Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs ThinkMarkets, 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.
XM Group and ThinkMarkets are popular online brokers with a solid reputation for reliability and trust. Established in 2009, XM Group holds four top-tier licenses and one second-tier license, signifying a high level of trust. The broker's Trust Score is 88 out of 99, indicating it is a trusted platform for trading even though it's not publicly traded or a bank.
ThinkMarkets, founded in 2010, is slightly newer but boasts five top-tier licenses and two second-tier licenses, leading to an impressive Trust Score of 92. Like XM Group, ThinkMarkets is neither a bank nor publicly traded, yet it surpasses XM Group in regulatory strength with one additional top-tier and second-tier license each. Both brokers provide reliable services, but ThinkMarkets edges ahead with a slightly higher trust rating and regulatory coverage.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 5 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When comparing XM Group to ThinkMarkets for commissions and fees, both online brokers hold a solid reputation with a rating of 4 stars each. XM Group ranks higher at #33 out of 62 brokers as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets is placed at #48. Understanding their pricing structures is key for potential investors deciding between these two platforms.
XM Group's standard account tends to have higher spreads, which can be considered costly, and lacks disclosure of average spreads for their commission-based XM Zero account. In contrast, ThinkMarkets doesn't provide average spread data, leaving traders without insight into typical cost expectations.
Overall, while both brokers share a similar star rating, XM Group's higher ranking indicates a slightly better value in terms of commissions and fees. Traders should weigh the importance of known costs against the transparency offered by each broker before making a decision.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.1 |
| 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 the range of investments available through XM Group and ThinkMarkets, both brokers offer forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract, giving traders flexibility in currency trading. XM Group provides access to 1,394 tradeable symbols with 55 forex pairs, while ThinkMarkets offers a wider selection of 4,000 tradeable symbols but slightly fewer forex pairs at 46. For investors interested in exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, XM Group allows direct investments in companies like Apple. In contrast, ThinkMarkets does not offer this option but does provide access to international exchanges for stocks such as Vodafone.
Both brokers support copy trading, allowing clients to replicate successful trades from other investors. In terms of cryptocurrency, XM Group and ThinkMarkets offer trading through cryptocurrency derivatives rather than direct purchases. Despite these similarities, both are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for their range of investments. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks ThinkMarkets slightly higher at 21st, compared to XM Group at 23rd out of 62 brokers.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 4000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When looking at online brokers like XM Group and ThinkMarkets, both offer a range of trading platforms and tools tailored for traders of various levels. If you are interested in trying out trading without risking real money, both XM Group and ThinkMarkets provide free virtual demo accounts. On the platform availability front, XM Group and ThinkMarkets both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), along with web-based and Windows desktop applications, ensuring that you can trade from virtually any device. While XM Group doesn't have a proprietary, in-house-developed platform, ThinkMarkets does include this as an option for its users. Both brokers also support copy trading for those who prefer mimicking trades from experienced traders.
For charting enthusiasts, XM Group and ThinkMarkets each offer 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from a stock chart, a feature that brings convenience and efficiency to strategy execution. However, a key difference is evident in the watchlist customization capabilities, where ThinkMarkets provides up to 15 columns compared to XM Group’s seven. In terms of overall rating, both brokers are recognized with four stars for their trading platforms and tools, but when stacked against each other, ThinkMarkets holds a slight edge in rankings at #27, while XM Group is positioned at #30 according to ForexBrokers.com. This makes both XM Group and ThinkMarkets compelling and competitive options for traders seeking comprehensive trading environments.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 15 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both XM Group and ThinkMarkets cater to users on iPhone and Android devices, allowing them to stay connected to the markets on the go. Both brokers provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the capability to draw trendlines on charts. They also allow traders to view multiple time frames, such as daily or intraday, ensuring flexibility and detailed market analysis. However, a key difference lies in the synchronization of watchlists. XM Group excels in this area, offering seamless syncing with clients' online accounts, while ThinkMarkets lacks this feature. Additionally, though both apps enable the creation of real-time quote watchlists, only ThinkMarkets saves chart drawings automatically.
In terms of technical studies, XM Group includes a collection of 30 options, whereas ThinkMarkets impresses with a considerable 94, providing more extensive analytical tools. Both apps have received a four-star rating for their mobile trading solutions. However, in ForexBrokers.com's rankings of mobile trading apps, ThinkMarkets edges out XM Group, securing the 20th spot out of 62 brokers compared to XM Group's 27th position. This suggests that while both platforms offer solid functionality, ThinkMarkets may be a slightly stronger choice for traders seeking a more comprehensive charting toolkit.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 94 |
| 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.
Both XM Group and ThinkMarkets provide daily market commentary and updated forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, when it comes to specialized research tools, XM Group stands out by offering tools from Trading Central, which are highly valued in the industry for their technical analytics capabilities. While ThinkMarkets lacks Trading Central, they do offer research tools from Acuity Trading, which can be helpful for certain trading needs. Both brokers provide a sentiment-based trading tool that gives traders insights into market positions, as well as an economic calendar to keep track of global news events.
In terms of quality and recognition, XM Group receives a higher accolade with a 5-star rating for research and ranks #8 among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, thanks in part to their comprehensive market analysis and resources. Meanwhile, ThinkMarkets earns a respectable 3.5-star rating but ranks lower at #50, indicating there is room for improvement in their research offerings. These differences make XM Group a more favorable choice for traders who prioritize extensive research support and detailed market insights.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing XM Group and ThinkMarkets in terms of educational resources for beginners, both brokers provide comprehensive educational content, including articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. XM Group and ThinkMarkets each offer consistently available online educational webinars and maintain searchable archives for past sessions. They also cater to new traders with at least 10 video tutorials specifically designed for beginners, along with advanced video content for more seasoned investors.
However, there are notable differences in their offerings. ThinkMarkets goes the extra mile by featuring an investor dictionary that explains over 50 investing terms, which is absent in XM Group's educational suite. Despite this, XM Group stands out with an impressive 5-star education rating compared to ThinkMarkets' 3.5 stars. Moreover, in a ranking by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group is positioned significantly higher at 7th place, while ThinkMarkets is 52nd among 62 brokers. These distinctions highlight XM Group as a strong choice for those prioritizing educational resources in their trading journey.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 ThinkMarkets. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ThinkMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 88 | 92 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both XM Group and ThinkMarkets provide investors with the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both XM Group and ThinkMarkets do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but they both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, ensuring efficient fund management through popular financial methods.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 88 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 92 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 5 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 4000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 46 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.1 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $50 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 15 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 94 | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | XM Group | ThinkMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 88 | 92 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill