Which broker is better for Austria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Austrian retail traders looking for a reliable forex and CFD broker, FXCM and FxPro are two well-established options, both regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA). While FXCM holds a score of 3.5/5 and FxPro a stronger 4.1/5, the best choice depends on your specific trading style and priorities. Austria’s trading community values tight spreads, strong regulation, and flexible payment methods – all of which are available at both brokers. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulatory protections, deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, as well as customer support and Islamic account availability, so you can decide which broker fits your needs in 2025.
| Instrument | FXCM | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $50 | $100 | FxPro |
When comparing trading costs for Austrian traders, FxPro has the edge with its agency model offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its MT4/MT5 Raw accounts (plus a commission). FXCM’s standard account spreads are wider, though it offers Active Trader rebates for high-volume clients. For example, EUR/USD spreads on FXCM start around 1.0 pip, while FxPro’s Raw account can go as low as 0.2 pips. Over 100 trades per month, the difference can cost Austrian traders an extra €50–€100 in slippage and spread costs. Both brokers cap leverage at 1:30 for retail clients per ESMA rules, so cost efficiency depends more on spreads than leverage.
| Account Type | FXCM | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | FXCM | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (offshore) | Up to 1:400 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| 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 | FXCM | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXCM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FXCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXCM | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Austrian traders for their custom indicators and automated trading. FXCM additionally provides its proprietary Trading Station platform, which is web-based and offers one-click trading – useful for quick executions. FxPro goes further by also supporting cTrader, a platform favoured by advanced traders for its depth of market and clean interface. Austrian traders who value ECN-style trading often prefer cTrader, while those wanting a simple all-in-one solution may find FXCM’s Trading Station easier. Mobile trading is excellent on both.
| Factor | FXCM | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FxPro is known for its No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with direct market access, resulting in fast order fills and minimal requotes – ideal for Austrian scalpers and day traders. FXCM uses a hybrid model: dealing desk for standard accounts and NDD for Active Trader clients. In practice, FxPro’s execution is more consistent, particularly during high-volatility news events. Slippage can occur on both, but FxPro generally reports lower average slippage rates.
| Safety Factor | FXCM | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXCM and FxPro are regulated by multiple tier-1 authorities, including the UK FCA and Cyprus CySEC, but crucially both are also authorised by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) under MiFID II passporting. This means Austrian retail traders benefit from segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to the local ombudsman. There is no difference in regulatory strength regarding deposit protection – both are members of investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000). However, FxPro’s FMA authorisation is more prominently displayed, giving some traders additional confidence.
| Payment Method | FXCM | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Internal 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. | 1 business day |
For Austrian traders, both brokers support the same set of local payment methods: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Bank Transfers are common for larger deposits and withdrawals, though they may take 1–3 business days. Skrill and Neteller are ideal for instant funding and quick withdrawals, often processed within 24 hours. USDT TRC20 offers a crypto alternative with low fees and near-instant settlement – FXCM processes USDT deposits via its crypto gateway, while FxPro accepts USDT through its limited partnership with certain payment providers. Minimum deposits are $50 (FXCM) and $100 (FxPro). Withdrawals to Skrill/Neteller are typically free, while Bank Transfers may incur a small fee. Austrian traders should note that USDT TRC20 deposits are not yet available on FxPro’s standard platform, so check before funding.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXCM | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both FXCM and FxPro provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Austrian Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying interest. FXCM requires clients to contact support to activate the account and may impose a holding period (e.g., 30 days) before a swap-free status is applied. FxPro offers swap-free accounts directly during registration for all account types except the Raw spread account. Austrian traders should be aware that holding positions overnight for extended periods may result in a management fee that mirrors swap charges, so it’s best to confirm the specific terms with each broker.
| Support Feature | FXCM | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXCM |
Customer support for Austrian traders is available in German and English at both brokers. FXCM offers 24/5 phone, email, and live chat, while FxPro provides 24/7 multilingual support (including German). FxPro’s support team tends to be faster in response time, especially via live chat. Both brokers have local Austrian phone numbers and are responsive during European trading hours. For urgent queries, FxPro’s 24/7 availability gives it a slight advantage.
| Mobile Feature | FXCM | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FXCM |
| Resource | FXCM | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXCM |
Choose FXCM if you...
Choose FxPro if you...
For Austrian retail traders in 2025, FxPro is the stronger choice overall thanks to its lower spreads, wider platform selection (cTrader included), and higher Trustpilot rating. Its regulation by the Austrian FMA and support for local payment methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and limited USDT TRC20) make it a convenient and safe option. FXCM remains a solid alternative, especially for beginners who benefit from its educational tools and lower minimum deposit. However, if you prioritise cost efficiency and execution speed, FxPro’s 4.1/5 score clearly outshines FXCM’s 3.5/5. Consider your trading style – scalpers and algo traders will prefer FxPro, while newbies may find FXCM’s guidance more comfortable.