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 XM Group to ThinkMarkets for commissions and fees, both online brokers hold a solid reputation with a rating of 4 stars each. XM Group ranks higher at #33 out of 62 brokers as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets is placed at #48. Understanding their pricing structures is key for potential investors deciding between these two platforms.
XM Group's standard account tends to have higher spreads, which can be considered costly, and lacks disclosure of average spreads for their commission-based XM Zero account. In contrast, ThinkMarkets doesn't provide average spread data, leaving traders without insight into typical cost expectations.
Overall, while both brokers share a similar star rating, XM Group's higher ranking indicates a slightly better value in terms of commissions and fees. Traders should weigh the importance of known costs against the transparency offered by each broker before making a decision.
| 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 comparing the range of investments available through XM Group and ThinkMarkets, both brokers offer forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, giving traders flexibility in currency trading. XM Group provides access to 1,394 tradeable symbols with 55 forex pairs, while ThinkMarkets offers a wider selection of 4,000 tradeable symbols but slightly fewer forex pairs at 46. For investors interested in exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, XM Group allows direct investments in companies like Apple. In contrast, ThinkMarkets does not offer this option but does provide access to international exchanges for stocks such as Vodafone.
Both brokers support copy trading, allowing clients to replicate successful trades from other investors. In terms of cryptocurrency, XM Group and ThinkMarkets offer trading through cryptocurrency derivatives rather than direct purchases. Despite these similarities, both are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for their range of investments. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks ThinkMarkets slightly higher at 21st, compared to XM Group at 23rd out of 62 brokers.
| 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, both brokers offer an impressive array of tools and platforms for trading. XM Group provides the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, available on both Windows desktop and web browsers, supporting seamless trading experiences. ThinkMarkets not only offers the MetaTrader platforms but also boasts a proprietary platform, providing a unique touch for traders seeking something different. Both brokers also offer virtual demo accounts which are ideal for beginners wanting to practice without financial risk, alongside copy trading options to simplify the trading process.
In terms of charting tools, XM Group and ThinkMarkets each provide 15 drawing tools to enhance analysis, while offering direct trading from stock charts for efficiency. However, ThinkMarkets takes the lead with 15 columns available for watch lists against XM Group’s 7 columns, allowing for more detailed market tracking. Both brokers score 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, with XM Group ranked 31st by ForexBrokers.com, slightly behind ThinkMarkets, which holds the 28th spot. This ranking highlights their competitive edge but suggests ThinkMarkets might offer slightly broader functionality for 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.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XM Group and ThinkMarkets, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android devices with essential features like price alerts for stocks or forex and the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. Both apps also support the creation of a watchlist with real-time quotes, providing users with a streamlined trading experience on the go. However, when it comes to watchlist symbol syncing, XM Group stands out by offering this feature, ensuring seamless updates between the mobile app and the client’s online account, whereas ThinkMarkets does not provide this option.
Charting capabilities reveal another contrast; ThinkMarkets offers a significant advantage with 94 technical studies available in its app compared to XM Group’s 30. Additionally, drawings on charts in ThinkMarkets' app are autosaved, providing an edge over XM Group, where this feature is absent. Both brokers receive a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps, indicating customer satisfaction. Nonetheless, ThinkMarkets holds a slightly higher ranking, positioned at #20 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while XM Group is placed at #29. These subtle differences can guide traders in choosing the app that best meets their trading needs.
| 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 updated forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, when it comes to specialized research tools, XM Group stands out by offering tools from Trading Central, which are highly valued in the industry for their technical analytics capabilities. While ThinkMarkets lacks Trading Central, they do offer research tools from Acuity Trading, which can be helpful for certain trading needs. Both brokers provide a sentiment-based trading tool that gives traders insights into market positions, as well as an economic calendar to keep track of global news events.
In terms of quality and recognition, XM Group receives a higher accolade with a 5-star rating for research and ranks #8 among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, thanks in part to their comprehensive market analysis and resources. Meanwhile, ThinkMarkets earns a respectable 3.5-star rating but ranks lower at #50, indicating there is room for improvement in their research offerings. These differences make XM Group a more favorable choice for traders who prioritize extensive research support and detailed market insights.
| 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 and ThinkMarkets in terms of educational resources for beginners, both brokers provide comprehensive educational content, including articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. XM Group and ThinkMarkets each offer consistently available online educational webinars and maintain searchable archives for past sessions. They also cater to new traders with at least 10 video tutorials specifically designed for beginners, along with advanced video content for more seasoned investors.
However, there are notable differences in their offerings. ThinkMarkets goes the extra mile by featuring an investor dictionary that explains over 50 investing terms, which is absent in XM Group's educational suite. Despite this, XM Group stands out with an impressive 5-star education rating compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars. Moreover, in a ranking by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group is positioned significantly higher at 7th place, while ThinkMarkets is 52nd among 62 brokers. These distinctions highlight XM Group as a strong choice for those prioritizing educational resources in their trading journey.
| 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 62 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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