Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs ATFX, 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.
XM Group, founded in 2009, and ATFX, established in 2017, are both well-regarded online brokers known for their strong regulatory standings. XM Group boasts four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, earning it a Trust Score of 93 from ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the highly trusted category. In comparison, ATFX holds the same number of Tier-1 licenses but two Tier-2 licenses. This grants ATFX a Trust Score of 85, categorizing it as a trusted broker.
Neither XM Group nor ATFX is publicly traded, and they do not function as banks. Both brokers offer secure trading environments, with XM Group having a slightly higher trust rating due to its regulatory framework. Despite their differences in founding years and Trust Scores, both companies strive to provide reliable services in the online brokerage space.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
XM Group’s commissions and fees are mixed. Its Standard account spreads are expensive, and the broker does not publish average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account, which makes side-by-side price comparisons harder. Even so, XM Group holds a 4 out of 5 star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #34 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
ATFX provides limited transparency on pricing because it does not publish average spread data. Reflecting that, ATFX earns 3 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #61 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Based on ratings and rankings alone, XM Group edges out ATFX on overall pricing, though both would benefit from clearer average spread disclosures; consider checking live spreads and account terms before choosing.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
XM Group vs ATFX for range of investments: XM Group lists 1,394 tradeable symbols, including 55 forex pairs, while ATFX offers 150 symbols and 44 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs/spot and provide copy trading. For digital assets, neither supports buying actual cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency derivatives. A key difference is stock access: XM Group lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges (such as Apple or Vodafone), whereas ATFX does not offer real, exchange-listed stocks.
If you want the widest selection, XM Group is the stronger choice, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranking #25 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. ATFX earns 3.5 stars and ranks #58, suiting traders who only need a simple lineup of CFDs and major forex pairs.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
XM Group and ATFX both make it easy to get started with a free demo account and offer the same core platforms: Windows desktop and web-based trading with MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Neither broker provides a proprietary platform, and both support copy trading while not offering DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to tools, both let you trade directly from charts, include 15 drawing tools, and provide watchlists with 7 customizable columns. For overall platform and tools quality, XM Group earns 4 stars and ranks #33 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #63. If platform ratings matter to you, XM Group holds the edge; if you want the familiar MetaTrader experience with a demo account, both are solid picks.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XM Group and ATFX both offer iPhone and Android mobile trading apps with price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, multiple chart time frames, and drawing tools like trendlines. A notable difference is watchlist syncing: XM syncs symbols between the mobile app and your online account, while ATFX does not. However, ATFX auto-saves chart drawings, whereas XM does not.
For charting depth on mobile, XM provides 30 built-in technical studies compared with 7 at ATFX, giving XM more choices for analysis. ForexBrokers.com rates XM Group 4 stars and ranks it #31 for Mobile Trading Apps, while ATFX earns 3.5 stars and ranks #64. If you value more indicators and synced watchlists, XM is the stronger pick; if auto-saving drawings is a priority, ATFX has the edge.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group and ATFX both deliver daily market commentary and an easy-to-read economic calendar. XM adds streaming forex news from top-tier sources (such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones) and includes a sentiment tool that shows the long/short split across instruments. ATFX does not offer that premium news feed or a sentiment gauge, but it does integrate Autochartist for trade setup ideas; both brokers also provide research from Trading Central. TipRanks and Acuity Trading aren’t listed by XM, and ATFX does not state support for these providers.
For overall market research, XM Group leads: it’s rated 5 stars and ranks 8th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX is rated 3 stars and ranks 55th. Choose XM if you want integrated news and sentiment data alongside Trading Central; pick ATFX if Autochartist is a must-have and daily commentary with an economic calendar meets your needs.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, XM Group stands out compared to ATFX. Both provide a wealth of content with more than 10 pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs education. However, XM Group goes a step further by offering monthly live webinars, which ATFX does not provide. This additional touch gives beginners the chance to engage in real-time learning experiences. Furthermore, both brokers present a searchable archive of recorded webinars, allowing users to learn at their own pace.
For video content, XM Group excels with over 10 educational videos tailored for both beginners and advanced traders, while ATFX matches this number for beginner videos but falls short on advanced content. Although ATFX offers an investor dictionary featuring more than 50 investing terms, XM Group’s broader array of educational offerings likely contributes to its higher ratings. XM Group receives 5 out of 5 stars for education and ranks 7th among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas ATFX is rated 3 stars and holds the 28th position. These distinctions highlight XM Group as a more comprehensive resource for those new to trading.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XM Group is better than ATFX. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 |
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Both XM Group and ATFX do not provide the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, but they both offer cryptocurrency derivatives for trading.
Both XM Group and ATFX facilitate account fund transactions through Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals.
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 | XM Group | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group Review |
| Overall | XM Group | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
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