FXCM vs ThinkMarkets (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

ThinkMarkets

Trust rank #20 · Founded 2010

ThinkMarkets is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad market access via MetaTrader and its proprietary ThinkTrader platform. It provides research, education, and risk management tools to support analysis and platform…

Read the ThinkMarkets 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. ThinkMarkets (Australia, founded 2010) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 198 countries; FXCM is available in 28 countries where ThinkMarkets is not, and ThinkMarkets in 1 where FXCM is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

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 ThinkMarkets: side-by-side data

CriteriaFXCMThinkMarkets
Trust rank#9#20
Founded19992010
HeadquartersUnited KingdomAustralia
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Broker typeSTPECN, STP
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, IndicesCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted226 countries199 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesProfessional Trading, Retail TradingCopy Trading, Professional 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

ThinkMarkets

  • FCA & ASIC regulation
  • MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader platforms
  • Raw-spread ThinkZero; commission-free Standard
  • Negative balance protection; segregated funds
  • Hedging, scalping, EAs allowed; high leverage options

Cons

FXCM

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

ThinkMarkets

  • - Offshore entity for many clients with weaker investor protections
  • - No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLO)
  • - Not available to U.S. residents
  • - No cTrader platform support
  • - CFDs only (no physical shares/ETFs)

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

ThinkMarkets

  • Multi Asset CFD Trading Forex Indices Commodities Shares
  • MT4 MT5 and ThinkTrader Platforms
  • Multi Jurisdiction Regulation ASIC FCA FSCA FSA and Segregated Client Funds
  • Negative Balance Protection
  • Standard and ThinkZero Raw Spread Accounts
  • VPS Hosting and Algorithmic EA Support

Country availability: FXCM vs ThinkMarkets

Available at both (198): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros and 158 more.

Only FXCM (28): Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Lucia, Slovakia and 3 more.

Only ThinkMarkets (1): Hong Kong.

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

FXCM vs ThinkMarkets: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FXCM or ThinkMarkets?

FXCM holds more regulatory licences: FXCM (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA) versus ThinkMarkets (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA). Tier-1 licences: FXCM 2, ThinkMarkets 2.

Which trading platforms do FXCM and ThinkMarkets offer?

FXCM offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView; ThinkMarkets offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, FXCM or ThinkMarkets?

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 ThinkMarkets?

FXCM is the older of the two, founded in 1999; ThinkMarkets was founded in 2010.

Are FXCM and ThinkMarkets available in the same countries?

They overlap in 198 countries. FXCM is additionally available in 28 countries (Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia and 22 more) and ThinkMarkets in 1 countries (Hong Kong).

Keep comparing

FXCM

ThinkMarkets

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.