Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Earn, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
FXCM and Earn stand as notable players in the online brokerage landscape, each brandishing its own attributes and regulatory track record. Established in 1999, FXCM is publicly traded and boasts 4 Tier-1 licenses alongside 2 Tier-2 licenses, underlining its commitment to a high level of trust. With a Trust Score of 95 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is classified as highly trusted, reflecting its strong regulatory standing.
In contrast, Earn, founded in 1994, remains a privately held entity with a relatively modest regulatory profile, possessing just 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. It achieves a Trust Score of 71, situating it in the average risk category. While both brokers are not banks, their differing Trust Scores and regulatory footprints paint a clear picture of their standings in today's market landscape.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1994 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
When it comes to comparing FXCM and Earn in terms of commissions and fees, both online brokers share a similar star rating of four out of five. However, there are distinct differences in how they stack up in the industry and the specifics of their pricing structures. FXCM stands out as a slightly more favorable choice given its higher rank in ForexBrokers.com's Commissions and Fees category, sitting at #24 out of 63 brokers, while Earn ranks at #45.
FXCM’s forex trading pricing is slightly above the industry average, with standard account spreads for the EUR/USD averaging 0.78 pips for its offers in the EU, U.K., and Australia. Its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity sees even higher spreads at 1.38 pips. However, FXCM's commission-based accounts offer tighter spreads averaging 0.28 pips, albeit with additional commissions bringing the effective spread to about 0.74 pips. The broker also offers an Active Trader Rebate Program in select regions, which can significantly reduce costs depending on trading volume, though the most competitive pricing for active traders might be found elsewhere.
While Earn also boasts a respectable four-star rating for commissions and fees, it lacks available average spread data, making it harder to gauge exact trading costs. This uncertainty, coupled with its lower rank compared to FXCM, may be a consideration for traders weighing their options. In summary, while both brokers offer commendable commission and fee structures, FXCM tends to hold a slight edge in terms of ranking and available data on costs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
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When comparing FXCM and Earn for their range of investment offerings, both brokers provide access to forex trading via CFD or spot contracts, appealing to traders interested in currency markets. FXCM offers 440 tradeable symbols, while Earn extends its range with 500. Specifically for forex pairs, FXCM features 43 options, whereas Earn offers slightly more with 61 pairs. Both platforms do not offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning you cannot directly buy stock like Apple or Vodafone through these brokers.
Both FXCM and Earn enable cryptocurrency trading through derivatives, not actual coins. Additionally, they offer copy trading, which can benefit less experienced investors. Despite some similarities, there are slight differences in performance, as reflected in their ratings for the range of investments. Both are rated 3.5 stars out of 5 in this category. According to ForexBrokers.com, Earn ranks slightly higher at #45 compared to FXCM's #47 out of 63 brokers, indicating a marginal edge in their overall investment offerings.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing FXCM and Earn in terms of trading platforms and tools, there are several key differences. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to engage in simulated trading. However, FXCM stands out with its proprietary trading platform, while Earn relies on third-party solutions. Both platforms offer Windows-based and web-based trading options, alongside support for the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform. Notably, Earn extends its offerings by supporting MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which is not available at FXCM. Both brokers facilitate copy trading and provide access to ZuluTrade, although neither offers DupliTrade.
Charting tools and user interface features differ between the two brokers. While both allow trading directly from stock charts, FXCM offers 10 drawing tools for charting, compared to Earn's 15. FXCM provides a more detailed watch list with 13 columns, whereas Earn offers 7 columns. These differences contribute to FXCM’s higher rating of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, as opposed to Earn's 4 stars. In a broader ranking by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is positioned at #6 out of 63 brokers, significantly outperforming Earn, which ranks at #51.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 35 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FXCM and Earn provide trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android, offering a convenient way for traders to engage in market activities on the go. The apps accommodate price alerts for stocks and forex, and both platforms support watchlists with real-time quotes. However, FXCM's mobile app stands out with the added benefit of syncing watchlists with the client's online account, ensuring seamless transitions between platforms. In contrast, Earn does not offer this feature. FXCM also features a more comprehensive set of technical studies, 59 in total, compared to Earn's 35, providing traders with more tools for analysis.
Both FXCM and Earn allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on their charts, with auto-save features for drawings. However, when it comes to ratings, FXCM scores higher with 4.5 stars compared to Earn's 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks 16th out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, while Earn holds the 27th spot. These distinctions highlight FXCM's reputation for providing a more comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing online brokers FXCM and Earn concerning their market research offerings, you'll find both provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, FXCM stands out with its comprehensive research tools, including technical analysis from Trading Central and access to sentiment-based trading tools that reveal market positions across currency pairs. In contrast, Earn does not offer these features, creating a distinct edge for FXCM users looking for in-depth market analysis.
Additionally, FXCM provides market research from TipRanks, further enhancing its analytical capabilities, a benefit absent from Earn's offerings. Both brokers supply an economic calendar to keep traders informed of global economic events. Overall, FXCM receives a research rating of 4.5 stars and ranks 11th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Earn is rated 3.5 stars, holding the 38th position. This positions FXCM as a favorable choice for those seeking extensive research tools and insights in online trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for forex and CFD trading, FXCM stands out as a great choice for beginners, offering a comprehensive selection of learning materials. FXCM provides over 10 educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars, specifically focused on forex and CFDs. Additionally, FXCM offers regular online webinars at least once a month and maintains a searchable archive of past webinars, making it easy for traders to find relevant information. Beginner and advanced traders alike can benefit from FXCM's numerous educational videos tailored to different skill levels, along with an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms. With these resources, FXCM earns a commendable 4.5-star rating for education in the industry, placing it 14th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, Earn falls short in providing a comprehensive educational package for those new to forex and CFD trading. Unlike FXCM, Earn does not offer the same level of educational content, lacking the minimum 10 pieces focused on these trading areas. Earn also misses out on offering monthly webinars, a searchable webinar archive, and a collection of beginner or advanced educational videos. The absence of an extensive investor dictionary further limits the support available to those starting their trading journey. As a result, Earn achieves only a 3.5-star rating for education, ranking 62nd out of 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com education category. This comparison highlights FXCM as the more resource-rich option for individuals eager to learn and excel in forex and CFD trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than Earn. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 |
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Both FXCM and Earn do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
When comparing the online brokers FXCM and Earn in terms of deposit and withdrawal options, FXCM stands out by offering a wider range of methods including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas Earn does not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal but does offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Earn | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 35 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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