Side-by-side
Deriv vs XM Group
Deriv vs XM Group — Direct comparison across cost, regulation, leverage, platforms and operating history.
Tracked byBrokerlist Editorial · Independent review teamUpdated
In short. Choose Deriv if you trade synthetic indices (Volatility, Crash, Boom) — Deriv invented this product category. Choose XM Group if you want the lowest-friction entry in our list — $5 minimum deposit.
Deriv vs XM Group comparison: fees, licences, platforms
Verdict at a glance
Tied overall
- Deriv
- ahead on 2 dimensions
- XM Group
- ahead on 2 dimensions
- Tied
- 1 tied
Cost per lot
Deriv: $7.00/lot, XM Group: $13.00/lot. Lower at Deriv.
Minimum deposit
Deriv: $5, XM Group: $5. Smaller minimum at Deriv.
Maximum leverage
Deriv: 1:1000, XM Group: 1:1000. Same maximum leverage.
Regulator and licence
Deriv: BVI, MFSA, XM Group: ASIC, CySEC, IFSC. Stronger licensing at XM Group.
Trading platforms
Deriv: MetaTrader 5, Deriv X, XM Group: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web Trader. Wider platform choice at XM Group.
Pros and cons
Deriv
Pros
- ✓$5 minimum + 25 years of operating history (since 1999 as Binary.com, rebranded Deriv in 2020)
- ✓MFSA-licensed Malta entity gives EU retail clients tier-1 MiFID investor protection
Cons
- ✕Forex is secondary to synthetic indices (their proprietary product) — CFD instrument breadth is narrower than ECN-focused brokers like Tickmill
- ✕Offshore entities (Labuan, Vanuatu, BVI) carry light regulatory oversight; not available in 17 jurisdictions including Canada, Israel, Singapore, UAE, OFAC-sanctioned countries
- ✕Broker publishes "from" spreads only — realised typical is not disclosed on trading pages
- ✕Inactivity fee up to $25 / €25 / £25 after 12 months, then every 6 months
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 Deriv if:
- ✓You trade synthetic indices (Volatility, Crash, Boom) — Deriv invented this product category
- ✓You have $5 to start and want an EU-grade (MFSA Malta) MiFID entity at entry level
- ✓You want Deriv P2P for local-currency funding via agents and other traders
- ✓You value 25+ years of operating history (originated 1999 as Binary.com, rebranded 2020)
- ✓You fund via crypto (BTC, ETH, USDT) and want it credited to a fiat trading balance
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 — Deriv or XM Group?+
Across our 5 dimensions: Deriv leads in 2, XM Group in 2, ties: 1. Overall verdict: tied. Full breakdown below.
Which broker has lower fees?+
Cost-per-lot in our calculation: Deriv — $7.00, XM Group — $13.00. Lower at Deriv.
Which is better for beginners?+
Minimum deposit: Deriv — $5, XM Group — $5. Easier onboarding at Deriv.
What trading platforms do they offer?+
Deriv: MetaTrader 5, Deriv X. XM Group: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web Trader.
Who regulates each broker?+
Deriv: BVI, MFSA. XM Group: ASIC, CySEC, IFSC.