Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs BlackBull Markets, 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 comparing online brokers XM Group and BlackBull Markets, a quick overview reveals key differences in their regulatory footprints and trust ratings. Founded in 2009, XM Group holds an impressive four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, contributing to a Trust Score of 88 out of 99. This score places it in the 'trusted' category according to ForexBrokers.com. While not listed on any stock exchange and not a bank, XM Group's multiple high-level licenses position it as a reliable choice for traders.
On the other hand, BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, has secured a single Tier-1 license and does not hold any Tier-2 licenses. As a result, it has a Trust Score of 78 out of 99, indicating an average risk according to ForexBrokers.com. Like XM Group, BlackBull Markets is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. Though both brokers offer trading platforms for different investor needs, XM Group edges ahead in trustworthiness based on regulatory backing.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing XM Group and BlackBull Markets for commissions and fees, there are key differences in their offerings. XM Group is rated 4 out of 5 stars in this category, ranking at #33 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. While the standard account at XM Group comes with higher spreads, the broker does not disclose average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account, making it harder to estimate the total trading costs involved.
On the other hand, BlackBull Markets boasts a slightly higher rating of 4.5 stars and places #19 on the same list. This broker offers a range of account types to suit different trading needs. The Prime account is particularly noteworthy, with an average spread of 0.16 on the EUR/USD, and an all-in cost of 0.76 when including the per-side commission of 0.3 pips, which equals $6 per 10,000 traded. This account requires a $2,000 minimum deposit but offers more competitive spreads compared to their Standard account.
BlackBull Markets also provides additional options such as the Standard account and the ECN Institutional account. The Standard account is commission-free with no minimum deposit but features higher spreads. Meanwhile, the ECN Institutional account caters to more active traders with lower commission rates but demands a hefty deposit of at least $20,000. Overall, considering costs and account type variety, BlackBull Markets emerges as a flexible choice for traders mindful of their budget.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.76 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| 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 range of investments between XM Group and BlackBull Markets, a few key differences emerge. XM Group provides access to 1,394 tradeable symbols and 55 forex pairs, while BlackBull Markets offers an impressive 26,000 tradeable symbols and 72 forex pairs. Both brokers provide clients the ability to trade forex through CFDs or spot contracts and offer exchange-traded securities from U.S. and international exchanges, such as purchasing shares of Apple and Vodafone. Furthermore, both platforms allow for copy trading and engaging in cryptocurrency derivatives, though they don't support buying actual cryptocurrencies.
Rated at 4.5 stars out of five for their range of investments, XM Group ranks at #23 out of 62 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets boasts a perfect 5-star rating and secures the impressive #6 spot. This indicates that while both platforms offer a comprehensive set of trading opportunities, BlackBull Markets stands out for its vast selection of tradeable symbols and variety of forex pairs, making it a strong contender for those seeking extensive investment options.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
XM Group and BlackBull Markets offer similar features in their trading platforms and tools, making them competitive choices for traders. Both brokers provide simulated paper trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. Additionally, they each support the well-regarded MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms on Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms; however, neither has developed a proprietary platform. A notable distinction is that BlackBull Markets offers ZuluTrade for social trading, whereas XM Group does not, although both brokers do offer copy trading features.
In terms of charting tools, BlackBull Markets leads with 60 drawing tools, compared to XM Group's 15. Both brokers allow users to trade directly from stock charts, providing convenience and seamless trading experiences. For organizing and monitoring markets, XM Group offers seven columns for watch lists, one more than BlackBull Markets. Despite these differences, both XM Group and BlackBull Markets share a four-star rating for their platforms, ranking 30th and 28th, respectively, out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This similarity in ratings suggests that while there are some differences in specific offerings, overall trading platform satisfaction is comparably high for users of both brokers.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XM Group and BlackBull Markets offer mobile trading apps that are compatible with iPhone and Android devices, allowing users to stay connected on the go. These apps provide essential features such as stock or forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing to ensure consistent tracking across devices, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. With both platforms providing 30 technical studies for charting, traders can analyze market trends effectively. Moreover, the apps accommodate multiple time frames, including daily, weekly, and intraday views to cater to varying trading styles. One distinctive feature of the BlackBull Markets app is its ability to automatically save chart annotations, whereas XM Group lacks this functionality.
In terms of real-time market monitoring, both XM Group and BlackBull Markets allow the creation of watchlists with live quotes. Despite their comprehensive offerings, both brokers receive a similar rating of four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, XM Group is placed at #27 among 62 brokers, slightly outperforming BlackBull Markets, which holds the #30 spot. Whether you're a novice or an experienced trader, both apps offer a seamless experience, but with their unique strengths, they appeal to different user preferences.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| 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 comparing XM Group and BlackBull Markets in terms of market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed with timely insights. XM Group stands out by delivering forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while BlackBull Markets does not offer similar news access. For technical analysis tools, XM Group utilizes platforms such as Trading Central, but does not offer resources from Autochartist. Conversely, BlackBull Markets provides access to Autochartist, though it lacks Trading Central support. Both brokers do offer sentiment-based trading tools that highlight the market's positioning on various currency pairs.
Looking at economic calendars, both XM Group and BlackBull Markets provide them, allowing traders to track significant global events. Neither broker leverages research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading's Signal Centre. XM Group holds a perfect 5-star rating in research and ranks 8th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strong market research capabilities. BlackBull Markets, while commendable, earns a 4-star research rating and ranks 18th, indicating a solid but slightly less comprehensive offering compared to XM Group.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
If you're new to the world of trading and looking for educational resources, both XM Group and BlackBull Markets have a lot to offer. Each provides a wealth of educational tools including articles, videos, and webinars aimed at helping beginners understand forex and CFD trading. XM Group has been highly rated with a 5-star education score, partially due to their extensive library of beginner and advanced trading videos, as well as frequent online webinars that are archived for convenience. This robust offering won XM Group the 7th spot in education according to ForexBrokers.com.
Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets, earning a 4-star rating, also delivers great educational materials including more than 10 educational pieces and monthly webinars with searchable archives. They stand out by offering an investor dictionary with more than 50 investing terms, which can be very handy for trading novices. However, despite these offerings, BlackBull Markets is ranked 29th for education, showing that while they have reasoned tools for learners, there's room for growth compared to some higher-ranked competitors like XM Group.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XM Group is better than BlackBull Markets. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 78 |
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While both XM Group and BlackBull Markets do not provide options for purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrency, they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XM Group and BlackBull Markets offer Visa or Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wires as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but neither broker supports ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal for these transactions.
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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 78 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.76 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | XM Group | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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