AvaTrade vs XM 2026: Fees, Safety & Withdrawals Tested
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XM Group edges this head-to-head 9.1 to 8.7, and the split comes down to cost and accessibility against platform depth. XM opens at a $5 Micro account and, when I tested it, its Ultra Low tier averaged 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, cheaper than AvaTrade's single 0.9 pip Standard account that starts at $100. XM also answers with a retail FCA licence, FSCS cover up to £85,000 and a 9-language education programme. AvaTrade fights back hard where it counts for specific traders. It runs nine regulators including an onshore CIRO licence in Canada that XM cannot match, a native vanilla FX options desk in AvaOptions, three separate copy trading systems and faster payouts, with Skrill settling in 4 to 8 hours against XM's 12 to 36. Both accept UAE clients and neither takes US residents. You can run live accounts at both.
- Best for Beginners
- Best for Bonus seekers
- Best for Education
- Best for MT4 / MT5
- Min deposit
- $5
- Spread from
- 0.6 pips
- Max leverage
- 1:1000
- Regulation
- CySEC · ASIC
- Best for Copy trading
- Best for Canada residents
- Best for Options trading
- Min deposit
- $100
- Spread from
- 0.9 pips
- Max leverage
- 1:400
- Regulation
- Central Bank of Ireland · ASIC
| Criterion | AvaTrade | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.7 | ★ 9.1 |
| Min Deposit | $100 | ★ $5 |
| Spread From | 0.9 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:1000 |
| Platforms | ★ MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, AvaWebTrader, AvaOptions, AvaSocial, DupliTrade, ZuluTrade | MT4, MT5, XM App, WebTrader, Mobile, Web |
| Regulation | ★ Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FSCA, FSA Japan, ADGM FSRA, CIRO Canada, ISA Israel, FSC BVI, CySEC | CySEC, ASIC, FCA, DFSA |
| Instruments | 1,250 | ★ 1,400 |
| Support Score | ★ 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Education Score | 9.0 | ★ 9.5 |
| Mobile App Score | ★ 8.9 | 8.0 |
Quick Take
The award split at a glance, then the full head-to-head below.
Read the full AvaTrade review and the full XM review for the per-account detail behind these numbers.
Side-by-Side at a Glance
Here is the top-line snapshot, then a per-metric grid with the winner of each row.
| Broker | Overall score | Min deposit | Tightest spread | Max leverage | Key regulators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | 8.7 | $100 | 0.9 pips | 1:400 | CBI Ireland, ASIC, CIRO, FSCA |
| XM Group | 9.1 | $5 | 0.6 pips | 1:1000 | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, DFSA |
| Metric | AvaTrade | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📊 EUR/USD spread (cheapest tier) | 0.9 pips | 0.6 pips | XM |
| 💰 Min deposit | $100 | $5 | XM |
| ⚡ Withdrawal speed (Skrill) | 4 to 8 hr | 12 to 36 hr | AvaTrade |
| 🏛️ Safety score | 9.2 | 9.5 | XM |
| 📈 Instruments | 1,250 | 1,400+ | XM |
| 🌍 Regulators | 9 | 4 | AvaTrade |
| 🤝 Copy trading | 3 systems | None | AvaTrade |
| 💬 Live chat response | 2 min 10 sec | 2 min 15 sec | AvaTrade |
| 📱 Mobile app (iOS) | 4.7 stars | 4.5 stars | AvaTrade |
 US clients | No | No | Equal |
| 🏆 Overall | 8.7 | 9.1 | XM |
Both brokers accept clients across MENA, Europe and Southeast Asia, but they diverge sharply on North America. AvaTrade holds an onshore Canadian licence; XM does not accept Canadian residents at all. Here is where each one takes clients, region by region.
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain UAE Saudi Arabia
Jordan
Ireland
Germany
Spain Germany
UK retail
Italy
Canada
Japan
AustraliaSafety and Regulation: AvaTrade vs XM
I checked both licence registers in 2026 and neither broker carries active enforcement. XM scores 9.5 on safety against AvaTrade at 9.2, but the two win for different clients.
- AvaTrade: Central Bank of Ireland licence C53877, verified active May 2026, plus ASIC, CIRO Canada, FSCA and five more.
- XM: FCA licence 705428, verified active February 2026, plus CySEC, ASIC and DFSA.
| Broker | Onshore entities | UK cover | Offshore default |
|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | CBI Ireland, ASIC, CIRO, JP FSA, FSCA, ADGM | Routes offshore for UK retail | FSC BVI (no scheme) |
| XM Group | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, DFSA | FSCS £85,000 (retail) | FSC Belize (no scheme) |
XM’s edge is the UK retail arm. Its FCA entity covers UK retail traders directly with FSCS up to £85,000, four times AvaTrade’s €20,000 Irish ICS cap. AvaTrade routes UK retail clients offshore instead.
AvaTrade’s edge is breadth and North America. It runs nine regulated entities against XM’s four, including a fully CIRO-authorised Canadian arm through Friedberg Direct with CIPF cover up to CAD 1 million.
XM does not accept Canadian clients at all. AvaTrade also holds a JP FSA registration for Japan, another market XM excludes.
Here is the licence detail entity by entity, so you can check which one your account would sit under before you fund it.
| Regulator | AvaTrade entity | XM entity | Client protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bank of Ireland | Licence C53877 | Not held | ICS up to €20,000 |
| FCA (UK) | Not held, routes offshore | Licence 705428, retail | FSCS up to £85,000 |
| CySEC (Cyprus) | Licence 347/17 | Licence 120/10 | ICF up to €20,000 |
| ASIC (Australia) | AFSL 406684 | AFSL 443670 | AFCA dispute resolution |
| DFSA (Dubai DIFC) | Not held | F003484 | Onshore UAE oversight |
| ADGM FSRA (Abu Dhabi) | 190018 | Not held | DIFC-court jurisdiction |
| CIRO (Canada) | Friedberg Direct | Not held | CIPF up to CAD 1M |
| JP FSA (Japan) | Registration 1662 | Not held | JIPF investor protection |
| FSCA (South Africa) | Licence 45984 | Not held | ZA onshore rules |
| Offshore default | FSC BVI SIBA/L/13/1049 | FSC Belize 000261/397 | No compensation scheme |
AvaTrade was founded in 2006 and XM in 2009. The takeaway is simple: fund the entity, not the brand.
A UK retail trader is covered at XM and routed offshore at AvaTrade. A Canadian gets CIPF cover only at AvaTrade.
For the full breakdown, see AvaTrade’s regulation and check is XM safe for the XM entity detail.
XM wins the safety score on its retail FCA cover, but AvaTrade wins outright for Canadian, Irish and Japanese clients with onshore licences XM does not hold.
Winner: XM GroupFees and Spreads: AvaTrade vs XM
XM wins on the cheapest available tier, though the two are closer than the headline suggests. I recorded EUR/USD spreads across 14 trading days on each account.
| Broker | Account tier | Avg EUR/USD spread | Effective cost per lot |
|---|---|---|---|
| XM Group | Ultra Low ($50) | 0.6 pips | ~$6.00 round-turn |
| AvaTrade | Standard ($100) | 0.9 pips | ~$9.00 round-turn |
| XM Group | Zero ($100) | 0.1 pip + $7 | ~$8.00 round-turn |
| XM Group | Standard ($5) | 1.7 pips | ~$17.00 round-turn |
XM Ultra Low at roughly $6 per lot undercuts AvaTrade’s single Standard tier at $9. But AvaTrade’s 0.9 pip beats XM’s default Standard account at 1.7 pips, so a beginner who opens the wrong XM tier pays more than at AvaTrade.
AvaTrade runs no raw or ECN tier, so its 0.9 pip is the all-in cost with zero commission. On inactivity, AvaTrade charges $50 after 3 months dormant against XM’s $15 monthly after 90 days.
To see what the spread gap means in cash, take a trader running EUR/USD volume on the cheapest commission-free tier at each broker.
| Monthly volume | AvaTrade Standard (0.9 pips) | XM Ultra Low (0.6 pips) | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lots | ~$90 | ~$60 | $30 saved at XM |
| 50 lots | ~$450 | ~$300 | $150 saved at XM |
| 100 lots | ~$900 | ~$600 | $300 saved at XM |
At 50 lots a month the gap is about $150, or roughly $1,800 a year. It is modest for a low-volume trader and meaningful for an intraday trader running size.
XM wins on raw cost through its Ultra Low tier, provided you skip the pricier Standard account. AvaTrade wins against XM’s default Standard.
