The Complete Guide to fxcm fees

Opening

For traders who use (or consider) FXCM and need a clear, actionable breakdown of all trading and non-trading costs.
You will get a full fee picture. You can compare account options, forecast trading costs, and avoid surprise charges.
Check spreads, commissions, overnight financing (rollovers), deposit and withdrawal charges, inactivity and platform fees. Learn to budget per trade and per month.
Read fast. Apply numbers. Save money.

Quick Answer / TL;DR

• If you want lowest spreads → use Raw/commission account (spreads often 0.0–0.3 pips; commission roughly $3–$6 per 100,000 traded).
• If you trade small size or avoid commissions → use Standard account (spreads often 1.0–1.5 pips; commission $0).
• If you hold positions overnight regularly → expect financing costs equal to roughly 0.5%–2.5% annualized (or several pips per night); factor this into holding costs.
• If you rarely log in → watch inactivity rules (typical inactivity fees start at $50 after 12 months) and withdrawal wire fees (typical $15–$30).

1. Fee overview — 3 main categories

fxcm fees covers three groups: trading fees, financing (swap) fees, and non-trading fees. Trading fees include spreads and commissions. Financing means the cost or credit to hold positions overnight. Non-trading fees include deposits, withdrawals, inactivity, and currency conversion.

Spreads typically range from 0.0–1.5 pips on major FX pairs. Commissions range from $0 to $6 per 100,000 units (per standard lot). Financing often falls between 0.5% and 2.5% annualized depending on pair and direction. Use those ranges to estimate costs.

Understand the units. A pip is usually 0.0001 for most FX pairs. A basis point equals 0.01%. Commissions are often quoted per 100k units (one standard lot). Example: a 0.5 pip spread on a 100k EUR/USD trade equals roughly $5. A $3 commission per 100k adds $3 round-turn. Total = $8 for that trade.

Combine the three items for total cost. Example math line: spread cost $5 + commission $3 = $8 total per 100k. Add overnight financing when you hold positions overnight. Spreads widen during news; commissions scale with volume. Always test with live quotes.

Best for: Traders who need a single snapshot of all cost types.
Skip if: You only need one-off rates and no ongoing holding costs.
Key points:
– Spreads: 0.0–1.5 pips on majors.
– Commission: $0–$6 per 100k round-turn.
– Financing: 0.5%–2.5% annualized.
– Units: 1 pip ≈ $10 at 100k on EUR/USD; 1 basis point = 0.01%.
– Example total: $5 spread + $3 commission = $8 per 100k.

Watch out for: Spreads widen during low liquidity and around scheduled news events.

2. Trading fees — spreads & commissions (2 concrete numbers in heading)

Trading fees split into two parts: spreads (a hidden cost) and explicit commissions. Choose based on trade size and style.

Spreads detail. Typical EUR/USD spreads range 0.0–1.5 pips. USD/JPY often sits between 0.2–2.0 pips. Exotic pairs commonly show 5–50 pips or more. Spreads widen in low liquidity. Expect 0–2 pips of slippage in volatile conditions.

Commission models vary. Standard accounts charge commission $0. Raw or Pro accounts charge roughly $3–$6 per 100k round-turn. One standard lot equals 100,000 units. So $3 per 100k means $3 per round-turn on one lot.

Two concrete examples:
– Standard account: 1.2 pip spread on EUR/USD on 100k → spread cost ≈ $12; commission $0; total = $12.
– Raw account: 0.2 pip spread on 100k → spread ≈ $2; commission $4 per 100k → total = $6.

Execution type matters. Choose spread-only for simplicity. Choose spread+commission for lower total cost at high volume. Typical minimum ticket size is 0.01 lot (1,000 units) for many platforms. Expect slippage of 0–2 pips during news.

Best for: Traders comparing spread-only vs spread+commission models.
Skip if: You never trade FX majors or you hold only long-term positions.
Key points:
– EUR/USD spread: 0.0–1.5 pips.
– USD/JPY spread: 0.2–2.0 pips.
– Commission: $0 or $3–$6 per 100k.
– Standard lot size: 100,000 units.
– Minimum ticket: often 0.01 lot (1,000 units).

Watch out for: Hidden spread markup at off-hours or low volume. Compare round-turn costs, not just spread.

3. Financing & overnight costs — rollovers and swaps (2 numbers)

Financing is the interest you pay or receive for positions held past the rollover time. Brokers calculate financing from the interest-rate differential plus a broker markup. Financing often sits between 0.5% and 2.5% annualized.

Financing math uses notional exposure and leverage. Example: a 100k notional position with no leverage at 1% annual financing equals $1,000 per year or about $2.74 per day. With 1:30 leverage, calculate based on margin used, not full notional. Effective per-night costs translate to a few cents to several dollars per 100k, depending on pair and rate.

Two illustrative examples:
– Long EUR/USD financed at +0.3% annual → credit ≈ $30 per 100k per year → about $0.08 per day.
– Short EUR/USD charged 1.5% annual → cost ≈ $1,500 per 100k per year → about $4.11 per day. (Illustrative; actual rates vary.)

