A head-to-head comparison of Forex.com and OANDA across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
One of very few brokers accepting US retail forex clients, with deep research tools and competitive raw spreads for professional accounts.
NFA- and FCA-regulated with strong US/UK coverage, transparent historical pricing, and excellent research.
OANDA edges ahead with a score of 4.6/5 vs Forex.com's 4.2/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 1 pips.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
OANDA offers more exclusive platform options: TradingView, a proprietary platform.
OANDA edges out Forex.com with a higher editorial score (4.6/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Bedminster, New Jersey, USA | New York, United States |
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 50:1 | 50:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free for ACH |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CFTC MAS NFA IIROC | FCA CMF ASIC NFA CBI |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Forex.com | Visit OANDA |
Pros
One of the few brokers accepting US retail forex clients
Deep research tools including macro analysis
Raw spread account with competitive $7 round-turn commission
MT4, MT5 and proprietary platforms
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
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
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Available to US residents (NFA-registered)
Best-in-class research and economic data
No minimum deposit
MT4, MT5 and proprietary platforms
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
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
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$100 minimum deposit is higher than some peers
US clients restricted to 50:1 leverage on major pairs
Raw account pricing not available in all jurisdictions
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
Spreads slightly wider than ECN-style brokers
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Forex.com | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, OANDA ranks higher with a score of 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5 for Forex.com. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Forex.com and OANDA may each suit different trader profiles.
Both Forex.com and OANDA offer spreads starting from 1 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
OANDA has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes OANDA more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Forex.com and OANDA hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: OANDA has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Forex.com offers maximum leverage of 50:1, while OANDA offers up to 50:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Forex.com charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Forex.com supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and OANDA offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile; OANDA exclusively offers TradingView.
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