A head-to-head comparison of FXCM and Windsor Brokers across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran FCA-regulated broker with strong API support, MT4, and the proprietary Trading Station platform.
One of the longest-operating CySEC-regulated brokers, offering standard and ECN accounts on MT4 and MT5 - a solid EU retail offering backed by a track record few Cyprus-based competitors can match.
FXCM and Windsor Brokers are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.1/5 and 4/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.4 pips for FXCM, reducing trading costs.
FXCM has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Windsor Brokers has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
FXCM offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, NinjaTrader, a proprietary platform.
FXCM edges out Windsor Brokers with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| 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▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 1999 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.4 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free for first per month | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC | FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile NinjaTrader | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FXCM | Visit Windsor Brokers |
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
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
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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, FXCM ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 4/5 for Windsor Brokers. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FXCM and Windsor Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to FXCM's spreads from 0.4 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 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. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
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 Windsor Brokers offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FXCM supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, NinjaTrader and Windsor Brokers offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4; FXCM exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, NinjaTrader; Windsor Brokers exclusively offers MetaTrader 5.
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