Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs ATFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing FXCM and ATFX, it's important to understand how their regulatory credentials stack up. FXCM, founded in 1999, is a publicly traded online broker and boasts a strong presence with a Trust Score of 95 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating that it is highly trusted. ATFX, founded in 2017, operates privately and carries a Trust Score of 85, which signifies that it is trusted but slightly less so than FXCM. Both brokers are not banks but have secured 4 Tier-1 licenses each, which are considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting their commitment to maintaining stringent regulatory standards.
Additionally, both FXCM and ATFX hold 2 Tier-2 licenses each, reinforcing their credibility in the market. While FXCM's public trading status and higher Trust Score might appeal to those prioritizing established market confidence, ATFX’s impressive array of licenses since its recent founding in 2017 showcases that it has quickly gained a reputable standing in the competitive world of online brokerage.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees of FXCM and ATFX, there are some noteworthy differences to consider. FXCM, with a 4-star rating, offers competitive but slightly above-average pricing for forex trading. Their standard account spreads, based on May 2024 data, averaged around 0.78 pips in regions like the EU, U.K., and Australia, while spreads at their St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity stood at a higher 1.38 pips. However, FXCM shines with its commission-based accounts, where average spreads drop to 0.28 pips, excluding commissions.
FXCM also provides an Active Trader Rebate Program, albeit unavailable in the U.K. or EU, where rebates range from $5 to $25 per million traded, based on tier and trading volume. While this program offers significant discounts, it's noted that competitors like Tickmill and FP Markets often propose even more attractive pricing for active traders. Despite this, FXCM maintains effective spreads close to 0.74 pips with commission-based pricing, pushing its ranking to #24 out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, ATFX, which holds a 3-star rating, ranks much lower, at #59 out of 62 brokers for the same category. Unfortunately, detailed average spread data for ATFX is not available, making it challenging to provide a comprehensive fee comparison. However, based on ratings and rankings, FXCM appears to offer more competitive pricing strategies compared to ATFX, especially for those who qualify for their active trader discounts.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing FXCM and ATFX in terms of investment options, both brokers provide forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. FXCM offers a total of 440 tradeable symbols, giving traders access to 43 forex pairs, whereas ATFX provides 150 tradeable symbols with one more forex pair, totaling 44. Neither FXCM nor ATFX allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, such as Apple or Vodafone shares. However, both brokers include copy trading features and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, although they do not provide the option to buy physical cryptocurrencies.
In light of these offerings, both FXCM and ATFX receive a rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investments. Nevertheless, a ranking by ForexBrokers.com places FXCM at #47 out of 62 brokers, while ATFX comes in at #57. This indicates that while both brokers have similar product offerings and ratings, FXCM provides slightly broader access to tradeable symbols, which could be a deciding factor for investors looking for more variety in their trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Both FXCM and ATFX offer virtual demo accounts, providing potential traders the chance to practice and familiarize themselves with the platforms without financial risk. However, FXCM pulls ahead by supplying a proprietary platform developed in-house, which adds a unique edge to its trading services. While both brokers have Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based trading capabilities, they differ in support for MetaTrader platforms. FXCM supports MT4 but skips on MT5, while ATFX offers both versions, ensuring support for MetaTrader enthusiasts who require more versatility.
FXCM also provides ZuluTrade for those interested in copy trading, whereas ATFX does not. When it comes to technical analysis tools, ATFX offers more drawing tools compared to FXCM's count, which might appeal to those who heavily engage with chart strategies. However, for watch list functionality, FXCM offers more columns for tracking various data fields. Ratings and rankings further distinguish the two brokers, as FXCM receives higher marks with 5 stars, ranked 6th among 62 brokers for its trading platforms and tools, while ATFX garners 3.5 stars, placing it much lower, at 61st. Overall, these elements position FXCM as a stronger choice for those prioritizing comprehensive trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of FXCM and ATFX, both brokers offer accessible apps for iPhone and Android users, complete with stock and forex price alerts. FXCM's app provides a significant advantage with its comprehensive feature set, offering a notable 59 technical studies for charting compared to ATFX's 7. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, with auto-saving capabilities for these drawings. Additionally, both brokers enable the creation of watchlists featuring real-time quotes, although only FXCM's app supports watchlist symbol syncing with the client's online account.
In terms of user ratings, FXCM rises above with a commendable 4.5-star score, while ATFX stands at 3.5 stars. This difference is reflected in industry rankings, as ForexBrokers.com places FXCM at #16 out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, whereas ATFX is ranked at #62. This comparison clearly illustrates that while both brokers provide essential tools for mobile trading, FXCM's app delivers a more enhanced trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 7 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both FXCM and ATFX provide daily market commentary, ensuring that traders have access to valuable insights each day. However, FXCM stands out by offering forex news from prestigious sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, which ATFX does not provide. When it comes to advanced tools, FXCM supports Trading Central's technical analytics along with a sentiment-based trading tool, offering a comprehensive research experience. While ATFX also utilizes Trading Central, it lacks the sentiment analysis feature and dependence on news from top-tier sources that FXCM provides.
In the realm of market research ratings, FXCM outshines ATFX with a 4.5-star rating and is ranked 11th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. ATFX, on the other hand, receives a 3-star rating and is ranked 54th in the same category. Both brokers offer an economic calendar displaying critical global news events, yet FXCM's additional market insights from TipRanks further enhance its research offerings. Although ATFX compensates with access to tools from Autochartist, the overall research experience offered by FXCM sets it apart as a more comprehensive choice for traders seeking thorough market analysis.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners in the world of forex and CFDs, both FXCM and ATFX offer a rich variety of materials. FXCM provides a broad range of educational content, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, which cover both basic and advanced trading topics. They also conduct regular online webinars and maintain a searchable archive, making it easy for users to revisit past sessions. Additionally, FXCM supports beginners with specialized videos and an expansive investor dictionary that includes over 50 investing terms. With a commendable 4.5-star education rating and a #14 rank among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is highly regarded for its educational offerings.
ATFX, on the other hand, also ensures that beginners have access to over 10 educational pieces and supports their learning through a variety of videos and an investor dictionary similar to that of FXCM. However, ATFX falls short in providing regular online webinars and lacks advanced educational content tailored for experienced traders. With a 3-star rating in education and a ranking of #28 by ForexBrokers.com, ATFX offers valuable resources but may not match the depth and regularity of FXCM’s offerings for those looking to expand their trading knowledge comprehensively.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than ATFX. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
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ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 |
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Both FXCM and ATFX do not provide options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they each offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives instead of the underlying asset.
FXCM provides a wide array of transaction options, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ATFX supports Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal facilities.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | FXCM | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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