Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FXCM vs M1
Where FXCM and M1 differ
| Compare |  FXCM |  M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto |
| Regulators | FCA | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63% | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 5.9% |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | Up to 50% of portfolio value |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.35% |
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Key differences
- M1 scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only FXCM offers FCA.
- Regulators: only M1 offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at M1: $0 vs $50.
- Markets: only FXCM offers Forex, CFDs.
- Markets: only M1 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.
M1
M1 is a low-cost brokerage built for retirement savers and small investors who want shares, ETFs and crypto in a single account. Stock trades run at $0 and it places 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, though the managed portfolios want $10,000 to start.
Score breakdown
| Area | FXCM | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry starts at $50 against a €4.64 site median, with dealing limited to forex, cfds and crypto. | 9.5Higher |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.0HigherCosts carry the offer: 0% management fee, $0 stock trades and a $0 minimum deposit. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
Licences and countries
| Country | FXCM | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | FCA 217689 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 69670 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | FXCM | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
Sources behind this comparison
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
M1
- m1.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- millennialmoneyman.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- thecollegeinvestor.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bestroboadvisors.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FXCM | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Stratos Markets Limited | M1 FINANCE LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | FXCM | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $10,000 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF, Cash, Crypto |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FXCM | M1 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 5.9%below the median | 8.75% |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.35%above the median | 3% |
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.
M1
Pros
- Placing 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, so an account opens without a funding hurdle.
- Placing 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, with a stock trade costing $0.
- Uninvested cash earns 3.35%, and Pie portfolios mix etf, cash and crypto.
Cons
- Margin borrowing at 5.9% can cost more over a held position than the $0 trade fee saves.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Managed portfolios want $10,000 to start, well above the $0 brokerage entry point.
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.
M1
Who it suits
- Self-directed investors who want to trade shares and ETFs without a per-trade charge.
- Retirement savers, since accounts include ira, roth ira and joint.
- People who want crypto alongside equities in the same account, under stocks, etfs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who need forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and M1 stops at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Readers who want a wider asset list in the same app, because CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Managed portfolio buyers starting below $10,000, a floor that sits well above the $5 deposit Vantage asks to open an account.
Country by country
| Country | FXCM | M1 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
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.
M1
What does it cost to trade shares at M1?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens with a $0 minimum deposit, so there is no per-trade commission and no funding hurdle. The running cost sits in the spread and in currency conversion when shares priced in dollars are bought. Margin borrowing is charged at 5.9% and is the line most likely to run up a bill.
Is my money protected at M1?+
Protection runs through the scheme listed as SIPC, with cover stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. It is the only regulator on file, so there is a single scheme to claim against and a single register to check. The membership record reads SIPC member 69670. The stated figure is a ceiling on the payout, not a stand-in for the balance itself.