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With the rapid development of technology and the internet for the last couple of decades, a new industry called fintech or financial technology has emerged. This innovative sector is trying to combine technology with financial services to offer a faster and more efficient client experience compared to its older traditional counterparts.
With the rise of this new fintech industry, the number of online brokerages increased as well. These online platforms challenged the traditional brokers both with their user-friendliness as well as lower fees. Therefore, lots of consumers shifted their investment portfolios to these new alternative platforms. This article covers the two largest forex online brokers – Forex and Oanda.
Contents
Features, Fees & Ratings Comparison Table
| Features | Forex.com | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Account Minimum | $50 for US clients, $100 for other regions | $0 |
| 💸 Commission Fees | None for standard account, $5 per 100K traded for commission account | None for standard account, $5 per 100K traded for commission account |
| 💼 Investment Options | Forex, Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrencies | Forex, Commodities, Indices, Bonds, Metals |
| 🤖 Robo-Advisor | No | No |
| 📊 Research and Analysis | Market news, economic calendar, trading signals, sentiment analysis | Daily market insights, market news, economic analysis, Autochartist, Trading Central |
| 📱 Mobile App | Yes | Advanced trading platform for iOS and Android |
| 🏦 Retirement Accounts | No | Not available |
| 🎓 IRA Accounts | No | Not available |
| 📈 Trading Platform | Forex.com web platform and mobile app, MetaTrader 4 and 5 | Advanced trading platform, proprietary platform, MetaTrader 4, WebTrader |
| 📞 Customer Service | 24/7 phone and chat support | 24/5 phone and chat support |
| 📚 Educational Resources | Forex.com Academy, webinars, eBooks, blog | Oanda Academy, webinars, eBooks, blog |
| 🌕 Fractional Shares | No | Not available |
| 🌱 Socially Responsible | No | Not available |
| 🌎 International Investing | Yes, over 140 countries | Yes, over 190 countries |
| 💳 Cash Management | No | Not available |
| 🔍 Margin Trading | Yes, up to 1:50 leverage for US clients and up to 1:400 for other regions | Yes, up to 1:50 leverage for US clients and up to 1:400 for other regions |
| ⚙️ Options Trading | No | Not available |
| ₿ Cryptocurrency Trading | Yes | No |
| 🛡️ Account Security | SIPC-insured up to $500,000, SSL encryption and segregated bank accounts | SIPC-insured up to $500,000, SSL encryption and segregated bank accounts |
| 💹 Leverage | Up to 1:30 for retail clients and up to 1:400 for professional clients | Up to 1:50 for US clients and up to 1:400 for other regions |
| ⚖ Regulation | Licensed and regulated by a variety of global leading regulators | Licensed and regulated by NFA, CFTC and various global regulators |
Forex.com vs. Oanda: A Comprehensive Broker Comparison
Welcome to our comprehensive comparison of Forex.com and Oanda, two online forex brokers in the industry. In this comparison, they will provide you with a detailed overview of each broker, their pros and cons, and you need to decide for yourself which platform is the best fit for your forex trading needs.
Forex.com
Forex.com is a leading online forex broker that offers a wide range of forex trading products and services. Founded in 2001, Forex.com is regulated by multiple authorities, providing traders with a secure and reliable trading experience.
- Wide range of forex products
- Reliable trading platform
- Educational resources
- Excellent customer service
- Higher fees
- Limited trading tools
Forex.com is one of the choices for forex traders seeking a wide range of products and a trading platform that is equipped with tools suitable both for beginners as well as professional traders. However, those seeking lower fees or more comprehensive trading tools may find better options elsewhere.
Oanda
Oanda is a leading online forex broker that offers a range of forex trading products and services. Founded in 1996, Oanda is known for its innovative platform, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service.
- Innovative platform
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent customer service
- Diverse forex products
- Limited educational resources
- No social trading feature
Oanda is one of the choices for forex traders seeking a platform with competitive pricing and available customer support. However, those who require more comprehensive educational resources or social trading features may find better options elsewhere.
Trading Fees and Other Costs
Forex
In terms of fees, the company charges a spread or a difference between the bid and ask prices, which is the main source of income for the firm. In some cases, depending on the asset class or currency pair, it may also charge an additional fee, so it is worth reading the pricing policy of the company, to understand the fee structure applicable to your trading strategy.
Oanda
Oanda If it comes to the fees, Oanda charges those through bid and ask spreads or the difference between the purchase and sell prices similar to its peer. In certain cases, there may be applicable overnight fees if you decide to leave the positions open overnight, which are usually calculated based on the applicable interest rates for the particular instrument. There can be cases where inactivity fees or other costs may be applicable depending on your specific circumstances, so it is worth looking at the pricing policy to understand what costs you might bear based on your trading strategy.
Customer Support
Forex.com
Its customer service is available 24 hours for 5 days a week, and it can support you in any queries related to your account set-up or amendment as well as other trading or infrastructure-related inquiries.
- Forex.com Customer Support
- Currency converter
- Margin and pip calculator
- Markt hours
- Service updates
- Popular FAQs
Oanda
Oanda’s customer service is very similar to that of Forex since it is also available 24 hours for 5 days a week with the coverage of questions associated with both client accounts as well as technical inquiries.
