Two brokers score closely overall, but they diverge on instrument variety and platform choices. The tension pits asset access against regulatory and pricing differences.
ADS Securities and XM are closely matched overall; the clearest differentiator is instrument variety, with XM offering 1,400 instruments versus ADS's 200.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ADS Securities if…
Choose ADS Securities if you value no inactivity fee, access to raw spreads, and a proprietary trading platform.
Choose XM if…
Choose XM if you want a low minimum deposit, negative balance protection, and investor compensation coverage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
ADS Securities offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 0.60 pips for XM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Pros
FSRA (ADGM) and FCA dual regulation, institutional-grade UAE framework
Institutional prime brokerage liquidity for tight spreads
Multi-asset including equities and fixed income
FIX API available for algorithmic and professional clients
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ADS Securities | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
ADS Securities and XM share the same editorial score of 4.3/5. One concrete differentiator: XM requires a lower minimum deposit.
ADS Securities starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than XM's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XM has $5, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and XM hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
XM stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ADS Securities lists maximum leverage of 200:1, while XM lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. ADS Securities has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
XM is best for safety and regulation, offering negative balance protection and investor compensation coverage.
ADS Securities is best for active traders due to FIX API access and institutional liquidity.
ADS Securities is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
ADS Securities wins for platform choice with a proprietary platform and MT4/MT5 support.
XM leads in instrument variety with far more assets than ADS.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $2,000 | $5▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 200:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $5/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for most methods |
|---|
| Regulators | FSRA FCA | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
USD 5 minimum deposit
Strong bonus program
Multilingual support
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Cons
$2,000 minimum deposit, not accessible to entry-level retail traders
Primary focus on institutional and HNW clients; limited retail tools
Less suitable for traders seeking educational support or copy trading
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Cons
Spreads not as tight as ECN-style brokers
Not available to US clients
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
Score 4.3 / 5
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