Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs RoboForex, 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 RoboForex are both well-known online brokers, but they have distinct differences in trust ratings and regulatory oversight. Founded in 1999, FXCM holds a high Trust Score of 95 out of 99, indicating a high level of trust. This broker is publicly traded and holds four Tier-1 licenses along with two Tier-2 licenses, reflecting strong regulatory compliance and a long-standing reputation in the financial markets. Although FXCM is not a bank, its regulatory standing provides an added layer of confidence for traders seeking a secure platform.
In contrast, RoboForex, which started in 2009, has a Trust Score of 73 out of 99, placing it in the average risk category. Unlike FXCM, RoboForex is privately owned and holds only one Tier-1 license, with no Tier-2 licenses, indicating less regulatory coverage. While RoboForex is not a bank either, its relative youth and fewer licenses suggest that traders should weigh these factors when considering which broker aligns best with their trading needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2009 |
| 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 | 2 |
When comparing the commission and fees structure between FXCM and RoboForex, FXCM emerges as a more competitive choice in forex trading, offering slightly better pricing despite its spreads being somewhat higher than the industry average for certain account types. In May 2024, FXCM's average spreads for the EUR/USD currency pair were recorded at 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings and 1.38 pips for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. For its commission-based accounts, spreads averaged 0.28 pips, although additional commissions brought the effective spread to approximately 0.74 pips per trade round-trip. For high-volume traders, FXCM provides discounts via its Active Trader Rebate Program, substantially reducing trading costs depending on trade volumes and residence location. However, the rebates might be limited in certain regions like the U.K. and EU.
In contrast, RoboForex's pricing is characterized by relatively higher spreads, with average spreads of 1.3 pips for the EUR/USD pair on its Procent and Pro accounts. While RoboForex's fees and spreads are more aligned with standard industry practices, they do not offer the same level of discounts for high-volume traders as FXCM does. As a result, FXCM can be a better choice for advanced traders seeking cost savings through lower effective spreads. However, both brokers have their own strengths, and traders should consider their trading habits and location before making a decision.
Regarding ratings, FXCM holds a slight advantage with a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees from ForexBrokers.com, ranking it 24th out of 62 brokers. RoboForex, on the other hand, has been awarded a 3.5-star rating, placing it at the 54th position. These rankings reflect the cost efficiencies offered by each broker, with FXCM generally providing more favorable terms for active traders compared to RoboForex.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
When comparing FXCM and RoboForex, both platforms provide opportunities for trading forex as either CFDs or spot contracts. However, RoboForex stands out with a substantially larger selection of trading symbols, offering 8,400 compared to FXCM's 440. Interestingly, while FXCM supports more forex pairs with 43 available, RoboForex gives its clients access to 28 pairs. Neither broker provides options for trading exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, so investing directly in stocks like Apple or Vodafone isn't possible with either broker.
Both FXCM and RoboForex offer copy trading, which allows investors to mimic the trades of successful traders. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, each platform provides the ability to engage with cryptocurrency derivatives, but not actual cryptocurrency. With a 4.5-star rating and a Rank of #20, RoboForex is considered superior by ForexBrokers.com for its range of investments compared to FXCM's 3.5-star rating and Rank of #47, highlighting RoboForex's broader selection and higher customer approval in investment offerings.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 8400 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 28 |
| 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 RoboForex both offer a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools designed to suit diverse trading preferences. FXCM provides a unique edge with its proprietary trading platform along with a Windows-based desktop download platform and a web-based browser platform. Traders looking for simulated trading will find that both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts. FXCM supports MetaTrader 4 and the popular ZuluTrade for copy trading, but it does not support MetaTrader 5. In contrast, RoboForex lacks a proprietary trading platform but compensates with the availability of MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and also offers copy trading. However, RoboForex does not support ZuluTrade, unlike FXCM.
