Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Markets.com, 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 Markets.com, both brokers have a strong regulatory presence, having been founded in 1999. FXCM is publicly traded, unlike Markets.com, which offers an added layer of transparency for potential investors. In terms of regulatory licenses, FXCM holds four Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, while Markets.com holds three. Both brokers are not banks, yet they are well-regarded in the forex trading world.
The ForexBrokers.com Trust Score further underscores their reliability, with FXCM scoring a 95 out of 99, denoting a highly trusted broker status. Markets.com follows closely behind with a Trust Score of 93, also placing it in the highly trusted category. FXCM has the edge with additional Tier-2 licenses, holding two compared to Markets.com's one, further enhancing its trusted status among online traders.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing FXCM and Markets.com on commissions and fees, FXCM offers a slightly higher pricing for forex trading than the industry average. For standard account holders, the average spread on the popular EUR/USD currency pair at FXCM measured 0.78 pips for clients in the EU, the U.K., and Australia, while it was 1.38 pips for those with the St. Vincent and Grenadines entity, which is above the industry norm. However, FXCM offers a commission-based account where users got an average spread of 0.28 pips in May 2024, not including commissions. For high-volume traders, FXCM provides an Active Trader Rebate Program with potential rebates ranging from $5 to $25 per million traded, depending on the tier and monthly trading volume. Though FXCM does offer substantial savings for active traders, competitors like Tickmill and FP Markets have more attractive pricing.
Markets.com, in comparison, does not provide specific average spread data for their trading fees. As a result, evaluating their cost structure lacks precision compared to FXCM's detailed spread information. Markets.com does, however, earn 3.5 stars for its commissions and fees, slightly lower than FXCM’s 4-star rating. This suggests that while Markets.com may not match FXCM in detailed transparency and competitive pricing for active traders, it maintains a fair fee structure that appeals to a broad range of users.
In terms of industry rankings, FXCM is placed #24 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees, showcasing a reputable position within the market. Meanwhile, Markets.com holds the #49 spot, indicating room for improvement in this category. Therefore, traders prioritizing cost-effectiveness might appreciate FXCM's structured pricing tiers and discount programs, despite their slightly higher baseline fees. Markets.com could appeal to those less focused on spread minutiae but still seeking a competitive trading environment.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
FXCM and Markets.com both present comprehensive options for forex trading, with FXCM offering trades as either CFDs or spot contracts, just as Markets.com does. FXCM provides access to 440 tradeable symbols, while Markets.com impressively lists 2179 symbols. In terms of tradeable forex pairs, Markets.com slightly edges out FXCM by offering 57 pairs compared to FXCM's 43. Neither broker offers the trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, which means buying stocks like Apple or Vodafone directly is not possible through these platforms. However, both offer copy trading and the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, but not the actual digital currencies themselves.
When considering ratings, FXCM is given a 3.5-star rating for its range of investments, ranking it 47th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Markets.com scores a higher 4-star rating, holding the 29th place in the same ranking category. This suggests that while both brokers provide similar core offerings, Markets.com presents a broader selection of tradeable assets and a slightly more favorable user experience when assessing investment variety.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 57 |
| 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by FXCM and Markets.com, both brokers provide traders with free virtual demo accounts, allowing them to practice trading without financial risk. Each broker also boasts a proprietary platform developed in-house, web-based trading options, and Windows-based desktop applications, enhancing accessibility and user experience. While both support the widely used MetaTrader 4 (MT4), only Markets.com extends its offerings to MetaTrader 5 (MT5), providing additional flexibility for traders seeking the latest trading technology. In terms of niche features, FXCM stands out with its support of ZuluTrade for copy trading, though Markets.com doesn't offer this option.
Evaluating tools and chart capabilities, FXCM offers superior resources, including the ability to trade directly from stock charts and 10 drawing tools, compared to the 4 provided by Markets.com. Additionally, FXCM allows users to customize watch lists with 13 different fields, compared to 6 offered by Markets.com. These advantages contribute to FXCM's higher rating of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, compared to Markets.com's 4 stars. Furthermore, FXCM ranks impressively at #6 among 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, while Markets.com is positioned at #26, demonstrating FXCM's edge in providing comprehensive and user-friendly trading solutions.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FXCM and Markets.com provide solutions for iPhone and Android users, ensuring seamless access to trading on the go. Both platforms offer stock or forex price alerts and provide the convenience of syncing watchlists between their mobile apps and online accounts. FXCM impresses with a wide range of 59 technical studies available for charting, whereas Markets.com aligns with the default offerings on the MT4 platform, lacking distinct options in its own app. Both FXCM and Markets.com enable traders to draw trendlines on charts, though FXCM additionally allows for viewing charts across multiple timeframes and offers auto-saving of chart drawings, features not supported by Markets.com's app.
FXCM further stands out by offering a streamlined experience for viewing real-time quotes in customizable watchlists and is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for its mobile trading app by ForexBrokers.com, ranking as the 16th best among 62 competitors. In contrast, Markets.com receives a 4-star rating and ranks 33rd, reflecting FXCM's superior mobile trading experience. Choosing between the two apps depends largely on traders' priority for advanced charting tools and synchronization options; FXCM clearly has an edge for those who find these features essential.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM and Markets.com both provide daily market commentary and forex news from esteemed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders remain informed on the latest market developments. However, while Markets.com does not offer tools from Trading Central, FXCM provides advanced technical analysis tools from this reputed company. Both brokers equip traders with sentiment-based trading tools, presenting insights via the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments.
FXCM stands out with additional research resources, featuring market analysis through TipRanks, while Markets.com lacks this collaboration. Both brokers offer economic calendars to assist traders in tracking global events. When it comes to overall research capabilities, FXCM has a slight edge with a rating of 4.5 stars compared to Markets.com's 4 stars, and their rankings reflect this with FXCM placed 11th and Markets.com 17th out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 in forex and CFDs, FXCM stands out as a solid choice. They provide a variety of learning materials, offering over ten educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars. These resources give new traders a comprehensive starting point to understand the dynamics of forex and CFDs trading. FXCM also hosts a monthly educational webinar and maintains a searchable archive of past webinars, making it easier for users to access valuable information at their convenience. Additionally, they cater to both new and seasoned traders with a series of beginner and advanced video tutorials. They even offer an investor dictionary with over 50 trading term definitions, which is an essential tool for building a strong foundational knowledge.
Conversely, while Markets.com also provides educational webinars on a monthly basis and offers beginner and advanced video content, it lacks some of the in-depth educational materials that FXCM provides, such as a searchable webinar archive and a comprehensive investor dictionary. As a result, Markets.com falls slightly behind in its educational offerings. In terms of ratings, FXCM is ranked higher, holding a 4.5-star rating for its education offerings, compared to Markets.com's 4-star rating. Furthermore, based on ForexBrokers.com's rankings, FXCM is positioned at #14 out of 62 brokers in the education category, while Markets.com is ranked #34. This suggests that while both brokers can facilitate learning for new traders, FXCM delivers a more extensive educational experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Markets.com. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 93 |
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Both FXCM and Markets.com do not provide options to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
FXCM outshines Markets.com in terms of funding flexibility by supporting ACH and SEPA transfers and embracing PayPal alongside Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Markets.com accepts withdrawals and deposits through Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks the option for ACH, SEPA, or PayPal 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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 59 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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