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 |
If you’re comparing ThinkMarkets vs Xtrade on commissions and fees, the headline is clear: ThinkMarkets earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #48 out of 63 brokers with ForexBrokers.com, while Xtrade scores 2.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #64 out of 63. Average spread data isn’t available for either broker, so these ratings and rankings provide the best snapshot of expected pricing.
In plain terms, ThinkMarkets’ higher score points to generally more favorable trading costs than Xtrade. That said, your actual costs will still depend on what you trade, your account type, and your platform. Since average spreads aren’t provided here, it’s wise to check each broker’s posted fee schedule, financing (swap) rates, and any non-trading charges like deposits, withdrawals, or inactivity fees.
Bottom line: For commissions and fees, ThinkMarkets (4/5 stars; #48/63) stands ahead of Xtrade (2.5/5 stars; #64/63). Verify the latest pricing details directly with each broker before opening an account.
| 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 let you trade forex as CFDs/spot, but their product lineups differ. ThinkMarkets lists about 4,000 tradeable symbols, far more than Xtrade’s 482. If your main focus is currency trading, Xtrade edges out ThinkMarkets with 56 forex pairs versus 46 at ThinkMarkets. For a broader mix of markets beyond forex, ThinkMarkets offers the wider selection.
When it comes to shares, ThinkMarkets lets clients buy exchange-traded stocks on select international exchanges (not U.S. markets), while Xtrade does not offer exchange-traded shares at all. ThinkMarkets also supports copy trading; Xtrade does not. Both brokers provide crypto derivatives but not actual coins. For range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates ThinkMarkets 4.5/5 (ranked 24th of 63) and Xtrade 3.5/5 (ranked 50th of 63).
| 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.
Comparing ThinkMarkets and Xtrade for trading platforms and tools: both provide free demo (paper) accounts, browser-based platforms, and in-house proprietary platforms. ThinkMarkets also offers a Windows desktop download, while Xtrade does not. ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5); Xtrade offers neither. Copy trading is available at ThinkMarkets but not at Xtrade, and neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Both allow trading directly from charts. For charting, ThinkMarkets lists 15 drawing tools, while Xtrade offers 100. Watchlists are more detailed at ThinkMarkets (15 fields) than at Xtrade (9 fields).
Overall, ThinkMarkets earns 4 stars for Platforms and Tools and ranks 28th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, compared with Xtrade’s 3.5 stars and 59th place. If you want platform choice, MT4/MT5 access, copy trading, and a downloadable desktop app, ThinkMarkets has the edge; if you prefer a simple web-only setup with a large set of drawing tools, Xtrade may appeal. Both are easy to try thanks to free demo accounts.
| 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.
ThinkMarkets and Xtrade both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. The ThinkMarkets app includes price alerts, a real-time quote watchlist, 94 technical studies, trendline drawing, multiple chart time frames, and auto‑saved drawings. Xtrade’s app covers the basics but does not include price alerts, trendline tools, multiple time frames, auto‑save for drawings, or a real-time quote watchlist. Neither broker syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account. Xtrade does not list how many technical indicators its app supports.
Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps, but they place differently in industry rankings: ThinkMarkets is ranked #20 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while Xtrade is #54. If you want deeper charting and alerts on the go for stocks and forex, ThinkMarkets’ mobile app is the stronger pick; Xtrade’s app suits traders who only need core functionality on iPhone or Android.
| 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 check key boxes for market research. Each provides daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources (such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones), and an economic calendar. Neither broker includes tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, and neither offers TipRanks. In ForexBrokers.com’s Research category, both earn 3.5 out of 5 stars; ThinkMarkets is ranked 51st out of 63 brokers, while Xtrade sits at 53rd.
The main differences come down to extra tools. ThinkMarkets offers a sentiment-based trading tool that shows long/short positioning and also includes research from Acuity Trading (e.g., Signal Centre). Xtrade does not provide these additions. If you just want news and commentary, both are similar; if you value built-in sentiment and extra trade ideas, ThinkMarkets has a slight edge.
| 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 |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 74 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker 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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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) |
| 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Xtrade Review |
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