ThinkMarkets vs XM Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ThinkMarkets and XM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.2 / 5
2 bonusesNo minimum deposit on standard account, a highly rated ThinkTrader mobile app, and JFSA regulation for Japanese clients.
VS
Our Verdict
Too close to call0.1 pts apart
ThinkMarkets 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.
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
Recommended
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads from 0.4 pips vs 0.6 pips for XM, reducing trading costs.
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 active traders
Recommended
ThinkMarkets has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.4 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
ThinkMarkets offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
XM edges out ThinkMarkets with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
ThinkMarkets vs XM: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| 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 | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2010 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $5 |
| Spreads from | 0.4 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free for most methods |
| Regulators | FCA FSCA ASIC JFSA | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ThinkMarkets | Visit XM |
ThinkMarkets vs XM Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
No minimum deposit on standard ThinkForex account
ThinkTrader proprietary app is well-reviewed for mobile trading
JFSA regulation for Japanese clients
Strong multi-region regulatory coverage
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
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
ThinkZero account requires $500 minimum deposit
Standard account is spread-only and not competitive for scalpers
Not available to US residents
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
ThinkMarkets vs XM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
ThinkMarkets
criteria wins
0
XM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ThinkMarkets | 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 | Pass | 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 |
ThinkMarkets vs XM: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, XM ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5 for ThinkMarkets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ThinkMarkets and XM may each suit different trader profiles.
ThinkMarkets offers tighter spreads starting from 0.4 pips, compared to XM's spreads from 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ThinkMarkets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while XM requires at least $5. This makes ThinkMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ThinkMarkets 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: ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets offers maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView and XM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; ThinkMarkets exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView.
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Score 4.2 / 5
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