FXCM
tradestation
BrokerDataNet earns affiliate commission from brokers listed on this site. This does not affect our ratings or editorial independence.
Overview
FXCM was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in United States, while tradestation was established in 2014 and is based in Cyprus. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. FXCM serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; tradestation has 3,500,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at FXCM and $250 at tradestation.
| Feature | FXCM | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F329 |
| Founded | 1999 | 2014 |
| Country | United States | Cyprus |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 3,500,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between FXCM and tradestation, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. FXCM has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $250 at tradestation). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Overall, FXCM scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | FXCM | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
FXCM offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while tradestation supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. FXCM edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | FXCM | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, NinjaTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how FXCM and tradestation 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. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | FXCM | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. FXCM accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while tradestation supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). tradestation uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. tradestation scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | FXCM | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both FXCM and tradestation offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. FXCM supports 2 languages and tradestation supports 8, giving tradestation broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | FXCM | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |