IC Markets vs XM Group 2026: Italy Trader Comparison
Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Italy traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026 often compare IC Markets and XM Group, two highly-rated global brokers with strong reputations. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, appealing to active traders and scalpers. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, offers a more beginner-friendly environment with a low minimum deposit of $5 and extensive educational resources. Both brokers accept Italian clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits convenient. However, they are not regulated by CONSOB, the Italian financial regulator, so traders must consider this when choosing. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, regulation, and local features to help you decide which broker fits your trading style and needs in Italy's competitive forex market.
| 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 |
For Italy traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those trading high volumes or using scalping strategies. IC Markets excels with spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account and a commission of $7 per lot round turn. XM Group offers spreads from 0.6 pips on its Zero account with a $5 commission per side, or from 1.0 pips on standard accounts with no commission. Over 100 lots per month, IC Markets can save you hundreds of dollars in spreads, making it the more cost-effective choice for active traders. XM Group's lower minimum deposit and no-commission standard accounts are better for beginners or those trading smaller volumes.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Italy traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored for its fast execution and intuitive interface, ideal for scalpers. XM Group includes XM WebTrader and mobile apps with integrated educational tools. For Italy traders who prioritize speed and customization, IC Markets' cTrader is a standout. XM Group's platforms are more beginner-friendly, with built-in analysis tools and a demo account that never expires, making it easier for new traders to learn.
| 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 strong point for both brokers. IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers and offers ultra-low latency execution with no requotes, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. XM Group provides fast execution with an average speed of 0.2 seconds and no dealing desk intervention. For Italy traders who trade volatile pairs like EUR/USD during peak hours, IC Markets' execution is more reliable. XM Group's execution is still excellent for most retail strategies, but IC Markets edges ahead for those requiring the fastest fills.
| 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 Italy traders, as both brokers are not regulated by CONSOB. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while XM Group is regulated by CySEC, IFSC (Belize), and FSC (Mauritius). CySEC regulation ensures compliance with EU standards, including negative balance protection and investor compensation funds, which is beneficial for Italian clients. However, since neither broker has a local CONSOB license, Italy traders should ensure they understand the legal framework and tax obligations. Both brokers offer segregated client funds and transparent operations, providing a secure 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Italy traders at both brokers. IC Markets accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT with a minimum deposit of $200. XM Group also supports these methods with a lower minimum deposit of $5. Deposits via e-wallets and USDT are instant and free, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days and could incur fees from Italian banks. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets and up to 48 hours at XM Group, with no internal fees. For Italy traders, using Skrill or Neteller offers faster processing, while USDT provides an alternative for crypto users. Both brokers support EUR accounts to avoid conversion costs.
| 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 Italy's Muslim traders, both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by charging no overnight interest on positions. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts upon request for all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard accounts. XM Group automatically offers Islamic accounts for clients in Muslim-majority countries and upon request for others, with no swap fees on forex pairs. Both brokers require that Islamic accounts are not used for hedging or arbitrage. This makes both brokers suitable for Italy's Muslim community seeking ethical trading options.
| 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 available in Italian and English for both brokers, catering to Italy traders. IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support, with quick response times. XM Group provides 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Italian team. XM Group also offers a comprehensive FAQ and video tutorials in Italian. For immediate assistance, IC Markets' round-the-clock support is advantageous, while XM Group's Italian-language resources are more extensive for beginners.
| 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 needing ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips.
- Prefer cTrader for its fast execution and advanced order types.
- Trade large volumes and want to minimize costs with a $7 round-turn commission.
- Need 24/7 customer support for round-the-clock trading.
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or retail trader with a small account (min $5 deposit).
- Value extensive educational resources and Italian-language support.
- Prefer a broker with a no-commission standard account and lower initial risk.
- Want a platform with built-in analysis tools and a demo account that never expires.
For Italy traders in 2026, the choice between IC Markets and XM Group depends on your trading experience and goals. IC Markets is the better option for active traders seeking the lowest spreads and fastest execution, especially if you use Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT for deposits. XM Group is ideal for beginners or those who prioritize low minimum deposits and educational support. Both brokers offer Islamic accounts and accept Italian clients, but neither is regulated by CONSOB. If you trade high volumes, IC Markets' cost efficiency wins. For a supportive learning environment, XM Group is the safer bet. Consider your trading style and local payment preferences to make the right choice.