XM is a solid fit for forex and CFD traders who want low entry costs, MetaTrader access and strong mobile, demo and educational support. It stands out for flexible account types, micro-lot trading and a broad CFD range, while the Zero account, available only to EU clients, is the best option for tighter pricing. It is less convincing for traders who want the very lowest all-in costs or stronger long-term investing features, and it does not accept residents of the US, Canada, the UK, Israel or Iran.
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Led by Filippo Ucchino, broker expert and CEO at InvestinGoal, we test brokers directly and assess them through a methodical review system. That includes live checks of the platform experience, account setup, tools, pricing structure, and key trading features, supported by research into official broker materials and regulatory records. We then evaluate each broker across the categories that matter most to traders, from safety and costs to platforms, markets, mobile trading, education, and support. Learn more about InvestinGoal methodology.
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Trust comes from transparency and consistency. Our reviews are written by specialists, fact-checked before publication, and updated when important broker details change. We show both positives and negatives, explain who a broker is best suited for, and avoid reducing the review to generic marketing language. That gives readers a clearer basis for comparing brokers and making decisions with confidence. Learn more about why you can trust InvestinGoal.
In this XM review, we break down pros and cons, regulation and security, fees, platforms, markets, account features, and trading conditions, so you can decide faster and with more confidence. XM is also part of our selection of the best trading platforms. The tabs below let you jump directly to the factor most important to your decision.
My take after testing XM: XM is a broker I’ve been watching for years, and it was always consistent. The low entry bar and flexible account tiers have been its strongest pitch for serious CFD traders who don’t want to park a lot of capital upfront. MetaTrader support is exactly what you’d expect: reliable, nothing broken. The mobile experience has got noticeably better over time. Education too; XM has always put more into it than most at this price point. That said, the standard spreads are what they’ve always been: fine, not sharp. And if you’re UK-based and need direct FCA and FSCS protection, this still isn’t the broker for that. XM knows what it is, a trading-first platform, and it’s never pretended otherwise.
Filippo Ucchino
Co-Founder and CEO of InvestinGoal - Introducing Broker
What type of broker is XM?
XM is a market maker broker operating a dealing desk. It acts as the principal counterparty to client trades, executing orders in-house and setting its own bid/ask spreads. The Standard and Ultra Low accounts use a pure dealing desk model, while the XM Zero Account is a lower-spread commission account, available only to EU clients. XM does not offer STP or traditional ECN accounts with Direct Market Access.
XM operates as a multi-asset CFD broker offering 1,400+ instruments: 50+ forex pairs (7 majors, 21 minors, 27 exotics), 1,200+ stock CFDs, 20+ indices, commodities, precious metals, energies, and thematic indices. Cryptocurrency CFDs are offered by XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd. Traditional stocks (100+) and turbo stocks (12) are offered by XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, the companies with a Shares account.
XM serves retail traders across all experience levels. Account options include Standard and Ultra Low (commission-free, wider spreads), Zero (raw spreads + commission), Shares, and Islamic accounts. Among the five XM companies covered in this review, the Zero account is offered only by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd (EU), and the Shares account only by XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited. Maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs ranges from 30:1 to 1,000:1, depending on the XM company that holds your account.

Yes, XM is legitimate. XM is the trading name of Trading Point group, with principal operating entity Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. The business has operated continuously since 2009, and its companies are licensed or authorised by CySEC (Cyprus), the DFSA (UAE), the CMA (Kenya), the FSCA (South Africa), the FSC (Belize), the FSC (Mauritius) and the FSA (Seychelles). The privately held group files audited statutory accounts with corporate registries and serves over 20 million clients across 190+ countries. Recent industry recognition includes “Best FX Service Provider” from City of London Wealth Management Awards, “Outstanding Customer Service” from CFI.co (2024), and “FX & CFD Broker of the Year for Europe and the Middle East 2024” from PAN Finance.
The advantages of XM are listed below.
- Low Entry Barrier: XM allows account creation with a minimal initial deposit, enabling new traders to start without large upfront capital.
- Wide Asset Coverage: XM provides access to forex pairs, indices, commodities, and CFDs, allowing portfolio diversification across multiple markets.
- Advanced Trading Platforms: Supports desktop, web, and mobile interfaces with automated tools, technical analysis, and multi-device access.
- Pricing Options: The Zero account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission, the Ultra Low account spreads from 0.8 pips, and the Standard and Micro accounts are commission-free.
- Fast Execution: Trades execute without requotes under normal conditions, ensuring reliable order fills.
- Regulation and Fund Protection: Operates under multiple financial regulators, with segregated client accounts and negative balance protection at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited.
- Flexible Account Types: Offers account variants for different experience levels and trading styles, including Islamic-compliant swap-free options.
- Education and Research: Provides beginner learning features, webinars, market analysis, and multilingual support for informed trading decisions.
- Hassle-Free Fund Movements: Deposits and withdrawals processed with minimal or no fees and clear conditions for convenient capital management.
The disadvantages of XM are listed below.
- Higher Spreads on Standard Accounts: While the “Ultra Low” account offers competitive spreads (from 0.8 pips), the Standard and Micro account spreads are relatively wide: EUR/USD averages 1.10 pips at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd and Trading Point MENA Limited and 2.00 pips at the other companies, which may not be ideal for active traders.
- Limited Asset Selection: Compared to top-tier brokers, XM has a more limited portfolio. It does not offer bonds, ETFs are available only as CFDs and not at Trading Point MENA Limited, and crypto CFDs are not offered by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited or TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited.
- Aggressive Inactivity Fees: XM charges an inactivity fee of $5 (or equivalent) after only 90 days of no trading.
- Hidden Costs and Markup: XM adds a markup to overnight swap rates. Additionally, if you deposit in a currency different from your account base currency, they apply an exchange rate markup of 0.5-1%.
Is XM regulated?
Yes, XM is regulated. Its companies are licensed by CySEC in Cyprus and the FSC in Belize and Mauritius, and authorised by the DFSA in the UAE, the CMA in Kenya, the FSCA in South Africa and the FSA in the Seychelles. Client funds are held in segregated accounts, and retail clients have negative balance protection, at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited. Investor compensation depends on the company: clients of Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000, while Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited have no compensation scheme.
