FXCM vs OANDA (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FXCM

Trust rank #9 · Founded 1999

FXCM is a well-regarded forex broker that provides access to currency pairs on proprietary and third-party trading platforms, with market research, education, and risk management tools. It operates through regulated entities.

Read the FXCM review

OANDA

Trust rank #19 · Founded 1996

OANDA is a well-regarded, regulated forex broker offering broad access to major currency pairs through intuitive web and mobile trading platforms. It provides order execution, research, charting, and educational resources, with products…

Read the OANDA review

FXCM (United Kingdom, founded 1999) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. OANDA (Canada, founded 1996) holds 13 regulatory licences (ASIC, BVI FSC, CFTC, CIRO, FCA…), 7 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 48 countries; FXCM is available in 178 countries where OANDA is not, and OANDA in 5 where FXCM is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • FXCM leads on trust rank and country coverage.
  • OANDA leads on track record, regulatory coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on platform choice, instrument range and 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.

FXCM vs OANDA: side-by-side data

CriteriaFXCMOANDA
Trust rank#9#19
Founded19991996
HeadquartersUnited KingdomCanada
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, BVI FSC, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, FFAJ, JFSA, JSDA, Kanto Local Finance Bureau, KNF, MAS, MFSA, NFA
Broker typeSTPMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, Proprietary, TradingView
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, IndicesCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted226 countries53 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesProfessional 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

FXCM

  • FCA- and ASIC-regulated; segregated client funds
  • NDD/STP agency execution; deep liquidity
  • Trading Station and MT4; advanced charting and order types
  • REST/FIX APIs and Python SDK; VPS support for algos
  • Broad instrument range: FX, indices, commodities, crypto CFDs

OANDA

  • Multi-jurisdiction top-tier regulation (CFTC/NFA, FCA, IIROC, ASIC, MAS)
  • Accepts US clients
  • No minimum deposit; flexible position sizing (1-unit trades)
  • Core Pricing + Commission option
  • Free REST/Streaming API; TradingView integration

Cons

FXCM

  • Not available to U.S. clients
  • Inactivity fee
  • Limited product range
  • Best pricing requires high balance/volume
  • Offshore unregulated entity exposure

OANDA

  • Higher average spreads than ECN brokers
  • No MetaTrader 5 support
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months
  • CFDs not available in the US

Key features

FXCM

  • STP No Dealing Desk Forex Execution
  • Multi Asset Forex and CFD Trading
  • Trading Station MetaTrader 4 NinjaTrader and TradingView Integration
  • REST and FIX API and VPS for Algorithmic Trading
  • FCA ASIC and FSCA Regulation with Segregated Funds and Negative Balance Protection
  • Active Trader Account with Volume Based Pricing

OANDA

  • Forex and CFD Trading
  • Top Tier Regulation
  • MT4 and TradingView Platforms
  • REST API and Algorithmic Trading
  • Client Sentiment and Order Book Tools
  • Flexible Unit Based Position Sizing

Country availability: FXCM vs OANDA

Available at both (48): American Samoa, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia and 8 more.

Only FXCM (178): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei and 153 more.

Only OANDA (5): Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, United States of America.

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

FXCM vs OANDA: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FXCM or OANDA?

OANDA holds more regulatory licences: FXCM (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA) versus OANDA (ASIC, BVI FSC, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, FFAJ, JFSA, JSDA, Kanto Local Finance Bureau, KNF, MAS, MFSA, NFA). Tier-1 licences: FXCM 2, OANDA 7.

Which trading platforms do FXCM and OANDA offer?

FXCM offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView; OANDA offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView.

Which has lower fees, FXCM or OANDA?

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

Which is older, FXCM or OANDA?

OANDA is the older of the two, founded in 1996; FXCM was founded in 1999.

Are FXCM and OANDA available in the same countries?

They overlap in 48 countries. FXCM is additionally available in 178 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla and 172 more) and OANDA in 5 countries (Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, United States of America).

Keep comparing

FXCM

OANDA

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.