With six specialty algorithmic trading platforms, API trading, and the MT4 trading platform, FXCM is a leading algorithmic trading broker. Manual traders will benefit from Capitalise AI, allowing automation of trading strategies using an intuitive, code-free environment. FXCM also deploys its competitive proprietary trading platform Trading Station and supports social trading via ZuluTrade, complementing the embedded MT4 service.
Capital.com provides traders with a cutting-edge, web-based trading platform, including AI-powered post-trade analysis. Traders may also opt for MT4, enhanced by the active TradingView community. Capital.com maintains high-quality trading tools and actionable trade recommendations, ensuring clients get an advantage led by Investmate, the proprietary Capital.com AI-assisted educational app.
We have conducted an in-depth review of FXCM and Capital.com to determine which one presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- Capital.com versus FXCM - Verdict
 |  | |
Headquarters | United Kingdom | Cyprus |
Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, NBRB, SCB |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | ||
Owned by Public Company? | ||
Year Established | 1999 | 2016 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker, No Dealing Desk | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | $50 | $20 by card |
Trading Platform(s) | Other, MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform, Web-based+ | MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform, Web-based |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 1.0 pips | 1.3 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | 0.034 pips | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | 0.30 pips | $0.30 |
Retail Loss Rate | 70.0% | N/A |
Minimum Raw Spreads | 0.2 pips | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.7 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | $5.00/round lot | N/A |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Features and Platforms
| | |
MT4 | ||
MT5 | ||
cTrader | ||
Proprietary Platform | ||
Automated Trading | ||
DOM? | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Scalping | ||
Hedging | ||
One-Click Trading | ||
OCO Orders | ||
Interest on Margin | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Noteworthy:
FXCM offers quality research and education, but Capital.com takes the lead in both categories due to Investmate, Capital.com TV, and its extensive market commentary, including actionable trading ideas for beginners.
Available Markets
| | |
Commodities | ||
Crude Oil | ||
Gold | ||
Metals | ||
Equity Indices | ||
Stocks (non-CFDs) | ||
ETFs | ||
Futures | ||
Synthetics | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
FXCM maintains an asset selection suitable for focused strategies requiring few but highly liquid trading instruments. Capital.com is a leading cryptocurrency and Forex broker with a choice of nearly 500 cryptocurrency CFDs and 138 currency pairs. Capital.com maintains 6,100+ overall assets, ensuring a well-balanced asset selection supporting almost any trading strategy. It also continuously adds new ETFs.
Typical Spreads and Fees
| | |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 1.0 pips | 1.3 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | 0.034 pips | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | 0.30 pips | $0.30 |
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin | $40 | $106 |
Minimum Raw Spreads | 0.2 pips | N/A |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.7 pips | N/A |
Minimum Commission for Forex | $5.00/round lot | N/A |
Deposit Fee | N/A | |
Withdrawal Fee | N/A | |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
High-volume, high-frequency traders can achieve lower trading costs at FXCM once they qualify for rebates, but Capital.com takes an overall lead with its commission-free pricing environment, cheaper than anything FXCM can provide. Minimum Forex costs at Capital.com are $6.00 per standard lot versus $13 commission-free or $7 commission-based at FXCM.
Security and Trust
| | |
Country of the Regulator | New Zealand, Seychelles | Australia, The Bahamas, Belarus, Cyprus, United Kingdom |
Name of the Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA | ASIC, CySEC, FCA, NBRB, SCB |
Regulatory License Number | 403326, SD045 | 793714, 193225654, 319/17, 513393, SIA-F245 |
Regulatory Tier | N/A | 1, 5, 1, 1, 4 |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Both brokers offer traders equally secure trading environments. FXCM and Capital.com segregate client deposits from corporate funds, have negative balance protection, and an investor compensation fund for their UK and Cyprus subsidiaries. Capital.com also complies with PCI Data Security Standards.
Capital.com vs FXCM – Verdict
FXCM
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent choice of trading platforms with dedicated support for algorithmic trading | High commission-free Forex trading costs |
| Deep liquidity, transparent order executions, and monthly slippage statistics | |
| Low-cost commission-based cost structure with a volume-based rebate program | |
| Quality research and education via FXCM Plus |
Capital.com
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent Forex and cryptocurrency selection | Leverage for retail clients restricted to 1:30 |
| A competitive commission-free pricing environment | Limited deposit and withdrawal methods for many international clients |
| Award-winning proprietary trading platform alongside MT4 | |
| High-quality educational section built around Investmate |
While niche algorithmic traders get a notably better infrastructure at FXCM, Capital.com offers the MT4 trading platform, which fully supports algorithmic and copy traders. The Capitalise AI platform at FXCM stands out, but both feature AI-assisted trading tools. Capital.com takes the overall lead through its excellent asset selection, lower trading costs, and education powered by Investmate, an ideal tool for beginners.
You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:
- Capital.com vs FXTM
- Capital.com vs eToro
- Capital.com vs Trading212
- FXCM vs XM
- FXCM vs Avatrade
- FXCM vs EasyMarkets
FAQs
Can FXCM be trusted?
Since the 2017 takeover by publicly listed Jefferies Financial Group, FXCM has become a trusted broker.
Is FXCM banned?
After losing its US license in 2017, the US effectively banned FXCM. It relocated to the UK under new management, from where it rebuilt itself and now operates as a trustworthy broker.
Who owns FXCM?
The publicly listed Jefferies Financial Group owns FXCM.
Is FXCM a market maker?
FXCM is a market maker with an NDD model.
How do I withdraw money from Capital.com?
The secure back office of Capital.com handles all financial transactions.
Which broker has the lowest deposit?
Both brokers have low minimum deposit requirements, but Capital.com has a lower one of only $20 compared to $50 at FXCM.