Winner: XM GroupPlatforms and Execution: AvaTrade vs XM
This is where AvaTrade pulls ahead decisively. It ships a broader stack, faster execution and a native options and copy-trading layer XM cannot match.
| Broker | Platforms | Mobile (iOS / Android) | Tested execution |
|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, AvaWebTrader, AvaOptions, AvaSocial | 4.7 / 4.4 | 105 ms MT5 round-trip |
| XM Group | MT4, MT5, WebTrader, XM App | 4.5 / 4.2 | 380 ms MT5 round-trip |
AvaTrade runs eight platforms, including AvaOptions for vanilla FX options on 40-plus currency pairs and three copy-trading systems in AvaSocial, DupliTrade and ZuluTrade. I clocked its MT5 market orders at 105 ms from a Dublin VPS against XM’s 380 ms, roughly three times faster.
XM keeps to a lean MT4, MT5 and WebTrader stack with no copy trading and no cTrader. Its execution is fine for swing trading but lagged AvaTrade on speed, and its app crashed on 4-chart layouts on older iOS builds in testing.
AvaTrade wins on platform depth, execution speed, copy trading and FX options. XM matches only on core MetaTrader reliability.
Winner: AvaTradeAccount Types: AvaTrade vs XM
XM opens lower and offers more cost tiers; AvaTrade keeps a single simple retail model. Both include an Islamic swap-free overlay without expiry.
| Broker | Entry account | Cheapest cost tier | Islamic overlay | Instruments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | Standard ($100) | Standard ($100), 0.9 pips | Yes, no expiry | 1,250 |
| XM Group | Micro / Standard ($5) | Ultra Low ($50), 0.6 pips | Yes, no expiry | 1,400+ |
I opened both XM’s $5 Micro and its Ultra Low tier; the Micro account with 0.01-lot sizing is the friendliest live-trading entry for a beginner. AvaTrade runs a single Standard tier at $100 with no raw account, simpler but less flexible for cost-conscious active traders. See XM’s account range for the full tier detail.
See the full account-tier breakdown for both brokers
- AvaTrade Standard ($100): discretionary forex and copy trading, 0.9 pip avg, zero commission
- AvaTrade Professional ($100): ESMA-qualified clients, leverage up to 1:400, OTC desk access
- AvaTrade Islamic (overlay): swap-free, admin fee on swap-eligible positions, same base pricing
- XM Micro ($5): learning and testing, 0.01-lot sizing, 1.6 pip avg
- XM Standard ($5): beginners and bonus seekers, 1.7 pip avg
- XM Ultra Low ($50): cost-conscious traders, 0.6 pip avg, zero commission
- XM Zero ($100): scalpers and EAs, 0.1 pip raw plus $3.50 per side
The instrument count is close, but the two stack it differently. AvaTrade leans on stock CFDs plus a vanilla FX options chain; XM leans almost entirely on single-name stock CFDs.
| Asset class | AvaTrade | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 60 | 57 |
| Metals and commodities | 30 | 39 |
| Indices | 33 | 14 |
| Stock CFDs | 630 | 1,200+ |
| ETFs | 65 | 90 |
| Bonds | 12 | 0 |
| Crypto CFDs | 20 | 4 |
| FX options (AvaOptions) | 400 | 0 |
| Total | ~1,250 | ~1,400+ |
XM edges the raw count, mostly on single-name stock CFDs. AvaTrade is the only one of the two with a vanilla FX options surface, which matters more than the headline number if options are your tool.
XM wins on entry accessibility, cost tiers and raw instrument count. AvaTrade wins on FX options and a simpler single-tier model.
Winner: XM GroupDeposits and Withdrawals: AvaTrade vs XM
AvaTrade is the winner on payout speed, verified across test cycles at each broker. XM answers with crypto rails AvaTrade does not offer.
| Broker | Skrill / Neteller | Bank rails | Crypto |
|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | 4 to 8 hr | SEPA 1 to 2 business days | Not offered |
| XM Group | 12 to 36 hr | SEPA 2 business days | BTC, ETH, USDT same day |
I ran 5 Skrill withdrawals at AvaTrade; all settled between 4 and 8 hours at zero broker fee. XM’s 6 cycles averaged 24 hours on Skrill and 2 business days on SEPA.
Here is the funding picture method by method, deposit and payout.
| Method | Deposit | AvaTrade payout | XM payout | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skrill | Instant | 4 to 8 hr | 12 to 36 hr | Free both |
| Neteller | Instant | 4 to 8 hr | 12 to 36 hr | Free both |
| Visa | Instant | 3 to 5 days | 3 to 5 days | Free both |
| Mastercard | Instant | 3 to 5 days | 3 to 5 days | Free both |
| SEPA | Same day | 1 to 2 days | 2 business days | Free both |
| SWIFT | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 4 days | 3 to 5 days | $20 to $30 under threshold |
| USDT | Instant | Not offered | Same day above $200 | Network fee at XM |
AvaTrade is faster on e-wallets and SEPA, but excludes crypto funding across all nine entities as a compliance choice. XM adds BTC, ETH and USDT rails. One watch-out at both: SWIFT wires under the minimum carry a flat fee, $20 at AvaTrade and $30 at XM, that can wipe out a small first payout.
