FXCM vs Plus500 Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of FXCM and Plus500 across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran FCA-regulated broker with strong API support, MT4, and the proprietary Trading Station platform.
VS
LSE-listed with zero commission, intuitive proprietary platform, and negative balance protection - though limited research and no MT4.
Our Verdict
Too close to call0.1 pts apart
FXCM and Plus500 are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.1/5 and 4/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
FXCM offers tighter spreads from 0.4 pips vs 0.6 pips for Plus500, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
FXCM offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
FXCM edges out Plus500 with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
FXCM vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
| Founded | 1999 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Haifa, Israel |
| Min deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.4 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free for first per month | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile NinjaTrader | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FXCM | Visit Plus500 |
FXCM vs Plus500 Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
Pros
LSE-listed providing strong institutional credibility
Zero commission on all trades
Intuitive proprietary platform with a clean mobile app
Negative balance protection across all accounts
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
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
No MT4 or MT5 support
Limited research tools and market analysis
US residents not accepted
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
FXCM vs Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
FXCM
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | FXCM | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
FXCM vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, FXCM ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 4/5 for Plus500. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FXCM and Plus500 may each suit different trader profiles.
FXCM offers tighter spreads starting from 0.4 pips, compared to Plus500's spreads from 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FXCM has a lower minimum deposit of $50, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXCM and Plus500 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: FXCM has a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
FXCM offers maximum leverage of 400:1, while Plus500 offers up to 30:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
FXCM supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, NinjaTrader and Plus500 offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; both support Proprietary Web/Mobile; FXCM exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader.
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Score 4 / 5
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