FXCM and FXOpen face off on regulation, costs, and platforms. The axis of tension is how each prioritizes safety, pricing, and trading tech.
FXOpen and FXCM are closely matched overall, but FXOpen's triple regulation is the clearest differentiator.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FXOpen offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.40 pips for FXCM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
Pros
Strong APIs (REST, FIX)
Trading Station + MT4
FCA regulated
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXCM | FXOpen |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: FXCM rates 4.1/5 and FXOpen rates 4.2/5. FXOpen 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.
FXOpen 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 FXOpen requires at least $100. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXCM and FXOpen 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: FXCM requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXCM lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while FXOpen lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FXOpen charges $3 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for FXCM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader, while FXOpen supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile and NinjaTrader. FXOpen has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5.
FXOpen wins for safety with FCA, CySEC, and ASIC regulation.
FXOpen is favored for active traders due to low ECN commission.
FXOpen is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $3/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.3 pips |
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free for first per month | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC | FCA ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
FCA, CySEC, and ASIC triple regulation
$3 round-turn ECN commission, one of the lowest in retail forex
Early cTrader adopter with mature integration
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Withdrew from US market in 2017
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
$100 minimum deposit on ECN accounts
Less brand recognition than larger competitors
Customer support coverage narrower than global tier-1 brokers
No proprietary platform
No phone support
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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