The XM companies are listed below.
- Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd: CySEC (Cyprus)
- Trading Point MENA Limited: DFSA (United Arab Emirates)
- TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited: CMA (Kenya)
- XM ZA (Pty) Ltd: FSCA (South Africa)
- XM Global Limited: FSC (Belize)
- XM International MU Limited: FSC (Mauritius)
- XM (SC) Limited: FSA (Seychelles)
- XM Financial Products Promotion L.L.C: CMA (United Arab Emirates), promotion and introduction only; it does not open trading accounts
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 regulations held | ESMA (CySEC) | ASIC, FCA, ESMA (BaFin, CySEC) | ASIC, CFTC, FCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA |
| Tier 2 regulations held | CMA, DFSA, FSCA | CMA, DFSA | DFSA, FMA |
| Tier 3 regulations held | FSA, FSC | SCB | BMA |
Yes, XM is legal in the countries it accepts, through the XM company that serves each area. Residents of the European Economic Area open their account with Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, licensed by CySEC (licence 120/10). Residents of the UAE are served by Trading Point MENA Limited, authorised by the DFSA (licence F003484), and residents of Kenya by TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, authorised by the CMA (licence 233). Residents of South Africa are served by XM ZA (Pty) Ltd, authorised by the FSCA (licence 49976) as an intermediary, while their CFDs are issued by XM Global Limited. Residents of the other accepted countries open their account with XM Global Limited, licensed by the FSC in Belize (licence 8557558), or, from some countries, with XM International MU Limited, licensed by the FSC in Mauritius (licence GB23202700). XM also holds a licence in the Seychelles through XM (SC) Limited, authorised by the FSA (licence SD190); in the UAE, XM Financial Products Promotion L.L.C (CMA, licence 20200000322) promotes XM and introduces clients but does not open trading accounts. CFDs on forex, indices, commodities and shares are offered by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited; among these five, crypto CFDs are offered only by XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd, and real shares only by XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited. XM’s companies regulated in the EU and the UAE apply the leverage caps set by their regulators, such as 30:1 on major forex pairs for retail clients. Each licence can be verified on the register of its regulator, using the company name or the licence number above.
No. XM has no company registered in the United States and does not accept US residents.
Learn more about the best Forex brokers in US.
Is XM safe?
XM holds client funds in segregated accounts at reputable banks, kept separate from company funds, at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited. Clients of Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000; Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited have no compensation scheme. Retail clients of the same five companies have negative balance protection, preventing losses beyond deposits, and a margin stop-out that depends on the company. Security includes 128-bit SSL encryption, optional two-factor authentication, and biometric login on mobile, with intrusion monitoring.
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Segregated client funds | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Negative balance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Investor compensation scheme | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Founded in | 2009 | 2010 | 1974 |
| Publicly traded | No | No | Yes |
The risks with the broker XM are listed below.
- Leverage risk: Retail leverage on major forex pairs reaches 1,000:1 at XM Global Limited (Belize) and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd (South Africa), and 400:1 at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited. Higher leverage magnifies both gains and losses; at the companies regulated in the EU and the UAE retail leverage is capped at 30:1.
- CFD trading risk: XM’s CFDs are complex derivatives with substantial risk of rapid capital loss. CFDs don’t confer ownership of the underlying, and leverage magnifies losses. 72.82–75.12% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with XM.
- Market volatility: Forex, indices, commodities, and shares can move sharply during economic releases or geopolitical events. Gaps between sessions can execute positions far from expected prices, causing large losses in short timeframes.
- Overnight financing costs: Positions held overnight incur swap or rollover fees that accumulate and erode profitability. Charges vary by instrument and direction; daily costs may exceed potential gains on smaller or longer-term trades.
- Slippage: Orders may fill at different prices than requested during high volatility or low liquidity. Market orders are most exposed; slippage impacts performance, especially for strategies requiring precise entry and exit.
- Currency conversion risk: Trading instruments in currencies different from the account base exposes traders to FX fluctuations. Exchange-rate moves affect realized profit or loss when converted back to base currency.
What markets can you trade on XM?
The markets you can trade on XM are listed below.
- Currency pairs (CFDs): 55+ major, minor, and exotic FX pairs. Minimum trade: typically 0.01 lots. Learn more about what is the Forex market.
- Stocks (CFDs): 1,000+ stock CFDs across major markets with fractional share CFDs available. Minimum trade: by share.
- Indices (CFDs): 14 index CFDs including S&P 500, FTSE, NASDAQ, and thematic indices. Minimum trade: typically 0.01 lots or equivalent index-contract size.
- Commodities (CFDs): Spot metals (gold, silver) plus energy, agricultural, and industrial commodities (oil, natural gas). Minimum trade: commonly 0.01 lots depending on contract and account type.
- Cryptocurrencies (CFDs): 60+ crypto CFDs including Bitcoin and Ethereum on select account types, offered by XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd with leverage up to 1,000:1; Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited do not offer them. Minimum trade: small fractional lot sizes.
- ETFs (CFDs): CFDs on exchange-traded funds, offered by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited; Trading Point MENA Limited does not offer them.
| Broker |
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| Forex | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs, Options) |
| Indices | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs, Options) |
| Commodities | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs, Options) |
| Shares | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (Real, CFDs, Options) |
| ETFs | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (Real, CFDs) |
| Cryptocurrencies | N/A | Yes (CFDs) | Yes (CFDs) |

The trading products not offered by XM are listed below.
- Bonds
- Real ETFs
- Options
- Futures
No, you can’t buy real crypto on XM Group. XM offers cryptocurrency exposure exclusively through CFDs rather than ownership of the underlying asset. Available instruments include CFD contracts on over 60 cryptocurrency pairs, such as BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC among others, providing price exposure without actual token ownership or crypto wallet access.
Yes, you can trade real shares on XM at XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, through the Shares account, which has T+2/T+3 settlement, handles dividends and corporate actions, provides access to multiple major markets including the US, UK, and Germany, and charges moderate trading commissions. Real shares are bought without leverage, and the Shares account is not offered by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd or Trading Point MENA Limited. XM also offers share-based CFDs on equities.
