FXCM and tastytrade face off in a cross venue comparison of regulation, fees, and trading platforms. The axis of tension centers on cost efficiency and platform strength.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose FXCM if you want 24/5 live chat support and MT4/MT5 access.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade if you prefer no inactivity fee and access to up to 10,000 instruments.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.3/ 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 | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: FXCM rates 4.1/5 and tastytrade rates 4.3/5. tastytrade 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. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
tastytrade has no minimum deposit, while FXCM requires at least $50. This makes tastytrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXCM and tastytrade 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: tastytrade has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and FXCM provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FXCM lists maximum leverage of 400:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 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 tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 4 and NinjaTrader.
FXCM offers spreads from 0.40 pips.
FXCM wins safety and regulation due to FCA/ASIC oversight and segregated client funds.
tastytrade wins for active traders thanks to capped options commissions and a platform built for options flow.
FXCM wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5 support and a proprietary Trading Station.
FXCM is best for beginners due to a low min deposit and broad platform options.
tastytrade wins for instrument variety with 10,000 instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.7 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 2017 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips | N/A |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $1/lot |
|---|
| N/A | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | N/A |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 12 months) | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill | Bank transferWire transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free for first per month | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FCA | CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| 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
Options commissions capped at $10/leg, major cost advantage for traders who size up
$0 to open options trades; $1/contract to close
Platform built natively for options: IVR, Greeks, curve tool, and multi-leg management all first-class
Futures and futures options on the same account as equity derivatives
No PFOF on options, exchange-routed for best execution
Part of IG Group (LSE-listed), institutional governance and financial stability
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
Cons
Withdrew from US market in 2017
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
US-only, no international accounts
Options-first interface has a steep learning curve for equity-focused traders
No live chat support, phone and email only
Minimal fundamental research tools; no stock screener or analyst reports
Mobile app less appropriate for entering complex multi-leg strategies than the desktop platform
No negative balance protection
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
tastytrade has the higher editorial score (4.3 vs 4.1), making it the overall winner. FXCM remains strong with FCA/ASIC regulation and solid platform options.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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