate Program, FXCM provides notable spread reductions, contingent upon trading volume and location, which can make a meaningful impact on profitability for frequent traders. FXCM's commission-based accounts deliver an average spread equivalent to 0.74 pips after accounting for commissions. They are rated 4 stars and ranked 25th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category.
Both brokers offer active trader discounts, although the scope and application vary. XTB's rebates range from 5% to 30% off the spread based on trading volume, whereas FXCM offers cash rebates from $5 to $25 per million traded, depending on the tier and volume. While FXCM's commission-based accounts have competitive low underlying spreads, XTB's Standard account is generally more accessible for smaller volume traders with a lower entry deposit of 250 base currency units. XTB's streamlined rebate structure for elective professionals could potentially offer more straightforward savings, but FXCM’s tiered program may provide deeper discounts for very high-volume traders.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | Starts from $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.78 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.78 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB impresses with a wide array of investment options, featuring a staggering 7,184 tradeable symbols, significantly surpassing FXCM's 440 symbols. Those interested in forex trading can find XTB accommodating with 71 forex pairs available, compared to FXCM's 46. Furthermore, XTB enables direct investment in U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, allowing clients to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. FXCM, on the other hand, does not provide access to exchange-traded securities, positioning itself primarily for CFD offerings.
In terms of cryptocurrency investment options, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives but do not provide the option for acquiring actual cryptocurrencies. For those keen on copy trading, FXCM offers this feature, whereas XTB does not, which may appeal to different investor preferences. Rated five stars for its range of investments, XTB secures the 14th spot out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while FXCM receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks 47th, reflecting the broader scope of investment opportunities provided by XTB.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 traders a rich selection of platforms and tools for trading, with each having its own strengths. XTB provides a proprietary platform, available as a Windows-based desktop download and a web-based browser experience, alongside a free demo account for simulated trading. While XTB doesn't support copy trading or platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, it does offer the ability to trade directly from stock charts. With 32 drawing tools available for charting, traders can benefit from an extensive range of options for technical analysis. XTB's watch lists include eight customizable columns, earning the broker a commendable 4.5-star rating and a rank of #9 by ForexBrokers.com in the Trading Platforms and Tools category among 63 brokers.
FXCM, on the other hand, also features its proprietary trading platform and offers both a Windows-based desktop version and a web-based platform, complete with a free virtual demo account. Unlike XTB, FXCM supports MetaTrader 4, copy trading, and ZuluTrade, providing additional avenues for traders seeking variety and social trading opportunities. While FXCM has fewer drawing tools for charting compared to XTB, offering only 10, this is offset by having 13 customizable fields in its watch lists. This comprehensive feature set contributes to FXCM's 5-star rating and an impressive #6 rank by ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its strong standing among its peers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 10 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 13 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both XTB and FXCM offer seamless experiences for iPhone and Android users, complete with features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. While both platforms support viewing multiple timeframes and offer auto-saving for chart drawings, there's a noticeable difference in watchlist management. FXCM allows you to sync your watchlists across mobile and online platforms, whereas XTB lacks this option.
In terms of charting tools, XTB provides 39 technical studies, while FXCM offers a broader range with 59. Both brokers enable creating watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring that users stay updated with market changes. Despite FXCM's advanced study options, XTB holds an edge in the rankings, securing the 8th spot compared to FXCM's 16th, as rated by ForexBrokers.com. Interestingly, both received a commendable mobile trading app rating of 4.5 stars out of five. Ultimately, while both have similar ratings, the differences in technical studies and watchlist synchronization could influence your choice between the two.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 59 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both XTB and FXCM present a wealth of materials for aspiring traders. XTB impresses with a perfect education rating of 5 stars. It excels by offering an extensive range of resources, including more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, regular monthly webinars, and a handy archive of past activities. For beginners diving into trading, XTB provides over 10 beginner-focused videos. However, those looking to deepen their knowledge will find over 10 advanced videos targeting more seasoned traders. Notably, XTB does not provide an investor dictionary. Nonetheless, it holds a prestigious 11th place ranking by ForexBrokers.com in education among 63 brokers.
Meanwhile, FXCM also offers a comprehensive suite of educational tools, earning an admirable 4.5-star rating. Like XTB, it provides an array of over 10 educational articles and videos covering forex and CFDs, regular client webinars, and a searchable archive to revisit earlier sessions. FXCM shines in offering an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, a significant advantage for those who appreciate having clear definitions at their fingertips. It also caters to different skill levels with over 10 beginner and 10 advanced educational videos. For those assessing rankings, FXCM holds the 14th spot on the ForexBrokers.com education list, placing it close behind XTB.
| Feature |
XTB
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 95 |
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Both XTB and FXCM do not offer the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they both do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and FXCM in terms of funding options, FXCM offers ACH or SEPA transfers which XTB does not, however, both brokers provide options for PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing account funds.
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 | 0 | 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) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | 1.00 | 0.78 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.78 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | Starts from $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 13 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 10 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 59 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| 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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