Comparison of AvaTrade and FXCM
| Feature | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
| Broker Type | MM | STP, DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CIRO, ISA, SVGFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Trading Station, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:1000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $50 per month after 3 months | $50 per year after 12 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✔ | ✔ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✔ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | AvaTrade Review | FXCM Review |
About AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a well-established Forex and CFD broker recognized for its comprehensive trading platforms, diverse range of financial instruments, and robust regulatory framework. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade serves clients worldwide, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker supports multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary AvaTradeGo app, catering to both desktop and mobile traders. AvaTrade is regulated by several reputable authorities, ensuring a high level of security and trust for its clients. Additionally, the broker provides a variety of account types to suit different trading styles and experience levels, along with extensive educational resources and customer support to assist traders in making informed decisions. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, AvaTrade stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple top-tier financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and AvaTradeGo app
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Free demo accounts available for practice trading
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage may be lower than what some traders desire
- AvaTradeGo app offers fewer customization options
About FXCM
FXCM (Forex Capital Markets) is a well-established forex broker that has been serving traders since 1999. Known for its commitment to innovation, FXCM provides a range of advanced trading platforms, including its proprietary Trading Station and third-party options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and NinjaTrader. The broker offers access to various trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile choice for traders of all experience levels. FXCM operates under the regulation of trusted authorities, such as the FCA, ASIC, and FSCA, ensuring a safe and transparent trading environment.
Pros
- Regulated by reputable authorities (FCA, ASIC, FSCA)
- Access to multiple trading platforms, including Trading Station, MT4, and TradingView
- No-dealing-desk execution for transparency and direct market access
- Comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools
- Competitive spreads and flexible leverage options
- Wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
- Strong focus on platform innovation and advanced tools
Cons
- Higher trading fees on some instruments compared to competitors
- Limited account types for specialized trading needs
- No support for MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Customer support may vary depending on the region
AvaTrade & FXCM Regulation
| Feature | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Ava Trade EU Ltd, Ava Trade Markets Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Pty, Ava Trade Japan K.K., AVA Trade Middle East Ltd, ATrade Ltd, Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd. | Stratos Markets Limited, Stratos Trading Pty. Limited, Stratos Europe Ltd (ex FXCM EU LTD), Stratos South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd., Stratos Light Limited, Stratos Global LLC |
Countries | Ireland, British Virgin Islands, Australia, South Africa, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Canada | United Kingdom, Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Canada, Israel, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CIRO, ISA, SVGFSA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | — |
| Min Deposit | $100 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard |
| Min Deposit | — | $50 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.2 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | — | 100% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $50 per month after 3 months | $50 per year after 12 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Trading Station, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 28 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 53 | 41 |
Indices | 46 | 15 |
Stocks | 614 | 3512 |
Cryptocurrencies | 20 | 23 |
Bonds | 2 | 0 |
Metals | 7 | 3 |
Energies | 5 | 7 |
Soft Commodities | 7 | 4 |
ETFs | 61 | 280 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | AvaTrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Email | customer@avatrade.com | info@fxcmmarkets.com |
Phone | +3228080310 | +16462531401 |
Telegram | Telegram | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing AvaTrade and FXCM, AvaTrade comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.