Background and History of FXCM and Forex.com

FXCM and Forex.com are two of the most popular forex brokers in the industry. Both companies have a long history of providing top-notch forex trading services to traders from all around the world.

Forex.com was founded in 2001 and is based in Bedminster, New Jersey. The company is currently regulated by several regulatory bodies, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the National Futures Association (NFA) in the US, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia.

FXCM, on the other hand, was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in New York City. The company is also well-regulated and is authorized and regulated by several regulatory bodies, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia, and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in the British Virgin Islands, among others.

Both companies have established a solid reputation in the forex industry over the years and have won numerous awards for their excellence in trading services. With years of experience under their belts, both FXCM and Forex.com are well-equipped to cater to the needs of both novice and advanced traders.

FXCM was one of the first forex brokers to offer online trading services. In the early days, traders had to call their brokers and place orders over the phone, which was time-consuming and often frustrating. FXCM revolutionized the industry by introducing the first online trading platform, which allowed traders to place orders in real-time from their personal computers. This made trading faster, more efficient, and more accessible to a wider audience.

Forex.com has also played an important role in the development of the forex industry. The company has been a pioneer in the use of advanced trading technology, offering traders access to a wide range of trading tools and features. Forex.com was also one of the first forex brokers to introduce mobile trading, allowing traders to place orders from their smartphones and tablets.

Over the years, both FXCM and Forex.com have continued to innovate and improve their trading services. Today, both brokers offer a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and more. They also offer advanced trading platforms, educational resources, and excellent customer support services.

In conclusion, both FXCM and Forex.com are reputable forex brokers with a long history of providing top-notch trading services to traders from all around the world. While each company has its unique strengths and weaknesses, both are excellent choices for traders looking for a reliable and trustworthy broker to trade with.

Regulatory Compliance of FXCM and Forex.com

Regulatory compliance is the backbone of any legitimate forex broker. Both FXCM and Forex.com operate under the strict regulatory framework of multiple regulatory authorities around the world. The regulatory compliance regime is a set of rules and regulations that aim to protect traders’ interests, maintain market integrity, and prevent any fraudulent activities from the broker’s end.

FXCM is regulated by some of the leading regulatory authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Services Board (FSB) in South Africa, and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). These regulatory agencies ensure that FXCM complies with strict regulatory standards, including risk management, transparency, and segregating client funds from the broker’s operational funds. Additionally, FXCM holds multiple licenses, enabling it to offer its services in multiple jurisdictions worldwide.

On the other hand, Forex.com is a global forex broker that is regulated by several leading regulatory agencies, including the National Futures Association (NFA) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the United States, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Forex.com also complies with strict regulatory standards such as segregation of client funds, regulatory capital requirements, account disclosures, and anti-money laundering laws. The regulatory compliance of Forex.com ensures its traders’ safety, security, and fair trading practices.

In summary, both FXCM and Forex.com maintain a high level of regulatory compliance and are regulated by some of the leading regulatory authorities worldwide. Traders who choose to trade with either of these brokers can rest assured that their funds are safe, the broker is transparent, and they comply with strict regulatory standards. Furthermore, traders must conduct thorough research about the regulatory frameworks of brokers before choosing one to trade with. Regulatory compliance must be a top priority for traders, ensuring their safety and the legitimacy of the broker’s operations.

Trading Platforms and Tools Offered by FXCM and Forex.com

When it comes to picking a forex broker, choosing the right trading platform is paramount. Two popular forex brokers, FXCM and Forex.com, each offer their own range of trading platforms and tools to their clients. In this article, we take a closer look at the trading platforms and tools offered by these two brokers.

FXCM’s Trading Platforms and Tools

FXCM offers three trading platforms: Trading Station, MetaTrader 4, and NinjaTrader. Trading Station is FXCM’s proprietary trading platform, while MetaTrader 4 and NinjaTrader are industry-standard platforms that are also available from other forex brokers.

Trading Station is a user-friendly platform that is suitable for both beginners and advanced traders. It offers a range of features such as advanced charting tools, automated trading, and a news feed. One unique feature of Trading Station is its built-in programming language, which allows traders to create their own custom indicators and automated trading strategies.

MetaTrader 4 is a popular third-party platform that is available from many forex brokers. It is known for its powerful charting capabilities, extensive range of technical indicators, and the ability to run automated trading strategies, or Expert Advisors (EAs). FXCM offers both the desktop and mobile versions of the platform.

NinjaTrader is another popular third-party platform that is available from FXCM. It is known for its advanced charting capabilities and the ability to run automated trading strategies. One unique feature of NinjaTrader is its Market Replay function, which allows traders to replay price action for any trading day since 2007.

Aside from its trading platforms, FXCM also offers a range of trading tools to its clients. These include:

• Market Scanner: A tool that allows traders to filter the market based on various criteria, such as price, volume, and volatility.
• Economic Calendar: A calendar that displays upcoming economic events and their expected impact on the markets.
• Trading Signals: A service that provides real-time trading signals based on technical analysis.

Forex.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools

Forex.com offers two trading platforms: Advanced Trading and MetaTrader 4. Advanced Trading is Forex.com’s proprietary platform, while MetaTrader 4 is available from many forex brokers.

Advanced Trading is a customizable platform that allows traders to create their own layouts and watchlists. It offers advanced charting tools, risk management tools, and the ability to run automated trading strategies, or Expert Advisors (EAs).

MetaTrader 4 is a popular third-party platform that is known for its powerful charting capabilities and extensive range of technical indicators. Forex.com offers both the desktop and mobile versions of the platform.

