Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs ThinkMarkets, 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 ThinkMarkets are both reputable online brokers recognized for their trustworthy services, each with unique strengths in regulatory compliance. FXCM has been in the trading business since 1999 and is publicly traded, which can be an appealing factor for potential clients. The broker prides itself on a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 95 out of 99, indicating a high level of reliability. FXCM operates under the regulations of 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, ensuring stringent oversight and client protection.
ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010, is not publicly traded but still maintains a strong presence in the market. It holds a Trust Score of 92, suggesting a solid trust level with its clientele. The broker is under the regulations of 5 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, offering a secure trading environment. Both FXCM and ThinkMarkets are not banks, which means they focus solely on providing brokerage services. Clients seeking a trusted and regulated broker have commendable choices in either FXCM or ThinkMarkets, depending on their specific preferences or needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
When comparing FXCM and ThinkMarkets in terms of commissions and fees, FXCM slightly edges out its competitor with a higher ranking and clarity in pricing. FXCM offers an average spread of 0.78 on the EUR/USD for its EU, U.K., and Australia clients, which is slightly above the industry average but still competitive. Meanwhile, their commission-based accounts provide lower spreads of 0.28 pips, excluding additional commissions. Despite the higher costs associated with their St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity, FXCM provides significant discounts for active traders, with rebates scaling from $5 to $25 per million traded, based on trading volume and account status.
On the other hand, ThinkMarkets lacks specific average spread data, which can make it challenging for traders to gauge potential costs. Both brokers score 4 out of 5 stars for their commissions and fees; however, FXCM stands at a higher rank of #24 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets is ranked #47. These rankings indicate that while both offer competitive pricing, FXCM might be slightly more advantageous for traders focused on assessing transparent cost structures and seeking rebate opportunities.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.1 |
| 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.
Join 239,000+ traders worldwide.
Regulated in 7 jurisdictions
When comparing FXCM and ThinkMarkets for their range of investments, both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, featuring 43 and 46 tradeable forex pairs respectively. However, ThinkMarkets stands out with access to a greater variety of tradeable symbols, boasting 4000 compared to FXCM's 440. While neither broker permits the purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, ThinkMarkets offers an advantage by allowing investments in international stocks, unlike FXCM.
Both FXCM and ThinkMarkets support copy trading and provide the option to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, ThinkMarkets scores higher with a 4.5-star rating and ranks 23rd for range of investments by ForexBrokers.com, whereas FXCM holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks 47th out of 63 brokers. With its broader range of tradeable symbols and strong ratings, ThinkMarkets offers a more substantial portfolio for diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 4000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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.
FXCM and ThinkMarkets both provide traders with comprehensive trading platforms and tools, but there are key differences to consider. Both brokers offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, proprietary platforms, and Windows-based downloadable desktop platforms. They also provide web-based trading and copy trading options. FXCM and ThinkMarkets both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4), but only ThinkMarkets extends its offering with MetaTrader 5 (MT5). In addition, FXCM includes support for ZuluTrade, giving users another avenue for automated trading, whereas ThinkMarkets does not offer this service. While neither broker currently supports DupliTrade, FXCM stands out with its high 5-star rating for trading platforms and tools, as assessed by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at rank 6 out of 63 brokers, compared to ThinkMarkets, which holds a 4-star rating at rank 28.
When it comes to charting tools and customization options, FXCM and ThinkMarkets provide users with the ability to trade directly from stock charts. FXCM offers 10 drawing tools, while ThinkMarkets provides 15, offering slightly more flexibility for visual analysis. Additionally, FXCM allows users to work with 13 columns in their watch lists, while ThinkMarkets provides a tad more with 15 columns. Overall, while both brokers deliver a strong suite of trading platforms and tools, FXCM's higher ratings and additional features like ZuluTrade make it a compelling choice for those seeking a highly rated and versatile trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 15 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and ThinkMarkets both offer robust mobile trading solutions on iPhone and Android devices, catering to users who desire on-the-go trading capabilities. Both brokers provide essential features such as push notifications for stock and forex price alerts, real-time quotes for watchlists, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. These functionalities ensure traders can manage and monitor their investments effectively from anywhere. However, FXCM gives users a slight edge with its ability to sync watchlist symbols across different devices, unlike ThinkMarkets where this feature is absent.
When it comes to technical analysis tools, ThinkMarkets takes the lead, offering 94 technical studies within its mobile app compared to FXCM's 59 studies. Both brokers allow users to view multiple time frames on charts and automatically save drawings, supporting diverse trading strategies. In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, FXCM holds a better position with a 4.5-star rating and a #16 ranking, while ThinkMarkets has a 4-star rating and ranks #20. These differences may influence the decision-making process of traders looking for a comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 94 |
| 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.
FXCM and ThinkMarkets both excel in offering valuable market insights with daily market commentaries and forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. However, when diving deeper into specialized tools, FXCM appears to take the lead with its offerings from Trading Central and access to TipRanks for enhanced market research. In contrast, ThinkMarkets provides tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, which may appeal to traders seeking alternative insights.
Both brokers also feature economic calendars to stay on top of global news events, yet FXCM holds a slight edge in overall research capabilities. Rated at 4.5 stars compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5, FXCM is ranked 11th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets stands at 50th. This difference highlights FXCM's broader array of resources, particularly for traders interested in comprehensive technical analysis paired with sentiment-based trading tools.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both FXCM and ThinkMarkets offer extensive materials to help new traders get started. Each platform provides a wealth of forex and CFDs information with over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focusing on these subjects. To engage users further, both brokers hold monthly online webinars aimed at teaching clients more about trading. Additionally, their vast archives ensure that traders can revisit these sessions at their convenience. Beginners can also take advantage of more than ten dedicated videos specifically made to cover trading basics, ensuring a solid start in the world of trading.
However, FXCM appears to have an edge in certain educational aspects. In addition to offering both beginner and advanced educational videos, FXCM also provides an investor dictionary with over 50 investing term definitions. While ThinkMarkets matches this offering, FXCM receives a higher educational rating with 4.5 stars compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars. Notably, FXCM is ranked #14 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, significantly ahead of ThinkMarkets, which holds the #52 spot. This suggests that while both brokers offer substantial educational resources, FXCM is considered more effective in equipping beginners with knowledge and tools for trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
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 ThinkMarkets. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.
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
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 92 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both FXCM and ThinkMarkets provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers FXCM and ThinkMarkets, FXCM provides more flexibility in fund transactions with options for ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ThinkMarkets supports Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal facilities.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 92 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 4000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $50 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 15 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 94 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill