Two regulated brokers face off over platforms, pricing, and instrument breadth. One relies on a proprietary AI-powered platform, the other pairs MT4/MT5 with strong APIs.
Capital.com wins on editorial score (4.3 vs 4.1) and broader regulation, giving it the edge over FXCM; FXCM remains competitive with MT4, NinjaTrader and strong APIs.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Capital.com if…
Choose Capital.com if you want a $20 minimum and zero-commission trades on a proprietary AI-powered platform.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you need MT4/MT5, NinjaTrader, and strong REST/FIX APIs.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FXCM offers tighter spreads from 0.40 pips vs 0.60 pips for Capital.com, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Pros
Very low $20 minimum deposit
AI-powered pattern recognition built into proprietary platform
Zero commission on all trades
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and MAS regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Capital.com | 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) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Capital.com rates 4.3/5 and FXCM rates 4.1/5. Capital.com 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.
FXCM starts from 0.4 pips, tighter than Capital.com's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Capital.com has $20, while FXCM requires at least $50. This makes Capital.com more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Capital.com 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: Capital.com requires a lower minimum deposit ($20), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Capital.com lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 4 and NinjaTrader.
Capital.com is best for safety & regulation due to multiple top-tier regulators and segregated client funds.
FXCM wins for active traders with higher leverage, MT4/MT5 access, NinjaTrader, robust REST/FIX APIs, and rapid execution.
FXCM is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.40 pips.
FXCM offers more platform choice with MT4/MT5, NinjaTrader, Trading Station, and native mobile apps plus responsive, excellent support.
Capital.com is best for beginners due to a low $20 minimum and zero commissions.
Capital.com offers a broader instrument universe with about 6300 options.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2016 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $20▼ lower | $50 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 400:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 3 months)▼ lower | $50/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for first per month |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
Proprietary platform only, no MT4 or MT5
Limited product range for advanced traders
No phone support
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
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
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