Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated forex brokers face a clear choice between InvestoPro and XM Group in 2025. Both brokers are authorised by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, ensuring compliance with local financial laws. XM Group, with a strong 4.7/5 rating, has built a reputation for low-cost trading and reliable execution, while InvestoPro (3.8/5) targets experienced traders with advanced tools. For Australian clients, local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, and Bank Transfer are available at both brokers, making funding straightforward. This comparison focuses on spreads, regulation, and account features that matter most to Australian traders, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading strategy and local needs.
| Instrument | InvestoPro | 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 | $0 | $5 | InvestoPro |
For Australian traders, trading costs are a critical factor. XM Group offers tighter spreads, with EUR/USD from 0.6 pips on its Standard account, compared to InvestoPro's average of 1.2 pips. On a 1-lot trade, XM Group saves you approximately $6 AUD per round turn. XM Group also has no hidden fees on deposits, while InvestoPro may charge a small inactivity fee after 90 days. For high-volume Australian traders, XM Group's cost advantage compounds significantly over time.
| Account Type | InvestoPro | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | InvestoPro | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | InvestoPro | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | InvestoPro |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | InvestoPro |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | InvestoPro |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | InvestoPro | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the platforms preferred by Australian traders for their reliability and custom indicators. XM Group also offers its proprietary XM WebTrader and mobile apps with local time zone support. InvestoPro provides cTrader for ECN-style trading, appealing to scalpers. Australian traders will find XM Group's platform suite more comprehensive, with faster order execution and better charting tools tailored to the Asia-Pacific session.
| Factor | InvestoPro | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | InvestoPro |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
XM Group provides ultra-fast execution with average order processing under 50ms, ideal for Australian scalpers and day traders. InvestoPro's execution speed averages 100ms, which may cause slippage during volatile news events. Both brokers offer no requotes, but XM Group's infrastructure near the Equinix data centre in Sydney gives Australian traders a latency advantage.
| Safety Factor | InvestoPro | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both InvestoPro and XM Group hold ASIC licences, providing Australian traders with strong regulatory protection. XM Group operates under AFSL 443670, while InvestoPro is authorised by ASIC. ASIC regulation ensures client funds are held in segregated accounts, and both brokers participate in the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) scheme. For Australian traders, this means access to local dispute resolution and compensation up to $5 million AUD. Always verify the licence on the ASIC register before depositing.
| Payment Method | InvestoPro | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Australian traders can fund accounts at both brokers using BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. XM Group processes AUD deposits via POLi and BPAY instantly with no fees, while InvestoPro may take 1-2 business days for bank transfers. Minimum deposits are $100 AUD for InvestoPro and $50 AUD for XM Group. Withdrawals at XM Group are processed within 24 hours, while InvestoPro may take up to 3 business days. Both brokers support AUD-denominated accounts, eliminating conversion costs. For Australian traders, XM Group's faster processing and lower minimum make it more convenient.
| Islamic Account Feature | InvestoPro | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both InvestoPro and XM Group offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Australian Muslim traders, compliant with Sharia law. XM Group provides these accounts with zero additional fees, while InvestoPro may charge a small administration fee of $5 AUD per month. Both require a declaration of Islamic faith and are available on all account types. For Australian Muslim traders, XM Group's no-fee policy makes it the more cost-effective option.
| Support Feature | InvestoPro | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | InvestoPro |
XM Group offers 24/5 customer support in English with a dedicated Australian phone line, plus live chat and email. InvestoPro provides support during Sydney business hours only (9am-5pm AEST). XM Group's support team responds within 2 minutes on live chat, while InvestoPro averages 10 minutes. For Australian traders needing after-hours assistance, XM Group is clearly superior.
| Mobile Feature | InvestoPro | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | InvestoPro |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | InvestoPro |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | InvestoPro | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | InvestoPro |
Choose InvestoPro if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For Australian traders in 2025, XM Group is the clear winner over InvestoPro. With a 4.7/5 rating, XM Group offers tighter spreads, faster execution, and superior local support, including BPAY, POLi, and Bank Transfer deposits. Its ASIC regulation provides peace of mind, and its Islamic account option suits Muslim traders. While InvestoPro (3.8/5) has niche appeal with cTrader, XM Group's overall value, lower costs, and Australia-friendly features make it the better choice for most experienced traders. Open an XM Group account today for optimal trading conditions.