This comparison pits Dukascopy against FXCM on trust, fees, and platform depth. The tension centers on regulation, pricing structures, and available tools.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Dukascopy if you want raw spreads and a broad instrument universe. You avoid inactivity fees with Dukascopy.
Choose if…
Choose FXCM if you value 24/5 live chat and higher leverage. You gain robust APIs for automation with FXCM.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.9 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Pros
Full FINMA banking licence - client cash protected under Swiss deposit guarantee up to CHF 100,000
Genuine interbank SWFX ECN liquidity from 14+ institutional providers
EUR/USD variable spreads from 0.1 pips during London/New York overlap
JForex supports Java/Groovy strategy automation built into the platform
Banking-grade transparency with published balance sheet
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Dukascopy | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Dukascopy rates 4.3/5 and FXCM rates 4.1/5. Dukascopy 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.
Dukascopy starts from 0.1 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 Dukascopy requires at least $1000. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Dukascopy 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.
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.
Dukascopy lists maximum leverage of 200:1, 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.
Dukascopy charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for FXCM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Dukascopy supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and NinjaTrader.
Dukascopy offers tighter spreads from 0.10 pips vs 0.40 pips for FXCM, reducing trading costs.
Dukascopy wins for safety and regulation with FINMA licensing and Swiss deposit guarantee coverage.
FXCM wins for active traders with higher leverage and robust API support.
Dukascopy is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.10 pips.
FXCM wins for platform choice with MT4, Trading Station, NinjaTrader, and ZuluTrade.
Dukascopy wins for instrument variety with about 1,200 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.7 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $1,000 | $50▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.1 pips▼ lower | 0.4 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.8 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 200:1 | 400:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $50/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for first per month |
|---|
| Regulators | FSA Seychelles FINMA | ASIC FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
CHF 1,000 minimum deposit excludes traders starting with less than USD 1,000
JForex has a steep learning curve; designed for professional clients
Customer support primarily Swiss business hours
Not available to US residents
No negative balance protection
No 24/5 live chat
Cons
Withdrew from US market in 2017
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Dukascopy edges FXCM with the higher editorial score, making it the overall winner of this comparison.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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