Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs ThinkMarkets, 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.
XM Group and ThinkMarkets are popular online brokers with a solid reputation for reliability and trust. Established in 2009, XM Group holds four top-tier licenses and one second-tier license, signifying a high level of trust. The broker's Trust Score is 88 out of 99, indicating it is a trusted platform for trading even though it's not publicly traded or a bank.
ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010, is slightly newer but boasts five top-tier licenses and two second-tier licenses, leading to an impressive Trust Score of 92. Like XM Group, ThinkMarkets is neither a bank nor publicly traded, yet it surpasses XM Group in regulatory strength with one additional top-tier and second-tier license each. Both brokers provide reliable services, but ThinkMarkets edges ahead with a slightly higher trust rating and regulatory coverage.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When comparing online brokers XM Group and ThinkMarkets based on their commissions and fees, both receive a solid four-star rating. However, it's important to note that XM Group ranks higher, coming in at #33 out of 63 brokers, whereas ThinkMarkets sits at #47 in the same category according to ForexBrokers.com. This subtle ranking difference may suggest a slight edge in favor of XM Group, though both brokers are well-regarded for their pricing structures.
XM Group offers a variety of account options, but potential clients should be aware that its standard account comes with expensive spreads. Additionally, XM Group doesn't publish average spread data for its XM Zero account, which operates on a commission-based model. This lack of transparency might be a consideration for traders who prioritize clear pricing details in their investment decisions.
ThinkMarkets, on the other hand, does not provide average spread data, which can leave potential clients seeking additional information to gauge the broker's cost-effectiveness fully. Despite this, ThinkMarkets maintains a competitive four-star rating in the commissions and fees category, indicating that, like XM Group, it offers a respectable trading environment. Clients who prioritize cost should weigh these factors when deciding between the two brokers.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.1 |
| 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 examining investment options with XM Group and ThinkMarkets, investors will find that both online brokers offer forex trading through CFDs, presenting a viable option for currency trading enthusiasts. ThinkMarkets scores high on the volume of tradeable symbols, boasting an impressive 4,000, compared to XM Group’s 1,394. However, XM Group leads in providing clients access to more forex pairs, offering 55 versus 46 from ThinkMarkets. Both brokers support the purchase of cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither facilitates buying actual cryptocurrency, catering to traders interested in crypto CFDs.
For those interested in traditional stock trading, XM Group offers a distinct advantage by allowing investments in exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple shares, a feature not available with ThinkMarkets. Both platforms grant access to international exchange-traded securities, letting investors purchase shares like Vodafone in the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, each broker supports copy trading, making it easier for users to replicate the success of seasoned traders. With both brokers rated 4.5 stars for their range of investments, ThinkMarkets edges slightly ahead in rankings, placed at 22 compared to XM Group’s rank of 23 by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 4000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 comparing XM Group and ThinkMarkets for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer simulated trading with a demo account and provide access to popular MetaTrader platforms, including MT4 and MT5. They support trading on Windows-based desktop platforms and have web-based platforms for those who prefer trading directly from their browser. A key difference is that ThinkMarkets provides a proprietary trading platform developed in-house, while XM Group does not. Both brokers also facilitate copy trading and let you trade directly from stock charts. However, neither offers platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
In terms of charting tools, both XM Group and ThinkMarkets provide 15 drawing tools, allowing traders to customize their analysis. Although their watch lists differ, with XM Group offering 7 columns and ThinkMarkets offering 15, both brokers are highly rated with 4 stars for their trading platforms and tools. As per ForexBrokers.com, ThinkMarkets ranks slightly higher, at #28, compared to XM Group at #31 out of 63 brokers. This reflects their competitive edge in offering varied and accessible trading solutions to a wide array of traders.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 15 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
For traders seeking a mobile-friendly experience, both XM Group and ThinkMarkets offer iPhone and Android apps, making them accessible on the go. While both platforms provide stock and forex price alerts, only XM Group ensures a seamless experience with watchlist symbol syncing, allowing changes made on mobile to reflect on the online account. Although they share the capability to draw trendlines and view multiple timeframes on charts, ThinkMarkets allows auto-saving of these drawings, adding convenience for traders.
In terms of charting capabilities, ThinkMarkets stands out by offering 94 technical studies compared to XM Group's 30, giving users more analytical tools. Both platforms allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring you stay updated with market changes. Despite these differences, both broker apps receive a rating of 4 stars for their mobile offerings. However, ThinkMarkets has a higher rank by ForexBrokers.com, sitting at #20 out of 63 brokers, while XM Group is ranked at #29, indicating a slightly more favorable user experience for ThinkMarkets.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 94 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both XM Group and ThinkMarkets provide daily market commentary and offer forex news from high-profile sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to timely information. However, XM Group holds an edge in technical analysis resources with offerings from Trading Central, whereas ThinkMarkets lacks this particular feature. Sentiment-based trading tools are available from both, allowing traders to gauge market trends efficiently. Furthermore, both brokers support their users with economic calendars to track important global events, though only ThinkMarkets collaborates with Acuity Trading for additional insights.
Although both brokers bring valuable tools to the table, XM Group is rated higher for market research, earning 5 out of 5 stars compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their ForexBrokers.com rankings where XM Group stands at a commendable 8th position out of 63 brokers, while ThinkMarkets finds itself ranked significantly lower at 50th place. This substantial difference in ratings indicates XM Group's stronger commitment and resource provision in the research sector, offering traders a more comprehensive analytical advantage.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing XM Group to ThinkMarkets, both online brokers offer a solid range of educational resources for beginners interested in forex or CFDs. Each provides at least 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, making it easier for new traders to get started. Monthly online client webinars are available through both brokers, and these are supplemented by searchable archives of recorded sessions, ensuring that valuable information is easily accessible at any time. Additionally, XM Group and ThinkMarkets each offer at least 10 beginner-focused educational videos, catering specifically to new traders, as well as advanced videos for those seeking more in-depth knowledge.
Despite these similarities, XM Group distinguishes itself with a superior education rating of 5 stars compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars. While both platforms provide comprehensive resources, XM Group's offerings have earned a higher ranking, coming in at #7 out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, significantly ahead of ThinkMarkets' #52 ranking. However, ThinkMarkets has an advantage in providing an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, which XM Group does not offer. This feature rounds out ThinkMarkets' educational tools, although it still trails behind in overall educational resource quality and accessibility.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
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 ThinkMarkets. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
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ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 92 |
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Both XM Group and ThinkMarkets provide investors with the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both XM Group and ThinkMarkets do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but they both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, ensuring efficient fund management through popular financial methods.
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 | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 92 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 4000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $50 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 15 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 94 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group Review |
| Overall | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
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