Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FXCM vs iFOREX
FXCM vs iFOREX: the differences
| Compare |  FXCM |  iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50Lower | $100 |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, CryptoCovers more |
| Regulators | FCA | CySEC, BVI FSC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63% | 80% |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No broker deposit fee; $20 EEA wire withdrawal fee may apply |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | IFOREX App |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 EU, 1:400 offshore |
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Key differences
- iFOREX scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only FXCM offers FCA.
- Regulators: only iFOREX offers CySEC, BVI FSC.
- iFOREX is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at FXCM: $50 vs $100.
- Markets: only iFOREX offers Stocks, ETFs.
Our verdict on each
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.
iFOREX
iFOREX suits European traders who want forex, CFDs, crypto, shares and ETFs in a single commission-free account, and who put regulation and predictable costs above a small opening deposit. The EU entity sits under CySEC, with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 for accounts taken there.
Score breakdown
| Area | FXCM | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry starts at $50 against a €4.64 site median, with dealing limited to forex, cfds and crypto. | 8.8HigherOpening deposit of $100 and inactivity charge of $15 sit above the site medians of €4.64 and €0. |
| Offer | 8.8Higher | 8.7 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | FXCM | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 83 of 147 | 61 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 81 of 145 | 59 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 69 of 122 | 51 of 122 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | FXCM | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
If neither fits
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $50 for FXCM and $100 for iFOREX.
ActivTrades reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | FXCM | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Crypto, Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Stratos Markets Limited | iCFD Limited |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FXCM | iFOREX | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above the median | $100above the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63%lowest quarter | 80%highest quarter | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
iFOREX
Pros
- Stock trade fee of $0, ranking 1 of 161 brands on that cost.
- Regulated by CySEC and BVI FSC, with iCFD Limited as the named EU entity.
- EU investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 for accounts taken in the EU.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $100 ranks 148 of 213, so the entry point is high.
- Support runs on help centre only.
- Inactivity fee of $15 ranks 42 of 56.
Who each suits
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.
iFOREX
Who it suits
- Traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account and can fund $100, while Vantage opens at $5.
- EU clients who prefer CySEC oversight and EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 to the route run by the BVI FSC.
- Savers happy to work from iFOREX App and practise on a demo account first.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small starters: CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5, both below iFOREX's $100.
- Broader market seekers: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, adding futures to iFOREX's stocks, etfs and forex.
- Traders who want phone or chat support, since support runs on help centre only.
Questions about each
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.
iFOREX
What does it cost to trade a stock?+
The stock trade fee is $0. iFOREX runs a commission free pricing model, so there is no per-trade commission layered on top, and the account covers stocks, etfs and forex. The cost side of the ledger is the deposit and any inactivity charge, not the trade itself.
How much do I need to deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That puts iFOREX towards the dearer end of the field: it ranks 148 of 213 brands on minimum deposit. CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5, so a lighter entry is available elsewhere.