Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.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.
Markets.com and Xtrade are both notable online brokers, but they differ significantly in terms of trust and regulatory backing. Founded in 1999, Markets.com is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. However, it holds 3 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, reflecting a strong regulatory foundation. With a Trust Score of 93 from ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com is categorized as highly trusted, offering peace of mind to its users.
Xtrade, established in 2003, also remains privately held and is not a bank. Although it manages to hold 1 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 license, its regulatory footprint is less extensive compared to Markets.com. Xtrade has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 74, placing it in the average risk category. While Xtrade offers a fair degree of trust, it falls short of the high level of assurance provided by Markets.com.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Both Markets.com and Xtrade do not publish average spread data, which makes it harder to pin down exact trading costs from spreads alone. Still, ForexBrokers.com’s ratings offer a helpful guide to their overall pricing and fees.
Markets.com earns 3.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #51 out of 63 brokers. Xtrade scores 2.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #64 out of 63, placing it at the bottom of the list. Based on these scores, Markets.com generally appears more cost-competitive than Xtrade. Because average spreads aren’t available for either broker, it’s wise to compare live quotes, check any inactivity or withdrawal charges, and confirm account-specific costs before you trade.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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.
Comparing Markets.com vs Xtrade on range of investments, Markets.com offers 2,179 tradeable symbols, while Xtrade lists 482. Forex coverage is close—Markets.com has 57 currency pairs versus 56 at Xtrade—and both support forex trading (CFD/spot, depending on region). Markets.com also provides copy trading, which Xtrade does not. For crypto, both brokers let you trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Neither broker offers direct share dealing on U.S. or international exchanges, and neither lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency. According to ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com is rated 4 stars and ranks 30th out of 63 for Range of Investments, while Xtrade is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 50th.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
Markets.com vs Xtrade: both offer free demo accounts for paper trading and their own proprietary platforms. Markets.com provides a Windows desktop download and a browser platform, while Xtrade offers a web-based platform only. Markets.com supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and includes copy trading; Xtrade does not support MT4/MT5 and does not offer copy trading. Neither connects with ZuluTrade, and DupliTrade availability isn’t specified. Xtrade lets you place orders directly from charts, whereas Markets.com does not.
For charting, the number of built-in indicators and drawing tools isn’t specified here, but watchlist depth differs: Markets.com shows up to 6 fields, while Xtrade offers 9. In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com earned 4 stars and ranked 27th out of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools; Xtrade earned 3.5 stars and ranked 59th. In short, Markets.com suits traders who want MT4/MT5, a desktop option, and copy trading, while Xtrade suits those who prefer browser-based trading with the convenience of trading straight from charts and more watchlist fields.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Markets.com vs Xtrade: both brokers offer iPhone and Android mobile trading apps, but the features aren’t equal. Markets.com includes price alerts, synced watchlists that match your online account, trendline drawing on charts, and watchlists with real-time quotes. Xtrade provides the core apps but lacks price alerts, watchlist syncing, trendline tools, and real-time quote watchlists.
For charting, Markets.com supports indicators when you use MT4 (the standard MT4 set), while its own Markets app doesn’t add extra studies; Xtrade doesn’t list indicator support. Neither app lets you switch among multiple time frames in mobile, and neither autosaves chart drawings. Both earn 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, but ForexBrokers.com ranks Markets.com higher (#34 of 63) than Xtrade (#54 of 63), which could sway traders who care most about mobile features.
| Feature |
Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Markets.com and Xtrade both cover the basics of market research well. Each broker publishes daily market commentary, streams forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and offers an economic calendar to track key events. Neither platform includes third-party research suites from Autochartist or Trading Central, and both lack extras like TipRanks and Acuity Trading tools.
The main difference is sentiment data: Markets.com provides a tool that shows the share of long vs. short positions, while Xtrade does not. That added insight helps some traders gauge crowd positioning alongside news and commentary. Reflecting this edge, Markets.com holds a 4-star Research rating and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers with ForexBrokers.com, whereas Xtrade is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #53. If you want sentiment alongside standard research features, Markets.com is the stronger pick; if you just need news, commentary, and a calendar, both will do the job.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners between Markets.com and Xtrade, there are some clear distinctions. Markets.com falls short in providing a comprehensive range of educational materials focused on forex or CFDs, lacking a minimum of 10 such resources. In contrast, Xtrade excels in this area, offering an abundant array of educational pieces for those eager to learn about forex and CFDs. However, when it comes to live educational webinars conducted each month, Markets.com steps up, as Xtrade does not offer such opportunities. Both brokers miss the mark with their lack of a searchable archive for client webinars, making it challenging to access previously recorded sessions.
Markets.com stands out with its impressive collection of beginner and advanced videos, each exceeding the minimum of 10, which are designed to elevate the learning experience for both novice and seasoned traders. However, those looking for a dictionary of investing terms will find Xtrade more accommodating, as it offers a comprehensive glossary with over 50 definitions. Given these factors, Markets.com boasts a higher education rating of 4 stars compared to Xtrade's 3.5 stars and is ranked higher among 63 brokers, holding the #34 spot in the education category, while Xtrade is at #46.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Markets.com is better than Xtrade. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
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Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 74 |
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Both Markets.com and Xtrade do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
Neither Markets.com nor Xtrade offer ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but both platforms provide Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for financial transactions.
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 | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade [DELETED] | |||
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | |||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | No |
| Research | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.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 | ||
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
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