Comparison of Benefits and Drawbacks
Forex and Oanda are major competitors since the main area of focus for both companies is largely dependent on currency trading. However, both firms are trying to extend their offerings to include other instruments as well, such as stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto. Since both are operating in the same area the competitive force will benefit clients since they should expect to see a reduction in fees or better service offerings from both companies with the main purpose of this being directed towards capturing more market share.
- Forex.com Benefits and Drawbacks
- Cash rebates
- Earn interest
- Professional guidance
- VIP access
In terms of history, Oanda seems to have a slightly longer track record since it was established in 1996, while Forex did in 2001. This may give Oanda a first-mover advantage and experience for establishing stronger customer loyalty and trust.
Oanda is also regulated by major financial regulatory authorities, while the main regulators of Forex are the regulatory bodies Cayman Islands. Although Forex mentions that it is also regulated in other countries where it has its affiliates, still, the fact of being registered in tax-heaven offshore might raise some concerns.
Oanda also mentions on its platform that it has access to both current and historical data for almost all possible currency pairs, which given the fact that there are about 180 currencies worldwide, makes the company cover pretty much all the possible currency pairs which is quite impressive. On the other side, Forex states that it covers around 80 currency pairs, which are the most commonly traded FX tandems worldwide.
One of the drawbacks of Oanda is the fee structure which may include overnight transaction fees as well as some financing costs. On the other side, the spreads from Forex are less complicated to understand, especially for traders who are new to the market.
Conclusion
When deciding between Forex.com and Oanda, consider your specific forex trading goals, experience level, and trading preferences. Forex.com is an excellent choice for those seeking a wide range of forex products and a reliable trading platform. On the other hand, Oanda offers an innovative platform with competitive pricing and exceptional customer service.
Forex traders seeking lower fees may find better options with Oanda, while those who prioritize educational resources may prefer Forex.com. However, both brokers offer a range of forex products and provide excellent customer service, making them suitable choices for forex traders of different levels and interests.
In conclusion, both Forex.com and Oanda are reputable forex brokers that cater to different types of forex traders. Consider your specific needs and forex trading goals when choosing a platform, and take advantage of the resources and tools provided by each broker to make informed forex trading decisions.
It is important to note that forex trading carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Traders should consider their investment objectives, level of experience, and risk tolerance before trading in the forex market.
They hope that our comprehensive comparison of Forex.com and Oanda has provided you with valuable insights and information to help you make an informed decision when choosing a Forex broker. Doing your own research, comparing multiple options, and utilizing the resources and tools provided by each broker might enhance your trading experience.
Recommendations for Finding the Right Online Broker
To find the right online broker for your needs you must consider some key factors. First of all, regarding the regulatory environment, it is worth identifying what are the major financial regulators that oversee the operations of the particular online broker since a lack of sufficient regulatory oversight may lead to fraud and cause losses for the clients.
Another major factor for consideration is the fee structure – it is important to identify the fee arrangement that is going to apply to your trading strategy. It is also worth comparing several online platforms to find the best possible execution with attractive fees.
In addition, you may also consider the platform interface, accessibility, and tools offered, which can be additional factors that may support your decision in the online broker choice.
It is also worth diversifying your portfolio with several online brokers rather than keeping all your money with one specific platform. Since given the risk of bankruptcy, it may affect your entire portfolio in case you “put all the eggs in the same basket”.
Customer service is also a major consideration factor since in case of issues with your portfolio or access to your money, the company mentions on the website that customer support is available for users to raise their queries and receive support in solving those.
FAQs
Forex.com primarily focuses on currency or FX transactions, offering more than 80 currency pairs, including major currencies and emerging market currencies. In addition, the platform provides trading options for major publicly traded stocks, popular commodities, cryptocurrencies, and indices. Oanda also focuses on foreign exchange and offers contracts for differences (CFDs) in various asset classes, such as indices, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and commodities. Both platforms enable trading through web and mobile interfaces, as well as integration with MetaTrader and TradingView for advanced charting and analysis.
Forex.com charges a spread, which is the difference between the bid and ask prices, as its main source of income. In some cases, depending on the asset class or currency pair, additional fees may be charged. Oanda also charges fees through bid and ask spreads. However, there may be applicable overnight fees if positions are left open overnight, calculated based on the interest rates for the specific instrument. Inactivity fees or other costs may apply depending on your specific circumstances. It is essential to review each company’s pricing policy to understand the fee structure applicable to your trading strategy.
Forex.com is registered in the Cayman Islands and is primarily regulated by Cayman Island’s regulatory authorities. However, the company claims to be regulated in other jurisdictions through its affiliates. Oanda is regulated by major regulatory authorities such as the National Futures Association (NFA) in the US and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, among others.
Both Forex.com and Oanda offer customer support 24 hours a day 5 days per week. Their customer service teams can assist with queries related to account setup or amendments, as well as other trading or infrastructure-related inquiries.
To find the right online broker, In general, the market view is that several aspects may be worth considering such as regulatory environment, fee structure, platform interface, and accessibility, as well as customer support availability and quality of services provided. Overall best market practices suggest that users may research and compare several platforms in order to find the execution and fees that are suitable for one’s strategy. Diversify your portfolio by using several online brokers to mitigate the risk of bankruptcy affecting your entire portfolio. By evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision on the most suitable online broker for your needs.
StockHax strives to provide unbiased and reliable information on cryptocurrency, finance, trading, and stocks. However, we cannot provide financial advice and urge users to do their own research and due diligence.
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