Side-by-side
Tickmill vs XM Group
Tickmill vs XM Group — Direct comparison across cost, regulation, leverage, platforms and operating history.
Tracked byBrokerlist Editorial · Independent review teamUpdated
In short. Choose Tickmill if you are EU or UK retail and want FCA + CySEC double cover with ECN-style commission pricing. Choose XM Group if you want the lowest-friction entry in our list — $5 minimum deposit.
Tickmill vs XM Group comparison: fees, licences, platforms
Verdict at a glance
Tied overall
- Tickmill
- ahead on 2 dimensions
- XM Group
- ahead on 2 dimensions
- Tied
- 1 tied
Cost per lot
Tickmill: $8.00/lot, XM Group: $13.00/lot. Lower at Tickmill.
Minimum deposit
Tickmill: $100, XM Group: $5. Smaller minimum at XM Group.
Maximum leverage
Tickmill: 1:1000, XM Group: 1:1000. Same maximum leverage.
Regulator and licence
Tickmill: FCA, CySEC, FSA, FSCA, XM Group: ASIC, CySEC, IFSC. Stronger licensing at Tickmill.
Trading platforms
Tickmill: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, XM Group: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web Trader. Wider platform choice at XM Group.
Pros and cons
Tickmill
Pros
- ✓Raw account: 0.0 from-spread + $6 round-turn — ECN-style pricing in a commission-based tier
Cons
- ✕Broker publishes "from" spreads only — realised typical is not disclosed on the accounts page
- ✕No cTrader — MT4/MT5 only
- ✕Not available in 16 jurisdictions including US, Canada, Japan, Russia/Belarus, and OFAC-sanctioned countries
XM Group
Pros
- ✓$5 minimum makes starting cheap
- ✓Well-made educational content for beginners
Cons
- ✕Standard account EUR/USD spread 1.0–1.6 pip (broker-published range) + $0 commission ≈ $13/lot — one of the highest costs in our list
- ✕Inactivity fee ~$5/month after extended inactivity
- ✕EU retail routed to stricter CySEC branch; XM Global offshore entity handles higher-leverage non-EU flow
- ✕Does not accept US, Canada, Israel, or Iran residents (broker states other restrictions exist but does not enumerate)
Who should choose which
Choose Tickmill if:
- ✓You are EU or UK retail and want FCA + CySEC double cover with ECN-style commission pricing
- ✓You scalp or algo-trade: Raw account's ~$6 round-turn commission + 0.0-from spread is competitive with focused-ECN brokers
- ✓You deposit $5,000+ via wire — Tickmill covers bank-side fees up to ~$100, unusual for the category
- ✓You're in Asia and want UnionPay funding — one of the few of our brokers to offer it
- ✓You want crypto funding (USDT, BTC) without giving up traditional methods
Choose XM Group if:
- ✓You want the lowest-friction entry in our list — $5 minimum deposit
- ✓You use payment methods other brokers charge fees on — XM's "no-fees" policy covers most card and e-wallet provider charges
- ✓You're in AU retail and want ASIC + CySEC double cover
- ✓You're a beginner who values broker-provided educational content as part of the onboarding
- ✓You need Western Union or MoneyGram funding — rare support among our brokers
We may earn a commission if you open an account — it never affects our ranking or scores. How we’re paid.
Frequently asked
Which is better — Tickmill or XM Group?+
Across our 5 dimensions: Tickmill leads in 2, XM Group in 2, ties: 1. Overall verdict: tied. Full breakdown below.
Which broker has lower fees?+
Cost-per-lot in our calculation: Tickmill — $8.00, XM Group — $13.00. Lower at Tickmill.
Which is better for beginners?+
Minimum deposit: Tickmill — $100, XM Group — $5. Easier onboarding at XM Group.
What trading platforms do they offer?+
Tickmill: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. XM Group: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Web Trader.
Who regulates each broker?+
Tickmill: FCA, CySEC, FSA, FSCA. XM Group: ASIC, CySEC, IFSC.