A head-to-head comparison of eToro and XM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
eToro and XM are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.2/5 and 4.3/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
XM offers tighter spreads from 0.6 pips vs 1 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
eToro offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
XM edges out eToro with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
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 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | USD 5 per withdrawal | Free for most methods |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC AMF CySEC FSRA CMVM Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet ASF FSC CNB MNB KNF Finanstilsynet HCMC MFSA CMA FSA Seychelles | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit eToro | Visit XM |
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
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
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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, XM ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5 for eToro. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; eToro and XM may each suit different trader profiles.
XM offers tighter spreads starting from 0.6 pips, compared to eToro's spreads from 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XM has a lower minimum deposit of $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. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: XM has a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
eToro offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while XM offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and XM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; eToro exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; XM exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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