Side-by-side
Tickmill vs XM Group
Both Tickmill and XM Group are licensed brokers — but each is stronger in different areas. We compare spreads and commissions, regulators and licences, leverage and trading platforms.
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.
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
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.
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.
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Tracked byIndependent review teamUpdated