Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
When comparing Plus500 and XM Group, both established online brokers, there are notable differences in their regulatory standings and trust ratings. Plus500, founded in 2008, is publicly traded and boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, highlighting its reputation for safety and reliability. On the other hand, XM Group was founded a year later, in 2009, and while it holds a commendable Trust Score of 93, it is not a publicly traded company.
Plus500 and XM Group are not banks, but both hold multiple licenses that ensure compliance with industry standards. Plus500 has a total of six Tier-1 licenses, indicative of its well-established regulatory status, as well as three Tier-2 licenses. Meanwhile, XM Group holds four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, affirming its dedication to trust and regulation in the financial market space. Both brokers provide secure platforms for traders, but Plus500's higher Trust Score and greater number of top-tier licenses may offer an added level of confidence for potential investors.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Plus500 vs. XM Group on commissions and fees: Plus500 earns 4.0/5 stars and ranks #24 out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category, while XM Group scores 4/5 stars and ranks #34 out of 63. Both land in the middle of the pack, but Plus500 edges XM in this specific ranking.
Plus500’s pricing is slightly above the industry average and trails the best choices for active traders (such as IG or Saxo). In April 2024, the average EUR/USD spread at Plus500 was 1.5 pips, which is higher than the industry average. Plus500 does not offer retail discounts; only clients classified as Professional may qualify for cash rebates similar to an active trader program.
XM Group’s Standard account spreads are described as expensive, and the broker does not publish average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account—making all-in cost comparisons harder. If you want published spread data, Plus500 provides clearer figures, whereas cost-focused, high-volume traders may wish to compare both brokers against the lowest-cost leaders before deciding.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $5 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 Plus500 vs XM Group for range of investments, Plus500 offers a larger catalog with about 5,500 tradeable symbols versus XM Group’s 1,394. For currency traders, Plus500 lists 65 forex pairs while XM Group offers 55. Both brokers support forex trading via contracts for difference (CFDs) or spot contracts. Each also provides access to real exchange-traded shares (not CFDs) on U.S. markets like Apple (AAPL) and on international exchanges such as London-listed Vodafone.
Feature-wise, XM Group includes copy trading, while Plus500 does not. Neither broker lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, but both offer crypto derivatives. Despite the differences, both are highly rated for range of investments at 4.5 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s category rankings, Plus500 is placed #22 out of 63, and XM Group sits at #25. In short, Plus500 stands out for its broader list of symbols, while XM Group appeals if copy trading matters to you.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1394 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 55 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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.
Plus500 and XM Group both offer free demo (paper) accounts and web-based trading platforms. Plus500 stands out with its in-house platform, while XM Group does not have a proprietary platform but supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) on desktop (including Windows) and web. XM also supports copy trading, which Plus500 does not. If you like placing orders from charts, XM lets you trade directly from a chart; Plus500 does not. Plus500 does not offer a Windows desktop download, whereas XM Group does.
For platform tools, Plus500 provides 36 drawing tools versus 15 at XM Group, and 10 watch list columns versus 7 at XM. Both include technical indicators. In ForexBrokers.com testing, Plus500 earned 4.5 stars and ranked 14th out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while XM Group earned 4 stars and ranked 33rd. In short, Plus500 rates higher overall for platforms and tools, while XM Group’s MT4/MT5 access and copy trading can be key advantages if you want those features.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing the mobile trading apps from Plus500 and XM Group, both brokers cover the essentials for trading on the go. Each offers native iPhone and Android apps, price alerts for stocks and forex, and real-time watchlists that sync with your online account so changes carry across devices. Charting features line up, too: both apps let you draw trendlines and switch among multiple time frames for intraday and longer-term views.
The key difference is charting depth. Plus500 packs 115 technical studies into its mobile charts, while XM Group offers 30. Neither app auto-saves your drawing annotations. In overall quality, Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, compared to XM Group’s 4 stars and #31 ranking. If you value a wider range of indicators and a higher-rated experience, Plus500 has the edge; if your needs are basic, XM Group’s app still covers the core tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research features, both Plus500 and XM Group deliver daily market commentary and provide tools that offer sentiment-based trading insights, allowing traders to see the balance of long and short positions on various instruments. However, XM Group stands out by providing forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while Plus500 does not include this feature in its offerings. Additionally, both platforms provide technical analysis tools from Trading Central, but neither supports tools from Autochartist or research inputs from Acuity Trading or TipRanks.
In terms of added value, both brokers offer an economic calendar to track global economic events. Despite similarities, XM Group is rated higher for its market research capabilities, earning a solid 5-star rating compared to Plus500's 4-star rating. ForexBrokers.com ranks XM Group at number 8 out of 63 brokers, a significant step up from Plus500, which holds the 19th spot in the Research category. XM Group's access to premium news sources and higher overall ranking make it a preferable choice for traders seeking comprehensive market insights.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 for beginners at Plus500 and XM Group, both online brokers provide a strong foundation for newcomers to forex and CFDs trading. Plus500 and XM Group offer at least ten educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars centered around these subjects. Beginner traders can benefit from access to educational client webinars conducted monthly by both brokers. For those who miss the live sessions, both platforms also maintain searchable archives of recorded webinars. These resources make it easy for new traders to learn at their own pace and revisit content anytime.
For those starting out, the two platforms provide over ten beginner-focused educational videos, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of fundamental trading concepts. More experienced traders aren't left behind, as both brokers offer a selection of advanced educational videos. However, neither Plus500 nor XM Group provides an investor dictionary with definitions for a wide range of investing terms, which might be a drawback for those looking to build a broad knowledge base. In summary, Plus500 is rated 4 out of 5 stars, while XM Group exceeds with a 5-star rating for education, ranking seventh out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, in contrast to Plus500's thirty-first position. These rankings highlight XM Group's superior educational offerings for beginners.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Plus500 is better than XM Group. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
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XM Group
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both Plus500 and XM Group do not provide the option to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency but do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Plus500 and XM Group support Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for depositing or withdrawing funds, Plus500 uniquely offers PayPal, whereas neither broker supports ACH or SEPA 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 | Plus500 | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | XM Group | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | 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) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1394 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.3 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $5 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 115 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | XM Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Plus500 Review | XM Group Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | XM Group | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | XM Group Review |
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