Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Admirals vs Xtrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Admirals and Xtrade are both online brokers with strong regulatory credentials, but there are notable distinctions in their trust and licensing. Founded in 2001, Admirals holds a superior position when it comes to regulatory oversight with four Tier-1 licenses, which are indicators of a highly trusted broker according to ForexBrokers.com. Admirals also has three Tier-2 licenses, which reinforces its trustworthiness. Reflecting this regulatory strength, Admirals boasts a high Trust Score of 93 out of 99, marking it as a highly trusted broker.
In contrast, Xtrade, founded in 2003, operates with fewer regulatory accolades. It holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license, which gives it an average risk level. With a Trust Score of 74 out of 99, Xtrade is classified as average risk. Neither Admirals nor Xtrade are publicly traded companies, nor do they operate as banks. While both brokers have their regulatory credentials, Admirals leads in terms of trustworthiness and licensing support.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Admirals and Xtrade, Admirals emerges as a strong contender with competitive pricing structures. Admirals offers typical spreads starting at 0.8 on its Trade account, with similar attractive pricing available on its Zero account type. In contrast, Xtrade does not provide average spread data, which may pose a challenge for potential users seeking transparent cost details.
Admirals excels not just in pricing but also in its industry rating for commissions and fees. With an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars, Admirals ranks 17th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This ranking highlights Admirals as a reliable option for those looking for cost-effective trading solutions.
Meanwhile, Xtrade falls short in the same category, earning only 2.5 stars and ranking last at 63rd place. This lower ranking suggests that traders might encounter less competitive cost structures with Xtrade, potentially affecting their overall trading experience.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the investment options offered by Admirals and Xtrade, Admirals clearly provides a broader and more diverse range. Admirals boasts an impressive 8,702 tradeable symbols, allowing clients a vast selection for their trading strategies. In contrast, Xtrade offers 482 symbols. Both platforms provide forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, yet Admirals offers 82 available forex pairs, while Xtrade has 56. A notable advantage of Admirals is its access to exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to directly purchase shares like Apple or Vodafone. Xtrade, on the other hand, does not offer this feature.
For those interested in copy trading, Admirals supports this option, enhancing the convenience for those who prefer following the investment strategies of others. This feature is absent in Xtrade. While neither broker offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, both provide cryptocurrency derivatives, which could appeal to crypto traders. Admirals' extensive range of investments earns it a 4.5-star rating and a rank of 19th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Xtrade's more limited offering results in a 3.5-star rating and a rank of 49th, marking a clear distinction between the two in terms of investment variety.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Admirals and Xtrade, several key differences emerge that may influence your decision. Admirals offers a comprehensive array of options, including a proprietary platform and the universally popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both of which are absent in Xtrade's offerings. Admirals users benefit from simulated trading through a free virtual demo account, along with access to Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms. Admirals also offers copy trading, which Xtrade does not support. Moreover, Admirals provides 106 drawing tools for charting compared to Xtrade's 100, while both platforms allow trading directly from stock charts.
On the other hand, Xtrade distinguishes itself with its focus on web-based trading platforms and provides nine columns for watchlists compared to Admirals' seven. Despite Xtrade's proprietary platform, it lacks desktop download capabilities that Admirals users enjoy. In terms of ratings, Admirals receives four out of five stars for its trading platforms and tools, ranking 19th out of 63 brokers per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Xtrade is rated 3.5 stars, placing it at 58th. With these distinctions in mind, choosing between Admirals and Xtrade will depend on individual priorities, such as platform versatility and specific trading features.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 106 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Admirals and Xtrade both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, making it convenient for traders to keep up with the markets on the go. Admirals stands out with some added features, such as stock and forex price alerts, which are not available with Xtrade. While neither platform offers watchlist syncing across devices, Admirals provides a more comprehensive charting experience with 30 technical studies and the ability to draw trend lines on charts. In contrast, Xtrade does not offer these charting capabilities.
When it comes to viewing multiple time frames on charts, Admirals again has the upper hand, allowing traders to switch between daily, weekly, or intraday views. Admirals also auto-saves chart drawings and lets users create watchlists with real-time quotes, features that are not available in Xtrade's offering. Despite these differences, both Admirals and Xtrade are rated four stars for their mobile trading apps. However, Admirals ranks higher overall, coming in at #23 out of 63 brokers, while Xtrade is ranked at #53, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Admirals and Xtrade provide daily market commentary and forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring that traders stay informed about market movements. While both brokers deliver essential market insights, Admirals takes it a step further by offering a broader range of research tools. Admirals excels with features like Trading Central's technical analytics and Trading signals from TipRanks, providing more comprehensive market analysis options. Admirals also offers unique sentiment-based trading tools and research from Acuity Trading, enhancing its ability to cater to the needs of traders looking for detailed insights.
In contrast, Xtrade does not provide these advanced research tools, which limits its offering in this area. Both brokers offer an economic calendar for tracking global news events, maintaining a basic level of research support. When it comes to research expertise and ranking, Admirals receives a solid 4-star rating, placing it at the 15th position out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Xtrade, with a 3.5-star rating, ranks at the 52nd spot, indicating a less comprehensive research offering. This comparison highlights Admirals' focus on diverse research capabilities, making it a favorable option for traders seeking detailed market analysis.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners interested in forex and CFDs, Admirals and Xtrade each offer a basic library of articles, videos, and webinars. Admirals stands out by providing monthly online webinars for clients, archived recordings for easy review, and a collection of beginner-focused videos. Additionally, Admirals caters to more experienced traders with a series of advanced videos, ensuring a comprehensive learning journey. Both brokers offer a dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, making it easier for beginners to familiarize themselves with trading jargon.
Admirals earns a higher education rating of 4 stars, compared to Xtrade’s 3.5 stars. This reflects its commitment to enhancing learning opportunities for its clients. Ranked 12th out of 63 brokers for education by ForexBrokers.com, Admirals provides a solid foundation for novice traders, while Xtrade holds the 46th place, indicating a more limited educational offering. For those starting in trading, Admirals' extensive resources can provide a more thorough and engaging learning experience.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Admirals is better than Xtrade. Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
Traders choose Admirals for its excellent investor education and advanced MetaTrader features – such as the Supreme add-ons – alongside an extensive range of shares, forex and CFD markets, and premium research content.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 74 |
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Both Admirals and Xtrade do not allow buying actual cryptocurrencies for delivery, yet they both offer the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing deposit and withdrawal options between online brokers Admirals and Xtrade, Admirals provides more flexibility with the inclusion of ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, alongside Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while Xtrade offers Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Admirals | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 74 | |
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| Review | Admirals Review | Xtrade Review |
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| Regulation | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes | No |
| Investments | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 106 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Admirals | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Admirals Review | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | Admirals | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review | Xtrade Review |
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