Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Exness, 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 Exness are popular online brokers that cater to traders around the globe. Established in 1999, FXCM stands out as a publicly traded company, while Exness, founded in 2008, remains privately held. Neither of these brokers operates as a bank. A key difference between them lies in their regulatory credentials. FXCM holds four Tier-1 licenses, which ForexBrokers.com considers highly trusted, along with two Tier-2 licenses. Exness, on the other hand, has secured two Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, showcasing a solid regulatory stance.
When it comes to trust, FXCM boasts a Trust Score of 95 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, categorizing it as highly trusted. Exness has a Trust Score of 81, falling into the trusted category. Both brokers have established a reliable presence in the online trading industry, yet FXCM holds a slight edge in terms of trust and regulatory licenses. Choosing between them would depend on individual preferences and specific trading needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees of FXCM and Exness, both brokers offer unique structures that cater to different types of traders. FXCM, rated four stars for its fees, generally offers slightly higher-than-average forex trading costs. For standard accounts, traders can expect average spreads on the EUR/USD pair to range from 0.78 in regions like the EU, U.K., and Australia, to 1.38 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, its commission-based accounts boast spreads averaging 0.28 pips, with total cost landing around 0.74 pips after commissions. FXCM also provides a tiered Active Trader Rebate Program offering rebates from $5 to $25 per million traded, although this program isn't available in certain regions like the U.K. or EU. Overall, FXCM is ranked #24 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category.
Exness, also with a four-star rating, delivers flexible fee structures across its wide array of account types. It offers both commission-based and commission-free accounts. The Standard and Standard Cent accounts feature higher spreads but come with market execution. Meanwhile, the Pro account offers even lower spreads with the choice between instant and market execution. For those looking to minimize spreads, Exness provides the Zero Spread and Raw accounts, with the former charging a $0.05 per-trade commission and the latter up to $7 per round turn lot. Exness’s balanced approach to fees makes it an attractive option for traders who prefer various account features. The broker holds the #35 spot in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
Both FXCM and Exness offer competitive pricing models appealing to different trading preferences. FXCM's advantage lies in its robust Active Trader Rebate Program, while Exness shines with its diverse account offerings and strict execution types. Each broker has its strengths, making them viable choices depending on a trader's needs and trading volumes. While both receive a four-star rating for their commission and fee structures, the variation in account services and execution options ultimately determines their rank and appeal to potential traders.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $10 |
| 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.
FXCM and Exness both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, catering to traders who are interested in entering the forex market. FXCM provides a wider range of tradeable symbols, boasting 440 options compared to Exness’s 227 symbols. However, when it comes to forex pairs, Exness takes the lead with 96 pairs, offering more variety than FXCM, which provides 43 pairs. Both platforms do not offer exchange traded securities from either U.S. or international exchanges, so those looking to invest directly in stocks like Apple or Vodafone will need to look elsewhere.
For traders interested in cryptocurrency, neither FXCM nor Exness allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, but both brokers facilitate trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. Additionally, both platforms support copy trading, enabling users to mimic the trades of successful investors. In terms of investment variety, FXCM and Exness each earn a 3.5-star rating; however, FXCM ranks higher in the 'Range of Investments' category by ForexBrokers.com, securing the 47th spot out of 62 brokers, while Exness is placed at 55th. This indicates that while their offerings are similar, FXCM may have a slight edge in terms of overall range according to industry rankings.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 227 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 96 |
| 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 considering FXCM and Exness for trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide a suite of options to meet diverse trading needs. FXCM users enjoy access to their proprietary platform along with support for MetaTrader 4 and ZuluTrade. However, the platform does not support MetaTrader 5. Exness also offers a proprietary platform and supports both MetaTrader 4 and 5, although it lacks ZuluTrade support. Both platforms allow for a seamless trading experience, providing simulated paper trading and a variety of trading environments including Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms. In terms of additional features, both offer copy trading, but neither supports DupliTrade. FXCM stands out with 13 columns for watchlists compared to Exness's 7.
Charting capabilities vary between the two brokers as well, with FXCM providing 10 drawing tools, whereas Exness boasts 87. Both offer the ability to trade directly from a stock chart, enhancing the user experience. Rated at 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, FXCM ranks 6th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Exness receives a 4-star rating and holds the 26th position in this category. These ratings underscore FXCM’s advantage when it comes to trading platforms and tools, offering a more highly acclaimed service than Exness.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 87 |
| 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 Exness, both platforms offer iPhone and Android apps, along with the ability to receive stock or forex price alerts. FXCM distinguishes itself by allowing watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring seamless updates between the mobile app and the client’s online account. A significant edge for FXCM users is access to 59 technical studies for charting, compared to Exness's 35. Both brokers provide the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames, but FXCM's app also automatically saves chart drawings, which is a feature not available on Exness's app. Both platforms allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes.
In terms of user ratings, FXCM edges ahead with a 4.5-star rating, whereas Exness holds a 4-star rating. Rankings by ForexBrokers.com place FXCM at #16 out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, whereas Exness is positioned at #26. For traders prioritizing advanced charting features and seamless experience, FXCM’s mobile trading app appears to offer more comprehensive options compared to Exness.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing FXCM and Exness for their market research offerings, both brokers provide essential daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Traders with both brokerages can also make use of Trading Central's technical analysis tools. Moreover, each broker offers a sentiment-based trading tool, helping traders understand market trends through the ratio of long or short positions across different instruments. In terms of economic updates, both FXCM and Exness include an economic calendar that displays upcoming global news events.
Despite these similarities, FXCM distinguishes itself by offering market research from TipRanks, a service not available with Exness. When evaluating overall research quality, FXCM receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to the 3.5 stars earned by Exness. Additionally, FXCM ranks significantly higher at #11 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Exness stands at #41. These factors suggest that FXCM may provide a more comprehensive research experience for traders seeking deeper market insights.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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, FXCM and Exness both provide a solid foundation for learning about forex and CFDs with at least 10 educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, FXCM distinguishes itself with additional offerings. It hosts monthly online educational webinars, providing a chance for their clients to engage in real-time. Alongside this, FXCM maintains a searchable archive of these past webinars, making it easy for users to find valuable educational content at their convenience. In contrast, Exness does not offer live webinars, though they do provide a searchable archive of recorded sessions for those looking to review information in their own time.
For those looking to dive deeper into trading topics, both brokers offer a series of educational videos targeted specifically at beginners. However, FXCM goes a step further by also providing advanced educational videos for more experienced traders, a feature Exness lacks. Both brokers include an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, which is beneficial for learners to understand essential terminology. In terms of quality, FXCM is rated 4.5 stars for its educational offerings and ranks 14th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Exness, on the other hand, receives a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 47th, indicating a more moderate standing in educational resources.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Exness 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
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 |
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Both FXCM and Exness do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency but do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers FXCM and Exness, FXCM provides a broader range of deposit and withdrawal options including ACH, SEPA transfers, and PayPal, which are not available with Exness, while both platforms support Skril, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions.
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 | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Exness Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2008 | |
| 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 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Investments | FXCM | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 227 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 96 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $10 | |
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Exness Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Exness Review |
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