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.
When comparing online brokers XM Group and Tickmill, it's clear both have their own strengths. Founded in 2009, XM Group holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, classifying it as highly trusted. They are not publicly traded or a banking institution, yet boast 4 Tier-1 licenses, a testament to their secure offerings. Additionally, XM Group holds 1 Tier-2 license, adding to their overall trusted profile and appeal to investors.
Tickmill, established in 2014, is also a prominent name in online brokerage with a Trust Score of 86, denoting a trusted status. Like XM Group, Tickmill isn't publicly traded and isn't a bank. However, they hold 2 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses, highlighting their commitment to maintaining trusted operations. While both brokers are not part of a stock exchange or banking institution, their regulatory credentials reflect their trustworthiness, catering to diverse investor needs.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Tickmill clearly undercuts XM Group for most traders. XM Group earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #34 of 63 for Commissions and Fees, reflecting pricey Standard account spreads and the lack of published average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account. Tickmill, by contrast, earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #10 of 63, supported by low typical spreads and competitive all-in costs that favor active traders.
Tickmill’s Classic account is commission-free but carries higher average spreads (1.76 pips as of August 2023). The Raw account (which replaced Pro) charges $3 per side—$6 per standard lot round-turn—with a listed typical EUR/USD spread of 0.11 pips (October 2023). After the commission increase, the all-in cost on EUR/USD comes to about 0.71 pips, based on typical conditions. The Raw account also has a low $100 minimum. Meanwhile, XM Group’s Standard account spreads are expensive, and the broker does not publish average spreads for the XM Zero account—making it harder to gauge true all-in costs. For most cost-conscious and active traders, Tickmill’s pricing structure remains the more appealing choice.
| 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 offer forex trading (via CFDs or spot). XM Group provides far more markets overall, with 1,394 tradeable symbols compared to Tickmill’s 637. Tickmill offers slightly more currency pairs (63 vs. 55). Both brokers support copy trading. For crypto, each offers cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual coins.
If you want real stocks, XM Group stands out by offering exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges—think Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone in London—while Tickmill does not offer real shares. Reflecting this broader access, XM Group is rated 4.5/5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 19th out of 63 brokers, whereas Tickmill scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks 30th.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 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
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Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 86 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XM Group | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 86 | |
| 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 | 1 | 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) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA 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) | 1394 | 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Tickmill Review |
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