A head-to-head comparison of Forex.com and XM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
One of very few brokers accepting US retail forex clients, with deep research tools and competitive raw spreads for professional accounts.
Forex.com 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 Forex.com, reducing trading costs.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Both brokers offer equivalent trading costs across spreads, commissions, and account types.
Forex.com offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
XM edges out Forex.com 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 | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Bedminster, New Jersey, USA | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $100 | $5 |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 50:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free for most methods |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CFTC NFA IIROC | ASIC ASF CySEC FSC KNF |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Forex.com | Visit XM |
Pros
One of the few brokers accepting US retail forex clients
Deep research tools including macro analysis
Raw spread account with competitive $7 round-turn commission
MT4, MT5 and proprietary platforms
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
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
$100 minimum deposit is higher than some peers
US clients restricted to 50:1 leverage on major pairs
Raw account pricing not available in all jurisdictions
Inactivity fee applies
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 | Forex.com | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, XM ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5 for Forex.com. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Forex.com and XM may each suit different trader profiles.
XM offers tighter spreads starting from 0.6 pips, compared to Forex.com'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 Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Forex.com 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.
Forex.com offers maximum leverage of 50:1, 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.
Forex.com charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Forex.com supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and XM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; Forex.com exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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