AMarkets and FXCM clash over regulation, pricing, and platform ecosystems. The tension centers on protection, costs, and the breadth of trading platforms.
FXCM edges AMarkets on the editorial score due to stronger regulation, broader platforms, and investor protection.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose AMarkets if…
Choose AMarkets if you want raw spreads and a $6/lot ECN-style commission. You also benefit from no inactivity fee and about 250 tradable instruments.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you want top-tier regulation from FCA and ASIC with investor protection and a compensation scheme. You also access a proprietary Trading Station alongside MT4 and a 400-instrument offering with negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
AMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.40 pips for FXCM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 3.4 / 5 | 4.1 / 5▲ |
Pros
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Competitive $6 round-turn ECN commission
Mature PAMM platform with full performance transparency
No inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AMarkets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AMarkets rates 3.8/5 and FXCM rates 4.1/5. FXCM has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
AMarkets starts from 0 pips, tighter than FXCM's 0.4 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FXCM has $50, while AMarkets requires at least $100. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FXCM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC), providing stronger investor protections. AMarkets may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
FXCM stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AMarkets lists maximum leverage of 3000:1, while FXCM lists up to 400:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AMarkets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for FXCM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AMarkets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader. Both provide MetaTrader 4. AMarkets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile and NinjaTrader.
FXCM wins for safety & regulation with FCA and ASIC oversight.
FXCM wins for active traders with advanced charting tools and multiple platforms.
AMarkets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FXCM wins for platform choice with MT4, NinjaTrader, and proprietary Trading Station.
FXCM is best for beginners due to negative balance protection and strong regulation.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | $50▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.4 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 3,000:1 | 400:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $50/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerWebMoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for first per month |
|---|
| Regulators | SVGFSA | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Strong APIs (REST, FIX)
Trading Station + MT4
FCA regulated
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
SVG FSA registration only, no meaningful retail investor protection
No EU or Tier 1 licensed entity
Very high leverage (3000:1) is a risk amplifier
No top-tier regulatory licence
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Withdrew from US market in 2017
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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