Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs XM Group, 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.
IG, a company founded in 1974, is a well-established online broker that is publicly traded and operates as a bank. This firm boasts an impressive regulatory framework with 8 Tier-1 licenses considered highly trusted, and an additional 2 Tier-2 licenses. With a top-notch Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, IG is recognized as a highly trusted broker, reflecting its commitment to safety and transparency in the financial industry.
In contrast, XM Group entered the scene later, in 2009, and is not publicly traded nor operates as a bank. However, it has built a solid reputation with its 4 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 licenses, adhering to strong regulatory standards. XM Group has earned a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the highly trusted category. Despite the differences in their profiles, both IG and XM Group provide secure and reliable trading environments for their clients.
| Feature |
IG
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, IG is the stronger value for active forex traders and those placing larger orders. IG earns 5 out of 5 stars for pricing and ranks #8 of 63 brokers, while XM Group earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #34 of 63. IG offers both spread-only CFD pricing and a commission-based Direct Market Access (DMA) option, giving cost-conscious traders more ways to lower their all-in costs. XM’s standard account spreads are on the high side, and the broker does not publish average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account, which makes apples-to-apples comparisons harder.
IG’s CFD account showed typical EUR/USD spreads of about 0.69 pips during the main trading session in July 2023, and about 0.98 pips when averaging the full day; IG US came in around 1.18 pips for that month. For deeper discounts, IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) account posted average raw spreads near 0.62 pips in July 2023, with an all-in cost that can be around 0.82 pips depending on the commission tier. Commissions range from about $60 per million traded for lower volumes to $10 per million per side for very high volumes (round-turn $20), which can narrow all-in costs further for heavy traders.
IG also offers spread rebates on its CFD account for professional clients under EU rules—10% for over £50M monthly forex volume, up to 20% for over £300M—which can push effective costs even lower. By contrast, XM’s higher standard spreads and limited published data for XM Zero reduce transparency around typical all-in costs. Bottom line: IG is generally the more cost-competitive choice for frequent or high-volume forex traders, while XM may appeal less on price unless specific promotions or conditions apply. As always, actual spreads vary by market conditions, time of day, and region.
| Feature |
IG
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $5 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG vs XM Group: both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. markets (think Apple) and international exchanges (like Vodafone). IG stands out for sheer variety, with 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared to XM Group’s 1,394 symbols and 55 forex pairs. If you want a bigger menu of instruments and currency pairs, IG clearly has the edge.
Features differ elsewhere. XM Group supports copy trading, while IG does not. For crypto, IG lets you buy actual coins and trade crypto CFDs; XM Group offers crypto CFDs only. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #4 of 63 for Range of Investments, whereas XM Group scores 4.5 stars and ranks #25. In short, choose IG for the widest selection, or XM Group if copy trading is a priority.
| Feature |
IG
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1394 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
IG and XM Group both let you practice with a free demo (paper) account and offer web-based platforms plus Windows desktop downloads. Each supports trading straight from charts and MetaTrader 4 (MT4). IG adds a proprietary, in-house platform designed for active charting and ease of use, while XM Group focuses on third-party options; the upside for XM is access to MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and built-in copy trading—two options IG does not provide.
For trading platforms and tools, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers, reflecting a strong, well-rounded experience. XM Group earns 4 stars and ranks #33 out of 63. If you want an in-house platform paired with MT4 on both web and desktop, IG is a standout pick. If you prefer copy trading and MT5 support with MT4 also available, XM Group fits the bill.
| Feature |
IG
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and XM Group both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. You can set price alerts in either app, and watchlists sync with your online account so changes carry over between phone and web. Charting is strong on both: IG includes 33 indicators (technical studies) and XM Group has 30. Each app lets you draw trendlines, but only IG automatically saves your chart drawings so they’re there the next time you open the chart.
According to ForexBrokers.com, IG’s mobile app experience stands out: IG is rated 5 stars and ranked #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while XM Group is rated 4 stars and ranked #31. If you want autosaving drawings and a slightly wider set of indicators, IG is the better fit. If you’re fine without autosave and just need alerts, syncing, and solid charting, XM Group covers the essentials.
| Feature |
IG
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both IG and XM Group offer rich market research features, including daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. While both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars to keep users informed of global events, their specific research tools differ. IG provides tools from Autochartist and market insights from TipRanks, enhancing its analytical capabilities. XM Group, on the other hand, utilizes Trading Central for in-depth analysis tools, offering a different perspective for traders.
Despite having different specific research tools, both brokers are highly rated for their research offerings, each receiving a perfect 5-star rating. However, IG emerges as a more prominent player in the research category, securing the #2 rank among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. XM Group, although robust in its offerings with an #8 rank, trails IG slightly in terms of overall research excellence. Whether you're looking for specialized tools or comprehensive news coverage, both IG and XM Group present compelling options for informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
IG
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IG and XM Group both deliver beginner-friendly education for forex and CFDs, offering well over 10 learning pieces across articles, videos, and archived webinars. Each broker runs live online client webinars at least once a month, and both provide 10+ beginner videos to help you start, plus 10+ advanced videos for when you want to go deeper.
In head-to-head ratings, both earn 5 stars for Education from ForexBrokers.com. That said, IG ranks #1 out of 63 brokers, while XM Group ranks #7. If you’re comparing IG vs XM Group for beginner education, IG is the top-ranked pick, and XM Group remains a strong alternative with plenty of quality content and regular webinars.
| Feature |
IG
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 IG is better than XM Group. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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XM Group
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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IG vs XM Group: IG lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trade cryptocurrency CFDs, while XM Group offers cryptocurrency CFDs only and does not provide access to buying real (delivered) crypto.
IG vs XM Group: Online broker IG supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers (but not Skrill), whereas XM Group offers bank wire transfers and Skrill (but not ACH/SEPA or 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 | IG | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | XM Group | |
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| Regulation | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1394 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $5 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | XM Group Review |
| Overall | IG | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | XM Group Review |
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