CFD financing differs by instrument. Index CFDs may carry financing of 0.1%–0.5% per day on leveraged positions, shown as a percentage or points. Commodity CFDs often use a spread plus interest, similar to 0.2%–1.0% annualized for some products.

• Check swap rates on the platform; look for positive or negative values.
• Weekends: brokers commonly charge a 3-day rollover once per week for spot FX.
• Estimate monthly cost: multiply daily cost by 30. Example: $1 per day → $30 per month.

Best for: Traders who hold positions overnight or for multiple days.
Skip if: You scalp or close all trades within the same day.
Key points:
– Typical financing: 0.5%–2.5% annualized.
– Example credit: $30 per 100k per year at 0.3%.
– Example charge: $1,500 per 100k per year at 1.5%.
– Weekend rollover: often 3-day charge applied once weekly.
– Monthly estimate: daily cost × 30 days.

Watch out for: Overnight cost compounds. Estimate weekly, monthly, and yearly holding costs before opening large positions.

4. Non-trading fees — deposits, withdrawals, and inactivity (2 numbers)

Non-trading fees include payment processing charges, inactivity fees, account maintenance, and currency conversion. These can erode returns if ignored.

Deposit and withdrawal examples:
– Local e-wallets often charge $0 for deposits and process in 0–24 hours.
– International bank wires typically cost $15–$30 per transaction and take 1–5 business days.
– Card refunds may incur $0–$5 fees.

Inactivity fees often trigger after a set idle period. Typical thresholds: 12 months idle and fees of $10–$50 per month or a one-time $50 maintenance charge. Confirm the cadence: monthly or yearly deductions.

Other costs:
– Account currency conversion spreads may be 0.5%–2.0%. Example: converting $1,000 at 1% costs $10.
– Minimum withdrawal amounts often range $10–$100.
– VIP or active trader tiers may offer priority withdrawals in 0–24 hours.

Best for: Traders who move funds often or who leave accounts idle.
Skip if: You deposit once and trade actively without withdrawals.
Key points:
– Wire fee: $15–$30 per transfer.
– E-wallets: often $0 fee, 0–24 hour processing.
– Inactivity trigger: typically 12 months.
– Inactivity fee: $10–$50 or a one-time $50.
– Conversion spread: 0.5%–2.0%.

Watch out for: Fees depend on payment provider. Verify T&Cs before you deposit.

5. Account types and pricing tiers — 3 typical tiers with numbers (2 numbers)

FXCM-style offerings typically split into three tiers: Standard (spread-only), Raw/Pro (commission + low spread), and Active Trader or volume-based. Each tier targets different trader profiles.

Standard account example numbers: spreads 1.0–1.5 pips, commission $0, minimum deposit $50 or $100 depending on region. Use this if you trade small lots or prefer no per-lot commission.

Raw/Pro account example numbers: spreads 0.0–0.3 pips on majors, commission $3–$6 per 100k round-turn, minimum deposit $200–$500. Use this if you trade larger volumes and want the tightest spreads.

Active Trader tier example numbers: volume discounts for 1–10+ million USD monthly. Typical perks: spread reductions of 0.1–0.5 pips, commission rebates up to $0.50 per 100k, and dedicated support. Minimum monthly volume thresholds often start at $1,000,000 in notional traded to qualify.

• Standard: 1.0–1.5 pips, $0 commission, $50 min deposit.
• Raw/Pro: 0.0–0.3 pips, $3–$6 commission, $200–$500 min deposit.
• Active: discounts for 1,000,000+ monthly volume, reduced fees.

Best for: Choosing a tier that matches your lot size and frequency.
Skip if: You cannot meet minimum deposit or volume thresholds.
Key points:
– Standard spread: 1.0–1.5 pips.
– Raw spread: 0.0–0.3 pips.
– Commission raw: $3–$6 per 100k.
– Min deposit: $50–$500 depending on tier.
– Volume threshold for Active tier: often 1,000,000+ per month.

Watch out for: Some discounts require monthly volume commitments. Fees change with account currency and region.

6. Comparison table — 3 account tiers

Below is a compact comparison table for the three typical account tiers and their common cost points. Use it to compare round-turn costs and non-trading charges quickly.

Best for: Quick side-by-side comparison of tiers and fees.
Skip if: You need instrument-level swap tables or live spreads.
Key points:
– Standard spread: 1.0–1.5 pips.
– Raw spread: 0.0–0.3 pips plus $3–$6 commission.
– Wire fees: $15–$30 typical.
– Min deposit range: $50–$500.
– Inactivity fee: typically after 12 months.

Watch out for: Table uses typical ranges. Check live platform rates for exact, up-to-date values.

Closing

Now act. Choose the account that fits your trade size and style. Calculate round-turn cost per 100k before you trade. Add daily financing when you hold overnight. Track deposit and withdrawal fees before funding. Check inactivity terms if you trade infrequently. Test with small orders: 0.01–0.10 lots to confirm execution, typical slippage, and actual spread. Keep a running monthly tally: spread cost + commissions + financing + non-trading fees. Use that to forecast the real cost per month and per year. Save money by matching tier to volume and by avoiding unnecessary wire fees.