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

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FP Markets

Trust rank #23 · Editorial rating 9 / 10 · Founded 2005

FP Markets is a well-regarded forex broker providing access to currencies and CFDs on popular platforms, supported by research tools and education. It offers broad market coverage, platform choice, and multilingual customer…

Read the FP Markets 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

FP Markets (Australia, founded 2005) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers cTrader, MT4, MT5 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 223 countries; FP Markets is available in 2 countries where XM is not, and XM in 6 where FP Markets is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • FP Markets leads on trust rank, track record, platform choice and instrument range.
  • XM leads on regulatory coverage, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • 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.

FP Markets vs XM: side-by-side data

CriteriaFP MarketsXM
Editorial rating9 / 10Not verified
Trust rank#23#26
Founded20052009
HeadquartersAustraliaCyprus
RegulatorsASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCAASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC
Broker typeDMA, ECN, STPMarket Maker, STP
PlatformscTrader, MT4, MT5MT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted225 countries229 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional 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

FP Markets

  • ASIC & CySEC regulated
  • Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips
  • Fast execution and deep liquidity
  • MT4/MT5 platforms with EAs, hedging & scalping
  • Low commissions on RAW account

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

FP Markets

  • No negative balance protection across all entities
  • No investor compensation scheme (ASIC clients)
  • IRESS platform and market data fees
  • Withdrawal fees on international bank wires/selected methods
  • Not available to US residents

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

FP Markets

  • Multi asset Forex and CFD trading on MT4 MT5 cTrader and Iress
  • ECN raw spreads deep liquidity and low latency execution
  • ASIC and CySEC regulated with segregated client funds
  • Advanced trading tools Autochartist VPS and copy trading
  • MAM PAMM accounts for portfolio management
  • Direct market access share CFDs via Iress

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: FP Markets vs XM

Available at both (223): Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, 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 183 more.

Only FP Markets (2): Canada, Israel.

Only XM (6): Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Somalia, Yemen.

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

FP Markets vs XM: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FP Markets or XM?

XM holds more regulatory licences: FP Markets (ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA) versus XM (ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, IFSC). Tier-1 licences: FP Markets 1, XM 2.

Which trading platforms do FP Markets and XM offer?

FP Markets offers cTrader, MT4, MT5; XM offers MT4, MT5.

Which has lower fees, FP Markets 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, FP Markets or XM?

FP Markets is the older of the two, founded in 2005; XM was founded in 2009.

Are FP Markets and XM available in the same countries?

They overlap in 223 countries. FP Markets is additionally available in 2 countries (Canada, Israel) and XM in 6 countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Liberia, Libya, Somalia, Yemen).

Keep comparing

FP Markets

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.