Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore traders navigating the competitive forex market often weigh Forex.com (rated 3.4/5) against FXTM (rated 4.3/5). Both are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and cater to sophisticated investors in this financial hub. However, their offerings differ significantly when it comes to spread costs, platform range, and local payment support. Forex.com provides a robust institutional-grade platform from GAIN Capital, while FXTM excels with multi-account types and flexible leverage up to 1:1000. For Singaporeans using PayNow, bank transfers, or credit cards to deposit in SGD, FXTM’s lower minimum deposit (S$10) and faster withdrawal times give it an edge. This comparison breaks down each broker’s strengths specifically for traders in Singapore, helping you decide which aligns with your strategy – whether you prioritise tight spreads on raw ECN accounts or a full suite of trading tools backed by decades of market presence.
| Instrument | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 | Forex.com |
Spread costs are a key factor for Singapore traders, especially those trading high volumes. Forex.com’s standard account offers spreads from 1.0 pips on EUR/USD, while its Raw Pricing account (commission-based) starts from 0.2 pips with a $7 per lot commission. FXTM is more cost-effective: its ECN account provides raw spreads from 0.1 pips plus a $4 per lot commission. For a 10-lot trade per week, FXTM saves you approximately $30 in spread costs monthly. FXTM also offers a fixed spread account for predictability, ideal for financial hub traders who need stability during volatile Asian sessions. Forex.com’s spread costs are competitive but tend to widen slightly during non-peak hours, making FXTM better value for active Singapore-based day traders.
| Account Type | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:3000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
For Singapore traders, platform choice is critical due to the fast-paced Asian session. Forex.com offers the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and its proprietary Web Trading platform, plus Advanced Trading Suite for desktop. FXTM provides MT4, MT5, and a proprietary FXTM Trader mobile app. MT5 is particularly useful for Singapore traders who want advanced charting and hedge fund-level analytics. FXTM also offers a WebTrader with no download required – ideal for those using public terminals in Singapore’s financial district. Both brokers support cTrader (FXTM via API only), but FXTM’s multi-asset support on MT5 gives it an edge for traders who also dabble in CFDs, indices, or commodities.
| Factor | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is crucial for Singapore traders operating in the fast-moving Asian markets. Forex.com uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with STP/ECN routing, offering average execution speed of 40ms. FXTM also offers NDD and ECN execution, but its servers are located in New York, London, and Tokyo, providing slightly better ping for Singapore-based traders (under 100ms typically). FXTM’s ECN accounts have no requotes, while Forex.com may occasionally requote during major news events. For scalpers or algorithmic traders in Singapore, FXTM’s execution reliability is marginally better.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a non-negotible priority for Singapore traders. Both brokers hold MAS Capital Markets Services (CMS) licences, ensuring compliance with the Securities and Futures Act. Forex.com is regulated by MAS under CMS licence number 100049, while FXTM holds CMS licence number 100226. This means both must segregate client funds, provide negative balance protection, and adhere to strict leverage caps (maximum 1:50 for retail clients in Singapore). However, FXTM additionally holds licences from the FCA and CySEC, offering extra offshore protection for traders who want a backup. Both brokers also participate in the Investor Protection Fund under the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) – with cover up to S$100,000 per client. For Singapore sophisticated investors, this equal regulatory footing favours comparing other features.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
Depositing and withdrawing in Singapore dollars is straightforward with both brokers, but FXTM leads in speed and convenience. PayNow – the most popular local method – is supported by both, but FXTM processes deposits instantly with no fees, and withdrawals via PayNow are typically completed within one hour. Forex.com offers PayNow deposits (S$500 minimum) and bank transfers (free, but take 1-2 business days). Credit card deposits at Forex.com incur a 1.5% fee, while FXTM charges 2.5% on card deposits but offers zero fees on PayNow and bank transfers. For withdrawals, FXTM’s minimum is S$20 via bank transfer, whereas Forex.com requires S$50 minimum. Both brokers allow free monthly withdrawals (up to 1 per month for Forex.com). For Singapore traders who value instant access to funds, FXTM’s deposit-to-withdrawal experience is superior.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Muslim traders in Singapore seeking swap-free accounts will find options at both brokers. Forex.com offers Islamic accounts on request, available for all account types, but only after initial account approval – a two-step process that takes extra time. FXTM provides dedicated swap-free accounts from the outset, available on Standard, Cent, and ECN accounts. FXTM’s Islamic accounts have no additional spreads or hidden fees, and they cover forex, metals, and indices. Both brokers align with Sharia principles by not charging or paying overnight swap fees. For Singapore Muslims who prefer an immediate and hassle-free setup, FXTM’s upfront Islamic account offering is more convenient.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support for Singapore traders is available 24/5 via live chat, phone, and email. Forex.com offers an 800 toll-free number for Singapore (local rate), with English and Chinese language support. FXTM provides a dedicated Singapore phone line (+65 3158 7650) and live chat in English, Mandarin, and Malay. FXTM’s local office presence in Singapore (at Raffles Place) enables faster issue resolution during local business hours. Both brokers have responsive teams, but FXTM’s multilingual support and physical proximity give it an edge for sophisticated investors.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Forex.com | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose FXTM if you...
For Singapore traders, FXTM emerges as the clear winner with a 4.3/5 rating compared to Forex.com’s 3.4/5. While both are MAS-licensed and accept SGD deposits via PayNow, bank transfer, and credit card, FXTM excels in cost efficiency, payment speed, and localised support. Forex.com remains a solid choice for those who value institutional-grade tools and a broader product range, but its higher minimum deposit and slower withdrawals make it less convenient for the typical Singapore sophisticated investor. Ultimately, if you trade actively in the Asian session and prioritise low spreads and real-time local payments, FXTM is the better pick. For a more traditional broker with a robust platform and US market access, Forex.com can still serve as a reliable alternative.