Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs Tickmill, 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 Tickmill are online brokers with different levels of regulatory strength. XM Group, founded in 2009, has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93/99, which is “highly trusted” (90–99). Tickmill, founded in 2014, scores 85/99, which is “trusted” (80–89). Neither broker is publicly traded or a bank.
XM Group holds 4 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 3 Tier-2 licenses (trusted), while Tickmill holds 2 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses. In plain terms, more Tier-1 approvals usually signal tighter oversight in major financial centers, which can give everyday traders added confidence when comparing safety and regulation.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, Tickmill generally comes out cheaper than XM Group. XM Group’s Standard account spreads are on the expensive side, and the broker does not publish average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account—making it harder to estimate all-in trading costs. By contrast, Tickmill is known for low spreads and a clear commission model that continues to appeal to active traders. For commissions and fees, XM Group is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #34 of 63, while Tickmill is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #10 of 63.
XM Group: Standard account spreads are expensive, and there’s no published average spread data for the XM Zero account. This lack of transparency can make cost comparisons difficult. Result: 3.5/5 stars for commissions and fees, ranked #34/63.
Tickmill: Offers two accounts—Classic and Raw. The Classic account is commission-free but carries higher average spreads (1.76 pips as of August 2023). The Raw account replaced the Pro account and now charges a $3 per side commission ($6 round turn) per standard lot, with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.11 pips (October 2023). Under normal market conditions, that puts the estimated all-in cost around 0.71 pips after the commission increase (up from about 0.51 pips when commissions were $2 per side). Minimum deposit for the Raw account is just $100. Result: 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees, ranked #10/63.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.70 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XM Group and Tickmill both support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and both offer copy trading. XM Group lists 1,429 tradeable symbols and 55 forex pairs, while Tickmill offers 637 symbols and 63 forex pairs—so Tickmill has a slight edge for currency variety, but XM Group has a much wider overall selection. For stock investing, XM Group stands out: it lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international markets (like Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone in London), whereas Tickmill does not offer share dealing. Neither broker lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, but both provide crypto CFDs.
For range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates XM Group 4.5 out of 5 stars (ranked 19th of 63 brokers) and Tickmill 3.5 out of 5 stars (ranked 30th of 63). In short, XM Group is better for traders who want more markets and the ability to buy real shares, while Tickmill may suit forex-focused traders who prioritize a solid list of currency pairs.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1429 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 63 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
XM Group and Tickmill both deliver popular trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free demo (paper) account, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, and access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Neither has a proprietary platform; instead they lean on the MetaTrader suite with features like trading directly from charts and support for copy trading. This makes both brokers appealing for traders who want familiar software and the option to test strategies risk-free.
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, both earned 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, with Tickmill ranked #24 of 63 brokers and XM Group close behind at #27. Counts for built-in technical indicators and watch list columns aren’t specified and can vary by MetaTrader setup and add-ons, so your experience may depend on the templates and plugins you use. If you prefer a MetaTrader-centered workflow with demo access, chart trading, and copy trading, either is a solid pick; choose Tickmill if a slightly higher category ranking matters to you.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 91 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XM Group and Tickmill both deliver capable mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts to help you track market moves. Charting is evenly matched: each app includes 30 technical studies and lets you draw trendlines on stock or forex charts. Both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, Tickmill holds the slight edge at #25 out of 63 brokers, while XM Group is #26.
The big differences come down to convenience features. XM Group syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, so changes carry across devices; Tickmill does not offer watchlist syncing. On the other hand, Tickmill auto-saves your chart drawings, while XM Group does not. If keeping watchlists aligned across platforms is crucial, XM Group may suit you better. If preserving your on-chart annotations matters more, Tickmill has the advantage. Otherwise, their core mobile trading features are quite similar.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group and Tickmill both cover the basics well for market research. Each provides daily market commentary, top-tier forex news (from sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones), an economic calendar, and a sentiment tool showing the ratio of long and short positions. Where they differ is in third‑party research partners: XM Group adds Trading Central for technical and fundamental insights, while Tickmill offers Acuity Trading tools (such as Signal Centre). Neither broker includes Autochartist or TipRanks.
For overall research quality, XM Group earns 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #19. If Trading Central analysis appeals to you, XM Group has the edge; if you prefer Acuity’s signal-driven ideas, Tickmill is a solid alternative.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XM Group vs Tickmill: both brokers make it easy for beginner traders to learn the basics of forex and CFDs. Each offers ongoing client webinars at least once a month and a sizable video library, including 10+ beginner-friendly videos that explain core trading topics in plain language. When you’re ready to go further, both also provide 10+ advanced videos, giving you a clear path from starter lessons to more skilled strategies.
For overall education quality, XM Group takes the lead with a 5-star rating and a #5 ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #14. If you want the strongest education experience as a beginner, XM Group is the better pick, while Tickmill remains a good option with frequent webinars and plenty of videos to get you started.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 Tickmill. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #16, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #23.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
XM Group vs Tickmill: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency trading via CFDs.
Comparing online brokers XM Group vs Tickmill for deposits and withdrawals: both do not support ACH or SEPA, both support Skrill and bank wire transfers, Tickmill supports PayPal while XM Group does not, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1429 | 637 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 63 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.70 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 91 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XM Group Review | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Tickmill Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill