Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs Trade Nation, 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 considering the trustworthiness of online brokers, regulatory licensing and ratings are key factors to examine. XM Group, established in 2009, is backed by four Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. It also holds one Tier-2 license. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 88, XM Group is regarded as trusted by the site's ratings. Meanwhile, Trade Nation, founded in 2014, possesses two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, earning a Trust Score of 85, which also marks it as trusted. Neither XM Group nor Trade Nation are publicly traded companies or banking institutions.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of XM Group and Trade Nation, significant differences emerge. XM Group's standard account spreads are considered pricey, and transparency is lacking as the average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account are not published. In contrast, Trade Nation delivers competitive pricing with its fixed-spread approach, providing clarity and consistency in trading costs.
Trade Nation stands out by offering competitive fixed spreads across all tradeable symbols on its proprietary platform, as well as variable spreads on the MetaTrader platform. For example, the EUR/USD pair has a fixed spread of 0.6 pips, although this can widen to about 1.4 pips during the brief rollover period each day. Trade Nation's model ensures that spread costs remain relatively predictable compared to the often variable pricing of other brokers, making Trade Nation's offerings attractive, especially for traders prioritizing consistency in spread costs.
In terms of star ratings and rankings, XM Group earns 4 out of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, ranking #33 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Trade Nation excels with a perfect 5-star rating, ranking impressively at #7 in the same category. This ranking highlights Trade Nation's strength and attractiveness as a trading platform with favorable commission and fee structures compared to XM Group.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | 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.
When comparing the investment offerings of XM Group and Trade Nation, it's clear that both brokers support forex trading as CFDs. XM Group provides a slightly broader range of options with 1,394 tradeable symbols, including 55 forex pairs, while Trade Nation offers 1,000 symbols with 46 forex pairs. An important distinction is that XM Group allows clients to buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, enabling direct investment in shares like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, Trade Nation does not offer this feature, limiting clients to trading CFDs only.
Both XM Group and Trade Nation provide copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the option to buy actual cryptocurrency. In terms of overall investment range, XM Group outranks Trade Nation with a 4.5-star rating compared to 3.5 stars for Trade Nation. According to ForexBrokers.com, XM Group is positioned at #23 out of 63 brokers for their range of investments, whereas Trade Nation trails behind at #38. This makes XM Group a more versatile choice for investors seeking a wider variety of trading opportunities.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 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 offered by XM Group and Trade Nation, it's clear that both brokers cater to a wide range of traders with various features. XM Group provides both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, offering flexibility and a broad range of tools for technical analysis. In contrast, Trade Nation brings the unique offering of a proprietary platform, developed in-house, but supports only MetaTrader 4 (MT4) from the MetaTrader lineup. Both brokers offer a web-based platform and a Windows-based desktop download, along with simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts. XM Group stands out by allowing trades directly from stock charts, while Trade Nation does not have this feature.
In terms of charting tools, XM Group offers 15 drawing tools compared to Trade Nation's extensive collection of 39 drawing tools. For those keen on customizing watch lists, Trade Nation provides more columns, totaling 14, versus XM Group's 7. Despite these differences, both brokers score an identical 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, yet XM Group holds a slightly higher position in the ForexBrokers.com ranking for this category, coming in at 31st out of 63 brokers compared to Trade Nation's 44th spot. Both platforms ensure a comprehensive trading experience, making them strong contenders for traders looking for reliable online trading environments.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 115 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 39 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 14 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XM Group and Trade Nation, both offer convenient options for traders on the go, as their iPhone and Android apps support seamless trading. Each platform supports price alerts and the ability to create watchlists that sync with your online account, so your settings are always up to date. They also both allow for drawing trendlines on charts and provide multiple time frames for viewing stock or forex data. However, while Trade Nation offers a whopping 99 technical studies for charting, XM Group provides 30. Additionally, Trade Nation's app has the capability to auto-save chart drawings, a feature XM Group currently lacks.
Traders can enjoy real-time quotes on watchlists with either app, but there are differences in rankings and ratings. Both XM Group and Trade Nation are rated with 4 stars for their mobile trading apps. XM Group, however, is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com in their Mobile Trading Apps category, coming in at 29 out of 63 brokers, compared to Trade Nation's 45th place. Whether you prioritize extensive charting capabilities or a higher industry ranking can guide you in choosing the mobile app that best fits your trading style.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 99 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research offerings, both XM Group and Trade Nation ensure traders have access to daily market commentary and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, XM Group elevates its research arsenal by providing technical analysis tools from Trading Central and offering an economic calendar to keep up with global news events. While Trade Nation does not feature these specific tools, it brings research insights through its collaboration with Acuity Trading, which XM Group does not provide. Additionally, both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools, revealing insights into current trading positions across various currency pairs.
In terms of research ratings and rankings, XM Group stands out with a full five-star rating, marking it as a top contender in market research, ranking 8th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, Trade Nation holds a 3.5-star research rating, positioned at 42nd place. This comparison highlights XM Group's diverse and high-quality research offerings, making it a preferred choice for traders seeking comprehensive market insights.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both XM Group and Trade Nation offer valuable materials. XM Group provides a wealth of educational content focused on forex and CFDs, including more than 10 educational pieces like articles and videos. They also hold regular online webinars for clients with at least one session per month, which are then archived for future reference. Additionally, XM Group offers over 10 beginner and advanced educational videos, making it an excellent choice for those new to trading or looking to advance their skills. However, they do not have an investor dictionary with investing term definitions.
Trade Nation also caters to beginners with more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs and provides a similar array of beginner and advanced educational videos. However, unlike XM Group, Trade Nation does not offer regular webinars or a searchable archive of recorded sessions, which might limit ongoing learning opportunities. On the plus side, Trade Nation offers an investor dictionary with over 50 investing term definitions, enhancing their educational toolset. Despite these resources, Trade Nation's overall education rating of 3.5 stars and its rank as #41 out of 63 brokers indicates there is room for improvement compared to XM Group's 5-star rating and ranking of #7.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | 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 Trade Nation. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while Trade Nation finished with an overall rank of #34.
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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Trade Nation
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 85 |
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Both XM Group and Trade Nation do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XM Group and Trade Nation do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for depositing or withdrawing funds; however, they both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires as available options.
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 | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Trade Nation Review |
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| Regulation | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.6 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 | |
| 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 | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 14 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 115 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 39 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 99 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Education | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group Review | Trade Nation Review |
| Overall | XM Group | Trade Nation | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Trade Nation Review |
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