No, XM doesn’t offer fractional shares. It offers fractional position sizing on stock CFDs.
How cheap are spreads with XM?
XM spreads are high on the Standard and Micro accounts, with tighter pricing on the XM Zero account, available at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd (EU clients). On EUR/USD, the XM Zero account averages around 0.2 pips (minimum from 0.0 pips), plus a commission of approximately 0.7 pips round-turn (0.35 pips per side per standard lot). On the commission-free accounts, the average EUR/USD spread is about 1.10 pips at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd and Trading Point MENA Limited, and 2.00 pips at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited. On US500, the XM spread is about 0.60 points, and on XAU/USD (gold) it is about 0.30 to 0.55 points, depending on the company.
In terms of cost structure, the XM Zero account (EU clients only) delivers tighter raw spreads with a separate per-trade commission, making it more cost-efficient for active traders. The XM Standard account bundles costs into wider all-in spreads with no separate commission, offering simpler pricing for those who prefer fewer fee components.
Learn more about low spread Forex brokers.
The fees with XM are listed below.
- Spreads: Standard/Micro accounts: EUR/USD averages 1.10 pips at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd and Trading Point MENA Limited and 2.00 pips at the other companies; Ultra-Low account from 0.8 pips EUR/USD; Zero account (EU clients only) from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs.
- Commissions: Zero account (Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd) $3.50 per side per lot ($7.00 round-trip per standard lot). UK shares on the Shares account of XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited: 0.10% per transaction (min $9).
- Overnight fees: Swap/rollover charged on leveraged positions held overnight; rates vary by instrument and market conditions.
- Inactivity: $5/month after 90 days (applies when balance is positive).
- Deposits: $0.
- Withdrawals: $0 for most methods; bank wire below $200 may incur a payment-provider fee.
| Broker |
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| Overnight fees | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | Yes | No | No |
| Deposit fees | No | No | No |
| Withdrawal fees | No | No | No |
| Currency conversion fee | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, XM charges good raw commissions on every lot traded. XM’s Zero account model, available at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd (EU clients), uses spreads from 0.0 pips and charges $3.5 per 100,000 (1 lot) per side, which is applied on both opening and closing. That equals $7 round turn per 1.00 lot.
| Broker |
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| Avg. EUR/USD spread (markup) | 1.10 pips | 1.10 pips | 0.85 pips |
| Avg. EUR/USD spread (raw) | 0.20 pips | 0.10 pips | N/A |
| Commission/lot | $7.00 Round Turn | $7.00 Round Turn | N/A |
| All-in FX cost | $9.00 | $8.00 | $8.50 |
XM’s overnight swaps for EUR/USD are Average, being around 2.49% p.a. for long positions (about minus 6.84 USD per lot per day), and Excellent, being around 0.39% p.a. for short positions (about +1.06 USD per lot per day).
Triple swaps apply on the weekly rollover day, typically Wednesday, when the rollover covers the weekend. Swap fees vary by account type, and swap-free Islamic accounts are available for eligible clients to eliminate overnight swap charges.
XM applies no commission on share CFDs under standard accounts; costs are embedded in the spread. On XM Zero accounts (EU clients only), commissions are charged on open and close based on volume.
For direct share trading (not CFDs) on the Shares account of XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM charges:
- UK shares: 0.10% of trade value (min $9/trade)
- US shares: $0.04/share (min $1/trade)
- German shares: 0.10% of trade value (min $5/trade)
XM does not offer volume-based discounts or VIP rebates on share CFD commissions.
When the share currency differs from the account base currency, XM applies a currency conversion fee to deposits, withdrawals, and trades.
XM’s crypto CFD commissions are included in the spread. The minimum spread cost is approximately US$40 for one BTC CFD trade at XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd, the XM companies that offer crypto CFDs; other crypto CFDs are priced similarly via spreads.
Is XM good for trading?
XM is good for trading forex, CFD stocks, CFD crypto, demo trading, algorithmic trading, copy trading, and mobile trading. Real cryptocurrency trading is not offered by XM.
XM offers 55+ currency pairs on MetaTrader 4 and 5 with support for scalping, hedging, and algorithmic strategies via Expert Advisors, plus VPS hosting for qualifying accounts. The broker provides commission-free stock CFDs covering major US, UK, and German shares with fractional lot sizes and the ability to short and hedge positions. Cryptocurrency CFDs include 50+ pairs trading 24/7 at XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd. XM supports both an in-house copy trading system (Strategy Managers and followers with no extra platform fees) and a proprietary mobile app alongside full MT4/MT5 mobile applications. Demo accounts offer up to $100,000 in virtual funds mirroring real-time market conditions, remaining active with regular logins. A limited Shares Account for real underlying stocks is available at XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, with commissions and a minimum one-share purchase requirement via MT5. However, this lacks fractional share buying and shorting capabilities. XM does not provide custodial wallets or the ability to deposit, withdraw, or own actual cryptocurrencies. Only crypto CFDs are available, at XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd.
XM is Good for investing because it offers real underlying stock ownership through its Shares account with T+2/T+3 settlement, handles dividends and corporate actions, provides access to multiple major markets including the US, UK, and Germany, and charges moderate trading commissions. XM is Good and not Excellent for long-term investing because real ETFs, fractional shares, and recurring investment features are not available, FX conversion costs apply, inactivity fees apply after 90 days, and the Shares account requires a high entry threshold of around $10,000.
XM is excellent for demo trading because it streams real-time market prices without delays, provides access to the full range of instruments available on live accounts including forex pairs and CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies, offers nearly identical platform functionality and execution conditions as live trading, and allows traders to customize their initial virtual balance up to $100,000 with options to reset or top-up the account as needed.
XM delivers a comprehensive demo trading experience that closely mirrors live market conditions across all its trading platforms. The demo account provides the full instrument lineup available to real account holders, encompassing all forex pairs and CFD products without restrictions. Traders can configure their virtual balance and currency denomination at account opening, with flexibility to reset or add funds later if the balance depletes. The platforms, spreads, and execution conditions in the demo environment replicate those of live accounts, ensuring realistic practice conditions. One limitation is that demo accounts expire after 90 days of inactivity, although logging in resets this counter, making renewal straightforward for active users.
eToro, XTB, IC Markets and FBS are some good alternatives to XM as demo Forex brokers. See the best Forex demo accounts.
