Which broker is better for Serbia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

For retail traders in Serbia, choosing between IC Markets and XM Group is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and overall profitability. Both brokers are globally recognized and accept Serbia clients, offering local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets scores 4.8/5 and is known for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, appealing to experienced traders. XM Group scores 4.7/5 and provides a more comprehensive educational suite, flexible leverage, and a user-friendly interface, making it a strong choice for beginners. This comparison focuses on the specific needs of Serbia traders, including regulatory considerations, deposit options, and Islamic account availability, to help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading goals 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 |
For Serbia traders, trading costs are a major factor. IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn, resulting in very low total costs for high-volume traders. XM Group’s Standard account has spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, which can be cheaper for smaller traders but becomes more expensive for frequent scalpers. On a typical EUR/USD trade of 1 lot, IC Markets costs around $7, while XM Group costs roughly $6, but IC Markets’ advantage grows with volume. Serbia traders should consider their trading frequency and lot sizes when evaluating these costs.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Serbia (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, the most popular platforms among Serbia traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, which appeals to algorithmic traders with its advanced charting and low latency. XM Group focuses on MT4/MT5 and its proprietary XM WebTrader, which is accessible without download. For Serbia traders who value customization and speed, IC Markets’ cTrader is a standout; for simplicity and mobile trading, XM Group’s platforms are more intuitive.
| 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 uses Equinix NY4 data centers for ultra-low latency execution, with an average execution speed of under 40 milliseconds on MT4/MT5. XM Group also offers fast execution with no requotes on most accounts, but its average speed is slightly slower at around 50-60 milliseconds. For Serbia traders engaged in scalping or news trading, IC Markets’ superior execution quality can reduce slippage and improve trade outcomes.
| 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 holds licenses from CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator in Serbia, meaning Serbia traders do not have access to local investor compensation schemes. However, both brokers adhere to international standards, including negative balance protection and segregated client funds, offering a reasonable level of security.
| 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 |
Serbia traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets supports USDT deposits via ERC20 and TRC20, with no deposit fees and instant processing for e-wallets. XM Group also accepts USDT and offers fee-free deposits via Skrill and Neteller, with a minimum deposit of $5. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary bank fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets at IC Markets and within 1-2 days at XM Group, with no additional fees from the brokers. USDT withdrawals are available on both platforms, providing a convenient crypto option for Serbia 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 swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in Serbia, in compliance with Sharia law. IC Markets provides these accounts on request for all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard accounts, with no expiry. XM Group offers Islamic accounts automatically for clients who indicate their religion, with no additional fees. Serbia traders should note that Islamic accounts may have reduced leverage on certain instruments, but both brokers maintain competitive conditions.
| 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with fast response times for technical issues. XM Group provides multilingual support in Serbian and English, with a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. For Serbia traders, XM Group’s local-language support is a significant advantage, while IC Markets’ 24/7 availability is better for round-the-clock trading.
| 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...
Choose XM Group if you...
For retail traders in Serbia, the choice between IC Markets and XM Group depends on experience level and trading style. IC Markets is the better option for cost-conscious, high-volume traders who need the lowest spreads and fastest execution. Its support for cTrader and USDT deposits adds flexibility for advanced users. XM Group is ideal for beginners and those who value local-language support, educational tools, and a simpler trading experience. Both brokers accept deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and both offer Islamic accounts. Neither is regulated by the local financial regulator in Serbia, so traders should rely on the brokers’ international licenses. Ultimately, IC Markets edges ahead for experienced Serbia traders, while XM Group is a strong choice for newcomers.