Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Earn, 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.
FXCM and Earn stand as notable players in the online brokerage landscape, each brandishing its own attributes and regulatory track record. Established in 1999, FXCM is publicly traded and boasts 4 Tier-1 licenses alongside 2 Tier-2 licenses, underlining its commitment to a high level of trust. With a Trust Score of 95 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is classified as highly trusted, reflecting its strong regulatory standing.
In contrast, Earn, founded in 1994, remains a privately held entity with a relatively modest regulatory profile, possessing just 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. It achieves a Trust Score of 71, situating it in the average risk category. While both brokers are not banks, their differing Trust Scores and regulatory footprints paint a clear picture of their standings in today's market landscape.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1994 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When it comes to comparing FXCM and Earn in terms of commissions and fees, both platforms maintain a competitive edge, each earning a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. FXCM, ranked #24 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, offers slightly higher spreads than the industry average for its standard accounts, with specific geographic spreads reported for May 2024. The EUR/USD spread averaged 0.78 for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings, while its St. Vincent entity showed a higher average of 1.38. However, commission-based accounts boast an attractive average of 0.28 pips, excluding additional costs. To sweeten the deal, FXCM's Active Trader Rebate Program allows traders handling over $10 million in volume per month to receive tier-relative rebates, potentially reducing the effective spread significantly.
On the other hand, Earn maintains average spread data that isn’t publicly available, yet it manages to secure a rank of #46 in the Commissions and Fees category out of 62 brokers. While FXCM provides specific data and rebate opportunities for its active traders, Earn operates with a different model that might cater to traders looking for straightforward accounts without features like tiered rebates. Despite their differing offerings, both brokers have managed to achieve the same star rating, which indicates a similar level of satisfaction among their users for commissions and fees.
In summary, FXCM and Earn both serve their client bases effectively with their respective fee structures. FXCM is appealing to those interested in active trading with the added advantage of certain rebate tiers, while Earn holds its ground with a less detailed but evidently satisfactory commission framework. Whether you choose FXCM's detailed and tiered approach or Earn’s potentially simpler setup, both options are well-regarded in the realm of forex trading, each providing a distinct value to their users.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 Earn for their range of investments, both brokers offer similar options for traders interested in forex. FXCM provides 440 tradeable symbols, including 43 forex pairs, while Earn offers a slightly larger selection with 500 tradeable symbols and 61 forex pairs. Both platforms allow forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and neither offers direct access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets. Traders looking to diversify into cryptocurrencies can access derivatives through both FXCM and Earn, though neither broker supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Both brokers provide the ability to engage in copy trading, appealing to those who are interested in mirroring more experienced traders. Despite these features, FXCM and Earn each received a 3.5-star rating for their range of investments, showing room for growth. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Earn slightly edges out FXCM, landing at #45 compared to FXCM's #47 out of 62 brokers. This suggests that while their offerings are comparable, Earn has a marginal edge in the eyes of some evaluators.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 61 |
| 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.
When evaluating trading platforms and tools, both FXCM and Earn present appealing options for traders, though they differ in several key areas. FXCM offers a comprehensive range of platforms, including a proprietary desktop platform and MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while also supporting copy trading through ZuluTrade. Traders seeking flexibility will appreciate FXCM's Windows-based and web-browser accessible platforms. Notably, FXCM boasts an impressive 5-star rating for its tools and ranked 6th out of 62 brokers, making it a well-regarded choice among traders. It also includes a virtual demo account, allowing users to practice trading with simulated funds. On the charting front, FXCM provides 10 drawing tools and allows trades directly from stock charts.
Earn also caters to traders with a broad selection of features, including availability on MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and the more advanced MetaTrader 5 (MT5), offering a variety of options for different trading preferences. While it lacks a proprietary platform, Earn supports Windows-based and web trading, similar to FXCM, and enables copy trading via ZuluTrade. Furthermore, it provides a demo account for paper trading. Earn excels with 15 drawing tools for charting, allowing users to tailor their strategies effectively. However, it holds a 4-star rating and ranks 51st in the Trading Platforms and Tools category. Despite a smaller watch list offering with seven columns, Earn remains a solid choice for those focused on extensive charting tools.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 35 |
| 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 considering mobile trading apps, both FXCM and Earn offer user-friendly experiences on iPhone and Android devices. Each app provides essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and multiple time frame views on charts. While both apps enable the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, only FXCM offers watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring updates made on mobile are reflected online.
FXCM stands out with 59 technical studies for charting, compared to Earn's 35, enhancing the analytical tools available to users. Both apps autosave chart drawings, providing a seamless experience for technical analysis enthusiasts. In terms of recognition, FXCM scores slightly higher with a 4.5-star rating and ranks #16 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps. Earn, on the other hand, holds a 4-star rating and is ranked #26. These distinctions make FXCM a preferred choice for traders seeking more comprehensive charting features and better synchronization across platforms.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 35 |
| 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 Earn provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news sourced from leading providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders are well-informed with reliable updates. However, FXCM steps ahead with its collaboration with Trading Central, offering tools for detailed technical analysis, and provides a sentiment-based trading tool that gives insight into market positioning across various currency pairs. This unique combination of resources offers a comprehensive toolkit for traders wanting both news and market sentiment insights, whereas Earn does not offer these specific tools.
FXCM further distinguishes itself with market research access through TipRanks, another edge Earn lacks. Both platforms do feature economic calendars to keep traders updated on major global economic announcements. In evaluations, FXCM is awarded 4.5 stars for research, ranking 11th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its proficiency in providing valuable research support. In contrast, Earn earns a 3.5-star rating and ranks 38th, reflecting a more limited set of market research resources. Overall, FXCM provides a more comprehensive suite of tools and resources for those keen on thorough market analysis.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| 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 trading, FXCM stands out as a comprehensive platform. FXCM provides an array of over ten educational materials focused on forex and CFDs, making it an excellent starting point for novice traders. Additionally, FXCM holds regular monthly webinars and maintains a searchable archive of past sessions, which allows users to learn at their own pace. With a wealth of beginner and advanced video content, FXCM ensures that traders of all skill levels have access to valuable learning tools. Furthermore, an investor dictionary with over 50 terms helps beginners better understand trading jargon, making FXCM a top choice for those new to trading.
In contrast, Earn presents fewer educational resources for forex and CFD traders. It lacks the extensive collection of articles, videos, and webinars that FXCM offers. Without regular online webinars or an archive of recorded sessions, newcomers might find it challenging to access consistent learning opportunities. Furthermore, Earn has not developed a comprehensive set of beginner or advanced educational videos, nor does it offer an enriched investor dictionary. For those prioritizing education in their trading journey, FXCM receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Earn's 3.5 stars and ranks significantly higher at #14 in the education category, whereas Earn sits at #61 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 Earn. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
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
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 |
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Both FXCM and Earn do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
When comparing the online brokers FXCM and Earn in terms of deposit and withdrawal options, FXCM stands out by offering a wider range of methods including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas Earn does not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal but does offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options.
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 | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Earn | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 61 | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 35 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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