Forex.com Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
Forex.com is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2001. It holds a FCA licence under number 190864.
The basics
Forex.com was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, USA. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 500 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. All positions are contracts for difference — there is no real asset ownership.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Bedminster, NJ, USA |
| Instruments | 500+ |
| Platforms | FOREX.com Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingView |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is Forex.com safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 190864 ✓ | GAIN Capital UK Ltd |
| CFTC | 0339826 ✓ | GAIN Capital Forex.com LLC |
| ASIC | 345646 ✓ | GAIN Capital Australia Pty Ltd |
| MAS | N/A ✓ | GAIN Capital Singapore Pte Ltd |
You can verify the FCA licence at register.fca.org.uk. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
Forex.com spreads
These are the typical spreads on Forex.com's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 1.2 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.5 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 1.3 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 27c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
Forex.com's EUR/USD spread of 1.2 pips pips is competitive for a retail broker without a per-trade commission.
Forex.com withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. Forex.com does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
Forex.com minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which Forex.com entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAIN Capital UK Ltd | FCA 190864 | $100 | 1:30 |
| GAIN Capital Forex.com LLC | CFTC 0339826 | $100 | 1:50 |
| GAIN Capital Australia Pty Ltd | ASIC 345646 | $100 | 1:30 |
| GAIN Capital Singapore Pte Ltd | MAS N/A | $100 | 1:20 |
Forex.com vs eToro
| Forex.com | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 190864 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 1.2 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 500+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. Forex.com suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. eToro is better for traders who prioritise tighter spreads.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FCA | 190864 — GAIN Capital UK Ltd |
| CFTC | 0339826 — GAIN Capital Forex.com LLC |
| ASIC | 345646 — GAIN Capital Australia Pty Ltd |
| MAS | N/A — GAIN Capital Singapore Pte Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated — GAIN Capital UK Ltd
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Regulated in 4 jurisdictions
What does not work
- No copy trading
- No real stock ownership — CFDs only
- Inactivity fee: $15/month after 12 months
The verdict
Forex.com is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 190864 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Forex.com
If Forex.com does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is Forex.com safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. Forex.com holds FCA licence 190864, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the Forex.com minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $100. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the Forex.com EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on Forex.com standard accounts is typically 1.2 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does Forex.com take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does Forex.com charge withdrawal fees?
None. Forex.com does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Forex.com have MetaTrader?
Yes. Forex.com supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.