Tickmill vs XM (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Tickmill is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker that provides broad market access, platform choice, and tools for analysis, education, and risk management. It offers account options and support suited to a…
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.
Tickmill (United Kingdom, founded 2014) holds 5 regulatory licences (CySEC, FCA, FSCA, Labuan FSA, Seychelles FSA), 1 of them tier-1, offers 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 226 countries; Tickmill is available in 2 countries where XM is not, and XM in 3 where Tickmill is not.
Verdict at a glance
Tickmill leads on instrument range.
XM leads on trust rank, track record, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
Level on regulatory coverage, platform choice 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.
Copy Trading, 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
Tickmill
Tight spreads and low commissions
Fast NDD execution, low latency
FCA & CySEC regulation
MT4 and MT5 platforms
High leverage up to 1:500
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
Tickmill
CFD-only; no real share or ETF investing
No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs)
Protections vary by entity; offshore regulation for many clients
No proprietary platform; MetaTrader-focused
Limited in-house research and education tools
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
Tickmill
Multi jurisdiction regulation FCA CySEC FSCA and FSA Seychelles
ECN no dealing desk execution with raw spreads and low commissions
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with VPS and FIX API
Multi asset CFDs Forex Indices Commodities Bonds and Cryptocurrencies
Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
Scalping hedging algorithmic and copy trading supported
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: Tickmill vs XM
Available at both (226): Afghanistan, 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 and 186 more.
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.