Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Tickmill, 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, established in 1999, is a publicly traded online broker recognized for its high trust level, boasting a Trust Score rating of 95 out of 99 as per ForexBrokers.com. This makes it a highly trusted choice for traders, bolstered by the fact that it holds four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, which signify high trust and trust respectively. Despite not being a bank, FXCM's long-standing presence in the financial market highlights its stability and reliability.
In contrast, Tickmill, founded in 2014, is a privately-owned online broker with a Trust Score rating of 86 out of 99, which indicates that it is trusted, though not at the level of FXCM. Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, pointing to its credibility in the industry. Like FXCM, Tickmill is not a bank, yet it offers a solid regulatory standing for traders seeking a secure and trustable platform.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing FXCM and Tickmill on commissions and fees, both brokers offer distinct pricing structures tailored for various types of traders. FXCM's forex trading pricing is slightly higher than the industry average, with standard account spreads on the EUR/USD averaging 0.78 pips in the EU, U.K., and Australia. The broker provides active trader discounts through its Active Trader Rebate Program, offering rebates from $5 to $25 per million traded, depending on the volume. However, the effective spread in its commission-based accounts averages around 0.74 pips when including the commission-equivalent of 0.50 pips per round-turn trade. FXCM is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #24 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Tickmill stands out for its competitive pricing, particularly for active traders, even after a recent increase in its commission structure. Tickmill’s Raw account offers some of the lowest spreads at 0.11 pips for the EUR/USD, with an all-in cost of 0.71 pips when including an RT commission of $3 per side per 100,000 units. The Classic account is commission-free but features higher spreads of around 1.76 pips. Despite the increased commissions, Tickmill continues to rank highly with a 5-star rating for commissions and fees, placing it #4 out of 62 brokers, demonstrating its strong appeal for traders seeking low-cost spreads and competitive execution policies.
Overall, if lower trading costs and competitive spreads are a priority, Tickmill offers a slight edge, especially for more active traders. FXCM, although reliable, tends to have higher pricing, making it less appealing in terms of cost savings despite its active trader discounts. Choosing between these brokers depends on your trading volume, spread preferences, and geographical location, which can influence pricing and available discounts.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.51 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 0.31 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| 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.
FXCM and Tickmill both offer a variety of investment options to their clients, with each broker allowing forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. FXCM provides access to a total of 440 tradeable symbols, including 43 forex pairs, while Tickmill expands the selection with 725 tradeable symbols and 63 forex pairs. Despite their broad range, neither FXCM nor Tickmill offers exchange traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, limiting direct access to stocks such as Apple or Vodafone.
Both brokers enable traders to engage in copy trading, which allows users to emulate the trades of more experienced investors. When it comes to cryptocurrency, neither FXCM nor Tickmill offers the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite having mirror ratings of 3.5 stars for the range of their investments, Tickmill slightly outperforms FXCM in rankings, coming in at #42, compared to FXCM's #47 out of 62 brokers as reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 725 |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by FXCM and Tickmill, both brokers provide simulated trading experiences through free demo accounts, allowing users to practice and refine their strategies. FXCM stands out with its proprietary platform, giving traders a unique interface developed in-house, which Tickmill does not offer. Desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms are available through both brokers, providing flexibility across different devices. FXCM and Tickmill each support popular trading platforms like MetaTrader 4, but Tickmill also supports MetaTrader 5, while FXCM does not. Additionally, FXCM offers ZuluTrade for those interested in social trading, giving it an edge over Tickmill, which does not have this option. Both brokers allow direct trading from stock charts, which is a handy feature for active traders.
When it comes to technical capabilities, FXCM and Tickmill both support copy trading, making them appealing choices for those who enjoy following seasoned traders' strategies. FXCM provides 13 watchlist columns compared to Tickmill's 7, giving FXCM users more fields for tracking market data. Tickmill, however, offers more drawing tools for charting, with 15 options against FXCM's 10. Despite this, FXCM achieves a higher rating for trading platforms and tools with 5 out of 5 stars, compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. ForexBrokers.com ranks FXCM at 6th out of 62 brokers in this category, while Tickmill holds the 32nd spot, highlighting FXCM's strong position in the market.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 choosing between FXCM and Tickmill for mobile trading, both brokers are well-equipped with trading apps available for iPhone and Android users. They both provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines across charts. Additionally, FXCM stands out with its offering of 59 technical studies for charting compared to Tickmill's 30, providing a more detailed analytical capability. Both apps allow viewing charts across multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday, and support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. However, FXCM takes the lead with its feature of watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring that any changes on mobile apps reflect instantly on clients' online accounts, a functionality not available with Tickmill.
FXCM's mobile app also includes convenient features like auto-saving chart drawings, enhancing user experience by providing seamless continuity across sessions. The app has earned a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, clearly signaling a favorable user experience, as reflected in its #16 rank among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Tickmill's mobile trading app, while competitive, holds a slightly lower rating of 4 stars and ranks #31 in the same category. This distinction might make FXCM the preferred choice for traders who value comprehensive features and user satisfaction in their mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill, both online brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also feature sentiment-based trading tools that indicate the ratio of long or short positions across different currency pairs. However, FXCM stands out by offering technical analysis tools from Trading Central and market research from TipRanks, enhancing its research capabilities. In contrast, Tickmill compensates with research tools from Acuity Trading such as the Signal Centre, although it lacks offerings from Trading Central and TipRanks.
Both FXCM and Tickmill provide an economic calendar showcasing global news events affecting various economies. However, in terms of overall research ratings, FXCM achieves a higher score of 4.5 stars compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. When ranked among 62 brokers for research by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is positioned at #11, demonstrating a stronger research framework, whereas Tickmill is ranked #21. Thus, while both brokers offer a solid foundation for market research, FXCM provides a more comprehensive suite of tools and resources to cater to diverse trader needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources available for beginner traders, both FXCM and Tickmill offer an extensive collection of materials to help users get started with forex and CFDs. Each broker provides more than 10 educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars dedicated to the primary subject of trading. Both platforms also host online educational webinars at least once a month and maintain a searchable archive of past webinars, enabling clients to revisit or catch up on missed content. Additionally, they both offer an impressive selection of beginner-friendly videos, numbering at least 10, focused on essential trading topics.
For more seasoned traders, FXCM and Tickmill each provide a suite of advanced educational videos, encouraging continued learning and skill enhancement. A valuable feature offered by both brokers is an investor dictionary containing over 50 key investing terms, aiding traders in expanding their market vocabulary. In terms of educational quality, FXCM earns a slightly higher rating with 4.5 stars compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. Consequently, FXCM is ranked 14th among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, a step ahead of Tickmill's 15th place ranking.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 86 |
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Both FXCM and Tickmill do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing FXCM and Tickmill for online broker services, FXCM stands out by offering both ACH and SEPA transfers for account fund transactions, while both brokers provide options for PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2014 | |
| 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 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 725 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.51 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 0.31 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Tickmill Review |
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