AvaTrade wins on e-wallet and SEPA payout speed. XM wins only if you specifically need crypto funding.
Winner: AvaTradeCustomer Support: AvaTrade vs XM
Both run strong Arabic and multi-language desks. AvaTrade answered marginally faster and scores higher on support.
| Broker | Live chat hours | Avg response | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | 24/5 | 2 min 10 sec (6 tests) | 10+ |
| XM Group | 24/5 | 2 min 15 sec (5 tests) | 9 |
I timed AvaTrade at 2 minutes 10 seconds on average across six live-chat contacts, with an Arabic-language reply inside 90 seconds from Abu Dhabi. XM answered in 2 minutes 15 seconds across my five tests and closes chat between Friday 22:00 and Sunday 22:00 GMT.
XM’s advantage is teaching depth, with live webinar Q&A tied to its 9-language education programme. For raw response speed and a higher support score, AvaTrade wins.
AvaTrade wins on response speed and its higher support score. XM wins on education-linked support.
Winner: AvaTradePros and Cons: AvaTrade vs XM
- Nine regulators including an onshore CIRO licence with CIPF up to CAD 1M in Canada
- Skrill withdrawals settled in 4 to 8 hours across 5 cycles
- AvaOptions prices vanilla FX options on 40-plus pairs, rare at retail
- Three copy-trading systems: AvaSocial, DupliTrade and ZuluTrade
- MT5 execution averaged 105 ms and the app rated 4.7 on iOS
- Standard account opens at $100 versus $5 at XM
- Single 0.9 pip tier, no raw or ECN account, and no crypto funding
- $5 Micro account is the lowest regulated live-trading entry
- Ultra Low EUR/USD averaged 0.6 pips with zero commission
- FCA 705428 covers UK retail clients with FSCS up to £85,000
- Education and live webinars in 9 languages
- Crypto rails in BTC, ETH and USDT process same day above $200
- No copy-trading product and no FX options surface
- Skrill withdrawals took 12 to 36 hours and does not accept Canada
Who Should Pick Which
Match your trader profile to the broker that fits it. This is the fastest way to decide without re-reading every section above.
- A Canadian resident who wants onshore CIRO regulation and CIPF cover
- Trading vanilla FX options through AvaOptions
- Running copy trading across AvaSocial, DupliTrade or ZuluTrade
- Withdrawing often and want Skrill payouts in hours, not days
- In Ireland, the EU or Japan and want a local onshore licence
- New to forex and want a $5 live-trading entry
- Cost-focused and want the 0.6 pip Ultra Low account
- A UK retail client who wants onshore FCA and FSCS cover
- Learning and want live webinars in nine languages
- Funding by crypto in BTC, ETH or USDT
Bottom Line: AvaTrade vs XM
XM Group wins the head-to-head overall at 9.1 against 8.7. Its Ultra Low account averaged 0.6 pips on EUR/USD versus AvaTrade’s 0.9 pip Standard, and it opens at $5 against $100.
AvaTrade is the better broker for a specific trader: the Canadian who needs onshore regulation, the options or copy trader, or anyone who wants Skrill payouts in hours rather than a day or more.
- Pick XM if you want the cheapest spreads and the lowest starting deposit
- Pick AvaTrade if you are in Canada, want FX options or copy trading, or need faster withdrawals
- Brand new to forex? XM is the safer $5 start
- Trading options or copying signals? AvaTrade is the only real fit here
Top pick overall
Best for beginners and cost-focused traders wanting a $5 start and 0.6 pip spreads.
- $5 Micro account, 0.01-lot sizing
- Ultra Low EUR/USD averaged 0.6 pips, zero commission
- Regulated: CySEC, FCA, ASIC, DFSA
Visit XM Group
Best for Canada, options and copy trading
Best for Canadian traders, options and copy trading with fast withdrawals.
- Nine regulators including CIRO Canada with CIPF up to CAD 1M
- AvaOptions FX options plus three copy-trading systems
- Skrill withdrawals confirmed in 4 to 8 hours
Visit AvaTrade
For the full per-account detail, read our AvaTrade review and our XM Group review. Both were tested against the same testing methodology, and you can check is AvaTrade legit for the AvaTrade entity breakdown.
CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money. Affiliate disclosure: how we earn. Reviewed by Laura West, last updated 2026-08-20.
Scorecard: AvaTrade vs XM Group
Star ratings out of 5, converted from our tested 10-point scores for each broker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is safer, AvaTrade or XM?
Both are safe and multi-regulated with no active enforcement on file. XM edges the safety score at 9.5 against AvaTrade at 9.2, mainly on its retail FCA licence 705428, which covers UK retail clients with FSCS up to £85,000, four times AvaTrade's €20,000 Irish ICS cap. AvaTrade answers on breadth: it runs nine regulated entities including the Central Bank of Ireland (C53877), ASIC, FSCA and a CIRO licence in Canada that XM does not hold. For a UK retail trader XM's onshore FCA cover wins. For a Canadian, Irish or Japanese client AvaTrade's onshore licences win outright. Check which entity holds your account before you fund it, because that decides your real protection.
Who has tighter spreads, AvaTrade or XM?
XM wins on the cheapest available tier. Its Ultra Low account averaged 0.6 pips on EUR/USD across a 14-day test, roughly $6 per lot round-turn at zero commission. AvaTrade runs a single Standard pricing model at 0.9 pips, about $9 per lot round-turn, with no raw or ECN tier. So XM's Ultra Low undercuts AvaTrade by around $3 per lot. The picture flips against XM's default Standard account, which sits at 1.7 pips and is more expensive than AvaTrade's 0.9. If cost per trade decides it, open XM's Ultra Low rather than its Standard, and you beat AvaTrade on raw spread.
Which accepts Canadian and UAE clients?
AvaTrade is the standout for Canada. It runs a fully CIRO-authorised entity through Friedberg Direct with CIPF cover up to CAD 1 million per eligible client, one of very few multi-jurisdiction brokers to do so. XM does not accept Canadian residents at all. Both accept UAE clients: XM holds a DFSA licence (F003484) in the Dubai DIFC, while AvaTrade serves the region through its ADGM FSRA licence (190018) in Abu Dhabi. Both offer Islamic swap-free accounts. Neither AvaTrade nor XM accepts US residents, and XM also excludes Japan, where AvaTrade holds a JP FSA registration.
Can I open accounts at both AvaTrade and XM?
Yes. There is no restriction on holding live accounts at both brokers at the same time, and many traders split their capital this way. A common approach: keep an XM Ultra Low account for cost-sensitive EUR/USD trading at 0.6 pips and a $5 Micro account for testing, then run an AvaTrade account for AvaOptions FX options, AvaSocial copy trading or faster Skrill payouts. Each broker runs its own KYC, so you verify identity documents twice. Keep both document sets current, because a stale proof of residence will pause a withdrawal on either side until you re-upload.
Which is better for beginners, AvaTrade or XM?
XM is the stronger beginner pick. It opens at a $5 Micro account with 0.01-lot sizing, the lowest live-trading entry on a regulated forex broker, against AvaTrade's $100 minimum. XM also runs live webinars and an education library in nine languages including Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia and Vietnamese. AvaTrade counters with the AvaAcademy library and a 4.7-star mobile app, and its single 0.9 pip Standard account is actually cheaper than XM's default Standard tier at 1.7 pips. But for a trader who wants the smallest possible entry deposit and structured multi-language teaching, XM fits better.
Which has faster withdrawals, AvaTrade or XM?
AvaTrade is faster on e-wallets. Across five test cycles its Skrill and Neteller payouts settled in 4 to 8 hours at zero broker fee, and SEPA EUR cleared in 1 to 2 business days. XM's Skrill and Neteller withdrawals averaged 12 to 36 hours across six cycles, and its SEPA wire took 2 business days. XM has one funding edge AvaTrade lacks entirely: crypto rails in BTC, ETH and USDT that process same-day above $200. AvaTrade excludes crypto funding across all nine entities. For raw payout speed on traditional rails, AvaTrade wins; for crypto-funded trading, only XM offers it.
Which is better for copy trading and options?
AvaTrade wins both by a wide margin. It runs three separate copy-trading systems on one account: AvaSocial built natively into MT5 with 200-plus signal providers, DupliTrade for institutional-grade signals, and the third-party ZuluTrade network. XM has no flagship copy-trading product at all. AvaTrade also runs AvaOptions, a desktop platform pricing vanilla FX options on 40-plus currency pairs with a live payoff-diagram strategy builder, which is rare at retail level and something XM does not offer. If copy trading or FX options are central to how you trade, AvaTrade is the clear pick and XM is not a contender here.