This comparison pits Deriv against XM across regulation, fees, and platforms. The outcome hinges on protection levels and toolsets.
XM edges Deriv on the editorial score due to top-tier regulators and investor compensation coverage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Deriv offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 0.60 pips for XM, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7, unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Deriv | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Deriv rates 4.1/5 and XM rates 4.3/5. XM has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Deriv 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.
Both Deriv and XM require a minimum deposit of $5 to open a live trading account.
XM holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, CySEC, ASF), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Deriv lists maximum leverage of 1000:1, 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.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, while XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5. Deriv has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and DXtrade. XM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4.
XM wins for safety and regulation due to CySEC and ASIC licensing and investor compensation.
Deriv wins for active traders due to 24/7 synthetic indices and multiple platforms.
Deriv is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
Deriv wins for platform choice with proprietary platform and multi-platform options.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Birkirkara, Malta | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $5 | $5 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 1,000:1 | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | $5/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free for most methods |
|---|
| Regulators | LFSA FSC BVI MFSA VFSC | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
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 4.1 / 5
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