A head-to-head comparison of Plus500 and XM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
LSE-listed with zero commission, intuitive proprietary platform, and negative balance protection - though limited research and no MT4.
XM edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 vs Plus500's 4/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.6 pips.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Plus500 offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
XM edges out Plus500 with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2008 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Haifa, Israel | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $100 | $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 MAS CySEC CMA | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Plus500 | Visit XM |
Pros
LSE-listed providing strong institutional credibility
Zero commission on all trades
Intuitive proprietary platform with a clean mobile app
Negative balance protection across all accounts
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
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
No MT4 or MT5 support
Limited research tools and market analysis
US residents not accepted
No copy trading
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
No MetaTrader support
Limited charting capabilities
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 | Plus500 | 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 | 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 4/5 for Plus500. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Plus500 and XM may each suit different trader profiles.
Both Plus500 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.
XM has a lower minimum deposit of $5, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Plus500 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.
Plus500 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.
Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and XM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; Plus500 exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; XM exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
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