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.
XM Group vs BlackBull Markets: XM Group was founded in 2009, is not publicly traded, and is not a bank. It holds 4 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted) and 3 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). XM Group’s ForexBrokers.com Trust Score is 93/99, placing it in the highly trusted category.
BlackBull Markets was founded in 2014, is not publicly traded, and is not a bank. It holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. BlackBull Markets’ ForexBrokers.com Trust Score is 77/99, which is classified as average risk. Overall, XM Group shows a broader regulatory footprint and higher trust rating, while BlackBull Markets has a leaner licensing profile.
| 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 | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
XM Group and BlackBull Markets take very different approaches to commissions and fees. XM Group earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #35 out of 36 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category, mainly because its Standard account has expensive spreads and average spreads are not published for the commission-based XM Zero account. This makes it harder for traders to estimate costs upfront.
BlackBull Markets scores higher, with 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees. Its trading costs are about average overall and depend on the account type you choose. The Standard account has no commission and no minimum deposit, but wider spreads. The Prime account is often the better pick for lower-cost trading, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 and an all-in cost of 0.76, though it requires a $2,000 minimum deposit and charges $3 per side. The ECN Institutional account is aimed at active traders with at least $20,000 to deposit and has a $2 per side commission.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.1 | 1.16 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.7+ | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XM Group and BlackBull Markets both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, along with exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international markets, copy trading, and cryptocurrency CFDs. Neither broker lets clients buy delivered crypto directly. That means both platforms cover the basics well for traders who want to build a portfolio with forex, shares, and crypto exposure through CFDs.
Where they differ most is in size and variety. XM Group offers 1,583 tradeable symbols and 54 forex pairs, while BlackBull Markets lists a much larger 26,000 symbols and 72 forex pairs. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, XM Group is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked 19th out of 36 brokers, while BlackBull Markets earns 5 stars and ranks 7th, making it the stronger pick for traders who want the widest selection.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1583 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 54 | 72 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 BlackBull Markets both give traders a strong set of platform choices. Each broker supports a free demo account, Windows desktop trading, browser-based trading, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. Both also let you trade straight from a price chart, which can make it easier to place orders while watching market movement. Neither broker offers a proprietary in-house platform, so traders will be using well-known third-party tools instead.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking of 36 brokers, BlackBull Markets places slightly higher at #25, while XM Group comes in at #28. For traders comparing XM Group vs BlackBull Markets, the main takeaway is that both offer a similar platform lineup, with no major gap in core trading tools.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 100 | 109 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XM Group and BlackBull Markets both make it easy to trade on the go, with iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, and watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account. Each app also lets users draw trendlines on stock or forex charts, and both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile app ranking, XM Group places slightly ahead at #26 out of 36 brokers, while BlackBull Markets ranks #28.
The biggest difference comes down to charting tools and app features. XM Group offers 100 technical studies in its mobile charting tools, compared with 30 at BlackBull Markets, which may appeal to traders who want more chart detail on their phone. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets does one thing better for chart users: it auto saves drawings on mobile charts, while XM Group does not. Overall, XM Group may suit traders who want more indicators, while BlackBull Markets may be a better fit for those who value saved chart markings.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 100 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group and BlackBull Markets both give traders daily market commentary, a sentiment tool for seeing long and short position ratios, and an economic calendar that tracks key global news events. Both brokers also keep their clients updated with useful market context, but XM Group goes further for forex research because it includes news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones.
When it comes to research tools, the two brokers take different paths. BlackBull Markets offers Autochartist, while XM Group does not; on the other hand, XM Group includes Trading Central tools such as Technical Analytics, which BlackBull Markets does not. Neither broker offers TipRanks or Acuity Trading research. Overall, XM Group scores higher for market research, with a 5-star rating and an #8 ranking out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared with BlackBull Markets’ 4.5-star rating and #17 ranking.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to education for beginners, XM Group and BlackBull Markets both offer a wide range of learning tools, including forex and CFD education, monthly online webinars, and at least 10 beginner videos as well as 10 advanced videos. That means new traders can find help with the basics at either broker, from simple trading concepts to more advanced topics. For learners who want regular guidance, both brokers also provide ongoing webinar access, which can be useful for asking questions and staying up to date.
Even so, XM Group has the edge overall for education. It is rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #5 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #24. In plain terms, both brokers are beginner-friendly, but XM Group appears to offer a stronger educational experience with a higher quality rating and a better category ranking.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 #16, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #22.
XM Group is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker offering 1,583 tradeable symbols across MetaTrader 4 and 5 and a new proprietary web and mobile platform. Its live trading rooms and integrated Trading Central research are among the best in the industry. Standard account spreads are expensive, though the Ultra Low and Zero accounts are competitive.
| Feature |
XM Group
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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 77 |
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XM Group vs BlackBull Markets: both online brokers do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but each offers cryptocurrency CFD trading.
In the XM Group vs BlackBull Markets comparison, XM Group supports Skrill and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal, whereas BlackBull Markets supports ACH/SEPA, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not PayPal.
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 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 77 | |
| 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 | 3 | 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 (FSA 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) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA 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) | 1583 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 54 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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) - Spread-only account | 1.1 | 1.16 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.7+ | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 100 | 109 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 100 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XM Group Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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