Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs BlackBull Markets, 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.
When comparing XM Group and BlackBull Markets, both brokers stand out for their long-standing presence in the industry and regulatory compliance. Founded in 2009, XM Group offers clients a sense of security with a high Trust Score of 93 out of 99, provided by ForexBrokers.com. It boasts an impressive four Tier-1 licenses, signifying it as highly trusted, alongside one Tier-2 license. Although it is not publicly traded or a bank, these credentials make XM Group a reliable choice for forex traders seeking stability and trust.
In contrast, New Zealand-based BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, has a Trust Score of 78, putting it in the average risk category. It holds one Tier-1 license, considered highly trusted, but lacks Tier-2 licensing. Similar to XM Group, it is neither publicly traded nor a bank, but it serves as a viable option for those who prioritize experience in the forex trading field. While BlackBull Markets offers a slightly higher risk profile than XM Group, its foundation and regulatory adherence offer peace of mind for traders.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, XM Group offers a standard account with higher spreads that may not appeal to cost-conscious traders. Although it features a commission-based XM Zero account, XM Group does not disclose average spread data for this option, making cost evaluation challenging. Earning 4 out of 5 stars, XM Group ranks 33rd out of 63 brokers for its fee structure according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, BlackBull Markets stands out with more competitive trading costs, although these vary depending on the account type chosen. The Prime account, in particular, offers a compelling option with an average spread of 0.16 on the EUR/USD. This account carries an all-in cost of 0.76 pips when factoring in a per-side commission of 0.3 pips or $6 per 10,000 units traded. The Standard account offers commission-free trading at the cost of higher spreads, while the ECN Institutional account caters to active traders with a substantial $20,000 minimum deposit. Overall, BlackBull Markets earns a commendable 4.5-star rating and is ranked 18th among 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com.
For traders evaluating their options, BlackBull Markets provides a more transparent fee structure, offering various account types to match different levels of investment and trading frequency. Its Prime account is particularly appealing for those willing to meet the $2,000 minimum deposit requirement to benefit from more competitive spreads. Both brokers offer distinct advantages, but for those prioritizing lower trading costs and transparency, BlackBull Markets might have the edge.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.71 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| 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 and BlackBull Markets are both reputable online brokers offering a wide variety of investment options. When it comes to forex trading, both platforms provide access to the market through CFDs and spot contracts. However, BlackBull Markets offers a significantly larger array of tradeable symbols, boasting 26,000 compared to XM Group's 1,394. In terms of forex pairs, BlackBull Markets also leads with 72 pairs versus XM Group's 55. Both brokers allow clients to invest in exchange-traded securities from U.S. and international exchanges, enabling investors to purchase shares of companies like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, both platforms support copy trading strategies and offer cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies.
While both XM Group and BlackBull Markets have strong offerings, BlackBull Markets is rated higher for Range of Investments, earning a 5-star rating compared to XM Group's 4.5 stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with BlackBull Markets securing the 6th spot out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, while XM Group holds the 24th position. If you're looking for a broad array of trading options, particularly in forex and global securities, BlackBull Markets may have the edge over XM Group.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Both XM Group and BlackBull Markets provide a comprehensive range of trading platforms and tools that serve the needs of traders at different levels. They each offer free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for new traders to practice without financial risk. Both brokers support popular trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and provide access to web-based and Windows desktop applications. However, neither XM Group nor BlackBull Markets offer a proprietary platform. When it comes to features like copy trading, both brokers integrate this function, but BlackBull Markets sets itself apart with the addition of ZuluTrade for enhanced social trading opportunities.
In terms of technical capabilities, BlackBull Markets offers a wider selection of charting tools, including 60 drawing tools compared to XM Group's 15. This makes BlackBull Markets a more attractive option for traders who rely heavily on technical analysis. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts and offer detailed watch lists, with XM Group providing slightly more columns for customization. Both brokers have received 4 out of 5 stars in the Trading Platforms and Tools category from ForexBrokers.com, but BlackBull Markets edges slightly higher in rankings, positioned at #30 out of 63 brokers, compared to XM Group's #32 ranking.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing XM Group and BlackBull Markets for their mobile trading apps, both offer robust support for iPhone and Android users. Both platforms provide essential features such as stock or forex price alerts and watchlist syncing, allowing users to easily monitor their investments. Additionally, each app supports 30 technical studies for charting, offers the ability to draw trendlines, and lets traders access various time frames—daily, weekly, or intraday. XM Group and BlackBull Markets also allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring traders have the most current market information at their fingertips.
Despite their similarities, a key difference is that BlackBull Markets' app automatically saves drawings on charts, while XM Group's app does not. Both brokers receive a solid rating of four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps, reflecting customer satisfaction. However, in ForexBrokers.com's ranking, XM Group edges out with a #30 spot compared to BlackBull Markets' #32 ranking among 63 brokers. These subtle differences might influence traders to choose one app over the other, depending on individual needs and preferences for mobile trading features.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| 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.
Both XM Group and BlackBull Markets provide traders with daily market commentary, ensuring that clients are well-informed about current market conditions. However, when it comes to sourcing forex news from renowned outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, only XM Group offers this service, giving them an edge in providing comprehensive market updates. Additionally, XM Group integrates Technical Analytics from Trading Central into its offerings, while BlackBull Markets lacks this partnership. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets benefits from having research tools such as Autochartist, which XM Group does not offer. Both brokers equip traders with sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars, helping users make informed decisions. Neither broker offers tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, ensuring each offers a focused set of features for research.
When evaluating their market research offerings, XM Group stands out with a 5-star rating, reflecting its superior resources and tools, whereas BlackBull Markets holds a respectable 4-star rating. In a broader comparison among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group is ranked 8th for research, showcasing its strong market position. BlackBull Markets is ranked 18th, still within the top tier but trailing behind XM Group in terms of overall research capabilities. Thus, while both brokers provide valuable resources, XM Group offers a slightly more extensive suite of research tools to support informed trading strategies.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, XM Group and BlackBull Markets both offer a variety of tools to help new traders navigate the world of forex and CFDs. Each platform provides over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focusing on forex and CFDs. Additionally, both XM Group and BlackBull Markets host online educational webinars at least once a month and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions for clients to access at their convenience. Beginner traders can benefit from at least 10 educational videos specifically designed to cover essential trading topics on both platforms.
However, there are some distinctions between the two brokers. While BlackBull Markets provides an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms to support newcomers in mastering industry jargon, XM Group does not offer this feature. Despite this, XM Group shines with a higher education rating of 5 stars compared to BlackBull Markets' 4 stars. Moreover, XM Group ranks at number 7 in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers, whereas BlackBull Markets holds the 29th position. This ranking indicates that XM Group might offer a more comprehensive or well-regarded educational experience for its users.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 BlackBull Markets. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 78 |
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While both XM Group and BlackBull Markets do not provide options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency, they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XM Group and BlackBull Markets offer Visa or Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wires as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but neither broker supports ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal for these transactions.
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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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| Regulation | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.71 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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