Select from the topics below to find answers to the most frequently asked questions.

What is an automated strategy?

An automated strategy is a Trading Station Desktop app that automates all or part of a trading strategy.

These apps might carry out an entire trading strategy: when to buy; when to sell; where to a set stop loss; where to set a take profit. They could also be simpler, only performing one action, like entering a new trade or closing an existing trade.

Regardless of how complex it is, all of these apps automate a trading function(s) — a big advantage for some traders. Automation can a) free your time to do things in addition to trading, and b) allow you to follow a more objective trading strategy by helping to remove the emotional aspect of trading.

What is an Expert Advisor (EA)?

An Expert Advisor (EA) is a MetaTrader 4 (MT4) app that automates all or part of a trading strategy. The end user is responsible for turning on the EA to initiate trading. The end user is also responsible for turning off the EA if they want the EA to cease trading further.*

An EA might carry out an entire trading strategy: when to buy; when to sell; where to a set stop loss; where to set a take profit. It could also be simpler, only performing one action, like entering a new trade or closing an existing trade.

Regardless of how complex an EA is, all EAs automate a trading function(s) — a big advantage for some traders. Automation can a) free your time to do things in addition to trading, and b) allow you to follow a more objective trading strategy by helping to remove the emotional aspect of trading.

*A special note about turning off an EA: some EAs are designed to manage open positions and/or outstanding orders until the trades/orders created by the EA are no longer active.

Did you know?

FXCM can customize an EA for you. Any EA available at FXCM Apps can be customized to meet your exact trading criteria. We can even take a personal trading and code that as an EA too. Customize an EA

What is a script?

A script is a MetaTrader 4 (MT4) app that automates a trading function(s). For example, a script could close all open positions simultaneously. Additionally, a script could buy a defined amount of a currency pair or it could sell a defined amount. A script could be created to do just about anything.

It’s important to note that scripts are user dependent. Meaning, the trading functions that a script performs must be initiated by the end user. Unlike an EA, they do not run continuously making trading decisions based on their coded strategy.

To clarify this point, let’s reconsider a script that closes all open positions in a trading account at once. When the end user decides to close all trades in their account, they can run the script. But remember, the decision to close all open positions was made by the end user, not the script.

Did you know?

FXCM can customize a script for you. Any script available at FXCM Apps can be customized to meet your exact trading criteria. We can even start from scratch, making a completely customized script for you. Customize a script

What is an indicator?

A technical indicator (or indicator for short) is an app that uses past price data to give an indication of what future price levels will be or provide the general direction of the trend. Indicators do not use any fundamental data, like earnings, profit margins, or inventory in their calculations. Indicators are primarily used by active traders who are more focused on the short-term.

Popular indicators include moving averages (MAs), relative strength index (RSI), moving average convergence/divergence (MACD), among others.

Did you know?

FXCM can customize an indicator for you. Any indicator available at FXCM Apps can be customized to meet your exact trading criteria. We can even start from scratch, making a completely customized indicator for you. Customize an indicator

What is a chart add-on?

A chart add-on is a Trading Station Desktop app that adds functionality to the charts. Examples include: changing the chart type to renko; displaying news DailyFX onto a chart; displaying the recent price changes of major stock indices onto a chart.

Chart add-ons are found in the ‘Add Indicators’ window of Trading Station Desktop.

What is a standalone app?

A standalone app is any application that operates independently. A trading platform (e.g. FXCM Trading Station Desktop; MetaTrader 4) is not required to use a standalone app.

Please note: all apps require an FXCM account to operate. FXCM demo accounts may be used. Additionally, standalone apps only operate on Windows operating systems.

Which trading platforms are compatible?

• FXCM MetaTrader 4
• FXCM Trading Station Desktop

Other platforms may be supported in the future.

Which brokers are compatible?

• Only FXCM

An FXCM account is required to use an app offered by FXCM Apps. They do not work with accounts held at other brokers.

How do I test my apps on a demo account?

FXCM offers free demo accounts. To obtain your own demo account:

www.fxcm.com/global-portal/

How do I open an FXCM account?

You must have an FXCM account to use apps from the FXCM Apps store.

Click Here to open the online application and begin the process.

How do I request a refund?

FXCM Apps does not provide a refund for app purchases; all sales are final.

How do I install my app?

Each app includes its own installation instructions, which also contains general information on how to use the app. After downloading an app, unzip the downloaded file to reveal the installation instructions text file (installation-instructions.txt).

If you need additional support, you may contact us .

Where can I access my download links?

Once you have completed the checkout process, you will be presented with your app download link. Clicking on that link downloads the files you need to use your app. Your app download link is located in the Your Order section of the confirmation page that is displayed after you submit your order.

How do I access my download link at a later date?

If you need to download your app files at any time in the future, please refer to your original order confirmation email. That email was sent to you shortly after you submitted your order.

The email’s subject line follows this format, order FXCM-XXX from FXCM, where the X’s represent your unique order number.

What payment methods are available?

FXCM Apps accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express (AMEX) payments.

How do I use my app?

Un-package the zip file you got when you downloaded the app. This will reveal a text file called Getting Started.pdf. This document includes general information that explains how to use the app and adjust its settings.

If you need additional support, you may contact us .

My app isn’t doing what I want it to do. How do I fix it?

We recommend that you read the app installation instructions, which also contains general information on how to setup and use the app properly. After downloading an app, unzip the downloaded file to reveal the installation instructions text file (installation-instructions.txt).

If you are still unable to get the app to perform the way you want it to, it may be necessary to customize the app to your specifications.

Customize Your App

FXCM can customize any app available at FXCM Apps. Depending on the level of customization required, a fee may be required to complete the work requested.

You can learn more about customizing apps and get a free quote by completing the Custom App Request form .

Who do I contact about billing?

If you have a question about billing, please contact us .

Please note: FXCM Apps does not provide a refund for app purchases; all sales are final.

How much does it cost to create a custom app?

Can I use these apps on a VPS?

Yes.

FXCM offers free VPS service to qualified FXCM accounts. Learn more about this offer:

www.fxcm.com/global-portal/

Accounts that qualify for free VPS service must maintain a balance of $5,000 or greater. Fees may apply if the minimum balance is not maintained.

What is a VPS?

A Virtual Private Server (VPS) can be thought of as a computer in the cloud that you can access from just about anywhere. All you need is a computer with an internet connection.

You install software (MT4) and apps onto it just like you would with your home computer. But the benefit is that you can leave the software and apps running on the VPS all day. Why is that a benefit?

Expert Advisors (EAs) can’t operate without the MT4 software running. And most individuals don’t have the ability to keep their personal computers, and the software on it, running all day. So many traders use a VPS in place of a home computer.

VPS also provides a convenient way for people who are away from their personal computers to check in on their trading accounts. VPS is accessible from any computer with internet access, providing traders with more freedom and flexibility to move about while still maintaining a watchful eye on their account activity.

Did you know?

FXCM offers free VPS service to qualified FXCM accounts. Learn more about this offer:

www.fxcm.com/global-portal/

Accounts that qualify for free VPS service must maintain a balance of $5,000 or greater. Fees may apply if the minimum balance is not maintained.