GO Markets and XM face off on regulation, platform choice, and share coverage. The tension lies in cost, access to 1,200+ shares, and supportive tools.
XM has the higher editorial score, while GO Markets lags, giving XM the edge overall.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose GO Markets if…
Choose GO Markets if you prioritise dual regulation (ASIC and CySEC) and a broad platform lineup across MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
Choose XM if…
Choose XM if you want the widest share CFD selection and 24/5 live chat support.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
XM wins safety & regulation via multiple regulators (CySEC, ASIC, KNF, ASF, FSC) with compensation coverage.
| Editorial score | 3.5/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $200 | $5▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $5/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | GO Markets | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: GO Markets rates 3.5/5 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.
GO Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with XM's 0.6. 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 GO Markets requires at least $200. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both GO Markets 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.
GO Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
GO Markets charges $5 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for XM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
GO Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. GO Markets has exclusive access to cTrader.
Neither GO Markets 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 GO Markets 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.
GO Markets wins for active traders due to ECN-style spreads on share CFDs.
XM wins for beginners thanks to a low $5 minimum deposit and broader multilingual support.
XM wins global market access with 10 exchanges versus GO Markets' 6.
Equally matched; neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| 0.5 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $5/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | 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 | ASIC CySEC FSC | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.5 / 5
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