Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs Tickmill, 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 Tickmill, both established players in the online brokerage landscape, offer different strengths when it comes to their regulatory credentials. Founded in 2009, XM Group holds four Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating a high level of trustworthiness. Tickmill, which started in 2014, has secured two Tier-1 licenses. Both brokers also hold additional Tier-2 licenses, with XM Group having one, and Tickmill holding two. These licenses indicate that while both companies are not publicly traded or banks, they comply with significant regulatory standards.
In terms of trust ratings, XM Group earns a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 88, placing it in the trusted category. Tickmill's Trust Score is slightly lower at 86, also reflecting a trusted rating. These scores suggest that both brokers are reliable options, though they vary somewhat in regulatory coverage and longevity in the industry. Whether you opt for XM Group's slightly higher Trust Score or Tickmill's equivalent regulatory standing, both brokers offer reputable services for traders.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers XM Group and Tickmill, there are notable differences between their offerings. XM Group provides a standard account with relatively high spreads and does not disclose average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account. Although XM Group has garnered a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees, its ranking is #33 out of 62 brokers, suggesting there may be more cost-effective options available.
On the other hand, Tickmill shines with its approach to trading costs. Tickmill offers two account types: the Classic account, which is commission-free but has higher average spreads of 1.76 pips, and the Raw account, which features low spreads and a newly updated commission rate of $3 per side or $6 per standard lot. With spreads as low as 0.11 pips for the EUR/USD pair, the all-in cost for the Raw account stands at approximately 0.71 pips. Despite recent commission increases, Tickmill remains a standout choice, earning a top-tier 5-star rating and ranking #4 out of 62 brokers in the commissions and fees category.
For traders seeking competitive pricing and low barriers to entry, Tickmill's Raw account offers significant advantages. With a minimum deposit of just $100 and attractive conditions for algorithmic trading, it presents a cost-effective choice even after the slight adjustment to its commission structure. In contrast, while XM Group maintains a respectable rating, the lack of transparency on certain account spreads makes it less appealing for those focused on minimizing trading costs.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.51 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.31 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| 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 Tickmill for their range of investment offerings, XM Group stands out with a significantly broader selection. XM Group provides access to 1,394 tradeable symbols, including forex trading as both CFDs and spot contracts. They offer the opportunity to engage with 55 forex pairs and have the added benefit of trading exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to buy shares of companies like Apple and Vodafone directly. Moreover, XM Group supports copy trading and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, but does not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
On the other hand, Tickmill presents a more limited range of investments. They offer 725 tradeable symbols, including forex CFDs and spot contracts with 63 available forex pairs, slightly surpassing XM Group in forex variety. However, Tickmill lacks direct access to U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, focusing instead on CFD trading. Like XM Group, Tickmill supports copy trading and provides cryptocurrency derivatives, but not actual cryptocurrencies. The investment range scores further highlight the difference, with XM Group rated at 4.5 stars and Tickmill at 3.5 stars, placing them at 23rd and 42nd among 62 brokers, respectively, in the ForexBrokers.com rankings.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 725 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 63 |
| 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 choosing between XM Group and Tickmill, both brokers offer a range of platforms and tools suitable for traders of all levels. Both brokers provide access to virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. Neither XM Group nor Tickmill has a proprietary platform, but both support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Users can access these platforms via desktop downloads on Windows or through web-based applications, ensuring flexibility in trading.
For those interested in social trading, both offer copy trading features, although neither sponsors DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Charting tools are comparable, with each broker providing 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing the trading experience. Both firms enable traders to set up seven columns for watch lists, aiding in effective market monitoring. Rated equally at four out of five stars for their trading platforms and tools, XM Group holds a slightly higher rank at 30th in ForexBrokers.com's list, while Tickmill is closely behind at 32nd, making them both competitive choices in the industry.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XM Group and Tickmill offer iPhone and Android apps for traders on the move. They each allow users to set up stock and forex price alerts, which can help you stay informed of market changes in real-time. For chart analysis, both brokers provide 30 technical studies, and allow you to draw trendlines and view charts across multiple time frames. While XM Group’s mobile app features the convenience of syncing watchlist symbols with your online account for seamless management, Tickmill lacks this feature. However, Tickmill makes up for it by automatically saving chart drawings, a benefit XM Group does not provide.
When it comes to creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both brokers meet expectations by offering this feature on their mobile apps. With each receiving a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, XM Group and Tickmill deliver comparable experiences for mobile trading. However, XM Group holds a slight edge in overall mobile app rankings at #28 compared to Tickmill’s placement at #31, as assessed by ForexBrokers.com. By taking into account these features and rankings, users can decide which aspects are most important for their trading needs when selecting between these two brokers.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| 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 the market research offerings of XM Group and Tickmill, both brokers impressively deliver daily market commentary and provide Forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Both platforms also feature sentiment-based trading tools, giving traders insights into long or short positions across various currency pairs. However, a distinction arises with XM Group offering advanced technical analysis tools from Trading Central, while Tickmill does not. On the other hand, Tickmill provides research tools from Acuity Trading with options like Signal Centre, which XM Group does not include.
Both brokers offer users an economic calendar to stay informed about global news events. XM Group earns a research rating of 5 stars and is ranked 8th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for their robust offerings, differentiating itself slightly from Tickmill, which holds a 4-star rating and a 22nd-place ranking. While each broker presents a credible suite of tools, XM Group edges out Tickmill with its higher placement and additional analytical resources from Trading Central that can enhance a trader's experience.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginner traders, both XM Group and Tickmill offer extensive learning materials. Each provides over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. Monthly online webinars are available from both brokers, along with a searchable archive of past sessions, making it easy for beginners to learn at their own pace. Additionally, both brokers offer more than ten beginner-oriented videos to help newcomers understand trading concepts, as well as advanced videos for those looking to deepen their knowledge.
Despite these similarities, there are some key differences in their educational offerings. Tickmill distinguishes itself by offering an investor dictionary with definitions for more than 50 investing terms, a feature not provided by XM Group. However, XM Group takes the lead with its overall quality of education, earning a 5-star rating compared to Tickmill’s 4 stars. In a ranking by ForexBrokers.com out of 62 brokers, XM Group is placed 7th in the Education category, while Tickmill holds the 15th position. Beginners seeking comprehensive educational support may find XM Group's offerings more aligned with their needs, although Tickmill remains a competitive choice with unique resources like the investor dictionary.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 86 |
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Both XM Group and Tickmill provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not allow the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers XM Group and Tickmill regarding deposit and withdrawal options, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers, XM Group supports Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, while Tickmill offers all these methods plus 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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2 of 5| Overall Rating | XM Group | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 725 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 63 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.51 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.31 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | XM Group | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 88 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | Tickmill Review |
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