Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets vs Xtrade, 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.
ThinkMarkets and Xtrade are both well-established online brokers, but they differ significantly in trust and regulation. ThinkMarkets was founded in 2010 and boasts a higher Trust Score of 92 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating a highly trusted status. This is supported by its five Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, these licenses suggest a high level of security and regulatory compliance for users.
In contrast, Xtrade was founded earlier in 2003 but holds a Trust Score of 74, seen as average risk. While Xtrade also is not publicly traded or a bank, it holds just one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license, which may still be appealing to some traders but does not match the level of trust signified by ThinkMarkets. Choosing between these brokers depends on one's comfort level with their respective trust ratings and licenses.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing ThinkMarkets and Xtrade in terms of commissions and fees, ThinkMarkets stands out with a higher rating. ThinkMarkets earns 4 out of 5 stars for its fee structure, positioning it at rank #47 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Although specific average spread data isn't available, ThinkMarkets is generally perceived as offering a more competitive pricing structure for traders who prioritize cost efficiency.
On the other hand, Xtrade secures only 2.5 stars in the same category, making it one of the lower-ranking brokers at #63 out of 63. The absence of average spread data leaves traders with less transparency regarding potential trading costs. As a result, Xtrade's fee and commission structure may not be as favorable for those seeking economical trading options compared to other brokers.
Overall, ThinkMarkets presents itself as the more favorable choice between the two when focusing on commissions and fees, coupled with a better overall rating and ranking. Xtrade, meanwhile, may require a more cautious assessment by traders who are sensitive to trading costs and seeking greater value for their investments.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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.
ThinkMarkets and Xtrade both offer forex trading as CFDs, giving traders a chance to participate in the forex market without owning the actual currencies. When comparing the overall range of investments, ThinkMarkets stands out with a larger selection of 4,000 tradeable symbols against Xtrade's 482. However, Xtrade offers a slightly higher number of tradeable forex pairs, with 56 compared to ThinkMarkets' 46.
While neither ThinkMarkets nor Xtrade provides access to U.S. exchange-traded securities, ThinkMarkets has an advantage by offering international exchange-traded securities. This allows clients to buy shares from global companies like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, whereas Xtrade does not offer this option. Additionally, ThinkMarkets supports copy trading, which Xtrade does not, potentially appealing to investors interested in mirroring successful strategies. Both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, ThinkMarkets scores a higher 4.5 stars for its range of investments, ranked #22 by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Xtrade's 3.5 stars and #49 ranking.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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 ThinkMarkets to Xtrade, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts and proprietary trading platforms, providing users an opportunity to practice trading without risk. ThinkMarkets excels with a Windows-based desktop download platform while Xtrade lacks this option. Both brokers support web-based trading platforms, ensuring traders can access the markets without any extra software requirements. For those interested in copy trading, ThinkMarkets has this feature, giving it an edge over Xtrade, which does not offer such a service. Furthermore, ThinkMarkets supports the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, which are not available with Xtrade.
Regarding trading tools, ThinkMarkets includes 15 drawing tools and allows trading directly from a stock chart. While Xtrade also provides direct stock chart trading, it stands out with 100 drawing tools for chart enthusiasts. In watch list customization, ThinkMarkets offers more flexibility with 15 columns compared to Xtrade's 9. In terms of ratings, ThinkMarkets is awarded 4 stars for trading platforms and tools, ranking 28th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Xtrade receives 3.5 stars and ranks 58th. Overall, ThinkMarkets demonstrates a broader range of tools and features, appealing to traders seeking comprehensive platform capabilities.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both ThinkMarkets and Xtrade offer convenient mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, making them accessible on popular devices. ThinkMarkets stands out by providing features like stock and forex price alerts, and the ability to draw trendlines or view multiple time frames on charts directly within the app. They also offer an impressive 94 technical studies for charting, which is significantly detailed compared to Xtrade, where such a number is not available. Additionally, ThinkMarkets ensures a seamless experience by auto-saving drawings and allowing users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing their trading efficiency. Though both platforms are rated four stars for their mobile trading apps, ThinkMarkets holds a higher ranking at #20 compared to Xtrade's #53 in ForexBrokers.com's evaluation.
Both brokers lack watchlist symbol syncing, meaning any changes made aren't reflected across devices. This might be a consideration for users who frequently switch between platforms. However, the added functionalities and detailed analysis tools offered by ThinkMarkets appear to set it apart for traders seeking deeper engagement via their mobile devices. Despite these differences, Xtrade may still appeal to users looking for a straightforward app experience without the additional charting complexities. Ultimately, while both apps are well-rated, ThinkMarkets presents a more feature-rich environment for those focused on comprehensive trading tools.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
ThinkMarkets and Xtrade both provide daily market commentary, which can be essential for traders looking to stay updated on financial news and trends. They also offer forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring their users have access to reliable information. However, neither broker provides technical analysis or fundamental research tools from Autochartist or Trading Central. In terms of unique offerings, ThinkMarkets stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool showing the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, a feature not available with Xtrade. Additionally, ThinkMarkets offers research tools from Acuity Trading, while Xtrade does not.
Both ThinkMarkets and Xtrade provide an economic calendar featuring global news events, helping traders plan their strategies around key financial announcements. However, neither platform integrates market research from TipRanks. When evaluated for research capabilities, both brokers received a 3.5-star rating, with ThinkMarkets ranked 50th and Xtrade 52nd among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This reflects comparable standing in the industry, yet ThinkMarkets offers slightly more comprehensive research tools and sentiment analysis, potentially giving it a slight edge for traders who value these features.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
ThinkMarkets and Xtrade both offer more than ten educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, making them suitable for beginners exploring these financial instruments. However, ThinkMarkets goes a step further by hosting at least one online educational webinar each month, providing more interactive learning opportunities for novice traders. Furthermore, ThinkMarkets provides access to a searchable archive of recorded webinars, a resource not available with Xtrade.
For those who prefer video-based learning, ThinkMarkets offers a wider selection of beginner and advanced educational videos, each exceeding ten in number. This gives both newcomers and seasoned investors a well-rounded base for developing trading skills. Both platforms feature an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, ensuring users can understand essential trading vocabulary. Despite offering more diverse educational tools, ThinkMarkets shares a similar education rating of 3.5 stars with Xtrade and is ranked slightly lower at #52 compared to Xtrade's #46 by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ThinkMarkets is better than Xtrade. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 92 | 74 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both ThinkMarkets and Xtrade provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both ThinkMarkets and Xtrade do not provide ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but they both support Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for these transactions.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 92 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $250 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 92 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill
