Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs FXCM, 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.
AvaTrade and FXCM are both well-established online brokers, with AvaTrade founded in 2006 and FXCM in 1999. While AvaTrade is a private company, FXCM is publicly traded. Neither operates as a bank, but both maintain a significant presence in the financial trading world. When it comes to regulation, AvaTrade holds four highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and three trusted Tier-2 licenses. On the other hand, FXCM has four highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and two trusted Tier-2 licenses. This shows that both platforms are well-regulated, ensuring a safe and secure trading environment for their users.
In terms of trustworthiness, AvaTrade and FXCM both receive high marks from ForexBrokers.com, with AvaTrade scoring a solid 94 and FXCM slightly ahead at 95. These scores place both brokers in the 'highly trusted' category, meaning they provide reliable services for their clients. Overall, despite differences in their licensing numbers and corporate structures, both AvaTrade and FXCM offer credible and safe online trading platforms backed by strong regulations.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | |
| Bank | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of AvaTrade and FXCM, AvaTrade presents spreads that are close to the industry average, slightly under one pip at 0.9 pips as of mid-2024. These spreads are somewhat higher compared to entry-level accounts offered by CMC Markets and Tickmill. However, for professional traders who qualify for AvaTrade's Professional account, the savings are notable, with spreads narrowing to a competitive 0.6 pips, putting them on par with FP Markets. AvaTrade's fees earn it a commendable 4.5-star rating, and it ranks 12th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, FXCM's pricing for forex trading appears slightly above the industry average. Its standard account spreads were recorded at an average of 0.78 pips for markets in the EU, U.K., and Australia in May 2024, while for accounts under its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity, the spreads averaged a higher 1.38 pips. FXCM offers more attractive rates on its commission-based accounts, with average spreads of 0.28 pips excluding commissions, and active trader discounts can significantly reduce costs based on trading volume and country-specific programs. Nonetheless, FXCM's commission pricing translates to a 0.74 pips effective spread, accounting for the commission-equivalent. The broker receives a 4-star rating and is positioned 25th among 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
In conclusion, both AvaTrade and FXCM offer competitive trading conditions with distinct advantages. AvaTrade edges ahead with a slightly better rating due to its professional account benefits and a strong position among its peers, ranked 12th by ForexBrokers.com. FXCM, though slightly trailing in the rankings, provides interesting discount strategies for active traders, making trades potentially economical under the right conditions. With both brokers, traders can achieve favorable cost structures tailored to their trading volumes and status.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Starts from $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.78 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.78 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
AvaTrade and FXCM are both online brokers that cater to traders interested in forex and CFD trading. AvaTrade offers a significant advantage with a broader range of tradeable symbols, providing access to 1,260 compared to FXCM's 440. Both platforms support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, although AvaTrade slightly edges out in forex pairs with 53, whereas FXCM offers 46. This difference in variety extends the range of opportunities for those using AvaTrade, but both platforms provide comprehensive services, including the ability to engage in copy trading and access to cryptocurrency derivatives.
While neither AvaTrade nor FXCM offers exchange-traded securities from U.S. or international exchanges, their features in CFDs and derivatives are notable. With a rating of four stars for its range of investments, AvaTrade surpasses FXCM, which holds a more modest rating of 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade is positioned at #32 for range of investments, outpacing FXCM, which is ranked at #47. These ratings highlight AvaTrade's stronger offering in terms of diversity and flexibility in trading options for both experienced and novice traders.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 440 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | ||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | ||
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | ||
| 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.
When comparing AvaTrade and FXCM for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers stand out with a variety of features appealing to traders. Each offers free virtual demo accounts, enabling users to practice trading without financial risk. Both brokers provide proprietary platforms and support popular systems like MetaTrader 4, with AvaTrade also including MetaTrader 5. Additionally, both feature web-based and Windows-based desktop trading, enhancing accessibility for users. They also support copy trading and offer connectivity with platforms like ZuluTrade, although AvaTrade uniquely provides access to DupliTrade as well. For direct trading from stock charts, both brokers excel, though AvaTrade offers 13 drawing tools compared to FXCM’s 10, while FXCM provides a richer watch list experience with 13 columns versus AvaTrade's 7.