When it comes to charting tools, FXCM offers 10 drawing tools and supports trading directly from stock charts. RoboForex, on the other hand, provides 15 drawing tools, also facilitating trades directly from charts. For organizing market data, FXCM offers a robust 13 columns for watch lists compared to RoboForex's 7 columns. As a result, FXCM stands out with a five-star rating for its trading platforms and tools and ranks 6th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. RoboForex earns a four-star rating and is placed 43rd, indicating that FXCM generally provides a more advanced trading platform experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| 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 evaluating the mobile trading apps of FXCM and RoboForex, both brokers provide convenient options for iPhone and Android users, as well as features like price alerts and real-time watchlists. However, FXCM stands out with its ability to sync watchlist symbols across devices, ensuring seamless access to your investments wherever you are. RoboForex lacks this synchronization feature, which may be a consideration for traders who value consistency across platforms.
In terms of technical tools, FXCM offers a more comprehensive selection with 59 technical studies compared to RoboForex's 30, alongside the capability to draw trendlines and automatically save chart drawings on both platforms. Both apps support viewing multiple time frames, but FXCM's offerings might appeal to those who require detailed analysis. When it comes to user satisfaction, FXCM edges out RoboForex with a 4.5-star rating and a 16th place ranking, while RoboForex holds a 4-star rating and ranks 43rd out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This difference highlights FXCM's stronger overall performance in the mobile trading landscape.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| 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.
When comparing the market research offerings of FXCM and RoboForex, both brokers provide comprehensive services such as daily market commentary and forex news sourced from reputable providers like Bloomberg and Reuters. They highlight their strengths with reliable market insights, and each integrates technical analysis tools from Trading Central to assist traders in making informed decisions. However, FXCM sets itself apart with some unique features. Notably, FXCM offers a sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders understand market trends by displaying the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments—something RoboForex does not provide. Additionally, FXCM gives its users access to market research from TipRanks, offering another layer of valuable insights that are not available through RoboForex. On the other hand, RoboForex includes research tools from Acuity Trading, which may appeal to traders interested in signal-based decision-making.
In terms of navigational aids for market tracking, both platforms provide an economic calendar covering global events, giving traders insights into the future market landscape. However, FXCM's enhanced research offerings have earned it a higher rating of 4.5 stars for research compared to RoboForex's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks 11th out of 62 brokers for research, demonstrating a strong advantage over RoboForex, which ranks 37th. This suggests that while both brokers offer valuable market analysis and tools, FXCM offers a slightly more comprehensive and varied suite of resources tailored for traders seeking diverse and in-depth research support.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, FXCM stands out as a strong contender compared to RoboForex. FXCM provides a rich array of over ten educational resources focusing on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. For those who prefer live sessions, FXCM offers educational webinars each month and maintains a searchable archive of prior sessions. Additionally, beginners have access to more than ten videos designed to ease them into the trading world, along with a helpful investor dictionary that includes definitions for at least 50 investing terms. With ratings of 4.5 out of 5 stars from ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is ranked 14th out of 62 brokers in the Education category, emphasizing its commitment to providing quality learning materials.
RoboForex, on the other hand, offers a less comprehensive educational experience for beginners. It does not meet the threshold of ten forex or CFDs educational pieces, and lacks regular educational webinars or an archive of past sessions. While RoboForex does provide some resources, it doesn’t cover the same breadth of topics for beginners or advanced traders that FXCM does. Its focus on education is notably less robust, with a rating of 3.5 stars and a rank of 56th out of 62 brokers for education. Thus, for beginners seeking a more substantial educational foundation in trading, FXCM emerges as the preferable choice over RoboForex.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
RoboForex
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 RoboForex. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while RoboForex finished with an overall rank of #46.
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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RoboForex
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| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
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Both FXCM and RoboForex do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both FXCM and RoboForex provide a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, allowing users to transact with ease and flexibility.
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 | RoboForex | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | RoboForex Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2009 | |
| 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 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 8400 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 28 | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | RoboForex Review |
| Overall | FXCM | RoboForex | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | RoboForex Review |
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