Updated February 2026

IG vs XM

An in-depth comparison to help you choose the right broker for your trading journey.

50+ Data Points

Real Testing

2026 Updated

QUICK VERDICT

Who Wins?

4.4/5

Best for: Experienced traders

Visit IG

4/5

Best for: Beginners with small budgets

Visit XM

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature

Overall Rating

4.4/5

4/5

Minimum Deposit

$250

Spreads From

0.6 pips

Max Leverage

Up to 30:1 (EU)

Up to 1000:1

Instruments

17,000+

1,000+

Fees Score

3.8/5

4.2/5

Platforms Score

4.6/5

4.3/5

Education Score

4.5/5

Safety Score

4.9/5

4.5/5

Platforms

IG Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer

MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, XM WebTrader, XM Mobile App

Founded

1974

2009

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Limassol, Cyprus

ANALYSIS

Pros & Cons

Pros

+ 50+ years established
+ Publicly traded (FTSE 250)
+ 17,000+ markets
+ Excellent research
+ Advanced ProRealTime charts

Cons

- Higher minimum deposit
- Inactivity fees
- Complex fee structure

Open IG Account

Pros

+ Ultra-low $5 minimum deposit
+ Excellent educational resources
+ Multi-regulated (FCA, CySEC, ASIC)
+ No deposit or withdrawal fees
+ Excellent customer support (24/5)

Cons

- Higher spreads than ECN brokers
- Limited research tools
- Inactivity fee after 90 days

Open XM Account

RECOMMENDATION

Which Broker Should You Choose?

Choose

If you:

Experienced traders
Research-focused traders
UK traders

Visit IG →

Choose

If you:

Beginners with small budgets
Traders seeking education
Global traders

Visit XM →

FREE TOOLS

Calculate Your Trading Costs

Use our free tools to compare broker costs and calculate position sizes before you trade.

Broker Cost Calculator Compare total trading costs Position Size Calculator Calculate proper lot sizes Profit/Loss Calculator Know your P&L in advance

MORE COMPARISONS

Other Broker Matchups

IC Markets vs Pepperstone IC Markets vs Saxo Bank IC Markets vs Binance IC Markets vs IG IC Markets vs Axi IC Markets vs Admiral Markets