FXCM and Plus500 are both established online brokers that have survived the test of time and proven to provide reliable, respected trading services to online traders worldwide. But just because a broker has been in existence for a long time doesn’t mean it’s the right brokerage for you. This FXCM and Plus500 comparison will give you all the information you need to determine which of these brokers is right for you.

This broker comparison will focus on the following four aspects plus an ultimate verdict:

Headquarters
United KingdomIsrael
Regulators
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
19992008
Execution Type(s)
Market Maker, No Dealing DeskMarket Maker
Minimum Deposit
$50$100
Negative Balance Protection
N/A
Trading Platform(s)
Other, MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform, Web-based+Proprietary platform, Web-based
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.6 pips1.3 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.0 pips1.7 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
0.034 pips-
Average Trading Cost Gold
0.30 pips-
Retail Loss Rate
70.0%82.00%
Minimum Raw Spreads
0.2 pipsNot applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.7 pipsNot applicable
Minimum Commission for Forex
$5.00/round lotCommission-free
Islamic Account
Signals
US Persons Accepted?
Managed Accounts
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Features and Platforms

MT4
MT5
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons
N/A
cTrader
Proprietary Platform
Automated Trading
Social/Copy Trading
N/A
DOM?
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Scalping
Hedging
One-Click Trading
OCO Orders
Interest on Margin
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FXCM

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74.74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

FXCM offers its traders a sound choice when it comes to trading financial markets with different platforms . Besides the broker’s proprietary trading platform called Trading Station, the most popular retail trading platform MT4 is available. Social trading is supported via the ZuluTrade platform. All four platforms support automated trading, and clients can either download a desktop version, access a webtrader or download it on their mobile device. Each platform comes with its benefits, MT4’s 2,000 free plugins and 700 paid ones, or ZuluTrade’s subscription-based model to follows trading strategies.

New traders can take advantage of an educational course or attend webinars. The prime service can be found at FXCM Plus, consisting of < trading signals, a trading analyzer, and trading analytics. Ample of written content regarding financial markets and trading is additionally available.

FXCM traders have the choice of four trading platforms, each with their unique advantages.

Plus 500

Plus500 offers its proprietary platform, available as a desktop version, webtrader, or mobile version. Regrettably, no other platform is provided, and automated trading is not supported. The trading platform lacks the flexibility many traders require. This broker was founded from a technological background, but a lack of modernity and popular updates puts this broker far behind in the platform category. Plus500 does not offer research and education. Traders are, therefore, left with a sub-par trading platform featuring over 2,000 assets.

Plus500 only offers its proprietary trading platform, which represents a sub-par choice and lacks plenty of critical features to remain competitive.

Available Markets

Currency Pairs
N/A
Cryptocurrencies
N/A
Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks (non-CFDs)
Bonds
N/A
ETFs
Options
N/A
Futures
Synthetics
Visit WebsiteVisit Website 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money

FXCM offers a limited asset selection, with less than 40 currency pairs available for trading. Five cryptocurrency pairs and a handful of index and commodity CFDs are also available. New traders may feel the overall selection sufficient, but more sophisticated traders will test the limits fairly soon. Plus500 offers over 2,000 CFDs across multiple asset classes, and diversification is better achieved. Availability subject to regulation.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.6 pips1.3 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
1.0 pips1.7 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
0.034 pips-
Average Trading Cost Gold
0.30 pips-
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
$40 -
Minimum Raw Spreads
0.2 pipsNot applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads
0.7 pipsNot applicable
Minimum Commission for Forex
$5.00/round lotCommission-free
Deposit Fee
Withdrawal Fee
Inactivity Fee
N/A$10 monthly after 3 months
Visit WebsiteVisit Website 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Forex spreads at FXCM start as low as 1.3 pips for the EUR/USD currency pair and increase for less liquid pairs. Plus500 offers a significantly better cost structure with its dynamic, market-dependent spreads and no minimums. FXCM prices most other assets lower than Plus500, but traders must evaluate fees on a per-asset basis. Trading costs directly impact the profitability of a portfolio, and FXCM offers traders a better pricing environment once traders consider all assets.

