AvaTrade vs XM (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

Advertiser disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning BrokerCatalogue may earn a commission if you open an account. This never affects the data shown here, which is drawn from our catalogue and compared mechanically. How we make money.

Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

AvaTrade

Trust rank #12 · Founded 2006

AvaTrade is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering multiple trading platforms, broad market access, and educational resources. It provides market research and risk management tools with an emphasis on platform reliability…

Read the AvaTrade review

XM

Trust rank #26 · Founded 2009

XM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker providing online access to multiple markets on widely used platforms, along with research tools, education, and multilingual support.

Read the XM review

AvaTrade (Ireland, founded 2006) holds 8 regulatory licences (ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ…), 3 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. XM (Cyprus, founded 2009) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 214 countries; AvaTrade is available in 2 countries where XM is not, and XM in 15 where AvaTrade is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • AvaTrade leads on trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage, platform choice, instrument range and tier-1 licences.
  • XM leads on country coverage.
  • Level on fee level.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

AvaTrade vs XM: side-by-side data

CriteriaAvaTradeXM
Trust rank#12#26
Founded20062009
HeadquartersIrelandCyprus
RegulatorsADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ, FSCA, ISA, JFSAASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker, STP
PlatformsMT4, MT5, ProprietaryMT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted216 countries229 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Retail TradingProfessional Trading, Retail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

AvaTrade

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation
  • MT4/MT5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, AvaOptions support
  • Fixed-spread account option
  • ZuluTrade and DupliTrade copy trading
  • AvaProtect trade-loss protection

XM

  • CySEC and ASIC regulation
  • Low $5 minimum deposit
  • MT4/MT5 platform support (desktop/web/mobile)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Low-spread account options (commission-free and commission-based)

Cons

AvaTrade

  • Market-maker model (no ECN/DMA)
  • Higher spreads than ECN brokers
  • Inactivity and administration fees
  • Not available to U.S. residents
  • Not FCA-regulated (UK)

XM

  • Offshore regulation via IFSC Belize
  • CFDs only (no real stocks/ETFs ownership)
  • MT4/MT5 only; no proprietary platform
  • Inactivity fee applies
  • No ECN/DMA accounts

Key features

AvaTrade

  • Multi jurisdiction regulation client fund segregation and negative balance protection
  • MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 AvaTradeGO and WebTrader platforms
  • Forex and CFD trading on indices commodities metals equities and cryptocurrencies
  • Vanilla FX options trading with AvaOptions
  • Copy trading with ZuluTrade DupliTrade and AvaSocial
  • AvaProtect risk management for loss protection

XM

  • Multi asset CFD trading Forex Indices Commodities Equities Metals Energies
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with algorithmic trading and VPS support
  • Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
  • Multi jurisdiction regulation CySEC ASIC DFSA IFSC
  • Multiple account types Micro Standard Ultra Low with tight spreads
  • Market execution low latency and high fill rates with no requotes

Country availability: AvaTrade vs XM

Available at both (214): Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia and 174 more.

Only AvaTrade (2): Canada, Israel.

Only XM (15): Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Guernsey, India, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lebanon, Libya, New Zealand, Somalia, South Sudan, United Kingdom, Yemen.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

AvaTrade vs XM: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, AvaTrade or XM?

AvaTrade holds more regulatory licences: AvaTrade (ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ, FSCA, ISA, JFSA) versus XM (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC). Tier-1 licences: AvaTrade 3, XM 2.

Which trading platforms do AvaTrade and XM offer?

AvaTrade offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary; XM offers MT4, MT5.

Which has lower fees, AvaTrade or XM?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, AvaTrade or XM?

AvaTrade is the older of the two, founded in 2006; XM was founded in 2009.

Are AvaTrade and XM available in the same countries?

They overlap in 214 countries. AvaTrade is additionally available in 2 countries (Canada, Israel) and XM in 15 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Guernsey, India, Iraq and 9 more).

Keep comparing

AvaTrade

XM

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.