Etrade
FXCM
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Overview
Etrade was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in United States, while FXCM was established in 1999 and is based in United States. Etrade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while FXCM is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Etrade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; FXCM has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Etrade and $1 at FXCM.
| Feature | Etrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Founded | 2012 | 1999 |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Etrade and FXCM, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. FXCM has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $100 at Etrade). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Overall, FXCM scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Etrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Etrade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while FXCM supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Etrade supports social and copy trading features, which FXCM does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Etrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | cTrader, SocialTrading, webPlatform, DesktopPlatform, Proprietary . | MT4, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, NinjaTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Etrade and FXCM compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. FXCM scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Etrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Etrade accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while FXCM supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | Etrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Etrade and FXCM offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 2 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Etrade | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |