This comparison pits Forex.com against XM in a battle of regulation, pricing, and platform options. The axis of tension centers on instrument breadth versus raw spread access.
Forex.com and XM are closely matched on regulation, fees, and platforms, with distinct differentiators in instrument variety and raw spread access.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
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 Forex.com, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
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)
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 |
The scores are close: Forex.com 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 Forex.com's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XM has $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. 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.
Forex.com lists maximum leverage of 50:1, 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.
Forex.com charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for XM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Forex.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Equally matched.
XM wins for active traders due to 1000:1 leverage and broad instrument access.
Forex.com is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available.
Forex.com wins for platform choice with a proprietary platform plus MT4/MT5.
XM wins for beginners with a $5 minimum deposit and strong educational content.
XM wins for instrument variety with 1400 tradable instruments.
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▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 1.7 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 50:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $15/month (after 12 months) | $5/month (after 90 days)▼ lower |
|---|
| 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 | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA | 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
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
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.2 / 5
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