IC Markets vs XM Group 2026: Which Broker is Best for Lebanon Traders?
Which broker is better for Lebanon traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Lebanon traders looking for a reliable forex broker face a choice between two top-tier options: IC Markets and XM Group. Both brokers are highly rated globally, with IC Markets scoring 4.8/5 and XM Group scoring 4.7/5. For Lebanon-based retail traders, key factors include local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, as well as regulation by the local financial regulator. IC Markets is known for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, while XM Group offers a more accessible platform with a low minimum deposit and extensive educational resources. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal options specifically for Lebanon traders trading in USD.
| 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 Lebanon traders, trading costs are critical. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. XM Group’s spreads start from 0.6 pips on its Zero account with a $5 commission per round turn. On standard accounts, XM’s spreads are around 1.0 pips with no commission. For a Lebanon trader trading 10 lots per month, IC Markets can save $50–$100 in spread costs compared to XM Group, especially during volatile market hours.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lebanon (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 Lebanon traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform with advanced order management and depth of market, favored by active traders. XM Group includes XM WebTrader for browser-based trading. For Lebanon traders, both brokers offer mobile apps compatible with iOS and Android, ensuring seamless trading on the go.
| 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 ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms, using Equinix NY4 servers for low latency. XM Group provides execution under 100ms with no requotes on most orders. For Lebanon traders, IC Markets is better for scalping and news trading, while XM Group’s execution is reliable for standard trading strategies.
| 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 the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while XM Group is regulated by CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). For Lebanon traders, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, but both adhere to strict international standards. This provides a layer of security, though Lebanon traders should verify any local licensing requirements.
| 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 |
Lebanon 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 allows deposits as low as $5. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for bank transfers and instantly for e-wallets. USDT deposits are supported via TRC20 and ERC20 networks, with no deposit fees. For Lebanon traders, Skrill and Neteller are the fastest options, while USDT offers a crypto alternative. Both brokers do not charge withdrawal fees, but bank intermediary fees may apply.
| 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 Lebanon Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free on all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard accounts, with no time limit. XM Group offers swap-free on Standard and Micro accounts, but it is not available on XM Zero accounts. No additional fees are charged for maintaining Islamic accounts at either broker, making them suitable for Lebanon traders observing Sharia law.
| 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 |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with fast response times. XM Group also provides 24/5 support with a dedicated Arabic-speaking team, which is beneficial for Lebanon traders. XM’s support is slightly more accessible for Arabic speakers, while IC Markets excels in technical support for platform issues.
| 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 high-volume trader seeking ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Need fast execution for scalping or algorithmic trading
- Prefer cTrader platform with advanced order management
- Can deposit $200 or more via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or low-volume trader with a small deposit ($5 minimum)
- Want access to educational resources and webinars in Arabic
- Prefer fixed spreads on standard accounts without commission
- Need a broker with multiple international regulations for added security
For Lebanon traders, the choice between IC Markets and XM Group depends on trading style and budget. IC Markets is the better option for active traders seeking low spreads and fast execution, especially those using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT for deposits. XM Group is ideal for beginners and traders who prefer a lower minimum deposit and Arabic support. Both brokers are regulated by reputable authorities and offer Islamic accounts. Considering local factors like the local financial regulator’s oversight and the availability of USDT payments, IC Markets edges ahead for cost-conscious traders, while XM Group provides a more accessible entry point for retail traders in Lebanon.