This comparison pits two brokers on stock access and cost structures. easyMarkets touts fixed spreads and a proprietary platform, while XM leans into broad share CFDs and education.
XM edges easyMarkets on the editorial score, reflecting a higher overall rating for XM.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you value fixed share CFD spreads and a proprietary trading platform. You also benefit from dealCancellation insurance and compensation scheme coverage under regulation.
Choose XM if…
Choose XM if you want a broad 1,200+ share CFD universe across 10 exchanges. You also access 24/7 multilingual support and extensive educational content.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
XM is stronger on regulation with additional authorities (KNF, ASF, FSC) beyond CySEC/ASIC.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25 | $5▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $5/month (after 90 days) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: easyMarkets rates 3.4/5 and XM rates 3.7/5. 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 lists tighter spreads from 0.6, compared with easyMarkets's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
XM has $5, while easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets 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.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. easyMarkets has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither easyMarkets nor XM is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both easyMarkets and XM are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
XM has broader share CFD coverage across 10 exchanges, aiding active trading.
XM requires a lower minimum deposit of $5, favorable for new traders.
XM offers access to 10 exchanges, outperforming easyMarkets' 4.
Equally matched; the data does not reveal a clear low-cost advantage for either broker.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment wrappers per provided data.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free for most methods |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | CNV ASIC HCMC CySEC MNB | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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