Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs FP 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 the online brokers XM Group and FP Markets, their trust and regulatory standings are key points to consider. XM Group, established in 2009, holds a strong position with a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the highly trusted category. They hold four Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a high level of regulatory oversight. In contrast, FP Markets, which began operations in 2005, has a Trust Score of 89, categorizing them as trusted but not at the highest level. FP Markets maintains two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a solid regulatory environment as well.
Neither XM Group nor FP Markets is publicly traded or operates as a bank, adding another layer of similarity in terms of organizational structure. Additionally, both brokers hold one Tier-2 license. While XM Group seems to have a slight edge in regulatory trustworthiness due to more Tier-1 licenses and a higher Trust Score, FP Markets still presents a reliable choice for traders seeking a dependable broker. These assessments highlight the importance of regulatory credentials when selecting an online broker.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2005 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
If you’re comparing commissions and fees, FP Markets generally comes out cheaper than XM Group, especially on its commission-based Raw ECN accounts across MetaTrader and cTrader. FP Markets is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 63 for Commissions and Fees at ForexBrokers.com, while XM Group earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #34 out of 63.
XM Group: Standard account spreads are on the high side, making it a costlier choice for spread-only trading. For the commission-based XM Zero account, the broker does not publish average spreads, which makes it harder to estimate your all-in trading costs.
FP Markets: The Raw ECN account features tight average spreads around 0.1 pips (about 0.8 pips all-in after commission) as of October 2023, with a flat $6 per round-turn per standard lot for forex; the Standard account averaged 1.1 pips on EUR/USD, so it’s pricier. ForexBrokers.com also named FP Markets Best in Class for Commissions and Fees in its 2024 Annual Awards. Share-CFD traders can use the Iress suite with DMA and full depth of book, but ViewPoint tiers have higher minimums (AUD 1,000/25,000/50,000) and potential platform/data fees unless you are Premier or spend at least AUD 150 in monthly commissions; the lighter Iress Investor plan waives monthly fees but limits streaming data and charting.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 AUD |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| 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 FP Markets both let you trade forex via CFDs or spot contracts, and each supports copy trading. FP Markets stands out for sheer breadth with about 10,000 tradeable symbols and 71 currency pairs, compared with XM Group’s 1,394 symbols and 55 pairs. Both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives but not actual (delivered) crypto. In our Range of Investments scoring, both earn 4.5 out of 5 stars; among 63 brokers reviewed, FP Markets ranks #19 while XM Group ranks #25.
Where XM Group pulls ahead is access to real shares: you can buy exchange-traded U.S. stocks like Apple and international listings such as Vodafone—not just CFDs. FP Markets does not offer exchange-traded securities. In short, choose FP Markets if you want an extensive list of instruments and more forex pairs, or pick XM Group if the ability to buy actual U.S. and global shares matters to you alongside CFD and crypto-derivative trading.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 71 |
| 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 vs FP Markets: both make it easy to get started with a free demo (paper) account and offer web-based and Windows desktop trading. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), plus copy trading. The key difference is platform choice: XM Group does not have its own proprietary platform, while FP Markets adds an in-house option alongside MetaTrader. Neither broker integrates DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
For charting and tools, both let you place trades directly from a chart and manage watch lists with 7 columns. FP Markets offers 17 drawing tools versus 15 at XM Group. Both earned 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, yet FP Markets ranks higher in this category (#23 of 63) than XM Group (#33 of 63). If you want a broker with a native platform and a few extra charting tools, FP Markets has the edge; if you’re focused on MetaTrader with copy trading and a demo account, either broker fits the bill.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| 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 | 17 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XM Group and FP Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, complete with real-time watchlists and price alerts. Charting is flexible on both, with trendline tools and multiple time frames. Key differences: XM Group syncs your watchlists between mobile and the web platform, while FP Markets does not. On the flip side, FP Markets auto-saves your chart drawings; XM Group does not.
For indicators, XM Group includes 30 technical studies in its app. FP Markets uses the default MetaTrader toolset, which provides the standard MetaTrader indicator library. Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps, but FP Markets ranks higher overall (#18 of 63) than XM Group (#31 of 63). Choose XM Group if synced watchlists matter most; choose FP Markets if you prefer drawings that persist and the MetaTrader environment.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | MetaTrader (Default) |
| 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.
When comparing the market research offerings of XM Group and FP Markets, both brokers provide daily market commentary and keep traders updated with forex news from prestigious sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. Additionally, each broker offers tools from Trading Central, including Technical Analytics, and both offer sentiment-based trading tools that display the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. XM Group and FP Markets also provide an economic calendar that highlights important global news and events affecting the markets. However, neither broker includes research tools from Acuity Trading or resources from TipRanks in their market research arsenal.
Despite many similarities, XM Group stands out with its higher research rating of five stars compared to FP Markets, which has a four-star rating. XM Group is also ranked significantly higher at number 8 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while FP Markets is positioned at number 25. The availability of Autochartist tools at FP Markets may appeal to some traders, but XM Group's superior ranking and comprehensive offerings make it a strong choice for those seeking in-depth market insights and research resources.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 FP Markets both provide a solid foundation for those starting in forex or CFDs trading. Each broker offers a wide selection of educational content, including articles, videos, and webinars, all designed to help newcomers learn about trading. These brokers each host at least one webinar per month and maintain a searchable archive of recorded sessions, allowing users to learn at their own pace. Both XM Group and FP Markets offer at least 10 beginner videos, as well as educational material for advanced traders, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. However, XM Group edges ahead by focusing heavily on education, earning it a 5-star rating and a rank of #7 in education, compared to FP Markets' 4-star rating and #23 rank.
A notable difference lies in the availability of an investor dictionary. FP Markets offers a dictionary that explains over 50 investing terms, helping beginners expand their vocabulary and understanding of trading language. Meanwhile, XM Group does not provide this resource, which could impact those who prioritize learning new terms. Despite this, XM Group remains highly rated in education, making it a standout choice for those seeking rich educational content, while FP Markets, despite offering slightly fewer resources, still provides valuable learning opportunities for novice traders.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
FP 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 FP Markets. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while FP Markets finished with an overall rank of #19.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
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FP Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 89 |
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When comparing XM Group and FP Markets, both online brokers do not offer the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the capability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XM Group and FP Markets provide Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, but only FP Markets supports PayPal, while neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | FP Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 89 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | FP Markets Review |
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| Regulation | XM Group | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 89 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2005 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| Investments | XM Group | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 71 | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.7 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 AUD | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | MetaTrader (Default) | |
| 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 | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | FP 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 | FP 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 | FP Markets Review |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 89 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | FP Markets Review |
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