IG vs XM Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IG and XM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
IG invented spread betting in 1974 and remains the benchmark for experienced UK and European traders: unmatched market breadth, a genuinely excellent proprietary platform, and regulatory credibility that few brokers can match - at the cost of slightly higher charges than specialist ECN desks.
VS
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.5 pts
IG edges ahead with a score of 4.8/5 vs XM's 4.3/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.6 pips.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
IG offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IG edges out XM with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 4.3/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
IG vs XM: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $5 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free for most methods |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI KNF Finanstilsynet | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit IG | Visit XM |
IG vs XM Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
LSE-listed with FCA and ASIC regulation - among the most credible regulatory stacks in retail CFDs
19,000+ markets including weekend crypto, volatility indices, and EM pairs - genuine breadth, not a padded count
Proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and DMA equity routing built in
Spread betting available for UK clients - tax-free gains on the same account used for CFD trading
No minimum deposit and no deposit or withdrawal fee on standard methods
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
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
Market maker on forex - not suitable for scalpers who need sub-0.1 pip raw ECN spreads
Inactivity fee of £12/month kicks in after 24 months with no trades
Onboarding verification is slower than smaller or offshore brokers
Customer support quality drops outside UK business hours
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
IG vs XM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
IG
criteria win
0
XM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IG | 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 | 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 |
IG vs XM: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 4.3/5 for XM. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; IG and XM may each suit different trader profiles.
Both IG and XM offer spreads starting from 0.6 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
IG has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while XM requires at least $5. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IG 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: IG has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
IG 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.
IG supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView and XM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4; IG exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; XM exclusively offers MetaTrader 5.
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