Two regulated brokers face off on platform ecosystems and pricing. The tension centers on raw spreads versus proprietary platforms and instrument variety.
BlackBull Markets and FXCM are closely matched; the clearest differentiator is FXCM's proprietary platform, which BlackBull lacks.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose BlackBull Markets if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you want raw spreads and a broad instrument range.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you value a proprietary platform and strong API support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
BlackBull Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.40 pips for FXCM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
Pros
Supports all three major platforms: MT4, MT5, and cTrader
Regulated under FSC, well-established for offshore clients
No minimum deposit on standard account
Good for Asia-Pacific timezone traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | BlackBull Markets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
BlackBull Markets and FXCM share the same editorial score of 4.1/5. One concrete differentiator: BlackBull Markets requires a lower minimum deposit.
BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, while FXCM requires at least $50. This makes BlackBull Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both BlackBull Markets and FXCM hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
BlackBull Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
BlackBull Markets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for FXCM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
BlackBull Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, while FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader. Both provide MetaTrader 4. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and DXtrade. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile and NinjaTrader.
FXCM leads on safety and regulation with FCA/ASIC oversight and compensation coverage.
FXCM wins for active traders thanks to strong APIs.
BlackBull Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
BlackBull Markets wins for platform choice with MT4 MT5 and cTrader.
BlackBull Markets wins for beginners thanks to zero minimum deposit.
BlackBull Markets wins for instrument variety with 26,000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $50 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.4 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1▲ higher | 400:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $50/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for first per month |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FMA | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView DXtrade MetaTrader 4 | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
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
ECN commission of $6/lot round-turn is above some peers
Customer support timezone is NZ-centric
Brand recognition outside APAC is limited
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
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 4.1 / 5
Score 4.1 / 5
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