Side-by-side
AvaTrade vs XM Group
Both AvaTrade and XM Group are licensed brokers — but each is stronger in different areas. We compare spreads and commissions, regulators and licences, leverage and trading platforms.
In short. Choose AvaTrade if you are AU or EU retail and want CBI + ASIC double cover with 20 years of operating history. Choose XM Group if you want the lowest-friction entry in our list — $5 minimum deposit.
Pros and cons
AvaTrade
Pros
- ✓Regulated in 6 jurisdictions
- ✓1,450+ CFDs
- ✓Copy trading via DupliTrade
Cons
- ✕Spread-only pricing at 0.9 pip = ~$9/lot round-turn — wider than ECN/Raw brokers at similar volume
- ✕Inactivity fee $50 per 3 months of inactivity + $100 annual admin fee after 12 months
- ✕Not available in 20 jurisdictions including US, UK, Belgium, New Zealand, India, Russia/Belarus, Lebanon, and OFAC-sanctioned countries
XM Group
Pros
- ✓$5 minimum makes starting cheap
- ✓Well-made educational content for beginners
Cons
- ✕Standard account EUR/USD spread 1.0–1.6 pip (broker-published range) + $0 commission ≈ $13/lot — one of the highest costs in our list
- ✕Inactivity fee ~$5/month after extended inactivity
- ✕EU retail routed to stricter CySEC branch; XM Global offshore entity handles higher-leverage non-EU flow
- ✕Does not accept US, Canada, Israel, or Iran residents (broker states other restrictions exist but does not enumerate)
Who should choose which
Choose AvaTrade if:
- ✓You are AU or EU retail and want CBI + ASIC double cover with 20 years of operating history
- ✓You prefer spread-only pricing with no commission math — 0.9 pip typical is stable at ~$9/lot round-turn
- ✓You're into copy trading — DupliTrade integration is the strongest of our brokers
- ✓You want 1,400+ CFDs across forex, indices, stocks, commodities in one account
- ✓You have $100+ and want a straightforward single-tier account (not Standard vs Raw)
Choose XM Group if:
- ✓You want the lowest-friction entry in our list — $5 minimum deposit
- ✓You use payment methods other brokers charge fees on — XM's "no-fees" policy covers most card and e-wallet provider charges
- ✓You're in AU retail and want ASIC + CySEC double cover
- ✓You're a beginner who values broker-provided educational content as part of the onboarding
- ✓You need Western Union or MoneyGram funding — rare support among our brokers
AvaTrade vs XM Group comparison: fees, licences, platforms
Verdict at a glance
AvaTrade leads
- AvaTrade
- ahead on 3 dimensions
- XM Group
- ahead on 2 dimensions
Cost per lot
AvaTrade: $9.00/lot, XM Group: $13.00/lot. Lower at AvaTrade.
Minimum deposit
AvaTrade: $100, XM Group: $5. Smaller minimum at XM Group.
Maximum leverage
AvaTrade: 1:400, XM Group: 1:1000. Higher leverage at XM Group.
Regulator and licence
AvaTrade: ASIC, FSCA, CBI, BVI, XM Group: ASIC, CySEC, IFSC. Stronger licensing at AvaTrade.
Trading platforms
AvaTrade: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaOptions, DupliTrade, XM Group: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web Trader. Wider platform choice at AvaTrade.
Frequently asked
Which is better — AvaTrade or XM Group?+
Across our 5 dimensions: AvaTrade leads in 3, XM Group in 2, ties: 0. Overall verdict: AvaTrade. Full breakdown below.
Which broker has lower fees?+
Cost-per-lot in our calculation: AvaTrade — $9.00, XM Group — $13.00. Lower at AvaTrade.
Which is better for beginners?+
Minimum deposit: AvaTrade — $100, XM Group — $5. Easier onboarding at XM Group.
What trading platforms do they offer?+
AvaTrade: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaOptions, DupliTrade. XM Group: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web Trader.
Who regulates each broker?+
AvaTrade: ASIC, FSCA, CBI, BVI. XM Group: ASIC, CySEC, IFSC.
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Tracked byIndependent review teamUpdated