Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM vs Libertex, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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FXCM and Libertex are both long-running online brokers, but they differ a lot in how they are regulated and viewed by ForexBrokers.com. FXCM was founded in 1999 and is publicly traded, while Libertex was founded in 1997 and is not listed on a stock exchange. Neither broker is a bank. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s Trust Score scale, FXCM’s score of 95 out of 99 places it in the highly trusted range.
In terms of regulation, FXCM holds 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, which supports its stronger trust profile. Libertex holds 1 Tier-1 license and 1 Tier-2 license, and its Trust Score of 79 puts it in the average-risk range. For traders comparing safety and oversight, FXCM appears to have the edge on regulatory strength.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1997 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
FXCM’s commissions and fees are slightly above the industry average for forex trading, but pricing can improve if you qualify for its active trader discounts. In May 2024, average EUR/USD spreads were 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia entities, while the St. Vincent and the Grenadines branch averaged 1.38 pips. On commission-based accounts, the average spread was 0.28 pips before commissions, though the effective cost was closer to 0.74 pips once the commission is included. FXCM also offers its Active Trader Rebate Program in some regions, which can lower costs for high-volume traders, but it is not available in the U.K. or EU. FXCM is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #17 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
Libertex is generally the cheaper choice on headline forex pricing, especially on its own platform. Its most recently published EUR/USD spread was 0.3 pips, though this was based on a single trading day rather than a full monthly average. Libertex uses a spread-plus-commission model, charging 5 euros per side on its proprietary platform and 6 euros per side on MT4 and MT5, which makes the native platform the better value for active forex traders. It also keeps extra costs fairly limited, with a 10 euro inactivity fee only after six months of no trading or account activity, and free international wire transfers. Libertex is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #21 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
Overall, Libertex has the edge for lower headline trading costs, while FXCM may become more competitive for high-volume traders who can access rebates. If you want the simpler low-cost option, Libertex is the stronger pick for commissions and fees. If you expect to trade large volumes and can benefit from FXCM’s discount tiers, FXCM can still be worth a look.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $10 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 0.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 1.3 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
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FXCM and Libertex both give traders access to forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, plus copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. Neither broker offers direct ownership of U.S. or international exchange-traded shares, and neither lets clients buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency. On the forex side, both platforms list 46 currency pairs, so their core currency offering is the same.
The main difference is in overall market choice. FXCM offers 440 tradeable symbols, while Libertex provides a much wider selection at 1,573 symbols, which may appeal to traders who want more markets to explore. Even so, FXCM is rated slightly higher for range of investments at 4.5 out of 5 stars, compared with 4 out of 5 for Libertex. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking for this category, FXCM places 21st out of 36 brokers, while Libertex is 25th.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1573 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 46 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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). |
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FXCM and Libertex both give traders a solid mix of platform choices, including free demo accounts, web-based trading, Windows desktop downloads, copy trading, and MetaTrader 4. Both also let users place trades directly from charts, which can make fast decisions easier for active traders. FXCM stands out with its own in-house platform, while Libertex does not offer a proprietary platform. On the other hand, Libertex supports MetaTrader 5, which FXCM does not.
When it comes to overall trading platforms and tools, FXCM has the edge. ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM 5 out of 5 stars and ranks it #4 out of 36 brokers in this category, while Libertex is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #26 out of 36. For traders who want a broader platform lineup and a higher-rated toolset, FXCM may be the stronger pick, while Libertex still offers a flexible setup with the added benefit of MT5.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 43 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
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FXCM and Libertex both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts and watchlist syncing between the app and online account. That means traders can move between devices without losing track of their lists or key market updates. On this basic level, the two brokers are evenly matched and both give mobile users the core tools they need to stay connected to the market.
Where FXCM pulls ahead is in charting and app quality. Its mobile app includes 59 technical studies, plus trendline drawing and auto-saving for chart drawings, while Libertex does not offer these chart tools in its app. FXCM is also rated higher for mobile trading apps, with 4.5 stars and a #16 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with Libertex at 4 stars and #27. For traders who want better charting on the go, FXCM has the stronger mobile app overall.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 0 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
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FXCM comes out ahead of Libertex for market research overall. FXCM offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Trading Central tools, sentiment data, TipRanks research, and an economic calendar. Libertex also provides top-tier forex news, Trading Central tools, sentiment data, and an economic calendar, but it does not include daily market commentary or TipRanks, which gives FXCM a slight edge for traders who want more frequent insight and extra research depth.
That difference shows in outside ratings as well. FXCM is rated 4.5 out of 5 for Research and ranks 11th out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Libertex is rated 4 out of 5 and ranks 25th. Neither broker offers Autochartist or Acuity Trading tools, so the comparison mainly comes down to FXCM’s added commentary and TipRanks access versus Libertex’s slightly lighter research lineup.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn about forex or CFDs, FXCM has the edge over Libertex in education. FXCM offers enough forex and CFDs learning material to meet the minimum level, plus monthly educational webinars, at least 10 beginner videos, and at least 10 advanced videos for traders who want to go further. That makes it a stronger choice for new traders who want step-by-step support and room to grow.
Libertex also provides forex or CFDs education, but it falls behind FXCM in the key beginner-friendly areas. It does not offer monthly educational webinars, and it does not meet the mark for beginner or advanced video content at the same level. This difference shows up in the ratings too: FXCM scores 4.5 out of 5 for Education and ranks #13 out of 36 brokers, while Libertex scores 4 out of 5 and ranks #33, making FXCM the better pick for educational support.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
Libertex
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 Libertex. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10, while Libertex finished with an overall rank of #32.
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
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Libertex
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 79 |
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When comparing FXCM vs Libertex for cryptocurrency trading, both online brokers do not offer the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, but each does provide access to cryptocurrency CFDs instead.
FXCM and Libertex are closely matched when it comes to funding and withdrawals, with both brokers offering ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire options for account deposits and withdrawals, while Visa or Mastercard availability is not indicated for either platform.
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 | Libertex | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Libertex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | Libertex | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 1997 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1573 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 0.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 1.3 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 43 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 0 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | Libertex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FXCM Review | Libertex Review |
| Overall | FXCM | Libertex | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | Libertex Review |
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