FXCM vs XM (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

XM

Trust rank #26 · Founded 2009

XM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker providing online access to multiple markets on widely used platforms, along with research tools, education, and multilingual support.

Read the XM 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. XM (Cyprus, founded 2009) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 225 countries; FXCM is available in 1 countries where XM is not, and XM in 4 where FXCM is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • FXCM leads on trust rank, track record and platform choice.
  • XM leads on regulatory coverage and country coverage.
  • Level on instrument range, 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 XM: side-by-side data

CriteriaFXCMXM
Trust rank#9#26
Founded19992009
HeadquartersUnited KingdomCyprus
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCAASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC
Broker typeSTPMarket Maker, STP
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, IndicesCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted226 countries229 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

XM

  • CySEC and ASIC regulation
  • Low $5 minimum deposit
  • MT4/MT5 platform support (desktop/web/mobile)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Low-spread account options (commission-free and commission-based)

Cons

FXCM

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

XM

  • Offshore regulation via IFSC Belize
  • CFDs only (no real stocks/ETFs ownership)
  • MT4/MT5 only; no proprietary platform
  • Inactivity fee applies
  • No ECN/DMA accounts

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

XM

  • Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Equities Metals Energies
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with algorithmic trading and VPS support
  • Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
  • Multi jurisdiction regulation CySEC ASIC DFSA IFSC
  • Multiple account types Micro Standard Ultra Low with tight spreads
  • Market execution low latency and high fill rates with no requotes

Country availability: FXCM vs XM

Available at both (225): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, 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, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island and 185 more.

Only FXCM (1): Israel.

Only XM (4): Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Japan.

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

FXCM vs XM: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FXCM or XM?

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

Which trading platforms do FXCM and XM offer?

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

Which has lower fees, FXCM or XM?

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 XM?

FXCM is the older of the two, founded in 1999; XM was founded in 2009.

Are FXCM and XM available in the same countries?

They overlap in 225 countries. FXCM is additionally available in 1 countries (Israel) and XM in 4 countries (Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Japan).

Keep comparing

FXCM

XM

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.