Joseph Oloo
Written by
Alia Mehmood
Fact-checked by
Updated October 2026Country Australia
Data verified
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

FP Markets Vs Fxcm Australia 2026: Which ASIC Broker Is Better For You?

Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

FP Markets logo
FP Markets
ASIC · Founded 2026
Open Account
VS
FXCM logo
FXCM
FCA · ASIC · FSCA · Founded 1999
Open Account
Winner: FXCM
Categories: 12 compared
For: Australia traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Australia Traders

Best Overall
FXCM
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
FXCM
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Australia Muslims
Best for Beginners
FXCM
Better education & support
$100 vs $50
Min deposit
1:500 vs 1:1
Max leverage
ASIC vs FCA
Top regulator
2.9 vs 3.5
Our scores
Table of Contents

Head-to-head comparison

FP Markets and FXCM are both well-established ASIC-regulated forex brokers serving Australian traders. FP Markets, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Sydney, has earned a reputation for ultra-competitive pricing and a wide range of trading platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and IRESS. With a Comparebroker score of 4.7/5, it is a top choice for experienced traders seeking low spreads and fast execution. FXCM, founded in 1999 and also ASIC-regulated, offers a more traditional approach with its proprietary Trading Station platform and extensive educational materials, scoring 3.5/5. Australian traders benefit from local AUD bank accounts, support for BPAY, POLi, and credit card deposits, and robust regulatory oversight. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, deposits, and other key factors to help you decide which broker best suits your trading style in 2025.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

FP Markets logo
FP Markets
ASIC
2.9
CompareBroker score
VS
FXCM logo
FXCM
FCA · ASIC · FSCA
3.5
CompareBroker score
Winner
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
3.0
3.6
WIN
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.1
3.2
WIN
Regulation
Safety, oversight
3.2
3.8
WIN
Deposits
Local payments
3.0
3.6
WIN
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
2.7
3.3
WIN
Education
Webinars, guides
2.6
3.2
WIN
Execution
Speed, slippage
3.0
3.6
WIN
Mobile App
iOS, Android
2.9
3.5
WIN
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentFP MarketsFXCMWinner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotFXCM
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalFXCM
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsFXCM
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsFXCM
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$100$50FP Markets

For Australian traders, trading costs are a critical factor. FP Markets offers Raw spreads from 0.0 pips on AUD/USD with a commission of $3 per lot per side (AUD equivalent), making it highly cost-effective for high-volume scalpers. Standard accounts have spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, ideal for casual traders. FXCM’s standard spreads on AUD/USD start around 1.2 pips, and their Active Trader account can reduce spreads to as low as 0.2 pips with a $5 commission per lot. FP Markets generally provides lower overall costs, especially for traders executing larger volumes. Additionally, FP Markets does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees for Australian bank transfers, while FXCM may apply a small withdrawal fee.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypeFP MarketsFXCM
Standard account✓✓
ECN / Raw spread✓✓
Islamic (swap-free)✓✓
Demo account✓✓
PAMM / MAM account✗✗
Zero spread account✓✗
Copy trading✗✗
Min deposit$100$50
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Australia Traders

Entity / AssetFP MarketsFXCM
Australia (offshore)Up to 1:500Up to 1:1
Forex major pairs1:5001:1
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 to 1:10
Leverage Warning for Australia Traders
Traders in Australia typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassFP MarketsFXCMWinner
Forex pairs90+65+FP Markets
Gold (XAU/USD)✓✓Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)✓✓Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesFP Markets
Crypto CFDs30+✗FP Markets
Stocks / Share CFDs1,000+✗FXCM
ETFs✓✗Tie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformFP MarketsFXCM
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)✓✓
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)✓✗
cTrader✓✗
TradingView✓✓
Expert Advisors (EAs)✓✓
Scalping allowed✓✓
Hedging allowed✓✓

FP Markets excels in platform variety, offering MT4, MT5, cTrader, and IRESS, catering to both retail and professional traders. Australian traders can use cTrader for advanced charting and algorithmic trading, or IRESS for direct market access. FXCM primarily offers its proprietary Trading Station platform alongside MT4. Trading Station is user-friendly and integrates news and analysis, but lacks the depth of cTrader or IRESS. For Australian traders who value choice and advanced tools, FP Markets is superior, while FXCM’s simple interface may suit beginners or those who prefer all-in-one platforms.

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorFP MarketsFXCMWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNFXCM
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msFP Markets
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowed✓✓Tie
EA / Bot trading✓✓Tie

FP Markets provides ultra-fast execution with no requotes and low latency, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data centre and deep liquidity from multiple banks. Execution speeds average under 40 milliseconds. FXCM also offers reliable execution with No Dealing Desk (NDD) for most accounts, but its execution speeds are generally higher (around 100-150 ms). For Australian scalpers and algorithmic traders, FP Markets’ superior execution quality is a significant advantage.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Australia Traders

Safety FactorFP MarketsFXCM
Primary regulatorASICFCA
Top-tier regulated✓✓
Investor protection✓✓
Segregated funds✓✓
Neg. balance protection✓✓

Both FP Markets and FXCM are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring strict client money segregation, negative balance protection, and adherence to the Corporations Act. FP Markets holds AFSL 286354, while FXCM holds AFSL 309763. ASIC regulation provides Australian traders with a high level of security and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for dispute resolution. While both are compliant, FP Markets has a stronger reputation for transparency and client protection, reflected in its higher trust score. Traders should verify the current licence status on ASIC’s register.

Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Australia traders may differ by entity.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for Australia

Payment MethodFP MarketsFXCM
Bank Wire Transfer✓✓
Visa / Mastercard✓✓
Skrill✓✓
Neteller✓✓
USDT / Crypto✓✗
Withdrawal time24 hoursInternal Processing: FXCM reviews and processes requests in 1–2 business days.Credit or Debit Card: Arrives within 5 business days, though statements can take up to 1 billing cycle to update.Domestic Bank Wire: Arrives in 1–2 business days after processing.International Bank Wire: Arrives in 3–5 business days after processing.

Australian traders have convenient deposit options at FP Markets, including BPAY, POLi, bank transfer, and credit/debit cards, all in AUD with no fees. Deposits via POLi and credit cards are instant, while BPAY and bank transfers typically clear within 1-2 business days. FXCM supports bank transfer, credit card, and POLi, but does not accept BPAY. Both brokers allow withdrawals back to the same deposit method where possible. FP Markets offers free bank withdrawal, while FXCM charges a $40 AUD fee for bank wire withdrawals (though this may vary). Overall, FP Markets provides more local payment flexibility and lower withdrawal costs for Australian residents.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Australia Muslims

Islamic Account FeatureFP MarketsFXCM
Swap-free available✓✓
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported✓✓
How to applyContact supportContact support

Muslim Australian traders can open swap-free Islamic accounts with both brokers. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts on all its account types – Standard, Raw, cTrader, and IRESS – with no swap charges on overnight positions and no additional fees. FXCM also provides Islamic accounts but only on Standard and Active Trader accounts, and the account must be requested and approved. FP Markets’ broader availability and transparent conditions make it a more accessible choice for Sharia-compliant trading in Australia.

Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬

Customer Support Comparison

Support FeatureFP MarketsFXCMWinner
Live chat✓✓Tie
Phone support✓✓Tie
Email support✓✓Tie
24/7 support✗✗Tie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesFP Markets

Both brokers offer 24/5 customer support in English with Australian-based teams. FP Markets provides phone, email, and live chat, with average response times under 30 seconds for chat. FXCM also offers 24/5 support via phone, email, and live chat, plus a comprehensive FAQ. FP Markets’ local presence in Sydney allows for quicker resolution of Australian-specific issues, such as BPAY payments or bank transfers. FXCM’s support is efficient but may rely more on global teams for technical queries.

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeatureFP MarketsFXCMWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsFP Markets
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsFP Markets
Biometric login✓✓Tie
Push notifications✓✓Tie
Full charting on mobile✓✓Tie
TradingView mobile✓✓Tie
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourceFP MarketsFXCMWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)✗✗Tie
Economic calendar✓✓Tie
Market analysisDailyBasicFP Markets
⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
FP Markets
★★★★★
4.8
10,354 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
FXCM
☆☆☆☆☆
—
988 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

FP Markets

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+TradingView integration
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No 24/7 support

FXCM

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+TradingView integration
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No 24/7 support
👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - Australia Guide

Choose FP Markets if you...

  • Want ultra-low spreads and commissions for high-volume AUD pairs trading.
  • Prefer a wide choice of platforms including cTrader and IRESS for advanced analysis.
  • Need local deposit methods like BPAY and POLi for fee-free funding.
  • Value fast execution and deep liquidity for scalping and ECN trading.

Choose FXCM if you...

  • Are a beginner seeking a simple, all-in-one Trading Station platform with built-in education.
  • Prefer a broker with strong brand recognition and extensive research materials.
  • Do not require BPAY deposits and are comfortable with bank transfer or POLi.
  • Trade standard accounts occasionally and don’t need ultra-low spreads.
❓

FAQ - FP Markets vs FXCM in Australia

Is FP Markets or FXCM better for Australia?

+

Can Australia traders use both brokers legally?

+

Which broker has lower spreads for Australia traders?

+

How do Australia traders deposit at FP Markets and FXCM?

+

Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Australia?

+

Final Verdict - Australia 2026

FXCM wins overall

For experienced Australian traders seeking an ASIC-regulated broker with low costs and advanced tools, FP Markets is the clear winner. Its combination of razor-thin spreads, multiple platforms (including cTrader and IRESS), local deposit options like BPAY and POLi, and top-tier execution makes it ideal for scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders. FXCM remains a viable option for beginners or those who value the Trading Station platform and educational content, but its higher spreads and limited platform choice reduce its appeal for experienced users. If you trade significant volume or require professional-grade tools, FP Markets is the superior choice. Always consider your trading style and needs before making a decision.

Open FP MarketsOpen FXCM
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.
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Score Summary
FP Markets 2.9/5
FXCM Winner3.5/5
Full Reviews
Full FP Markets Review →Full FXCM Review →
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