Aside from its trading platforms, Forex.com also offers a range of trading tools to its clients. These include:

• Market Analysis: A daily market commentary that provides traders with insights into the markets.
• Trading Signals: A service that provides real-time trading signals based on technical analysis.
• Economic Calendar: A calendar that displays upcoming economic events and their expected impact on the markets.

Which Trading Platform and Tools Should You Choose?

Choosing the right trading platform and tools will depend on your trading style and preferences. If you are a beginner trader, then a user-friendly platform such as FXCM’s Trading Station may be more suitable for you. If you prefer using third-party platforms, then MetaTrader 4 is a good choice as it is available from many forex brokers.

When it comes to trading tools, both brokers offer a good range of tools to their clients. If you are a technical trader, then you may find FXCM’s Market Scanner and NinjaTrader’s advanced charting capabilities useful. If you prefer fundamental analysis, then Forex.com’s Market Analysis and Economic Calendar may be more suitable for you.

In conclusion, both FXCM and Forex.com offer a range of trading platforms and tools to their clients. It is important to take the time to test out each platform and tool to determine which one is best suited to your trading style and preferences.

Account Types

When it comes to account types, FXCM and Forex.com offer different options to suit the needs of different traders.

FXCM offers two main account types, namely Standard and Active Trader. The Standard account requires a minimum deposit of $50 and offers competitive pricing, access to news and research, and the use of the Trading Station platform. On the other hand, the Active Trader account requires a minimum deposit of $25,000 and offers reduced pricing, personalized support, and access to the Trading Station and MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platforms.

Forex.com offers three account types, namely Standard, Commission-based, and Direct Market Access (DMA). The Standard account requires a minimum deposit of $100, offers commission-free trading, and access to the Advanced Trading platform. The Commission-based account requires a minimum deposit of $1000 and offers commission-based pricing, access to the Advanced Trading and MT4 platforms, as well as additional benefits such as personalized support and research. The DMA account requires a minimum deposit of $25,000, offers a direct market access execution, and access to the Advanced Trading and MT4 platforms.

Fees

When it comes to fees, both FXCM and Forex.com offer competitive pricing, but there are some differences to be aware of.

FXCM charges a commission on trades made through its Active Trader account, with rates starting at $0.04 per 1k lot traded. The Standard account doesn’t charge commissions but includes a mark-up on the spread instead, which starts at 0.5 pips. In terms of deposits and withdrawals, FXCM doesn’t charge any fees for bank wires or debit/credit card transactions.

Forex.com charges a commission on its Commission-based and DMA accounts, with rates starting at $5 per 100k traded. The Standard account doesn’t charge commissions but includes a mark-up on the spread instead, which starts at 1 pip. In terms of deposits and withdrawals, Forex.com doesn’t charge any fees for bank wires and debit/credit card transactions either.

It’s worth noting that both brokers may charge additional fees for inactivity, trading certain instruments, or using some of their additional services. So it’s important to read the fine print when comparing fees.

Spreads

When comparing spreads, it’s important to note that they can vary depending on the currency pair, market conditions, and account type selected.

FXCM offers competitive spreads starting from 0.2 pips on the EUR/USD currency pair for its Active Trader account. The Standard account starts at 1.3 pips on the same pair, but also offers tight spreads on other major and exotic pairs. Generally, FXCM has a reputation for offering competitive pricing, especially for active traders who qualify for its Active Trader account.

Forex.com also offers competitive spreads starting from 0.2 pips on the EUR/USD currency pair for its Commission-based and DMA accounts. The Standard account starts at 1.5 pips on the same pair but offers tight spreads on other major pairs as well. However, Forex.com is known for its market analysis and research, which can be useful for traders who make decisions based on fundamental analysis.

Ultimately, traders should consider the account type, fees, and spreads of both brokers, as well as their reputation, customer support, and trading platforms, before making a final decision. Both FXCM and Forex.com are reputable brokers in the forex industry and offer competitive pricing and services to meet the needs of different types of traders.

Customer Support and Education Resources of FXCM and Forex.com

Both FXCM and Forex.com provide excellent customer support and education resources to traders.

FXCM’s customer support team is available 24/7 via phone, live chat, and email. Their website also features a comprehensive FAQ section that covers a wide range of topics, from account opening to trading platforms. FXCM also offers a range of educational resources, including webinars, video tutorials, trading guides, and a Trading University that offers courses covering beginner, intermediate, and advanced trading topics.

Forex.com also provides high-quality customer support, with a team available 24/5 via phone, live chat, and email. Their website features a knowledge base with articles covering a wide range of topics and a comprehensive FAQ section that answers common questions regarding trading and account management. Forex.com’s education resources include a range of video tutorials and courses, including topics such as platform overview, risk management, technical analysis, and fundamental analysis.

However, while both FXCM and Forex.com offer great customer support and education resources, there are some differences between the two platforms worth noting. For example, FXCM’s educational materials may be more extensive, but Forex.com’s platform may be easier to use for beginners. Ultimately, which platform you choose might depend on your individual trading needs and preferences.

Another aspect worth noting is that both FXCM and Forex.com have active communities of traders who share trading ideas and strategies. These communities can provide valuable insights and support for traders and are a great way to connect with other traders.

In conclusion, both FXCM and Forex.com offer excellent customer support and education resources to traders. Their platforms have different strengths and weaknesses and their active trading communities can offer valuable insights and support to traders. It’s important to consider your individual trading needs and preferences when choosing between the two platforms to make sure that you select the platform that best meets your needs.