Windsor Brokers and XM face off on regulation, product breadth, and trading platforms. The tension centers on regulation scope, exchange coverage, and educational resources.
XM edges Windsor Brokers on editorial score, 3.7 vs 3.4, and with broader exchange coverage. Windsor remains CySEC-regulated with a long history, while XM offers more share CFDs and stronger education.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you value a 5-exchange footprint. You also accept no 24/5 live chat or dedicated research tools.
Choose XM if…
Choose XM if you want 24/5 live chat and access to 10 exchanges. You benefit from 1,200+ share CFDs and strong educational content.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
XM leads safety and regulation with multiple regulators and compensation coverage.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | $5▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $8/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Windsor Brokers | 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: Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes XM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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.
Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while XM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
Neither Windsor Brokers 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 Windsor Brokers 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 offers higher leverage (1000:1) on offshore entity.
XM wins for beginners with a $5 minimum deposit and strong education.
Equally matched for long-term investing.
| 0.8 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $5/month (after 90 days) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | 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 | CySEC FSCA | ASIC CySEC ASF FSC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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