Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FXCM vs TradeStation
What sets them apart
| Compare |  FXCM |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | FCA | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63% | Not confirmed |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | free deposits |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- TradeStation scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only FXCM offers FCA.
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at TradeStation: $0 vs $50.
- Markets: only FXCM offers CFDs.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Stocks, ETFs, Options.
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.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | FXCM | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry starts at $50 against a €4.64 site median, with dealing limited to forex, cfds and crypto. | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.2Higher |
Licences and countries
| Country | FXCM | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | FCA 217689 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
How they place
| Ranking | FXCM | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 83 of 147 | 44 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 81 of 145 | 42 of 145 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | FXCM | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Where these facts come from
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
TradeStation
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- financer.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nerdwallet.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FXCM | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free, Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Stratos Markets Limited | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1982 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FXCM | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.625 |
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.
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
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.
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | FXCM | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- FXCM vs EC Markets
- FXCM vs Hfm Partners
- FXCM vs CFI
- FXCM vs M1
- FXCM vs Charles Schwab
- FXCM vs Saxo
- FXCM vs Swissquote
- FXCM vs Smartbroker
- FXCM vs Freedom24
- FXCM vs Ginmon
- FXCM vs tastyfx
- TradeStation vs ActivTrades
- FXCM vs XTB
- TradeStation vs eToro
- TradeStation vs Mintos
- TradeStation vs Robinhood
- TradeStation vs EBC Financial Group
- TradeStation vs CapTrader
- TradeStation vs Lightyear