Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CFI vs FXCM
Where CFI and FXCM differ
| Compare |  CFI |  FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $50 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, CryptoCovers more | Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, FCACovers more | FCA |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66% | 63% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit fees | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | MT5, TradingView, CFI Multi Asset, CFI Trading App | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- CFI scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only CFI offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- CFI is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at CFI: $0 vs $50.
- Markets: only CFI offers Stocks, ETFs.
Our verdict on each
CFI
CFI suits traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex on a commission-free model commission free, with a minimum deposit of $0 and a Cyprus entity licensed by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA. Note that 66% of retail accounts lose money, and protection under the EU scheme is limited.
FXCM
FXCM suits UK traders who want a single regulated account for forex, CFDs and crypto, opening from a minimum deposit of $50 with client money covered by FSCS up to GBP 85,000. The licence is a known name, which matters more than a bargain headline, since 63% of retail accounts lose money.
Score breakdown
| Area | CFI | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7Higher | 8.7Entry starts at $50 against a €4.64 site median, with dealing limited to forex, cfds and crypto. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 8.6 |
What each covers
| Markets | CFI | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | CFI | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | FCA 217689 | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | CFI | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 15 of 147 | 83 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 13 of 145 | 81 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 13 of 122 | 69 of 122 |
Sources behind this comparison
CFI
- media.cfifinancial.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- dailyforex.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forex.wikibit.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investinglive.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
FXCM
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forexsuggest.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxcmaffiliates.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CFI | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd | Stratos Markets Limited |
| Founded | 1998 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CFI | FXCM | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $50above the median | $25 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 66%lowest quarter | 63%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CFI
Pros
- No minimum deposit, at $0, and No deposit fees, so funding does not cost a fee and the account can open at any size.
- Regulated on both sides of Europe: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA, with the Cyprus entity named as Credit Financier Invest (CFI) Ltd.
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex rather than forcing separate apps per asset class.
Cons
- Protection caps out at EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 on the Cyprus entity, so balances above that sit outside the scheme.
- 66% of retail accounts lose money, which is the risk that matters most for anyone sizing a position.
- Leverage sits alongside shares and ETFs in stocks, etfs and forex, so a single account mixes instruments with very different risk levels.
FXCM
Pros
- FCA regulation with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 protection standing behind client money.
- forex, cfds and crypto markets sit in the same account, so CFD and crypto trades stay under the same licence.
- A named UK operator, Stratos Markets Limited, sits behind the brand and the FCA licence 217689.
Cons
- The $50 minimum deposit is higher than CFI at $0 and Vantage at $5.
- The market list stops at forex, cfds and crypto, so no shares, ETFs or futures dealing sits alongside currency and crypto.
Who each suits
CFI
Who it suits
- People who want stocks, etfs and forex held in one place instead of several broker accounts.
- Traders who prefer the commission-free model commission free and a minimum deposit of $0 over a larger entry threshold.
- Savers who want a Cyprus or UK regulated option, given Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and FCA and the Cyprus licence 179/12.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a wider asset list, since stocks, etfs and forex runs to futures as well and CFI's list is stocks, etfs and forex.
- EU traders who want a rival with a low entry point, such as XTB at €0.
- Traders put off by losses in the retail book, where 66% lose money and the median here is 70.15%.
FXCM
Who it suits
- UK retail traders who want forex, CFDs and crypto under a single FCA licence rather than several brokers.
- Traders who check the operator before depositing: Stratos Markets Limited and licence 217689.
- Anyone prepared for leverage, with 63% of retail accounts losing money.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you also want shares, ETFs and futures, since it lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- CFI, if you want to start without committing cash, since its minimum deposit is $0.
- Vantage, if a smaller starting deposit matters, since Vantage asks $5.
Questions about each
CFI
What is the minimum deposit to open a CFI account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened at any size and a first deposit does not have to clear a threshold. For comparison, Vantage lists $5 and XTB €0. The median minimum across the brands ranked is €4.64, and the highest reaches €26,308.87. CFI places 1 of 213 on that measure.
Does CFI charge commission on trades?+
CFI trades on a commission-free model, commission free, so positions are opened without a per-trade commission charge. The cost of a trade therefore sits in the spread and the market rather than in a commission line. Commission-free models are common in the field, appearing for 69.8% of the brands compared. Low-fee models sit alongside them at 40.5%.
FXCM
What do I need to deposit to open an FXCM account?+
The published minimum deposit is $50, higher than the €4.64 median across brokers on the site. For comparison, CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0 and Vantage $5. Beyond that floor the account size is yours to set, and it shapes position sizing rather than the trading fee.
Who regulates FXCM in the UK?+
FXCM is regulated in the UK by the FCA, the sole regulator listed for the brand, and the FCA licence number is 217689. UK clients therefore sit inside the UK regulatory perimeter, with rules on how the firm holds money and treats clients. Anyone outside the UK would need to check their own regulator before opening.
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