FOREX.com vs XM (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
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Data refreshed 25 Sep 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
FOREX.com is a well-regarded forex broker offering broad access to forex markets through web, desktop, and mobile platforms, with research, education, and risk management tools. It operates under applicable regulatory oversight in…
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.
FOREX.com (United States, founded 2001) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA), 4 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView 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 228 countries; FOREX.com is available in 3 countries where XM is not, and XM in 1 where FOREX.com is not.
Verdict at a glance
FOREX.com leads on trust rank, track record, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
XM leads on regulatory coverage.
Level on instrument range and 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.
FOREX.com vs XM: side-by-side data
Criteria
FOREX.com
XM
Editorial rating
10 / 10
Not verified
Trust rank
#1
#26
Founded
2001
2009
Headquarters
United States
Cyprus
Regulators
ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA
ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC
Broker type
DMA, Market Maker, STP
Market Maker, STP
Platforms
MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView
MT4, MT5
Instruments
Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Commodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted
231 countries
229 countries
Fee level
Low
Low
Trading types
CFD Trading, Spot Trading
CFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use cases
Professional Trading, Retail Trading
Professional 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
FOREX.com
Multi-jurisdiction regulation (US/UK/CA)
Accepts US clients
Proprietary platform + MT4/MT5 support
Competitive spreads with raw/commission pricing options
Extensive FX pair offering
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
FOREX.com
No CFDs for U.S. clients
FIFO and no-hedging rules on U.S. accounts
No negative balance protection in the U.S.
Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
High minimum balance for STP Pro/DMA accounts
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
FOREX.com
Spot forex and multi asset CFD trading
Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 and Advanced Trading platform
TradingView integration and advanced charting tools
API trading via REST and FIX plus VPS support
Raw pricing with commission and standard spread only accounts
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: FOREX.com vs XM
Available at both (228): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, 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 and 188 more.
Only FOREX.com (3): Canada, Israel, United States of America.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
Which is older, FOREX.com or XM?
FOREX.com is the older of the two, founded in 2001; XM was founded in 2009.
Are FOREX.com and XM available in the same countries?
They overlap in 228 countries. FOREX.com is additionally available in 3 countries (Canada, Israel, United States of America) and XM in 1 countries (Belgium).
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.