Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EC Markets vs FXCM
EC Markets vs FXCM: the differences
| Compare |  EC Markets |  FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10Lower | $50 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, MetalsCovers more | Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC | FCA |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 63% |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- EC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only EC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only FXCM offers FCA.
- Minimum deposit is lower at EC Markets: $10 vs $50.
- Markets: only EC Markets offers Stocks, ETFs, Metals.
Our verdict on each
EC Markets
EC Markets suits active traders who want retail leverage of 1:1000 across forex, CFDs, stocks and crypto in one account. The US entity behind the brand, RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC, sits under SIPC up to USD 500,000, so the safety side is easier to check than with an offshore-only broker.
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 | EC Markets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherThe $10 minimum deposit sits below the €4.64 site median, so the cost of opening an account is low. | 8.7Entry starts at $50 against a €4.64 site median, with dealing limited to forex, cfds and crypto. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | EC Markets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | EC Markets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 217689 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | Not confirmed |
A third option
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $10 for EC Markets and $50 for FXCM.
ActivTrades reviewHow they place
| Ranking | EC Markets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 58 of 147 | 83 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 56 of 145 | 81 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 47 of 122 | 69 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EC Markets | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Stratos Markets Limited |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EC Markets | FXCM | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10below the median | $50above the median | $25 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 63%lowest quarter | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
EC Markets
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so you are not locked into a single asset class.
- You can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App, with the mobile app listed under mobile app.
Cons
- Retail leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses, and on the site's forex list 72.13% of retail accounts lose money.
- The $10 entry point sits above CFI's $0 and Vantage's $5, so the cheapest way in is elsewhere.
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
EC Markets
Who it suits
- Active traders who want 1:1000 retail leverage on forex and CFDs
- US-based investors who want protection stated at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Newcomers who can start at $10 and learn on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, if you want to open an account with no minimum at $0
- Vantage, if the entry deposit matters more than the market list, since it starts at $5
- eToro, if you trade futures, which its market list stocks, etfs and forex covers
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
EC Markets
What is the minimum deposit at EC Markets?+
The minimum deposit is $10 to fund an account. That sits above the €4.64 site median, so it is a low entry point rather than the lowest one available. Anyone starting small should confirm which account the deposit applies to before adding funds.
Is money held at EC Markets protected?+
Protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000, under the SIPC scheme named in the brand's licences. That figure is the scheme's stated ceiling rather than a promise of returns, and the scheme's own terms set the conditions, so read them before depositing.
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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