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 reputable online brokers who have built solid trust within the trading community. Founded in 1996, OANDA is slightly older than XM Group, which was established in 2009. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank. Both have earned a commendable Trust Score of 93 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, categorizing them as highly trusted brokers. OANDA stands out with its possession of seven Tier-1 licenses, reflecting strong regulatory oversight, while XM Group holds four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, highlighting its commitment to maintaining a trustworthy trading environment.
These brokers provide traders with secure platforms that come under the watchful eye of multiple financial authorities. OANDA's notable collection of Tier-1 licenses underscores its extensive regulatory reach, though it does lack any Tier-2 licenses. XM Group, while having fewer Tier-1 licenses than OANDA, supplements its regulatory standing with one Tier-2 license, indicating its desire to ensure client trust and security through additional layers of regulation. Both OANDA and XM Group offer sturdy foundations for individuals seeking reliable options in the competitive landscape of online trading.
| 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 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, both OANDA and XM Group earn 4 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category, OANDA ranks #30 out of 63 brokers, while XM Group ranks #34 out of 63. OANDA isn’t the cheapest, but it stands out for consistent automated execution. XM Group’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.
OANDA’s costs come mainly from spreads (the difference between the buy and sell price). Its non-commission “default” pricing averaged 1.61 pips on EUR/USD in July 2024. OANDA’s “core pricing” lowers the spread but adds a commission of $5 per side per $100,000 traded (about $10 per round turn) and requires a $10,000 minimum deposit. Using a simple example: if default pricing is 1.6 pips and core pricing is 0.4 pips, adding the commission (roughly 1.0 pip total) brings core pricing to about 1.4 pips—slightly cheaper than default. Extra perks include trading in tiny sizes (as small as 1 unit) and an Elite Trader program in select regions with rebates of $5–$17 per million, plus possible TradingView subscription reimbursements. OANDA publishes trailing average spreads for transparency, though it doesn’t post fixed period averages, which limits precise comparisons.
XM Group’s fee picture is simpler but less transparent: Standard account spreads are considered expensive, and the broker does not publish average spreads for the XM Zero account, which charges commission. Without those averages, it’s tougher to estimate all-in trading costs versus peers. Bottom line: OANDA (4/5 stars, #30/63) offers more detail on pricing methods and a path to slightly lower costs via core pricing, while XM Group (4/5 stars, #34/63) keeps things straightforward but provides fewer data points for cost-conscious traders.
| 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 vs XM Group: Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs or spot, and each offers exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international markets. OANDA lists 4,172 tradeable symbols and 69 forex pairs, giving it a wider catalog than XM Group’s 1,394 symbols and 55 pairs. Both also support copy trading, which can help you mirror strategies from other traders.
When it comes to crypto, OANDA stands out by offering both real (delivered) cryptocurrencies and crypto CFDs, whereas XM Group offers only crypto CFDs. Despite OANDA’s larger overall lineup, XM Group earns the higher Range of Investments score (4.5/5 vs OANDA’s 4/5) and ranks slightly better with ForexBrokers.com (#19 vs #20). Choose OANDA if you want more symbols and access to actual crypto; pick XM Group if you prefer a slightly higher-rated overall investment range.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 1394 |
| 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.
Comparing OANDA vs XM Group for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer free paper trading demo accounts, Windows desktop downloads, and web-based platforms. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), along with copy trading. OANDA adds a proprietary, in-house platform on top of MetaTrader, while XM Group focuses on third‑party platforms only. Both let you place trades directly from charts, which is handy for quick execution and testing ideas.
For ratings, OANDA and XM Group each earn 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, OANDA places #16 out of 63 brokers, while XM Group is #27. Pick OANDA if you want a proprietary platform in addition to MT4/MT5 and a higher category rank; choose XM Group if you prefer sticking with MetaTrader across devices. Either way, the free demo account makes it easy to practice before trading live.
| 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 iPhone and Android trading apps with price alerts, watchlists, and charts that include 30 technical indicators. You can draw trendlines in both apps, making it easy to spot levels and plan trades from your phone.
The differences matter. OANDA’s app automatically saves your chart drawings, but it doesn’t sync watchlists between mobile and your online account. XM Group does sync watchlists, yet it doesn’t auto-save chart drawings. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, OANDA earned 5 stars and ranked #7 of 63 brokers, while XM Group received 4 stars and ranked #26. Choose OANDA for autosaved annotations and higher ratings; pick XM Group if synced watchlists are your priority.
| 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 deliver strong market research for forex traders. Each provides daily market commentary, an economic calendar for upcoming events, and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Both also include sentiment tools that display the ratio of long vs. short positions. While neither offers TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools, both earned 5 stars for Research from ForexBrokers.com; OANDA ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for Research, while XM Group ranks #8.
The key difference lies in the add-on research suites. OANDA integrates Autochartist, which automatically scans charts to spot patterns and potential trade setups. XM Group, on the other hand, offers Trading Central, known for analyst-driven insights and technical/fundamental reports. If you prefer automated chart pattern detection, OANDA is a great fit; if you want Trading Central’s research and signals, XM Group stands out. Either way, you get daily commentary, premium news coverage, and a helpful economic calendar.
| 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.
Both OANDA and XM Group deliver full-fledged forex and CFD education that easily clears the “10+ pieces” bar. Each broker runs monthly client webinars and offers deep video libraries with at least 10 beginner lessons and at least 10 advanced lessons, so new traders can start with basics and grow into more complex strategies. If you prefer learning by watching and attending live sessions, either brand checks the box with videos, webinars, and other materials designed to make concepts easier to grasp.
On quality, both earn 5 stars for Education. In the ForexBrokers.com rankings, however, XM Group places higher at #5 out of 63 brokers, while OANDA comes in at #18 out of 63. For beginners comparing the two, XM Group’s higher ranking may signal a slight edge in overall educational breadth or organization, but OANDA remains a strong choice with plentiful beginner and advanced videos plus regular webinars. Either way, you’ll find a clear path from first steps to more advanced trading topics.
| 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 | 93 | 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 | 93 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | OANDA | XM Group | |
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| Regulation | OANDA | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 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 | 1 | |
| 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) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA 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 | 1394 | |
| 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 | 93 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review | XM Group Review |
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