Overnight financing costs apply at both brokerages, which is normal, but swap rates are reportedly higher at Plus500 than at FXCM. Exact swap rates are available from inside the trading platform. An inactivity fee is additionally charged at £50 at FXCM and $10 at Plus500. Corporate actions are debited or credited from the trader’s account, depending on the direction of the trade, which applies to index CFDs at FXCM, and index and share CFDs at Plus500. Both brokers generally waive deposit and withdrawal fees, but third-party charges may apply.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
New Zealand, SeychellesUnited Arab Emirates, Australia, Cyprus, Estonia, Israel, New Zealand, Seychelles, Singapore, United Kingdom, South Africa
Name of the Regulator
ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CySEC, FCA, FMA, FSCA, MAS
Regulatory License Number
403326, SD045509909, 250/14, 417727, 486026, 47546, SD039, 100648-1, NOT AVAILABLE, 4.1-1/18, F005651
Visit WebsiteVisit Website 82% of retail CFD accounts lose money

All client funds deposited with Plus500’s Cyprus subsidiary are held in segregated client bank accounts in accordance with the Cyprus Security and Exchange Commission’s (CySEC) client funds rules. Plus500AU Pty Ltd holds client money in a segregated trust account, in accordance with the Australian legal requirements. FXCM and Plus500 are both regulated by the FCA in the UK , one of the premier regulators in the global financial system. As an FCA regulated broker, traders are protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) that reimburses deposits in the event of default; the maximum is capped at £85,000. FXCM is additionally regulated in Australia, France, and South Africa. Plus500 has subsidiaries regulated in Australia, Cyprus , and Singapore. Per FCA requirements, corporate and client funds remain fully segregated.

FXCM has a somewhat complicated history, especially surrounding its actions during the 2015 Swiss National Bank crisis. During twelve years ending in January 2017, FXCM faced 13 CFTC reparations cases, 17 NFA arbitration decisions, and eight other US regulatory actions; in 2014 the FCA additional fined it for similar violations. Since this broker emerged from bankruptcy, it has a clean record and new ownership, and has positioned itself as a reliable broker that is here to stay.

Plus500 has had its regulatory issues and fines. In 2012 the FCA fined this broker for not reporting transactions accurately. For the years 2015, 2016, and 2017 Plus500 reported no net revenue or loss from client profit and losses, but in February 2019 this broker announced a $103 million loss from client trading. While FXCM is leaving its opaque past behind, Plus500 may be in the midst of problems to come.

FXCM vs Plus500 – Verdict

Following our in-depth comparison of FXCM and Plus500, we have no doubts that FXCM emerges as the clear winner. Both brokers carry the same FCA regulation, making them both reliable and safe for trader funds. Though FXCM offers far fewer assets, its choice of platforms and general trading conditions are far superior to those offered by Plus500. FXCM does an excellent job offering four different platforms, and fully supports automated trading in all of them. Plus500 lacks research and education divisions, and traders are left with 2,000 assets, reasonably priced, and a somewhat outdated trading platform which would benefit from some upgrades. One upside for Plus500 is that it is available in dozens of languages, while FXCM is limited in this regard. However, English-speaking traders will not find this to be a problem. Between these two brokers, it is a clear choice between quality over quantity, and FXCM represents the obvious choice.

You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:

Read full FXCM Review
Read full Plus500 Review

FAQs

Is FXCM or Plus500 safer for Forex and CFDs trading?

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FXCM has a troubled past under its previous management team, resulting in 13 CFTC reparations cases, 17 NFA arbitration decisions, and eight other US regulatory actions in the US, and fines by the UK FCA for similar violations. After being forced to relocate after the loss of its US operating license, FXCM has a clean regulatory track record. The FCA remains the primary regulator for both, and while both have a troubled past, FXCM takes the edge as the new management team ensures a reliable operation without misconduct.

Which trading platform is better: FXCM or Plus500?

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FXCM takes a distinct leadership position, offering traders the market leading MT4 trading platform, its proprietary Trading Station, and social trading leader ZuluTrade. All support automated trading and are available as a desktop version, webtrader, or mobile application. Plus500 merely provides its sub-standard proprietary trading platform where only manual trading is possible.

Which broker is better for beginner traders?

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Since FXCM offers MT4, for which countless manuals, user guides, and videos exist, plus over 15,000 custom indicators and expert advisors (EAs), FXCM offers new retail traders a superior product and services portfolio. The significantly higher quality educational content versus Plus500 represents another value-added service. FXCM Plus further sets this broker apart from Plus500.

Which is the more reliable broker?

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FXCM and Plus500 both maintain a reliable trading environment, but FXCM deploys a superior technology infrastructure, which can result in improved pricing and lower latency.