IC Markets vs XM Group: Which Broker is Best for Georgia Traders in 2026?
Which broker is better for Georgia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Georgia traders looking to enter the forex market in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and XM Group is a critical decision. Both brokers are globally recognized, with IC Markets scoring 4.8/5 and XM Group scoring 4.7/5. They cater to retail traders in Georgia by supporting local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals in USD. Georgia’s growing trading community benefits from competitive spreads, robust platforms, and regulatory oversight from top-tier authorities. While IC Markets is known for its low-cost, high-speed execution ideal for scalpers, XM Group offers a user-friendly experience with extensive educational tools and no deposit fees. This comparison dives into key factors like trading costs, platforms, regulation, and local payment options to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals in Georgia.
| Instrument | IC Markets | 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 | $200 | $5 | IC Markets |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets offers lower trading costs for Georgia traders, especially on its Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. XM Group’s Ultra Low account starts at 0.6 pips with no commission. For a Georgian trader executing 10 standard lots per day, IC Markets saves approximately $60 daily in spread costs compared to XM Group. However, XM Group’s zero-commission model is simpler for smaller traders. Both brokers offer competitive costs, but IC Markets edges ahead for high-volume traders in Georgia.
| Account Type | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Georgia traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a platform favored for its intuitive interface and depth of market. XM Group adds its proprietary XM WebTrader, which is accessible without downloads. For Georgia traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) and scalping, IC Markets’ cTrader offers superior execution speeds, while XM Group’s platforms are more user-friendly for beginners.
| Factor | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets offers faster execution with an average speed of 40ms, ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading. XM Group’s execution averages 100ms, which is still competitive for most retail strategies. For Georgia traders using Expert Advisors (EAs) or trading news events, IC Markets’ lower latency and no requotes provide a clear advantage. XM Group’s execution is reliable but better suited for medium-term trading.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Reg number | #335692 | #443670 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while XM Group is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and IFSC (Belize). For Georgia traders, these regulations ensure client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and adherence to international standards. Although Georgia’s local financial regulator does not directly oversee these brokers, the global regulatory oversight provides a safety net. IC Markets’ ASIC regulation is particularly stringent, offering stronger investor protection for Georgian clients.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Georgia traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while XM Group only asks for $5, making XM more accessible for beginners. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant at both brokers, and USDT transactions are processed within minutes. Withdrawals are free at IC Markets, while XM Group charges a small fee for certain methods. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days, but e-wallets and USDT are faster. Both brokers support USD accounts, avoiding currency conversion issues for Georgia traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Georgia, complying with Sharia law by waiving overnight interest. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) with no additional fees. XM Group offers them on Standard and Micro accounts only. Georgia traders must request the account via customer support and provide proof of Muslim faith. IC Markets’ broader availability makes it more flexible for Islamic traders in Georgia.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
Both brokers offer 24/5 customer support in English, which is sufficient for most Georgia traders. IC Markets provides live chat, email, and phone support, while XM Group adds a callback service and multilingual support (including Russian). XM Group’s faster response times and additional language options may benefit Georgian traders who prefer Russian-language assistance. IC Markets’ support is reliable but less personalized.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or high-volume trader seeking the lowest spreads (from 0.0 pips)
- Need fast execution (40ms) for EAs or news trading
- Prefer cTrader platform for advanced charting
- Want no withdrawal fees and support for USDT deposits
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner looking for a low minimum deposit ($5)
- Value educational resources and webinars
- Prefer a zero-commission model with no hidden fees
- Need customer support in Russian or a callback service
For Georgia traders in 2026, IC Markets is the better choice for experienced, volume-focused traders who prioritize low spreads and fast execution. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT ensures convenient local payments. XM Group, however, is ideal for beginners or those who value educational tools and a low entry barrier. Both brokers are regulated globally, but IC Markets’ ASIC oversight offers stronger protection. Consider your trading style—IC Markets for cost efficiency, XM Group for simplicity. Either way, Georgia traders have access to top-tier brokers with local payment support.