eToro vs FOREX.com (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Sep 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

eToro

Trust rank #8 · Founded 2007

eToro is a well‐regarded forex broker and multi‐asset platform offering broad access to currency markets via web and mobile trading. It provides social trading features, research, and education within an integrated interface…

Read the eToro review

FOREX.com

Trust rank #1 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 2001

FOREX.com is a well-regarded forex broker offering broad access to forex markets through web, desktop, and mobile platforms, with research, education, and risk management tools. It operates under applicable regulatory oversight in…

Read the FOREX.com review

eToro (Israel, founded 2007) holds 3 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. FOREX.com (United States, founded 2001) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA), 4 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 216 countries; eToro is available in 1 countries where FOREX.com is not, and FOREX.com in 15 where eToro is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • eToro leads on instrument range.
  • FOREX.com leads on trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on fee level.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

eToro vs FOREX.com: side-by-side data

CriteriaeToroFOREX.com
Editorial ratingNot verified10 / 10
Trust rank#8#1
Founded20072001
HeadquartersIsraelUnited States
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCAASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA
Broker typeMarket MakerDMA, Market Maker, STP
PlatformsProprietaryMT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted217 countries231 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail TradingProfessional Trading, Retail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

eToro

  • Tier-1 regulation (FCA/ASIC/CySEC)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Built-in social/copy trading
  • Multi-asset CFD account
  • Spread-only FX pricing

FOREX.com

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation (US/UK/CA)
  • Accepts US clients
  • Proprietary platform + MT4/MT5 support
  • Competitive spreads with raw/commission pricing options
  • Extensive FX pair offering

Cons

eToro

  • Higher spreads than ECN/STP brokers
  • No MT4/MT5 or third-party platform support
  • Market-maker execution (not true ECN/STP)
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Withdrawal and currency conversion fees

FOREX.com

  • No CFDs for U.S. clients
  • FIFO and no-hedging rules on U.S. accounts
  • No negative balance protection in the U.S.
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
  • High minimum balance for STP Pro/DMA accounts

Key features

eToro

  • CFD forex trading on majors minors and exotics
  • Regulated by FCA CySEC and ASIC with segregated client funds
  • Social copy trading CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios
  • Proprietary web and mobile platform with ProCharts and economic calendar
  • Risk management orders stop loss take profit and negative balance protection
  • Two factor authentication and KYC AML security controls

FOREX.com

  • Spot forex and multi asset CFD trading
  • Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
  • MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 and Advanced Trading platform
  • TradingView integration and advanced charting tools
  • API trading via REST and FIX plus VPS support
  • Raw pricing with commission and standard spread only accounts

Country availability: eToro vs FOREX.com

Available at both (216): Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros and 176 more.

Only eToro (1): Belgium.

Only FOREX.com (15): Afghanistan, American Samoa, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Ethiopia, Guam, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Nicaragua, Somalia, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

eToro vs FOREX.com: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, eToro or FOREX.com?

FOREX.com holds more regulatory licences: eToro (ASIC, CySEC, FCA) versus FOREX.com (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA). Tier-1 licences: eToro 2, FOREX.com 4.

Which trading platforms do eToro and FOREX.com offer?

eToro offers Proprietary; FOREX.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView.

Which has lower fees, eToro or FOREX.com?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, eToro or FOREX.com?

FOREX.com is the older of the two, founded in 2001; eToro was founded in 2007.

Are eToro and FOREX.com available in the same countries?

They overlap in 216 countries. eToro is additionally available in 1 countries (Belgium) and FOREX.com in 15 countries (Afghanistan, American Samoa, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Ethiopia and 9 more).

Keep comparing

eToro

FOREX.com

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.