IC Markets vs XM Group for Guyana Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Guyana traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Guyana, choosing between IC Markets and XM Group is a critical decision that can impact trading costs, platform experience, and access to local payment methods. Both brokers are globally recognized, with IC Markets scoring 4.8/5 and XM Group 4.7/5, reflecting their strong reputations. Guyana traders benefit from support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. IC Markets is known for its ultra-low spreads and fast execution, ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. XM Group, on the other hand, offers a more user-friendly interface, extensive educational resources, and a lower minimum deposit, appealing to beginners. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator in Guyana, they hold licenses from reputable bodies like ASIC and CySEC, ensuring a secure trading environment. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, risk tolerance, and local needs in 2026.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Guyana traders, IC Markets has a clear advantage with its Raw Spread account offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. XM Group's standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, which can be costlier for high-volume traders. For example, a Guyana trader executing 10 standard lots per month on EUR/USD would pay approximately $70 in costs with IC Markets versus $100 with XM Group, assuming average spreads. XM Group's Micro account with spreads from 1.0 pips may suit smaller traders, but overall, IC Markets provides lower total trading costs for active traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Guyana (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 IC Markets and XM Group offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Guyana traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored for its intuitive interface and fast execution, ideal for scalpers. XM Group offers its proprietary XM WebTrader, which is browser-based and requires no download, convenient for traders on the go. For Guyana traders with varying internet speeds, both platforms offer mobile apps that work reliably. IC Markets' cTrader gives it an edge for those seeking advanced order types and depth of market.
| 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 |
Execution quality is a key differentiator for active Guyana traders. IC Markets offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40 milliseconds, using Equinix NY4 servers for low latency. XM Group also provides fast execution, typically under 1 second, but may have slightly higher slippage during volatile markets. IC Markets' raw spread model and no dealing desk execution make it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. For most retail traders in Guyana, both brokers provide reliable execution, but IC Markets has a technical edge.
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Guyana traders, as neither IC Markets nor XM Group is regulated by the local financial regulator. IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), providing a high level of client fund protection. XM Group holds licenses from CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize. For Guyana traders, this means their funds are held in segregated accounts and covered by negative balance protection. While local regulation is absent, these top-tier licenses ensure a safe trading environment.
| 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 |
Guyana traders have access to multiple payment methods at both brokers, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets supports these methods with no deposit fees and quick processing times: e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) are instant, USDT deposits are processed within 1-2 hours, and Bank Transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are similarly efficient, though IC Markets charges a small fee for withdrawals below $200. XM Group also accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with instant e-wallet deposits and a minimum deposit of just $5. XM Group does not charge deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply for certain methods. Both brokers allow Guyana traders to manage funds conveniently, with USDT offering an additional layer of flexibility for crypto users.
| 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 |
For Muslim traders in Guyana, both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic swap-free accounts that comply with Sharia law. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts upon request, with no swap or interest charges on overnight positions for most forex pairs. XM Group automatically offers swap-free accounts to clients in Muslim-majority regions, including Guyana, with no additional documentation required. These accounts are available for all account types, including standard and micro accounts. It's important to note that some brokers may restrict the use of certain instruments or charge administrative fees after a holding period, so checking the terms with each broker is advisable.
| 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 |
Customer support is crucial for Guyana traders, and both brokers offer 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone. IC Markets provides responsive support with average response times under 30 minutes, while XM Group offers 24/7 support for certain channels, including live chat. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For Guyana traders, the availability of support in English is a plus, though neither broker has a local office. Overall, XM Group slightly edges ahead with its 24/7 support availability.
| 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 algorithmic trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Trade high volumes and want to minimize costs with a raw spread model.
- Prefer cTrader for its advanced features and depth of market.
- Are comfortable with a $200 minimum deposit and commission-based pricing.
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or casual trader wanting a low minimum deposit of $5.
- Prefer a commission-free standard account with fixed spreads.
- Value 24/7 customer support and extensive educational resources.
- Want a swap-free account automatically without extra paperwork.
For Guyana traders in 2026, both IC Markets and XM Group are excellent choices, but the best fit depends on your trading style. IC Markets wins on cost-efficiency with spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution, making it ideal for active traders who use Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT. XM Group is more beginner-friendly with a $5 minimum deposit and no commission, plus 24/7 support. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, but their top-tier licenses ensure safety. If you prioritize low spreads and high-speed trading, go with IC Markets. If you prefer simplicity and lower entry barriers, XM Group is the better choice.