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IC Markets vs XM Group 2026
A detailed head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and XM Group across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and more.
Score Breakdown
Category-by-Category Winner
Detailed Comparison
Overview
Trading Costs
Platforms & Features
Instruments
IC Markets vs XM Group: Our Analysis
Overall Verdict
With an overall score of 84.2/100 vs 80.2/100, IC Markets slightly edges out XM Group by 4.0 points. Both brokers are closely matched, so your choice should come down to specific features that matter most to you.
Trading Costs
On the EUR/USD pair, IC Markets offers an average spread of 0.10 pips with a $6.00 round-turn commission, while XM Group comes in at 0.80 pips with a $7.00 commission. IC Markets offers tighter pricing on EUR/USD. Minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets and $5 at XM Group.
Regulation & Safety
IC Markets holds 5 regulatory licenses with a highest tier of Tier 1 (ASIC, CySEC, CMA), while XM Group has 5 licenses at Tier 1 (CySEC, ASIC, DFSA). Both brokers are equally regulated.
Platform Comparison
IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView — uniquely offering cTrader, TradingView which XM Group does not have. XM Group supports MT4, MT5, XM App, with exclusive access to XM App. IC Markets provides a wider platform selection.
Who Should Choose Which?
IC Markets suits cost-conscious traders, traders who want advanced tools, traders who prioritize safety, traders wanting a wide instrument range, while XM Group is better for beginners seeking education. Both brokers offer demo accounts, so you can test each before committing real funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our testing, IC Markets scores higher overall at 84.2/100 compared to XM Group's 80.2/100. However, "better" depends on your priorities — XM Group may be superior in specific categories like certain niche features.
IC Markets offers tighter spreads with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.10 pips, compared to 0.80 pips at XM Group. Check our detailed comparison table above for GBP/USD and USD/JPY spreads as well.
IC Markets scores higher for regulation and trust at 82/100, holding licenses from ASIC, CySEC, CMA. XM Group scores 78/100 with CySEC, ASIC, DFSA.
For beginners, XM Group is the stronger choice with an education and research score of 92/100. It offers structured trading courses, webinars, and a free demo account. IC Markets scores 62/100 for education.
Yes, there is no restriction on having accounts with both IC Markets and XM Group simultaneously. Many experienced traders maintain accounts with multiple brokers to take advantage of each broker's strengths — for example, using one for its lower spreads on majors and another for its wider instrument range or better platform features.
Reviewed by
Neil CNeil C is a financial markets analyst and forex trading specialist with over 10 years of experience evaluating broker platforms, trading conditions, and regulatory frameworks. He has personally tested accounts with dozens of brokers and brings a data-driven methodology to every review.
Last updated: April 2026