XM is a great broker for algo trading. It provides MetaTrader 4 with MQL4 and MetaTrader 5 with MQL5, including an advanced multi-threaded strategy tester. It offers VPS hosting near London servers, free with a $500 balance and at least 5 round-turn lots in the last 30 days or available for $28 per month. It allows algorithmic scalping with no minimum holding time and execution with no requotes. It permits hedging and shorting via CFDs. It supports high-frequency trading to a reasonable extent.
XM is great and not excellent for algo trading. It does not offer cTrader/cAlgo, prohibits arbitrage strategies based on latency or price-feed exploitation, and does not allow price scraping.
XM supports automated trading exclusively through the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms across all accounts except the Shares Account. MT5 features enhanced backtesting capabilities via its multi-threaded strategy tester. The broker provides VPS hosting located near its London servers at the Equinix LD4 hub. This reduces latency for European traders and becomes free for accounts maintaining a minimum balance of $500 and at least five round-turn lots traded in the last 30 days. Algorithmic traders benefit from XM’s policy allowing scalping without minimum holding times, hedging in MT4/MT5 hedging mode, and shorting on CFD instruments through expert advisors, though the Shares Account remains long-only. The broker imposes restrictions that limit certain advanced strategies. Arbitrage trading exploiting latency or price-feed differences is explicitly prohibited, price scraping is not allowed, and extreme message rates in high-frequency trading may be throttled. The absence of cTrader/cAlgo support means automation on the trading platforms runs through MQL4 or MQL5 scripting within the MetaTrader ecosystem.
Pepperstone, FP Markets, IC Markets and Roboforex are some good alternatives to XM as best brokers for algo trading.
XM is great for Forex trading. Its companies are licensed or authorised by CySEC (Cyprus), the DFSA (UAE), the CMA (Kenya), the FSCA (South Africa), the FSC (Belize and Mauritius) and the FSA (Seychelles). It allows full trading freedom including scalping, hedging, and expert advisors. It provides both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms plus a proprietary mobile app. It offers comprehensive analysis tools including traders’ sentiment data, drawing tools, technical indicators, and an economic calendar.
XM is great but not excellent for Forex trading. It offers only 55 currency pairs, and it does not provide competitive spreads on its standard accounts. The XM Zero account, available only to EU clients, charges $7 per round-turn commission that effectively adds 0.7 pips to the trading cost, which is significantly above the tight spreads offered by top-tier brokers.
XM supports flexible position sizing with a Micro account (not offered by Trading Point MENA Limited) that allows trades as small as 10 units (0.0001 standard lots). This makes it accessible for traders with limited capital or for those testing strategies. Clients of Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000. XM’s MT4 and MT5 platforms deliver professional-grade charting with built-in and custom indicators, automated trading capabilities, and integration with Trading Central for third-party analysis including Crowd Insight sentiment data.
However, the limited currency pair selection restricts opportunities in emerging market and exotic pairs, and the cost structure remains a significant weakness. On Standard accounts EUR/USD averages 1.10 pips at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd and Trading Point MENA Limited and 2.00 pips at the other companies, while the Zero account’s $7 round-turn commission (EU clients only) makes frequent trading expensive compared to brokers offering sub-1-pip raw spreads with lower commission rates.
Pepperstone, AvaTrade, FP Markets, and IC Markets are some good alternatives to XM as best Forex brokers.
XM is a great, but not excellent broker for CFD stock trading because it charges no separate commissions on stock CFDs, offers US stock CFDs including major companies like Apple and Tesla, provides real-time streaming quotes, allows fractional share sizing, and supports scalping, hedging, algorithmic trading, and short-selling.
XM provides access to stock CFDs from the US, UK, Germany, France and other markets through both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. The broker’s commission-free structure means all costs are embedded in spreads and overnight financing fees, and traders can take positions smaller than one full share through fractional sizing. XM permits full trading flexibility including Expert Advisors for automated strategies, simultaneous long and short positions for hedging, and unrestricted scalping. The broker supplies market news and third-party analysis from Reuters and Trading Central, as well as trader sentiment tools, though it lacks a dedicated stock screener, earnings calendar, and comprehensive fundamental data for equity research. XM’s companies are licensed or authorised by CySEC (Cyprus), the DFSA (UAE), the CMA (Kenya), the FSCA (South Africa), the FSC (Belize and Mauritius) and the FSA (Seychelles).
IG Markets, Pepperstone, eToro and AvaTrade are some good alternatives to XM as best stock CFD platforms.
Learn more about best CFD brokers.
XM is a good broker for real stock trading because it charges $0.04 per share on US stocks, with a $1 minimum per trade, provides access to US stocks through its Shares Account, delivers real-time market quotes, and supports algorithmic trading through MT5 with Expert Advisors. XM is good and not excellent for buying real stocks because it provides access to only 3 stock exchanges (US, UK, and Germany), lacks essential research tools such as a stock screener and earnings calendar, does not provide detailed fundamental data, prohibits hedging of actual shares, and does not offer short-selling capabilities for real shares.
XM operates its real stock trading through the Shares Account, offered by XM Global Limited (FSC, Belize), XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited. The broker uses the MT5 platform as its third-party trading solution for real shares but does not provide a proprietary platform dedicated to stock trading. Traders benefit from the ability to scalp and use algorithmic strategies, with access to basic research features including news feeds and trader sentiment indicators. The commission structure for US equities is $0.04 per share, with a $1 minimum per trade, though the limited exchange coverage restricts trading opportunities compared to brokers offering broader international market access. The absence of fractional shares, comprehensive analytical tools, and advanced order types like hedging and shorting positions makes XM a straightforward option suitable for traders seeking basic real stock exposure with cost-effective execution rather than sophisticated stock investment features.
DEGIRO, eToro, XTB and Trading 212 are some good alternatives to XM as best stock brokers.
