Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs Xtrade, 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.
FOREX.com, established in 1999, and Xtrade, which began operations in 2003, are two prominent names in the online brokerage world. FOREX.com holds a significant edge in terms of trust and reliability, as indicated by its top-tier ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, which categorizes it as a highly trusted broker. This status is supported by its seven Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as the gold standard in regulatory compliance. Additionally, FOREX.com is publicly traded, which can offer another layer of transparency and oversight. In contrast, Xtrade is not publicly traded and holds only one Tier-1 license, earning it a lower Trust Score of 74, placing it in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Neither FOREX.com nor Xtrade operate as banks, but their regulatory structures show significant differences. The emphasis on regulatory compliance is clear with FOREX.com, which holds one Tier-2 license alongside its multiple Tier-1 approvals, underscoring its commitment to maintaining consumer trust. Meanwhile, Xtrade also holds one Tier-2 license but does not possess the same regulatory breadth as its competitor. For investors prioritizing security and transparency, FOREX.com’s substantial regulatory endorsements and industry reputation make it a preferable choice.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing FOREX.com and Xtrade, the differences in commissions and fees are quite notable. FOREX.com, rated 4.5 stars for its commissions and fees, offers various account types, each with unique pricing structures. Although it generally carries higher fees than the industry average, it provides options like the Standard account and the newly introduced RAW Spread account. The Standard account shows higher spreads at 1.4 pips for EUR/USD, which might suit traders who value market-maker execution. Their RAW account, available in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, features low spreads starting at 0.13 pips but includes an added commission of $7 per Standard lot.
For high-volume traders, FOREX.com offers tiered rebates, ranging from $2 to $9 per million, which can become very cost-efficient. However, unless you are trading significant volumes (more than $50 million monthly), the net costs for both the Commission and Standard accounts remain similar for U.S. residents. FOREX.com ranks #13 out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category, highlighting its competitive position in the market despite the somewhat elevated costs.
In contrast, Xtrade lags behind in transparency as it does not provide readily available average spread data, making it difficult for traders to assess potential trading costs effectively. With a rating of 2.5 stars and ranking of #62 for commissions and fees, Xtrade falls short in offering cost-effective trading solutions compared to FOREX.com. This places Xtrade at the bottom of the list among other brokers in the Commissions and Fees category, indicating a less favorable choice for cost-conscious traders.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 offered by FOREX.com and Xtrade, it's clear that FOREX.com provides a wider selection for traders. Offering 5,500 tradeable symbols and 91 forex pairs, FOREX.com stands out for its extensive variety, as evidenced by its 5-star rating and 7th place ranking in the Range of Investments category among 62 brokers. Both platforms offer opportunities to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, but FOREX.com surpasses Xtrade in the breadth of options available, including the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In contrast, Xtrade provides a more limited range, with 482 tradeable symbols and 56 forex pairs available to its users. Rated 3.5 stars for its range of investments and ranked 49th by ForexBrokers.com, Xtrade does not offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, nor does it provide copy trading or the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies. While both platforms share similarities in certain offerings, FOREX.com emerges as the more diverse choice for investors seeking a wide array of trading options.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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.
FOREX.com and Xtrade both offer virtual demo accounts, allowing users to get familiar with trading without the financial risk. Each broker has developed their own in-house trading platforms. While FOREX.com provides a Windows-based desktop platform in addition to a web-based version, Xtrade only supports web-based trading. Neither broker offers copy trading or the use of third-party platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. However, FOREX.com distinguishes itself by supporting both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, unlike Xtrade, which does not support either.
For charting tools, FOREX.com impresses with 239 drawing tools, significantly more than Xtrade's 100. Trading directly from a stock chart is possible on both platforms, yet FOREX.com provides a more extensive watch list with 20 fields, while Xtrade offers just nine. These differences contribute to FOREX.com's superior rating of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. In ranking comparisons among 62 brokers, FOREX.com holds the 7th position, outperforming Xtrade, which ranks at 58th with a 3.5-star rating.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of FOREX.com and Xtrade, both platforms cater to iPhone and Android users, but FOREX.com offers a more comprehensive feature set. FOREX.com provides crucial tools like stock or forex price alerts and watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless integration between mobile and online accounts. It boasts 88 technical studies for charting, the ability to draw trendlines, view multiple timeframes, and automatically save drawings on charts. Users can also create watchlists with real-time quotes, making on-the-go trading more efficient.
Xtrade, on the other hand, lacks several of these functionalities. While it provides basic trading capabilities, it does not offer price alerts, watchlist syncing, technical studies for charting, or the additional charting tools available with FOREX.com. Regarding ratings, FOREX.com shines with a perfect 5-star rating, ranked 3rd out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps. In comparison, Xtrade scores 4 stars, ranked significantly lower at 53rd. This suggests that FOREX.com is preferred for traders needing advanced mobile features.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of FOREX.com and Xtrade, both platforms provide daily market commentary and feature forex news from leading global sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. While neither service offers tools from Autochartist or provides research through TipRanks and Acuity Trading, FOREX.com stands out by including technical analysis tools from Trading Central, unlike Xtrade. Additionally, FOREX.com gives traders access to sentiment-based tools showing long and short position ratios across currency pairs, a feature that Xtrade lacks. Both brokers do feature an economic calendar to keep traders informed of global news events.
In terms of overall research quality, FOREX.com is rated higher with 4.5 stars, compared to Xtrade’s 3.5 stars. Among 62 brokers analyzed by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com secures a commendable 9th place for research, whereas Xtrade is positioned at 52, reflecting a significant gap in the market research capabilities provided by each platform. This distinction suggests that traders looking for comprehensive research and advanced analytical tools may find FOREX.com to be the more appealing choice.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at FOREX.com and Xtrade, there are several factors to consider. Both brokers provide at least 10 educational pieces, such as articles and videos, focusing on forex and CFDs, making them accessible for newcomers. However, FOREX.com goes a step further by offering monthly online webinars, a feature not provided by Xtrade, giving users an additional opportunity to learn through live interactions. In terms of educational videos tailored specifically for beginners, FOREX.com excels, offering more than 10, whereas Xtrade falls short. Not only does FOREX.com cater to beginners, but it also supports experienced traders with an array of advanced educational videos, further broadening the scope of learning resources.
Both platforms provide an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, serving as a useful resource for anyone looking to get acquainted with financial jargon. However, FOREX.com established a searchable archive of recorded webinars, enhancing its educational offerings. These differences in resources contribute to FOREX.com's higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to Xtrade's 3.5 stars in education. According to a ranking among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com impressively stands at #4 while Xtrade is positioned at #46, highlighting FOREX.com’s commitment to providing quality education for budding traders.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FOREX.com is better than Xtrade. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #59.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 |
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Both FOREX.com and Xtrade provide traders with the opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers, FOREX.com provides versatile funding options with ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while Xtrade offers Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks options for ACH, SEPA transfers, and PayPal.
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 | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com Review | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Xtrade Review |
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