Side-by-side
AvaTrade vs XM Group
AvaTrade vs XM Group — Direct comparison across cost, regulation, leverage, platforms and operating history.
Tracked byBrokerlist Editorial · Independent review teamUpdated
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.
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.
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
We may earn a commission if you open an account — it never affects our ranking or scores. How we’re paid.
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.