XM is a good broker for CFD crypto trading because it offers commission-free trading on crypto CFDs, provides real-time streaming quotes on MT4/MT5 platforms, and offers crypto CFDs through XM Global Limited (FSC, Belize) and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd (FSCA, South Africa). XM is good and not excellent for CFD crypto trading because it requires a minimum trading size of 0.01 lot (equivalent to 0.01 BTC), which exceeds $10 for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
XM provides access to over 50 cryptocurrency CFDs with commission-free trading, allowing traders to speculate on crypto price movements without paying additional transaction fees beyond the spread. The broker delivers real-time streaming quotes through the MT4 and MT5 platforms, enabling traders to monitor live market data and execute trades efficiently. The minimum position size is set at 0.01 lot, which translates to 0.01 BTC for Bitcoin trades, a requirement that may present a barrier for micro-traders seeking exposure below this threshold. Crypto CFDs are not offered by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited or TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited.
eToro (crypto CFDs not offered to retail clients of its UK company), NAGA, Pepperstone and AvaTrade are some good alternatives to XM as best CFD crypto brokers.
Real crypto trading is not offered by XM: the broker does not offer any underlying cryptocurrency trading or related wallet services. XM does not provide the ability to buy, sell, or hold actual cryptocurrencies, nor does it offer non-custodial wallet functionality that would allow clients to send, receive, or store digital assets. The broker exclusively offers cryptocurrency CFDs (contracts for difference), which are derivative products that track crypto prices rather than providing ownership of the underlying digital currencies.
eToro, Coinbase, Crypto.com and Binance are some good alternatives to XM as best crypto exchanges.
XM is a good broker for copy trading. It offers a proprietary in-house copy trading service integrated into its Members Area and MetaTrader accounts, allows traders to follow Strategy Managers and act as signal providers themselves, and charges no platform fees or subscription costs to followers. XM is good and not excellent for copy trading. It lacks automated risk management tools such as forced stop-copy thresholds or drawdown guards and does not offer portfolio copying functionality that would allow followers to subscribe to multiple Strategy Managers simultaneously through a single product.
XM operates its copy trading service through the XM Copy Trading / Strategy Manager platform. The platform enables real-time trade mirroring between experienced traders, such as Strategy Managers, and followers. Followers can subscribe to individual Strategy Managers and replicate their trades automatically without paying platform fees to XM. They remain subject to normal spreads and swaps, and Strategy Managers may charge profit-sharing fees. The platform supports dual functionality. It allows experienced traders to distribute their signals to others while retail traders can follow proven strategies.
The primary limitations are the absence of dedicated automated risk controls and the inability to copy pre-constructed portfolios of multiple managers. Users must manually manage allocation, set their own stop-losses, and unsubscribe if needed. Followers must build diversified copy trading exposure manually by subscribing to Strategy Managers one at a time.
eToro, ZuluTrade, AvaTrade and NAGA are some good alternatives to XM as copy trading brokers. Explore the best copy trading platforms.
What are the XM trading conditions?
The XM trading conditions are listed below.
- Pricing model: Most accounts are commission-free with costs built into spreads. Zero/Raw accounts (EU clients only) charge a per-lot commission for tighter spreads. Variable spreads start from 0.8 pips on major pairs for certain account types.
- Order size: Minimum 0.01 lots on most accounts. Orders may be declined when market conditions prevent execution at declared prices.
- Trading approaches: Hedging, scalping, and algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors are permitted. Cross-trades between accounts or brokers to abuse negative balance protection are prohibited.
- Leverage: Maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs ranges from 30:1 to 1,000:1, depending on the XM company that holds your account.
- Risk management: Negative balance protection applies at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited. The margin call and stop-out levels depend on the company.
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | Market Maker | ECN/STP | Market Maker |
| Max. FX leverage | 1:30 | 1:30 | 1:30 |
| Min. FX trade size | 0.01 standard lots | 0.01 standard lots | 0.01 standard lots |
| Hedging allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scalping allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
XM applies a market-maker execution model. XM acts as the counterparty to every trade and requires that positions are opened and closed only with XM. XM constructs bid and ask prices with reference to underlying markets and external reference sources. XM executes orders against quoted prices through market and pending order mechanisms provided on XM platforms. XM applies best-execution factors in its order execution policy, which covers normal and volatile conditions. XM keeps the execution model consistent across accounts and varies conditions through client categorisation.
XM’s trade execution is robust and consistently fast for retail trading. 99.35% of XM orders are executed in under one second, and XM offers VPS hosting to support low-latency workflows. XM remains stable through volatile periods, and market orders can still slip during rapid gaps and thin liquidity.
XM’s maximum leverage for retail clients on major forex pairs is 30:1 at its companies regulated in the EU and the UAE, 400:1 at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, authorised by the CMA (Kenya), and up to 1,000:1 at XM Global Limited, licensed by the FSC (Belize), and at XM ZA (Pty) Ltd (South Africa).
The table showing the leverage and the protections of each XM company is shown below.
| If you live in | Your account is with | Max retail leverage (major forex / crypto) | Investor compensation | Negative balance protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the EU | Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd (CySEC) | 30:1 / not offered | up to €20,000 | yes |
| the UAE | Trading Point MENA Limited (DFSA) | 30:1 / not offered | none | yes |
| Kenya | TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited (CMA) | 400:1 / not offered | none | yes |
| South Africa | XM ZA (Pty) Ltd (FSCA) | 1,000:1 / 1,000:1 | none | yes |
| other accepted countries | XM Global Limited (FSC) | 1,000:1 / 1,000:1 | none | yes |
| the US, the UK, Canada and 2 other countries | not accepted | |||
The max leverage with XM for each asset class is listed below.
- Forex: 30:1 on major pairs and 20:1 on other pairs at the companies regulated in the EU and the UAE; 400:1 and 400:1 at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited; up to 1,000:1 and 1,000:1 at XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd.
- Indices: 20:1 on major indices and 10:1 on other indices at the companies regulated in the EU and the UAE; 400:1 and 250:1 at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited; up to 500:1 and 250:1 at XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd.
- Commodities: 20:1 on gold and 10:1 on other commodities at the companies regulated in the EU and the UAE; 400:1 and 400:1 at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited; up to 1,000:1 and 400:1 at XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd.
