Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs Markets.com, 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 XM Group and Markets.com, both established players in the online brokerage sector, their regulatory standings are key. Founded in 2009, XM Group is not publicly traded nor a bank, and it holds four Tier-1 licenses—indicating a high trust. With one additional Tier-2 license, XM Group has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 88, categorizing it as a trusted broker.
Markets.com, on the other hand, was founded earlier in 1999 and similarly is neither publicly traded nor a bank. It possesses three Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. Notably, Markets.com earns a superior Trust Score of 93, denoting a more highly trusted standing compared to XM Group. This comprehensive oversight contributes to their reputable position in the financial market landscape.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing online brokers XM Group and Markets.com on commissions and fees, XM Group offers a slightly more favorable option. For standard accounts, XM Group's spreads are on the higher end, and there is a lack of transparency regarding the average spreads for their commission-based XM Zero account. Despite these challenges, XM Group receives a solid 4-star rating in this category from ForexBrokers.com and holds a respectable position, ranked #33 out of 62 brokers.
On the other hand, Markets.com does not provide information on average spread data, which might make it harder for traders to assess potential costs accurately. As a result, it receives a lower rating of 3.5 stars for commissions and fees. In the rankings, Markets.com sits at #49 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, indicating room for improvement in terms of costs and transparency.
Both XM Group and Markets.com have their strengths and weaknesses in commissions and fees. However, if minimizing trading costs is your priority, XM Group might be the more appealing choice despite the higher spreads in their standard account, due to their higher rating and better ranking.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| 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 XM Group and Markets.com for the range of investments they offer, both platforms provide a rich selection though there are key differences. XM Group impresses with 1,394 tradeable symbols while Markets.com takes the lead with 2,179. However, forex enthusiasts will find a slight edge at Markets.com, which offers 57 forex pairs compared to XM Group's 55. When it comes to trading on U.S. and international exchanges, XM Group allows clients to purchase and hold actual stocks like Apple and Vodafone, while this option is unavailable at Markets.com, which solely focuses on CFDs. Both brokers offer the opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives but not in actual cryptocurrencies themselves. Copy trading is supported by both brokers, giving users flexibility in their investment strategies.
Ratings and rankings further highlight the differences between these two online brokers. XM Group receives a higher range of investment rating with 4.5 stars, while Markets.com follows with 4 stars. In terms of rankings in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group is placed at #23, outperforming Markets.com, which sits at #29. These distinctions can provide valuable insights for investors who prioritize a diverse lineup of investment options while considering the unique strengths each platform brings to the table.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 57 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of XM Group and Markets.com, both brokers show a strong commitment to providing traders with comprehensive resources. Both offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. While XM Group lacks a proprietary in-house platform, Markets.com provides one, enhancing its user experience with a tailored platform. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browser platforms to ensure accessibility across devices. Additionally, they support popular trading tools like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with copy trading capabilities. However, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, which might affect traders looking for those specific services.
Charting tools present another area of distinction. XM Group offers a breadth of 15 drawing tools for enhanced charting, significantly more than the 4 available through Markets.com. Traders with a preference for direct chart-based trading will also find XM Group favorable, as it allows trading directly from stock charts, a feature not available with Markets.com. When it comes to organizing market insights, XM Group leads with seven columns in watch lists, compared to six in Markets.com. Both brokers receive a solid four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, with XM Group ranked 30th out of 62 brokers and Markets.com slightly leading at 26th, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading, both XM Group and Markets.com offer convenient apps for iPhone and Android users. Each platform allows traders to set up stock or forex price alerts, ensuring that you can stay on top of market movements while on the go. Both apps also allow synchronization of watchlist symbols, meaning any changes made on the mobile app or online account are seamlessly synced. Users of these apps can create watchlists with real-time quotes, providing timely updates whenever needed. XM Group stands out in its charting capabilities with 30 technical studies available, along with the option for drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts. Markets.com, on the other hand, offers these drawing and trendline features but does not support multiple time frames in its native app, though it does have options on MT4.
While neither app automatically saves chart drawings, they both offer reliable experiences with user-friendly interfaces. Both XM Group and Markets.com are rated 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps, reflecting positive user feedback. In the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group holds the 27th position, placing it slightly ahead of Markets.com, which ranks at 33rd. This subtle ranking difference could be attributed to XM Group’s extended charting features and overall app performance. Whether you're a seasoned trader or just starting, both platforms provide solid mobile options to keep you connected to the financial markets.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research features, both XM Group and Markets.com cater to traders with daily market commentary and forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, XM Group stands out by providing a technical analysis tool from Trading Central, which Markets.com does not offer. Both brokers boast sentiment-based trading tools that analyze traders' positions across various currency pairs, enhancing decision-making processes for their users. In addition, each platform offers an economic calendar, keeping traders informed on global news events impacting the market landscape.
Despite some similarities in their offerings, XM Group outshines Markets.com in research ratings, achieving a solid 5-star score compared to Markets.com's 4 stars. In a ranking of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group secures the eighth spot in the Research category, while Markets.com is placed at seventeenth. Therefore, while both brokers bring valuable market insight to the table, XM Group offers a more comprehensive suite of research tools and earns higher accolades for its offerings.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 offered by XM Group and Markets.com, beginners will find substantial benefits with XM Group. It provides an impressive array of over 10 educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. XM Group also hosts online webinars monthly, with a convenient archive of recorded sessions, enabling learners to revisit and reinforce their understanding. In terms of video content, both XM Group and Markets.com cater to both novices and seasoned traders with ten or more videos in each category. However, XM Group stands out in the education arena by earning an exceptional 5-star rating, while Markets.com holds a commendable but lesser 4-star rating.
For those just starting their trading journey or looking to deepen their knowledge, XM Group's offerings are further validated by its high ranking of 7th in the Education category out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. While Markets.com provides a solid educational experience and ranks 34th in the same category, it lacks a searchable archive of webinar content and a comprehensive set of educational articles, making it less accommodating for beginners seeking in-depth resources. Both trading platforms are excellent choices, but XM Group showcases a fuller educational suite tailored to nurturing trader expertise from the ground up.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
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 Markets.com. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 93 |
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Both XM Group and Markets.com do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both XM Group and Markets.com provide similar funding options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, offering services such as Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither platform supports ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transfers.
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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Overall | XM Group | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
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