Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs easyMarkets, 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, founded in 1999, is a well-established online broker that has garnered a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 95, indicating it is highly trusted. As a publicly-traded company, FXCM offers investors additional transparency. The company is not a bank, but it holds 4 Tier-1 licenses, making it a secure choice for traders looking for a trusted platform. It also holds two Tier-2 licenses, reinforcing its standing as a trusted entity in the forex trading world.
easyMarkets, founded in 2001, holds a solid position in the online trading arena with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 84, which classifies it as a trusted broker. Unlike FXCM, easyMarkets is not publicly traded, which might influence transparency considerations for some investors. Although it is not a bank, easyMarkets holds 2 Tier-1 licenses alongside 1 Tier-2 license, positioning it as a reliable choice within the industry. Both brokers offer secure trading environments, but for those prioritizing trust scores and the number of licenses, FXCM might have a slight edge.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing FXCM and easyMarkets based on their commissions and fees, each broker has unique offerings that might cater to different trading preferences. FXCM's pricing for forex trading is slightly above the industry average, with notable variations based on account types and trading volumes. Standard account users see spreads that averaged 0.78 pips for EUR/USD in May 2024, whereas those on commission-based accounts enjoyed lower spreads, averaging 0.28 pips but with added commission costs, bringing the effective spread to approximately 0.74 pips. FXCM also offers an Active Trader Rebate Program, not available in the U.K. or EU, which can significantly reduce costs depending on trade volume and tier qualification.
In contrast, easyMarkets offers fixed spreads, making it easier for traders to anticipate trading costs. On its proprietary platform and TradingView, spreads for the popular EUR/USD pair are set at 0.8 pips. However, using MT4 involves higher spreads of 1.7 pips for a Standard account, although the VIP account can reduce this to 0.7 pips. Meanwhile, MT5 offers a variable spread starting from 0.7 pips. These fixed or initial variable spreads can appeal to traders seeking predictability, but they may find them less competitive than FXCM's commission-based pricing at lower trade volumes.
In terms of ratings, FXCM boasts a higher score of 4 stars for commissions and fees, ranking 24th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. easyMarkets, on the other hand, earned 3.5 stars, placing 51st in the same category. This demonstrates FXCM's edge in offering more competitive pricing structures under certain conditions, particularly for active traders who can leverage volume discounts.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| 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 the investment options between FXCM and easyMarkets, both platforms cater to forex traders, offering trading as a CFD or spot contract. FXCM stands out with 440 tradeable symbols, while easyMarkets provides 230. In terms of forex pairs, easyMarkets offers a slightly higher variety with 63 pairs compared to FXCM's 43. Neither broker supports direct purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, keeping their focus primarily on CFD trading.
Both FXCM and easyMarkets extend their services to include copy trading, catering to users interested in mirroring the trades of seasoned investors. When it comes to cryptocurrency, traders can access cryptocurrency derivatives but neither broker offers the capability to purchase actual coins. Despite having similar features, FXCM and easyMarkets share an equal user rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investments, as rated by ForexBrokers.com. However, FXCM ranks slightly higher at #47 out of 62 brokers, surpassing easyMarkets, which ranks #54. This minor difference may influence the choice for traders seeking more diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 230 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 63 |
| 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.
FXCM and easyMarkets both excel in offering comprehensive trading platforms and tools suitable for traders of all experiences. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts for novice traders to practice risk-free. They each feature proprietary platforms built in-house and offer Windows-based desktop and web-based trading interfaces. Additionally, both support MetaTrader 4, although easyMarkets extends its offering to include MetaTrader 5, which FXCM does not. For those interested in copy trading, FXCM and easyMarkets cater to this need, but FXCM offers ZuluTrade, a feature not available with easyMarkets.
Charting capabilities differ between the two, with FXCM offering 10 drawing tools against easyMarkets' more extensive suite of 30 tools. Both brokers enable trading directly from stock charts, a convenience for active traders. When organizing market data, FXCM provides richer watch lists with 13 columns compared to easyMarkets' 8. These differences may contribute to FXCM's higher rating of five stars for its trading platforms and tools, placing it at #6 out of 62 brokers rated by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, easyMarkets has a respectable four-star rating, securing the #35 spot.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing FXCM and easyMarkets for their mobile trading apps, both platforms offer apps for iPhone and Android users. FXCM stands out with its stock and forex price alerts feature, which is lacking in the easyMarkets app. Both brokers allow watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring that any changes made are consistent across the mobile app and online account. While easyMarkets offers more technical studies for charting at 81 compared to FXCM's 59, both apps provide essential tools like the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts.
FXCM has an edge with auto-saving of chart drawings, a feature easyMarkets does not include. Both brokers allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. In terms of user ratings, FXCM has a higher score of 4.5 stars compared to easyMarkets' 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is ranked 16th out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, while easyMarkets is ranked 29th. These distinctions make FXCM a strong contender for traders seeking a feature-rich mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 81 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing FXCM and easyMarkets for market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to high-quality forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also offer similar tools, like support from Trading Central for technical analysis. However, neither broker includes tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading, and both feature sentiment-based trading tools that give insight into position ratios across various currencies. Additionally, they provide comprehensive economic calendars for tracking global news events. A key difference is that FXCM partners with TipRanks for enhanced market research, while easyMarkets does not.
In terms of ratings and rankings, FXCM outperforms easyMarkets with a research rating of 4.5 out of five stars, compared to easyMarkets' 3.5 stars. This superior performance is also reflected in their ranks, with FXCM securing the 11th position out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, while easyMarkets holds the 43rd spot. This suggests FXCM offers a more comprehensive research experience, catering to those looking for extensive market insights.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| 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, both FXCM and easyMarkets excel in offering a wealth of content to help newcomers get started in the world of trading. FXCM provides a variety of educational materials that include articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring that there are at least ten different pieces focusing on forex or CFDs. Similarly, easyMarkets matches this offering. Both brokers host monthly online webinars and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions, allowing learners to revisit topics at their own pace. FXCM and easyMarkets also cater to beginners with over ten introductory trading videos, easing new traders into the fundamentals.
For those looking to advance their trading knowledge, both platforms offer a collection of advanced educational videos. Additionally, each broker provides an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, making it simpler for traders to grasp crucial concepts. However, when assessing the quality of these educational offerings, FXCM has a slight edge with a rating of 4.5 stars compared to easyMarkets' 3.5 stars. In rankings provided by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM further outshines easyMarkets by taking the 14th spot out of 62 brokers, while easyMarkets ranks 39th. Overall, FXCM stands out as a preferred choice for its comprehensive and highly-rated educational resources.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than easyMarkets. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while easyMarkets finished with an overall rank of #43.
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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easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 84 |
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Both FXCM and easyMarkets do not provide the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both offer options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both FXCM and easyMarkets provide a range of deposit and withdrawal methods including ACH or SEPA transfers, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires; however, FXCM uniquely offers PayPal as a payment option, unlike easyMarkets.
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 | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | easyMarkets Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 230 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 63 | |
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $25 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 81 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | easyMarkets Review |
| Overall | FXCM | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | easyMarkets Review |
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