IC Markets vs XM Group 2026: Best Broker for Netherlands Traders
Which broker is better for Netherlands traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Netherlands traders in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and XM Group is a crucial decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and regulatory safety. Both brokers are highly rated—IC Markets at 4.8/5 and XM Group at 4.7/5—and are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure environment for Dutch retail traders. The Netherlands has a mature forex market with traders who value tight spreads, fast execution, and reliable local payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets is known for its institutional-grade trading conditions, especially for scalpers and algo traders, while XM Group appeals to beginners and intermediate traders with its user-friendly platforms and extensive educational resources. This comparison dives into every aspect relevant to Netherlands traders, from trading costs and platforms to deposit methods and regulatory compliance, helping you decide which broker fits your style best.
| 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 Netherlands traders, IC Markets has a clear advantage with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account (plus a commission of $7 per lot round turn). XM Group's standard spreads average 1.0 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission on its Standard account. For Dutch traders executing high volumes, IC Markets can reduce costs significantly—for example, trading 10 lots per week, IC Markets saves approximately $300 compared to XM Group. However, XM Group's zero-commission model is attractive for smaller retail traders who prefer predictable costs. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but IC Markets' lower spreads make it the more cost-effective choice for active Netherlands 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader—all popular among Netherlands traders for advanced charting and algorithmic trading. XM Group provides MT4 and MT5 exclusively, which is sufficient for most retail traders. Dutch traders who need custom indicators or automated strategies will appreciate IC Markets' broader platform choice, especially cTrader's advanced order management. XM Group's web and mobile platforms are slightly more intuitive for beginners. Both support VPS hosting for low-latency execution, crucial for Netherlands traders connecting to London servers. Overall, IC Markets wins for platform flexibility, while XM Group is more straightforward for newcomers.
| 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 latency of 40ms from Amsterdam servers, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. XM Group's execution is reliable but slightly slower, averaging 60ms, which is acceptable for most retail traders. Both use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets' deeper liquidity pool (from 25+ banks) ensures minimal slippage. For Netherlands traders who prioritize speed, IC Markets is the clear winner.
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and XM Group are regulated by the local financial regulator in the Netherlands, ensuring compliance with Dutch financial laws. This means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and both brokers participate in investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000 per client). For Netherlands traders, this regulatory oversight provides peace of mind, especially given the broker's global presence. IC Markets is also regulated by ASIC and CySEC, while XM Group holds licenses from FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, adding extra layers of protection. Dutch traders should verify that their chosen broker's entity is specifically licensed for the Netherlands to avoid jurisdictional issues.
| 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 |
Netherlands traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT with both brokers. IC Markets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, while Bank Transfers take 1-2 business days (free for EUR deposits). XM Group also supports these methods, with Skrill/Neteller deposits processed instantly and Bank Transfers within 1-2 days. USDT deposits are available on both, with IC Markets accepting TRC-20 and ERC-20 networks (low fees) and XM Group supporting TRC-20 for minimal costs. Withdrawals are equally efficient: IC Markets processes Skrill/Neteller withdrawals within 24 hours, while XM Group takes 1-2 business days. Bank Transfers may take 2-5 business days for both. No deposit fees are charged by either broker, making them cost-effective for Dutch 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 Netherlands Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader), with no swap charges on overnight positions. XM Group offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Micro accounts, but not on its Zero account. Neither broker charges additional fees for maintaining Islamic accounts, though IC Markets may apply a small administrative fee after a holding period (typically 30 days). For Netherlands traders seeking ethical trading, both brokers are suitable, but IC Markets offers more flexibility with account types.
| 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 support via live chat, email, and phone, with Dutch language support available during European hours. XM Group also provides 24/5 support (weekdays) with Dutch-speaking agents and a comprehensive FAQ section. For Netherlands traders, IC Markets' round-the-clock support is beneficial for late-night trading sessions, while XM Group's response times are slightly faster during business hours. Both brokers have responsive teams, but IC Markets edges ahead for 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 high-frequency trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Prefer multiple platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader for advanced tools.
- Trade high volumes and want to minimize costs per lot.
- Need 24/7 customer support and a wider range of account types.
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or intermediate trader who values ease of use and educational resources.
- Prefer a lower minimum deposit ($5 vs IC Markets' $200) to start trading.
- Want zero-commission trading on standard accounts without worrying about spreads.
- Need Islamic accounts on standard or micro accounts without complex requirements.
For Netherlands traders in 2026, IC Markets is the better choice for active, cost-conscious traders who prioritize low spreads, fast execution, and platform variety. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects its institutional-grade conditions, especially for scalpers and algo traders. XM Group, with a 4.7/5 rating, is ideal for beginners or those who prefer a simpler, lower-cost entry point with strong educational support. Both brokers accept local payment methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT) and are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring safety. Ultimately, IC Markets wins for performance, while XM Group excels in accessibility. Consider your trading style and volume to make the best choice.