Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA 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.
OANDA and XM Group are both highly trusted online brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. On the 99‑point Trust Score scale—where 90–99 means highly trusted—OANDA scores 92 and XM Group scores 93. In terms of regulation, OANDA holds 7 Tier‑1 licenses, while XM Group holds 4 Tier‑1 licenses and 3 Tier‑2 licenses, signaling extensive oversight from top regulators.
OANDA was founded in 1996, and XM Group in 2009. Neither broker is publicly traded, and neither operates as a bank. If regulatory coverage matters to you, OANDA offers a larger number of Tier‑1 approvals, while XM Group balances multiple Tier‑1 approvals with additional Tier‑2 licenses.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, OANDA is the stronger choice overall versus XM Group, but it is still not a low-cost broker. OANDA’s forex pricing tends to be on the high side, with average non-core EUR/USD spreads of 1.61 pips in July 2024. Its core pricing can lower the spread, but it adds a commission of $5 per $100,000 traded per side, which means the total cost is only slightly better than the standard option unless you trade enough to benefit from rebates. OANDA does stand out for very small trade sizes, clear spread tracking, and an Elite Trader program that can offer rebates for active traders. OANDA is rated 4 stars and ranked #31 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
XM Group is also not known for cheap trading costs. Its standard account spreads are expensive, and it does not publish average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account, which makes it harder to compare total pricing with other brokers. Based on the available information, XM Group trails OANDA in this category. XM Group is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #35 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
In simple terms, OANDA may still be costly, but it offers more pricing detail and somewhat better value than XM Group. If your main concern is commissions and fees, OANDA is the better pick between the two, especially if you trade actively enough to qualify for rebates.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $5 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.68 | 2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
OANDA and XM Group both give traders access to forex as either CFDs or spot contracts, along with copy trading and the ability to trade exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international markets. Each also offers cryptocurrency CFDs, so traders can speculate on price moves without owning the coin itself. In this part of the platform lineup, both brokers are well suited to investors who want a mix of markets, from currencies to shares and crypto-related products.
The main difference is choice. OANDA offers 4,172 tradeable symbols and 69 forex pairs, while XM Group lists 1,429 symbols and 55 forex pairs, giving OANDA the wider selection overall. OANDA also lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency, which XM Group does not. Even so, both brokers earn 4.5 out of 5 stars for range of investments, with XM Group ranked #19 and OANDA #20 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 1429 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
OANDA and XM Group both give traders a strong mix of platform choices, including free demo accounts for practice, web-based trading, Windows desktop downloads, copy trading, and access to both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each also lets users trade directly from charts, which can make order placement faster and more convenient. In short, both brokers cover the core tools most traders look for, whether they prefer a simple browser setup or a more advanced desktop platform.
The main difference is that OANDA also offers its own in-house trading platform, while XM Group does not. That gives OANDA an extra option for traders who want something built by the broker itself. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars, but OANDA is ranked higher overall at #16 out of 36 brokers, compared with XM Group at #28 out of 36.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
OANDA and XM Group both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each includes stock or forex price alerts, 30 technical studies, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. For traders who want a familiar set of core tools on the go, both apps cover the basics well. However, OANDA stands out for chart convenience because it auto-saves drawings in the mobile app, while XM Group does not.
One key difference is watchlist syncing. XM Group lets watchlists sync between the mobile app and the online account, so updates carry over across devices, while OANDA does not offer this feature. That gap, along with OANDA’s 5-star Mobile Trading Apps rating and #7 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, gives it an edge over XM Group’s 4-star rating and #26 ranking in the same category.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
OANDA and XM Group both do well when it comes to market research. Each broker offers daily market commentary, news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar with key global events. Both are also rated 5 out of 5 stars for Research, which points to a strong overall research experience for traders looking for regular market updates and trade ideas.
The main difference is in the extra research tools they provide. OANDA includes Autochartist, while XM Group offers Trading Central instead. Neither broker supports TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools. In ForexBrokers.com’s Research ranking, OANDA comes in at #4 out of 36 brokers, ahead of XM Group at #8, giving OANDA a slight edge for market research overall.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn forex and CFD trading, both OANDA and XM Group offer plenty of educational support. Each broker provides forex and CFD learning materials, online webinars at least once a month, and a large video library with 10 or more beginner-focused videos as well as 10 or more advanced videos. Both are also rated 5 out of 5 stars for Education, so either one gives new traders a strong place to start.
The main difference is in outside rankings, where XM Group comes out ahead. ForexBrokers.com places XM Group at #5 out of 36 brokers for Education, while OANDA is ranked #18. That makes XM Group the better pick if you want a broker with a higher-rated education offering, though OANDA still provides a solid mix of beginner-friendly learning tools.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 OANDA is better than XM Group. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #13, while XM Group finished with an overall rank of #16.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
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XM Group
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 93 |
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OANDA vs XM Group: OANDA lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies and trade cryptocurrency CFDs, while XM Group offers crypto exposure only through CFDs and does not support purchasing real, delivered crypto.
Among online brokers, OANDA supports ACH/SEPA and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals—options XM Group doesn’t offer—while both OANDA and XM Group provide Skrill and bank wire 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 | OANDA | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | XM Group Review |
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| Regulation | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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) | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 1429 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.68 | 2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $5 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | OANDA | 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 | OANDA Review | XM Group Review |
| Overall | OANDA | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | XM Group Review |
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