Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs Markets.com, 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 Markets.com, both established players in the online brokerage sector, their regulatory standings are key. Founded in 2009, XM Group is not publicly traded nor a bank, and it holds four Tier-1 licenses—indicating a high trust. With one additional Tier-2 license, XM Group has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 88, categorizing it as a trusted broker.
Markets.com, on the other hand, was founded earlier in 1999 and similarly is neither publicly traded nor a bank. It possesses three Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. Notably, Markets.com earns a superior Trust Score of 93, denoting a more highly trusted standing compared to XM Group. This comprehensive oversight contributes to their reputable position in the financial market landscape.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When evaluating the commissions and fees of online brokers, XM Group and Markets.com present noticeable differences. XM Group offers a standard account that incurs higher costs due to its pricey spreads. For those interested in the XM Zero account, it’s important to note that average spread data is not made public, adding a layer of uncertainty for potential users.
On the other hand, Markets.com also lacks the provision of average spread information, which may hinder investors who need concrete data for decision-making. Despite both platforms not offering detailed spread data, Markets.com appears to be more affordable than XM Group in this aspect.
In terms of rankings, XM Group earns a commendable 4 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, securing the 33rd spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Markets.com, while slightly behind, achieves a rating of 3.5 stars, positioning it at 50th in the same category. This indicates that investors may find XM Group preferable if they are looking for a more consistently rated service regarding commissions and fees.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| 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.
When comparing the range of investments offered by XM Group and Markets.com, both brokers provide ample opportunities for forex trading with contracts for difference (CFDs), offering 55 and 57 tradeable forex pairs respectively. XM Group stands out with a total of 1,394 tradeable symbols, slightly less than Markets.com's 2,179, yet both platforms give investors a substantial array of options. Notably, XM Group allows clients to engage with exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, enabling direct investment in companies like Apple and Vodafone through actual stock purchases. On the other hand, Markets.com does not offer this service, limiting its users to derivatives rather than actual securities.
For those interested in cryptocurrency, both XM Group and Markets.com offer trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither provides the option to buy the actual cryptocurrency. Both brokers accommodate copy trading, allowing users to mirror top investors' strategies. Evaluating the brokers by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group gains a rating of 4.5 stars and ranks 23rd out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, showcasing its broad setup. Meanwhile, Markets.com closely follows with a 4-star rating and ranks 29th, reflecting its diverse yet slightly limited investment portfolio in comparison. Overall, both brokers offer competitive investment opportunities, with XM Group having a slight edge in direct stock trading access.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 57 |
| 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.
When considering online trading platforms, XM Group and Markets.com both offer comprehensive solutions suitable for various levels of traders. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without financial risks. However, a significant distinction arises in platform offerings: Markets.com presents its own proprietary platform, while XM Group relies on popular third-party applications. In terms of platform accessibility, both companies support Windows-based desktop downloads and convenient web-based trading. Moreover, they both offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, appealing to traders who prefer these widely-used platforms.
When it comes to charting and trade execution features, XM Group provides more advanced capabilities, offering 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, a feature not available with Markets.com. XM Group also allows traders to build watch lists with seven customizable columns, slightly more than the six offered by Markets.com. Despite these differences, both brokers include copy trading options but do not support DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Their rankings on ForexBrokers.com show minor differences, with XM Group positioned at #31 and Markets.com slightly ahead at #27. Ultimately, both brokers receive a solid four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, making them both compelling options for investors.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between XM Group and Markets.com for mobile trading, both options provide comprehensive iPhone and Android apps. You'll find essential features like price alerts, syncable watchlists, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts within both platforms. However, a key difference lies in their technical charting capabilities. XM Group offers 30 technical studies, whereas Markets.com does not provide any on its native app, although Markets.com users can access default studies through MT4. Another aspect to consider is timeframe flexibility; XM Group supports multiple time frames, enhancing chart analysis, whereas Markets.com does not offer this feature.
Both apps enable the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, but chart drawings cannot be auto-saved on either app. In terms of user ratings, both XM Group and Markets.com receive four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps, but XM Group ranks slightly higher, sitting at #29 compared to Markets.com's #33 out of 63 brokers. Whether you prioritize charting depth, timeframe flexibility, or app rankings, both XM Group and Markets.com offer strong mobile trading experiences with subtle yet significant differences.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group and Markets.com both provide comprehensive market research tools that cater to traders looking for insightful market updates. Both platforms deliver daily market commentary and forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also feature sentiment-based trading tools, allowing traders to view the proportion of long or short positions in currency pairs, aiding in market sentiment analysis. Additionally, both access economic calendars that outline key global news events, helping traders stay informed about market movements.
However, XM Group distinguishes itself by offering technical analysis tools from Trading Central, enhancing its appeal to traders needing detailed analytics. Despite Markets.com not offering Trading Central tools, it remains an effective platform with a solid research offering. Expert reviews rate XM Group with a stellar five stars for research, ranking it 8th among 63 brokers, whereas Markets.com receives four stars, placing it at 17th. These ratings reflect the heightened research capabilities of XM Group, positioning it as a better choice for detailed market analysis.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available to beginners, XM Group shines in offering extensive learning materials for those diving into forex and CFDs. XM Group provides a plentiful selection of over 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, focusing on these subjects. Additionally, they offer monthly online educational webinars and a searchable archive for previously recorded sessions. Markets.com, on the other hand, does meet expectations with its assortment of beginner-friendly and advanced educational videos, but it falls short by not offering a similar number of forex or CFDs learning materials or an archive of past webinars.
Both XM Group and Markets.com host regular online webinars to support ongoing learning, making them accessible to novice traders. While Markets.com delivers solid educational video content, it lacks a comparable breadth of resources when it comes to comprehensive article-based learning, which XM Group excels in. Market rankings highlight XM Group’s commitment to education, placing them 7th out of 63 brokers in this category and awarding them a full 5-star rating for their educational offerings. In contrast, Markets.com is ranked 34th with a 4-star rating, reflecting a respectable yet less comprehensive educational experience for beginners.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
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 Markets.com. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 93 |
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Both XM Group and Markets.com do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XM Group and Markets.com provide similar funding options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, offering services such as Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither platform supports ACH, SEPA, or PayPal 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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
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| Regulation | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Overall | XM Group | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
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