Which broker is better for Israel traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When choosing a forex broker in Israel, experienced retail traders often compare Forex.com and XM Group. Both are regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), ensuring a secure trading environment for Israeli residents. However, their offerings differ significantly. Forex.com, with a score of 3.4/5, is a well-established global broker but lags in local flexibility. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, stands out with lower trading costs, faster execution, and better support for Israeli payment methods like Bank Transfer and Credit Card. Israeli traders trading in ILS need a broker that minimizes currency conversion fees and offers robust customer support. This comparison breaks down costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit methods to help you decide which broker fits your trading style in the Israeli market.
| Instrument | Forex.com | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $5 | Forex.com |
For Israeli traders, trading costs are crucial, especially for high-volume trading. XM Group offers tighter spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD (from 1 pip) and lower commissions on zero accounts. In contrast, Forex.com averages 1.2-1.5 pips on standard accounts. If you trade 10 lots per month, the difference in spreads could save hundreds of shekels annually with XM. Additionally, XM does not charge inactivity fees; Forex.com imposes a $15 monthly fee after 12 months of no trading. Both brokers charge swap rates, but XM’s Islamic account waives them altogether. Overall, XM provides more cost-effective trading for Israeli retail traders.
| Account Type | Forex.com | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Israel (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 1:1000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Forex.com | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer the MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, which are popular among Israeli traders for their advanced charting and automated trading. Forex.com also provides its proprietary Web Trader platform with a clean interface. XM Group adds a dedicated mobile app with Hebrew-language support, a key advantage for local users. Israeli traders who prioritize algorithmic trading will find XM's MT4/MT5 offering more flexible, with fewer restrictions on expert advisors. Forex.com’s platforms are reliable but lack the same level of customization. For beginners, both offer demo accounts, but XM's unlimited demo is more practical for strategy testing.
| Factor | Forex.com | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality affects trade outcomes. XM Group boasts 99.35% execution within 1 second, with no requotes on most orders. Forex.com also offers good execution, but slippage can occur during high volatility. For Israeli traders trading major indices and currency pairs, XM’s order execution stability is a key advantage. Both brokers use no-dealing-desk (NDD) models, but XM’s liquidity providers offer tighter spreads and faster fills.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Forex.com and XM Group are regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), giving Israeli traders confidence in fund safety and dispute resolution. The ISA enforces strict leverage limits (typically 1:30 for retail) and negative balance protection. Forex.com is also regulated by the FCA and CFTC, while XM holds multiple licenses including CySEC and ASIC. For Israeli traders, XM’s additional regulation outside Israel provides extra oversight. However, both maintain segregated client accounts with top-tier banks. It’s important to note that ISA regulation ensures local support and adherence to Israeli financial laws. Neither broker offers local branch offices in Tel Aviv, but their online support is sufficient.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds in ILS is straightforward with both brokers. Forex.com accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard) deposits in ILS, but may convert to USD, incurring a 1-2% conversion fee. Withdrawals are processed back to the same method within 2-5 business days. XM Group, however, supports direct ILS deposits with zero conversion fees on Bank Transfers and Credit Cards, a major advantage for Israeli traders. Minimum deposit is $5 (approx. 18 ILS) on XM, while Forex.com requires $100 (approx. 360 ILS). Withdrawal times are similar, but XM is faster for Credit Card refunds (1-2 days). Both brokers allow deposits via Neteller and Skrill, but Bank Transfer and Credit Card remain the most reliable for locals.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Israel, both brokers offer swap-free Islamic accounts complying with Sharia law. XM Group provides Islamic accounts automatically on request for all account types, with no extra fees or spread adjustments. Forex.com offers Islamic accounts but may apply wider spreads to compensate for swap waivers. XM’s policy is more transparent and trader-friendly. Israeli Muslim traders should request these accounts before trading to ensure compliance. Both brokers require proof of Islamic faith or a signed declaration. XM’s process is faster and more inclusive.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support is critical for Israeli traders. XM Group provides 24/5 multilingual support, including Hebrew phone and email assistance. Forex.com offers 24/5 support in English but lacks dedicated Hebrew help. XM additionally has a live chat with quick response times. For Israeli traders who prefer local language support, XM is clearly superior. Both brokers offer educational content, but XM’s webinars and tutorials are more accessible in Hebrew.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Forex.com | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For experienced Israeli retail traders, XM Group is the clear winner over Forex.com. XM offers lower spreads, no ILS conversion fees on Bank Transfers and Credit Cards, faster execution, and dedicated Hebrew support. It also provides better Islamic accounts and a higher score of 4.7/5. While Forex.com is a reputable broker with strong regulation, its higher costs and limited local payment flexibility make it less ideal for Israel. Both are ISA-compliant, but XM aligns better with the needs of Israeli traders seeking value and convenience. If you trade actively and prioritize cost efficiency, XM Group is the recommended choice for 2025.