Market sessions
Sydney
Tokyo
London
New York
Market status
Verified 2026 data

IG vs XM

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

1:1Head to Head
RealTesting
2026Updated
CATEGORY WINS

Who Wins Each Category?

Our scores for IG and XM, side by side, across the categories that decide your costs and safety.

FeesIG: 3.8/5vsXM: 4.2/5XM wins
SafetyIG: 4.9/5vsXM: 4.5/5IG wins
PlatformsIG: 4.6/5vsXM: 4.3/5IG wins
EducationIG: 4.5/5vsXM: 4.5/5Even
Customer SupportIG: 4.2/5vsXM: 4.2/5Even
QUICK VERDICT

Who Wins?

IG wins on overall score (4.4/5 vs 4/5). IG is the pick if you value experienced traders; choose XM if you value beginners with small budgets. The tables below show where each actually wins.

Who this is for: IG suits traders who prioritise experienced traders; XM suits traders who prioritise beginners with small budgets.

4.4/5
Best for: Experienced traders
Visit IGRead the IG Review
VS
4/5
Best for: Beginners with small budgets
Visit XMRead the XM Review
HEAD-TO-HEAD

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature
Overall Rating
4.4/5
4/5
Minimum Deposit
$250
$5
Spreads From
0.6 pips
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
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
KEY DIFFERENCES

What Actually Differs

The numbers that matter when choosing between IG and XM.

Minimum depositIG: $250XM: $5XM needs less to start.
RegulatorsIG: 4 (FCA, ASIC)...XM: 4 (FCA, ASIC)...Both hold the same number of licences.
InstrumentsIG: 17,000+XM: 1,000+IG offers more markets.
PlatformsIG: IG Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTimeXM: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, XM WebTraderBoth support MetaTrader 4.
Best forIG: Experienced tradersXM: Beginners with small budgetsDifferent fits. Read the verdict below.
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 →
FAQ

IG vs XM: FAQ

Which is better, IG or XM?

Overall, IG scores 4.4/5 and XM scores 4/5. The right pick depends on what you value: IG for experienced traders, XM for beginners with small budgets.

Which is cheaper, IG or XM?

On our fees score, IG is 3.8/5 and XM is 4.2/5. IG advertises spreads from 0.6 pips, XM from 0.6 pips. Check the fee rows above for the full picture, because headline spreads are not the bill.

Which is safer, IG or XM?

IG holds 4 licence(s), including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, NFA/CFTC. XM holds 4 licence(s), including FCA, ASIC, CySEC, IFSC. More Tier 1 regulators means more client protection schemes. Verify any licence at the regulator register before depositing.

Which has more markets, IG or XM?

IG offers 17,000+, XM offers 1,000+. Choose the range that covers what you actually trade.

FREE TOOLS

Calculate Your Trading Costs

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

Recommended alternative

We review this broker - here's who we recommend instead

We can only take you directly to brokers we're partnered with. This is the closest vetted alternative we've reviewed and can stand behind.

Compare every broker we rate