Both sit under strong regulation with client funds segregated. The tension lies in platform strategy and access, inviting a closer look at costs and tools.
eToro and XM are closely matched overall; the clearest differentiator is platform choice, with eToro offering a proprietary platform while XM provides MT4/MT5.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose eToro if…
Choose eToro if you want a proprietary platform and strong social trading features. You benefit from regulated safeguards, client funds segregation, no deposit fees, 24/5 multilingual support, and access to a broad range of assets.
Choose XM if…
Choose XM if you want MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting tools. Benefit from phone support, transparent pricing, a low $5 minimum deposit, and strong regulatory oversight, along with segregated funds, investor compensation, and 24/5 multilingual support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
XM offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 1.00 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
Pros
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | 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: eToro rates 4.2/5 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.
XM starts from 0.6 pips, tighter than eToro's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XM has $5, while eToro requires at least $50. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both eToro 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.
For beginners, two factors stand out: XM requires a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
eToro lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. eToro has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. XM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Equally matched; both provide top-tier regulation and segregated client funds.
XM wins for active traders thanks to MT4/MT5 access and advanced charting tools.
XM is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
XM wins for beginners due to low minimum deposit and strong educational content.
eToro wins for instrument variety with about 3000 tradable instruments.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Israel | Limassol, Cyprus |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $50 | $5▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month (after 12 months) | $5/month (after 90 days)▼ lower |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrillApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free for most methods |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CNB CMVM AMF FSRA FSA Seychelles Finanstilsynet HCMC CySEC Finanstilsynet ASF MFSA Finansinspektionen FSC MNB KNF CMA | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
No deposit fees
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
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
Wider FX spreads
Withdrawal fee
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
Pricing transparency could be improved
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 4.2 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker