FXCM and Windsor Brokers square off on regulation depth, pricing structures, and platform options. The outcome hinges on which factors traders weight most.
FXCM and Windsor Brokers are closely matched overall; FXCM’s top-tier regulation, advanced charting, and larger instrument universe are the clearest differentiators.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you want FCA/ASIC regulation, advanced APIs, and a proprietary Trading Station.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you prefer a long operating history and MT4/MT5 availability.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.40 pips for FXCM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 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 | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: FXCM rates 4.1/5 and Windsor Brokers rates 4/5. FXCM 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.
Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
FXCM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, ASIC), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
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 Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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 Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile and NinjaTrader. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5.
FXCM wins for safety & regulation with FCA/ASIC oversight and segregated client funds.
FXCM suits active traders with strong APIs, multiple platforms, and mobile trading.
Windsor Brokers is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FXCM offers a proprietary Trading Station plus MT4, expanding platform choice.
FXCM offers more instruments, 400 compared with Windsor’s 200.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 1988 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Nicosia, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50▼ lower | $100 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.4 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.8 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 cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free for first per month | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader | 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
35+ years of continuous operation, one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Withdrew from US market in 2017
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5, no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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