Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com, established in 1999, and Xtrade, which began operations in 2003, are two prominent names in the online brokerage world. FOREX.com holds a significant edge in terms of trust and reliability, as indicated by its top-tier ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, which categorizes it as a highly trusted broker. This status is supported by its seven Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as the gold standard in regulatory compliance. Additionally, FOREX.com is publicly traded, which can offer another layer of transparency and oversight. In contrast, Xtrade is not publicly traded and holds only one Tier-1 license, earning it a lower Trust Score of 74, placing it in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Neither FOREX.com nor Xtrade operate as banks, but their regulatory structures show significant differences. The emphasis on regulatory compliance is clear with FOREX.com, which holds one Tier-2 license alongside its multiple Tier-1 approvals, underscoring its commitment to maintaining consumer trust. Meanwhile, Xtrade also holds one Tier-2 license but does not possess the same regulatory breadth as its competitor. For investors prioritizing security and transparency, FOREX.com’s substantial regulatory endorsements and industry reputation make it a preferable choice.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and Xtrade, there are some notable differences. FOREX.com provides a variety of account types and execution methods, which cater to different trading needs, but it tends to be slightly more expensive compared to the industry average. For those trading outside the U.S., FOREX.com offers competitive spreads, such as an averaged 0.74 pips for the EUR/USD in July 2023. Their RAW account, specifically designed for active traders, features lower spreads starting at 0.13 pips for the EUR/USD, but it includes a per-trade commission. In contrast, Xtrade does not provide average spread data, making it difficult to precisely evaluate its fees.
FOREX.com earns a commendable 4.5 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, placing it 13th out of 63 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com. This high rating reflects FOREX.com’s ability to cater to both casual and highly active traders with its unique account offerings and execution strategies. However, the costs can be quite comparable to the Standard account for U.S. residents unless trading volumes exceed $50 million per month. Meanwhile, Xtrade receives a modest 2.5-star rating and holds the lowest spot, ranking 63rd out of 63 brokers for fees and commissions.
In summary, while FOREX.com may pose higher costs, its range of account options and comprehensive platform make it a popular choice for active traders who value execution precision. Its transparent fee structure, coupled with potential rebates on higher trading volumes, can also make it appealing. Conversely, Xtrade's lack of detailed spread data and lower ranking suggest it may not offer the best value in terms of commissions and fees in the competitive forex market.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FOREX.com and Xtrade both offer a platform for forex trading as a CFD, making them accessible choices for traders interested in currency markets. However, there's a notable difference in their range of investments. FOREX.com boasts a wide selection, with a staggering 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 80 forex pairs, which makes it a solid choice for those looking to take advantage of extensive trading opportunities. In contrast, Xtrade provides access to 482 tradeable symbols and 56 forex pairs, which may appeal to traders seeking a more focused trading experience.
Neither FOREX.com nor Xtrade offers the ability to purchase exchange-traded securities or actual cryptocurrencies, with both platforms providing options for cryptocurrency derivatives instead. Features like copy trading are also unavailable on both platforms. Despite these limitations, FOREX.com significantly outshines Xtrade in terms of range, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 7th out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, while Xtrade receives 3.5 stars and ranks 49th. This reflects FOREX.com’s broader investment opportunities and market coverage compared to Xtrade.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 offered by FOREX.com and Xtrade, you’ll find that both brokers provide a free virtual demo account for simulated trading to practice without financial risk. Each company has developed its proprietary platform, ensuring that users are trading on software built specifically for their needs. FOREX.com offers a downloadable trading platform for Windows, while Xtrade does not, although both brokers do provide web-based platforms accessible through any browser. Neither broker supports copy trading features like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
FOREX.com stands out with support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), widely known for their advanced trading capabilities, whereas Xtrade does not offer these popular platforms. Chart enthusiasts might appreciate FOREX.com's more extensive range of drawing tools, boasting 239 compared to Xtrade's 100, and their comprehensive watch lists with 20 columns to Xtrade's 9. While both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, FOREX.com's overall trading platform and tools are highly rated with 5 stars and ranked 7th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Xtrade receives a rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 58th for its trading suite.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FOREX.com and Xtrade offer options for iPhone and Android users, but they differ significantly in features and capabilities. FOREX.com's app stands out with its provision of stock or forex price alerts, a feature not available in Xtrade’s app. Furthermore, FOREX.com offers seamless watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and the user's online account, allowing for changes to be updated in real-time across devices, which Xtrade does not support. With 88 technical studies available for charting, FOREX.com provides a more analytical trading experience with the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on stock or forex charts. On the other hand, Xtrade’s app lacks these advanced charting capabilities.
Moreover, FOREX.com's app enhances the user experience by auto-saving chart drawings and enabling the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, features that are not present in Xtrade's app. These comprehensive offerings contribute to FOREX.com's impressive user rating of 5 stars for its mobile trading app, ranking it third out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Xtrade's app, with a 4-star rating, holds the 53rd position in the same ranking. These distinctions highlight the advanced features and user satisfaction that place FOREX.com ahead in the mobile trading app landscape.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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.
When comparing online brokers, FOREX.com and Xtrade both provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders are well-informed. However, FOREX.com stands out by offering advanced research tools such as Trading Central, which provides in-depth technical analysis, as well as a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the ratio of long and short positions across various currency pairs. In contrast, Xtrade does not offer these specific tools, potentially limiting the depth of market analysis available to its users.
Both brokers provide essential resources like an economic calendar, keeping traders updated on global economic events. Yet, when evaluated on the quality of their research offerings, FOREX.com is rated 4.5 stars, ranking 9th out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. Xtrade, on the other hand, receives a 3.5-star rating and ranks 52nd. This significant difference highlights FOREX.com's superior research capabilities, catering more comprehensively to traders seeking detailed market insights.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | 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 in forex and CFDs trading, FOREX.com and Xtrade both offer a foundational collection of materials. Both platforms provide more than 10 essential educational pieces, such as articles and videos, aimed at helping new traders understand the basics. However, FOREX.com distinguishes itself by hosting regular live webinars to engage learners monthly, whereas Xtrade does not offer this live learning element. Additionally, FOREX.com provides a searchable archive of past webinars, enhancing its educational accessibility, which Xtrade lacks.
For beginners who prefer video learning, FOREX.com is a more comprehensive choice with over 10 beginner-focused videos, while Xtrade does not meet this threshold. Moreover, FOREX.com provides advanced educational videos, enriching the learning pathway as traders gain expertise, a feature missing from Xtrade's offerings. Both brokers include extensive investor dictionaries, yet FOREX.com's superior educational resources are reflected in its higher education rating of 4.5 stars, compared to Xtrade's 3.5 stars. In a ranking of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for educational offerings, FOREX.com impressively stands at the #4 position while Xtrade trails at #46, highlighting a clear difference in educational support and value for beginners.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than Xtrade. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 |
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Both FOREX.com and Xtrade provide traders with the opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers, FOREX.com provides versatile funding options with ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while Xtrade offers Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks options for ACH, SEPA transfers, and 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 | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Xtrade Review |
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