- Shares (equities): 5:1 at the companies regulated in the EU and the UAE; 20:1 at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited; up to 20:1 at XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd.
- Cryptocurrencies: crypto CFDs are offered by XM Global Limited and XM ZA (Pty) Ltd, with leverage up to 1,000:1, and not by the other three companies in the table.
Leverage at XM depends on the company, the client category and the instrument type, and can be adjusted within permitted ranges through the account portal. XM applies margin requirements and a stop-out mechanism whose level depends on the company. Higher leverage magnifies both gains and losses.
Explore the Forex brokers with high leverage.
The minimum lot size with XM is 0.01 lots. This corresponds to the smallest volume a trader may place in a single position. The standard lot size at XM is defined as 100,000 units of the base currency (for standard-type accounts). The micro-lot size at XM corresponds to 1,000 units of the base currency in the micro-account type. The typical maximum lot size per single trade ticket at XM is 50 lots (which equals 5,000,000 units of the base currency) for most account types. Some account terms allow a maximum of up to 100 lots per ticket. XM imposes order-size constraints per ticket: clients may only enter positions up to the specified maximum number of lots in one order. There are no specific instrument-based restrictions on lot size beyond the per-ticket maximum, although overall open position limits and leverage caps depending on account equity may apply.
The types of trading orders you can use with XM are listed below.
- Market order
- Limit order
- Stop order
- Buy limit order
- Sell limit order
- Stop-loss order
- Take-profit order
- Trailing stop order
XM does not offer advanced conditional order types such as bracket orders, one-cancels-the-other orders, or one-triggers-the-other orders.
XM has variable slippage with occasional price improvement on liquid instruments, and it can show larger slippage during volatile periods or lower-liquidity conditions.
Order execution speed with XM is good, at around 66 milliseconds on average, and 99.4% of all trades are executed in less than one second.
What are XM account types?
The account types offered by XM are listed below.
- Micro Account: For beginner traders with limited capital wanting small position sizes. Commission-free, with EUR/USD spreads averaging 1.10 to 2.00 pips depending on the company. Micro-lots (1 lot = 1,000 units). $5 minimum deposit with same platform access as higher-tier accounts. Not offered by Trading Point MENA Limited (UAE).
- Standard Account: For retail traders needing full flexibility with standard lot sizes. Commission-free, with EUR/USD spreads averaging 1.10 to 2.00 pips depending on the company. Standard lots (1 lot = 100,000 units). $5 minimum deposit with complete platform access.
- Ultra-Low Account: For scalpers and high-volume traders seeking tighter pricing. Commission-free with spreads from 0.8 pips. Smaller minimum trade volumes available. $5 minimum deposit with enhanced pricing competitiveness.
- Zero Account: For active traders seeking raw pricing. Spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $3.50 per side per lot commission. Offered by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd (EU).
- Shares Account: For investors trading real shares rather than forex/CFDs. Direct share ownership with market-dependent spreads/commissions. $10,000 minimum deposit; real shares are bought without leverage. Offered by XM Global Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited.
- Islamic (Swap-Free) Option: For traders following Sharia principles. Applied to Ultra-Low Standard or Ultra-Low Micro accounts. Same features as underlying account but removes overnight swap charges and retains all other trading conditions.
Learn more about XM account types.

XM’s most popular account is the Standard Account, with commission-free trading and access to client bonuses at TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited. It features a $5 minimum deposit, maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs from 30:1 to 1,000:1 depending on the XM company that holds your account, MT4/MT5 platform access, and commission-free pricing with costs in spreads. XM also offers the Micro Account (smaller lot sizes, not at Trading Point MENA Limited) and Ultra Low/Zero accounts (tighter spreads or commission-based pricing, Zero only for EU clients), but the Standard Account remains the primary choice for most traders.
Yes, XM offers a demo account. The demo account streams real-time market prices identical to the live feed and provides access to the full range of instruments available on live accounts, including all FX pairs and CFDs without asset restrictions. Users can choose their initial virtual balance and currency when opening the demo account, and can reset or top up the virtual balance later through the Members Area.
Learn more about the XM demo account.
Yes, XM Group offers an Islamic (swap-free) account. You must request conversion through the members’ area; XM may require proof of religious belief before approval. Spreads and leverage match standard accounts without additional charges or wider spreads to offset the absence of overnight swaps. The swap-free status may be revoked if the account is used outside intended eligibility conditions.
Learn more about Forex brokers with Islamic account.
No, XM does not offer a professional account. Learn more about Forex brokers for professional traders.
Yes, XM offers a corporate trading account for businesses and legal entities trading under a company name. It provides the same platforms, instruments, and liquidity as retail accounts. The key difference is that verification requires company registration documents and proof of corporate ownership; funding/withdrawals must use corporate bank accounts matching the registered company name.
No, XM does not formally offer a “Premium” or “VIP” account tier under that name. While the broker provides enhanced features such as a dedicated account manager and advanced tools that resemble premium services, it does not offer a VIP or genuinely separate premium-account category.
How to open an account with XM?
The steps to open an account with XM are listed below.
- Start the registration: Open the account signup page, confirm the country of residence, enter an email address, set a password, and submit the initial form.
- Choose the account setup: Select the account type and provide the additional profile details requested during onboarding.
- Complete the personal profile: Enter full name, date of birth, residential address, and any financial and trading-experience information required for the application.
- Confirm the email address: Open the verification email and select the confirmation link to activate the account.
- Submit verification documents: Upload a valid photo identity document such as a passport or photo driving licence and upload proof of residence such as a utility bill or bank statement issued within the last three months.
- Fund the trading account: Deposit the initial amount using an available method such as bank transfer, payment card, or an e-wallet.
- Start trading: Log in to the platform after verification and deposit confirmation and place the first trade.
The registration and form submission typically take around five minutes, while document review is often completed within the same business day when uploads are clear and complete. The process is generally easy to complete, since the steps are digital and presented in a guided sequence. The requirements typically include being at least 18 years old, providing accurate personal information, completing the required profile questions, and funding the account before live trading can begin. A Know Your Customer process is required, and it typically includes identity verification and proof of address checks before full trading access is granted.