In terms of ratings and rankings, FXCM edges ahead with a full 5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, as opposed to AvaTrade's impressive 4.5 stars. FXCM also ranks higher, placing 6th out of 63 brokers as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, while AvaTrade holds the 13th spot. This recognition reflects FXCM's slightly broader feature set and comprehensive tool offerings. Whether prioritizing user experience or a wider array of technical resources, both brokers present compelling options based on trader preferences and needs.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 10 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 13 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both AvaTrade and FXCM offer comprehensive mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, providing traders with a versatile on-the-go experience. Each app comes equipped with features such as stock and forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Users can also customize their viewing experience by choosing multiple time frames, from daily to intraday views. AvaTrade stands out with 73 technical studies available for charting, compared to FXCM's 59. However, FXCM takes the edge with automatic chart drawing saves, a feature AvaTrade lacks.
For those keen on real-time market data, both apps offer the ability to create watchlists with up-to-the-minute quotes. In terms of user ratings, both AvaTrade and FXCM have received a solid 4.5 stars for their mobile trading applications. According to ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade ranks slightly higher in the Mobile Trading Apps category at #13, while FXCM is close behind at #16. Each offers strong support for traders who rely on mobile platforms for their trading needs, though AvaTrade may appeal to those who require more in-depth chart studies.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 59 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing AvaTrade and FXCM for market research offerings, it's clear that both brokers provide valuable tools and resources for traders. AvaTrade is recognized for its provision of forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, as well as offering technical analytics through Trading Central. It also features a sentiment-based trading tool and maintains an economic calendar for global news events. However, specific details on daily market commentary and research tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading are less clear. AvaTrade earned 4 stars for its research capabilities and is ranked 34th among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
FXCM also excels in offering traders essential market insights. Like AvaTrade, FXCM provides top-tier forex news and tools from Trading Central. Moreover, FXCM adds value with its daily market commentary and market research from TipRanks, enhancing traders' research experiences. The broker's commitment to providing an economic calendar aligns with industry standards, although specifics on Autochartist and Acuity Trading tools are not mentioned. With a research rating of 4.5 stars, FXCM outshines AvaTrade, ranking 11th on ForexBrokers.com's list of 63 brokers for research excellence.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | ||
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both AvaTrade and FXCM provide an extensive collection to help new traders get started in forex and CFDs. Each broker offers well over ten educational materials such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on these markets. AvaTrade stands out with a consistent offering of online webinars, a searchable archive of past sessions, and more than ten beginner-friendly educational videos. FXCM matches these offerings and also provides a searchable archive of webinars along with videos tailored to beginner traders. Both brokers have comprehensive investor dictionaries with over 50 terms, which can be a great aid for those just starting.
However, despite these similarities in their educational offerings, there is a slight difference in their ratings. AvaTrade achieves a respectable four-star rating for its educational resources, while FXCM slightly edges ahead with a 4.5-star rating. In terms of rankings on ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade ranks impressively at #2 out of 63 brokers in the Education category, while FXCM is ranked at #14. This indicates that while both platforms provide valuable educational content, there may be nuanced differences in user satisfaction or resource quality that could influence a beginner's choice.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that AvaTrade is better than FXCM. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
FXCM
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 94 | 95 |
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While both AvaTrade and FXCM provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, neither platform offers the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
While both AvaTrade and FXCM provide a variety of deposit and withdrawal options including PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, FXCM additionally supports ACH or SEPA transfers, which AvaTrade does not offer.
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 | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 95 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | ||
| Bank | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | |||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | |||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | |||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | |||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 440 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | |||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | |||
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | |||
| 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 | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.78 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.78 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | ||
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | Starts from $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | ||
| cTrader | |||
| DupliTrade | Yes | ||
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 13 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 10 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 59 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | ||
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | ||
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | |||
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | FXCM | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 95 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | FXCM Review |
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