Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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.
Founded in 2014, Tickmill offers a reliable trading experience with a strong regulatory standing, boasting two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. Though not a publicly traded entity or a bank, Tickmill is considered a trusted broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86 out of 99. This reflects its solid position as a trusted choice for online traders, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
Founded in 2003, Xtrade also provides online trading services but with a different regulatory profile. Xtrade holds one Tier-1 and one Tier-2 license and, like Tickmill, it is not publicly traded nor a bank. With a Trust Score of 74 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, Xtrade is deemed to carry an average risk level, making it important for traders to weigh their options carefully when considering their investment platforms.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing Tickmill and Xtrade on commissions and fees reveals a marked difference between the two brokers. Tickmill offers a choice between the Classic and Raw accounts. The Classic account is commission-free, with traders paying only the bid/ask spread, though this averages a higher 1.76 pips. Conversely, the Raw account stands out with very competitive spreads, offering a typical spread of 0.11 pips for EUR/USD, yet now features a new commission of $3 per side, equating to $6 per standard lot. Despite this increase, the all-in cost remains an attractive 0.71 pips, keeping Tickmill as a favored option for active traders. Tickmill's Raw account also requires a low minimum deposit of just $100, making it accessible for most traders.
Xtrade, however, lags significantly behind Tickmill in terms of commissions and fees. Unfortunately, Xtrade does not provide specific average spread data, making it difficult to offer a detailed comparison of their cost structure. However, their ranking of #63 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees underscores their high cost in this area.
In terms of ratings, Tickmill shines with a perfect 5-star rating, secured by its competitive fee structure and low all-in costs. On the other hand, Xtrade only manages a 2.5-star rating, reflecting its less appealing cost profile. This divergence is further highlighted by their rankings, with Tickmill taking the #4 spot among 63 brokers, while Xtrade finds itself at the bottom, ranked #63 for commissions and fees.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 offered by Tickmill and Xtrade, both brokers provide forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. Tickmill edges out with a broader selection, featuring 725 tradeable symbols, including 63 forex pairs, whereas Xtrade offers 482 symbols with 56 forex pairs. Neither platform provides exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning clients cannot directly purchase stocks like Apple or Vodafone. Additionally, both brokers lack the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies but do offer cryptocurrency derivatives.
Tickmill distinguishes itself by offering a copy trading feature, an option lacking in Xtrade’s offerings. Despite these differences, both platforms receive an equal rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investments. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks Tickmill at #42 and Xtrade at #49 out of 63 brokers within this category, indicating a slight advantage for Tickmill in terms of investment options available to traders.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 the trading platforms and tools of Tickmill and Xtrade, both brokers offer a free demo account, allowing traders to practice and refine their skills with simulated trading. Tickmill uses external platforms and provides a Windows-based desktop option, noticeably different from Xtrade which has developed its own proprietary platform and does not offer a desktop version. Both brokers support web-based trading, but Tickmill has an edge with access to popular systems like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, though Xtrade lacks these options. Copy trading options are available through Tickmill, giving traders an opportunity to replicate successful strategies, something not found with Xtrade.
For charting, Xtrade leads with 100 drawing tools, surpassing Tickmill's 15 tools, and both platforms allow direct trading from stock charts. In terms of watch list customization, Xtrade also offers a bit more flexibility with nine fields compared to Tickmill's seven. However, despite these differences, Tickmill receives a slightly higher overall rating with four stars compared to Xtrade's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill's offerings are ranked at #32 out of 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, while Xtrade is further down at #58, indicating Tickmill's stronger reputation among these options.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | 7 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Tickmill and Xtrade provide options for both iPhone and Android users. However, Tickmill stands out with its offering of stock and forex price alerts, a feature Xtrade lacks. While neither app supports syncing watchlists with online accounts, Tickmill offers an edge with 30 technical studies available for charting compared to Xtrade, which does not specify this feature. Tickmill also allows users to draw trendlines and explore multiple time frames on stock or forex charts, with auto-saving capabilities for such drawings—features that are absent in the Xtrade app.
Both Tickmill and Xtrade are rated four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps, yet Tickmill ranks higher at #32 compared to Xtrade's #53 according to ForexBrokers.com. Tickmill further adds value by offering real-time quotes in custom watchlists, unlike Xtrade. These distinct features make Tickmill an attractive choice for traders who prioritize technical charting tools and real-time market data on the go.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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.
When choosing between Tickmill and Xtrade for market research resources, you'll find that both brokers provide a solid foundation with daily market commentary and forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also offer valuable economic calendars to help traders keep track of global events. However, only Tickmill provides additional tools that may appeal to more experienced traders, such as a sentiment-based trading tool that highlights trading positions across currency pairs and research tools from Acuity Trading like Signal Centre.
While both brokers do not offer technical analysis tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, Tickmill's additional research capabilities give it an edge, earning it a research rating of 4 stars compared to Xtrade's 3.5 stars. Tickmill holds a higher position of #22 in the Research category among 63 brokers ranked by ForexBrokers.com, while Xtrade is placed at #52. This suggests that Tickmill might be better suited for traders looking for comprehensive market insights and advanced research features.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, Tickmill and Xtrade both offer valuable content, but with some noticeable differences. Tickmill provides a comprehensive array of educational materials, including a well-rounded library of articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. A standout feature for Tickmill is their monthly online educational webinars, ensuring beginners consistently get fresh and relevant insights. Additionally, their searchable archive of recorded webinars makes it convenient for users to access past sessions. Tickmill also excels by offering at least 10 videos specifically tailored for beginners, as well as a series for advanced traders. The broker also provides an investor dictionary with a wide range of investing terms, which is a shared feature with Xtrade.
On the other hand, while Xtrade does deliver educational content such as articles and videos, it falls short in some areas crucial for beginners. Xtrade lacks regular monthly webinars and does not offer a searchable archive of previous sessions. Furthermore, they do not meet the benchmark of providing at least 10 beginner-focused educational videos. Despite these limitations, Xtrade does offer an investor dictionary. Overall, these differences are reflected in their ratings and rankings, with Tickmill receiving 4 stars for education and ranking at #15 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Xtrade is rated at 3.5 stars and ranks at #46.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 Tickmill is better than Xtrade. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
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Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 74 |
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Both Tickmill and Xtrade provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
When comparing online brokers Tickmill and Xtrade, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers, but while Tickmill allows PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, Xtrade does not; however, both brokers facilitate transactions through Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Xtrade Review |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | 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) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | 30 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | Xtrade Review |
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