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5 | $0 | $0 |
| Demo trial available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payment methods | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets | Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets |
| Islamic account availability | Yes | Yes | No |
| Account base currencies | AUD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HUF, PLN, RUB, SGD, USD, ZAR | GBP, USD, EUR, CHF | EUR |
XM’s minimum deposit is USD 5 (or equivalent) for initial and subsequent deposits across Standard, Micro, and Ultra-Low accounts. The Shares account requires USD 10,000. Payment-method minimums may vary based on method and account verification status. Deposits are accepted in USD, EUR, GBP, and other currencies; XM converts if needed. No special perks unlock at higher thresholds, as USD 5 grants full trading access for listed account types. Learn more about the minimum deposit with XM.
XM offers 10 account base currencies, for example USD, EUR, GBP, RUB, CHF, AUD, SGD, PLN, HUF, ZAR. The wide range of account base currencies offered at XM helps traders reduce conversion fees when they fund and withdraw in the selected base currency.
The deposit methods supported by XM are listed below.
- Bank Transfer
- Debit Cards
- Credit Cards
- eWallets
Credit cards and e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill) are not offered by Trading Point MENA Limited (UAE).
The withdrawal methods supported by XM are listed below.
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Debit Cards
- Credit Cards
- eWallets
- Local Payment Methods
Credit cards and e-wallets are not offered by Trading Point MENA Limited (UAE).
Deposits and withdrawals with XM are safe. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with tier-one banks, kept separate from company operations, at Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited. Investor compensation depends on the company: the Investor Compensation Fund covers clients of Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd up to €20,000, while Trading Point MENA Limited, TPXMGLOBAL Kenya Limited, XM ZA (Pty) Ltd and XM Global Limited have no compensation scheme. Clients can deposit via bank transfer, cards or e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill), with a $5 minimum and near-instant funding. Withdrawals must return to the original payment method up to the deposit amount; profits can be withdrawn with any other available method. XM processes withdrawals within 24 hours (bank transfers take 2–5 working days). Identity verification (proof of ID and address) is required before withdrawals.
What trading platforms does XM offer?
The trading platforms offered by XM are listed below.
- MT4: Forex/CFD trading with charting, multiple order types, one-click trading, and Expert Advisors (EAs). Available on Windows (desktop), web, and iOS/Android (MetaTrader app).
- MT5: Multi-asset platform for forex and CFDs on stocks, commodities and indices with additional timeframes, expanded analytical tools, and hedging/netting modes. Available on Windows/macOS (desktop), web, and iOS/Android (MetaTrader app).
- XM Mobile App: XM’s proprietary app with simplified interface for trade execution, charting, and market analysis. Available on iOS/Android only (no desktop or web version).
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes | No |
| cTrader | No | Yes | No |
| TradingView | No | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary platform | No | Yes | Yes |
| Copy trading platform | Yes | Yes | No |

The charting tools available at XM are listed below.
- Technical indicators: 58+ built-in indicators on MT5 and 50+ on MT4 across momentum, trend, volatility, volume, and oscillator categories. Custom indicators, scripts, and Expert Advisors supported via MQL4/MQL5.
- Drawing tools: Trendlines, parallel channels, Andrews’ Pitchfork, Fibonacci tools, text/label objects, geometric shapes, arrows, and measurement tools. MT5 offers a full object set while MT4 has reduced options. Snap-style placement and multi-point construction supported.
- Chart timeframes & data: 9 timeframes on MT4 (1-minute to monthly); 21 timeframes on MT5 with intermediate intervals. Tick data streams available on MT5 for depth-of-market views.
- Backtesting: Built-in Strategy Tester on MT4 for Expert Advisor testing. MT5 features multi-thread, multi-currency Strategy Tester with real-tick simulation and optimization. Alerts and automated trading supported.
- Platforms & usability: MT4, MT5, and WebTrader on desktop/web/mobile for live and demo accounts. Native mobile app with built-in charting. Multi-chart workspaces, detachable windows, templates, and profile layouts. One-click trading and chart-based order management with stop-loss/take-profit placement.
- Pricing: Platform access included with no broker-side charting subscription fees. Optional paid add-ons available through third-party providers (marketplace tools, VPS).
The trading tools offered by XM are listed below.
- Order types & risk controls: Market, limit, and stop orders; pending orders (Buy/Sell Limit/Stop) with attached stop-loss and take-profit levels. Instant execution with zero requotes and no rejections under normal conditions.
- One-click trading: One-click trading across all supported platforms.
- Market analytics widgets: Built-in technical charting tools and indicators.
- Copy/social trading: Copy Trading system for following and auto-replicating professional traders; manage multiple copied strategies from a single account interface.
- Algorithmic trading: Expert Advisors on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 for automated strategy execution.
- VPS hosting: VPS for continuous automated trading with low-latency connectivity; free VPS eligibility tied to balance and volume thresholds.
- Trading calculators: Margin, pip, swap, profit-and-loss, and position-size calculators in the client area.
- Market analysis tools: Integrated economic calendar, real-time news feed, in-app analysis, and macro-event updates.
- Alerts and notifications: Custom alerts for price levels, indicators, and instruments; real-time push notifications via mobile and web apps.
- Performance analytics: Basic account statistics and trade-history views within platforms.
- Mobile-exclusive utilities: Proprietary mobile app with advanced charting, custom watchlists, gesture controls, biometric login, and desktop-mobile sync.
- Tool access conditions: Most tools are available without additional fees across account types, and VPS access is linked to minimum balance and volume requirements.
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| API support | Yes | FIX API, cTrader API | REST API, Streaming API, FIX API |
| EAs support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coding languages supported | MQL4, MQL5 | MQL4, MQL5, cAlgo, Pinescript | MQL4 |
| VPS support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Yes, XM does provide a Virtual Private Server (VPS) service for its clients. The VPS is available in two modes: complimentary for clients who meet certain account-balance and trading-volume criteria, or as a paid subscription if the criteria are not met. The service is a dedicated server in a high-specification data centre located very close to XM’s own trading servers, which reduces network latency and enhances execution speed. The hardware is 2,500 MB RAM, 30 GB hard disk, 600 MHz dedicated CPU, Windows Server 2022, with MetaTrader 4/5 pre-installed. The eligibility for a free VPS is that the client maintains a minimum (Equity – Credit) of USD 500 (or equivalent) across all trading accounts and has completed at least five round-turn lots (or 500 micro-lots) of trading in the past 30 days. If these criteria are not met, the VPS service is deducted at a monthly fee of USD 28 (or equivalent) from the client’s trading account. The VPS is hosted by XM (Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd) in a data-centre close to XM’s servers, approximately 1.5 kilometres from their London data-centre via optical fibre. In summary, XM does provide a VPS. It can be free if the required balance and trading volume are met; otherwise, it costs USD 28 per month or the equivalent amount in another currency.
Explore Forex brokers with free VPS.
No, the broker XM does not offer Autochartist as part of its trading tool suite. Explore the best brokers with Autochartist.
No, the broker XM does not offer TradingView. Explore the best brokers with TradingView.
Yes, XM permits algorithmic (automated) trading. Traders can run automated strategies and Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. MT4 allows development of proprietary programs using custom algorithmic strategies, while MT5 supports EAs with help guides for MQL5 programming and a built-in Strategy Tester for back-testing multi-instrument or multi-timeframe strategies. XM offers VPS hosting and low-latency execution with one-click trading for automated and scalping strategies.
How good is XM for mobile trading?
XM is excellent for mobile trading because it offers three well-supported mobile platforms (the XM App, MT4, and MT5) and compatibility for both Android and iOS devices. It provides a comprehensive mobile trading feature set including account management, advanced charting, and in-app market research.
Users can trade all available instruments (over 1,400 assets covering forex, CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities, metals, and energies) directly from the app with XM’s mobile solution. The XM App features charts with 90+ technical indicators and a range of drawing tools, providing analytical capabilities on par with desktop platforms. Traders can manage accounts, deposit or withdraw funds, and access instant customer support via the app. Other features include real-time news and market analysis in the Explore feed, personalized alerts, notifications, and an integrated XM AI assistant. The apps have no notable restrictions.
XTB, IG Markets, Pepperstone, and AvaTrade are some of the best mobile trading apps and are good alternatives to XM. Learn more about the best apps for Forex trading.
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| MT4 mobile | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 mobile | Yes | Yes | No |
| cTrader mobile | No | Yes | No |
| Proprietary mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
XM’s mobile app offers the same trading service as the desktop version but optimized for smartphones and tablets. Both support identical account types, asset classes, and platforms (MetaTrader 4 and 5), with matching instruments, execution speeds, and spreads. The mobile app provides full access to live quotes, order execution, portfolio management, economic calendar, market news, and account tools. The desktop version adds expansive screen real estate for multiple simultaneous charts, more detailed technical analysis, and multi-window setups suited to longer sessions. Mobile is tailored for flexibility and on-the-go trading with adapted navigation for smaller screens, while the desktop enables in-depth analysis and workstation-based sessions. Desktop fully supports Expert Advisors (EAs) and automated strategies, which are more constrained on mobile. Both sync the same login and account across devices, allowing seamless monitoring and management.
How good is XM to learn trading?
XM is a good option for learning trading because it offers a comprehensive educational center, structured trading articles, tutorials, continuous daily analysis, regular live webinars, a beginner-friendly micro account, and a free, renewable demo account. XM is good and not excellent for learning trading because its demo accounts expire after 90 days of inactivity rather than being truly unlimited.
XM provides a strong range of educational resources for new traders, including an extensive Learning Center with tutorial videos, guided trading articles, and step-by-step platform instructions. The broker stands out for its daily live webinars available in 23 languages, extensive real-time market analysis, and the ability to practice trading with micro-lot positions on its Micro Account (minimum deposit $5). The demo account allows unlimited practice as long as it remains active, though accounts are closed following 90 consecutive days of inactivity.
Learn more about what is trading and how it works.
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tutorials | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Glossary | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes |

How good is XM customer care?
XM has an excellent customer care because it offers 24/7 live chat, email and phone support, multilingual service in 20 languages, and does not charge any fees for client assistance. All customers receive the same standard of support regardless of account size, with no special account-tier perks needed for access to these services.
Clients can reach support around the clock via live chat and email, and by telephone in select regions; at Trading Point MENA Limited (UAE), support is available Monday to Friday, 07:00-21:00 GMT+2. Support is known for speedy responses and is accessible in a wide array of languages, ensuring clients worldwide can communicate easily. The broker provides locally tailored website content and educational materials, including webinars in 23 languages. Every account type receives the same level of assistance because there is no VIP account tier; priority services are linked to the higher statuses of the XM Traders Club loyalty programme. XM’s commitment to accessible and effective customer care is reinforced by the fact that all support channels are complimentary.
| Broker |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Support languages | English, Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese | English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Indonesian, Italian, French, Thai, German, Polish | English, Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish |
| Phone support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Email support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chat support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support hours | Mon-Sun (00:00-24:00) | Mon-Fri (00:00-24:00) | Sat-Fri (08:00-22:00 GMT) |
What are the best alternatives to XM?
The best alternatives to XM are HFM, eToro, and Pepperstone.
- HFM: no minimum deposit at its UK and Saint Vincent companies; negative balance protection for retail clients at HF Markets (UK) Ltd and HF Markets (SV) Ltd; forex, indices, commodities, and shares on MT4 and MT5.
- eToro: CopyTrader platform; zero-commission stock investing; wide asset range; segregated funds and 30:1 retail leverage caps at its companies regulated in the UK, the EU and Australia.
- Pepperstone: spreads from 0.0 pips; multiple platforms; negative balance protection at all its companies and investor compensation at its companies in the UK and the EU.
Explore the alternatives to XM.
XM is a solid fit for forex and CFD traders who want low entry costs, MetaTrader access and strong mobile, demo and educational support. It stands out for flexible account types, micro-lot trading and a broad CFD range, while the Zero account, available only to EU clients, is the best option for tighter pricing. It is less convincing for traders who want the very lowest all-in costs or stronger long-term investing features, and it does not accept residents of the US, Canada, the UK, Israel or Iran.

