Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italy traders in 2025, choosing between Oanda and XM Group comes down to cost, convenience, and regulatory comfort. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is a well-established broker known for its advanced trading tools and transparency. However, XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, has gained a strong following among Italian retail traders due to its lower spreads, wider range of deposit methods including PostePay and SEPA, and dedicated Italian-language support. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier bodies and comply with CONSOB rules, ensuring a safe trading environment. This comparison breaks down the key differences—from trading costs to local payment options—to help you decide which broker fits your Italian trading style best.
| Instrument | Oanda | 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 | Oanda |
When comparing trading costs for Italy traders, XM Group has a clear edge. On EUR/USD, XM's spreads start from 0.6 pips on its Standard account, while Oanda averages around 1.0–1.2 pips. For high-volume traders, XM Group's Ultra Low account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3.5 per lot commission, making it highly competitive. Oanda's cost structure is simpler but generally higher, with no commission on most accounts but wider spreads. Over 100 trades per month, XM Group can save Italian traders €50–€100 in spread costs compared to Oanda, depending on volume.
| Account Type | Oanda | 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 | Oanda | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (offshore) | Up to 1:100 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:100 | 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 | Oanda | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Oanda |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Oanda |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | Oanda |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Oanda | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Oanda offers its own powerful web and mobile platforms alongside MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and TradingView integration, which appeals to Italian traders who love advanced charting and custom indicators. XM Group also provides MT4 and MT5, with a focus on user-friendly interfaces and fast execution. Both brokers support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). For Italian traders who prioritise a seamless, feature-rich experience, Oanda's proprietary platform is a plus, but XM Group's MT4/MT5 offering is equally robust and more widely used among retail traders in Italy.
| Factor | Oanda | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Oanda |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
XM Group offers instant execution with no requotes on most accounts, ensuring fast trade fills for Italian traders. Oanda uses a no-dealing-desk (NDD) model, providing direct market access and transparency. Both brokers have strong execution speeds, but XM Group's execution is slightly more consistent during high volatility. For scalpers and day traders in Italy, XM Group's execution reliability is a notable benefit.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Oanda and XM Group are regulated by top-tier authorities. Oanda is authorised by the FCA (UK) and has a European entity regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, allowing it to serve Italian clients under MiFID II. XM Group is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and ASIC (Australia), also compliant with MiFID II for European traders. For Italy traders, CONSOB oversees all foreign brokers operating in the country. Both brokers adhere to strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection, ensuring a safe trading environment. XM Group's CySEC regulation is particularly familiar to Italian traders, as many EU brokers operate under similar licences.
| Payment Method | Oanda | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Italy traders with both brokers, but XM Group offers more local options. XM Group supports SEPA bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and PostePay, a popular payment method in Italy. Oanda also accepts SEPA transfers and cards but does not directly support PostePay. Minimum deposits are low: Oanda requires €0 minimum, while XM Group starts at just €5. Withdrawals are free for both brokers, though XM Group processes them faster—often within 24 hours. For Italian traders who prefer using PostePay, XM Group is the clear winner.
| Islamic Account Feature | Oanda | 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 Oanda and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Italy who need to comply with Sharia law. Oanda provides swap-free accounts upon request, but the process may require contacting support. XM Group offers Islamic accounts automatically on its Standard and Micro accounts, with no hidden fees or extra conditions. This makes XM Group the more convenient option for Italian Islamic traders. Both brokers ensure that swap-free accounts are available for all major forex pairs and CFDs, maintaining transparency and fairness.
| Support Feature | Oanda | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Oanda |
XM Group provides Italian-language customer support 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone, with quick response times. Oanda's support is in English and available 24/5, but lacks dedicated Italian assistance. For Italy traders who prefer to communicate in their native language, XM Group offers a significant advantage. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources, but XM Group's localised support is a key differentiator.
| Mobile Feature | Oanda | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Oanda |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Oanda |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | Oanda |
| Resource | Oanda | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Oanda |
Choose Oanda if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For Italy traders in 2025, XM Group is the stronger choice overall. Its lower spreads, support for PostePay and SEPA, dedicated Italian support, and higher score (4.7/5) make it ideal for retail traders seeking cost-effective and convenient trading. Oanda (3.6/5) remains a solid option for those who prioritise advanced tools and direct market access, but its higher costs and lack of local payment methods like PostePay are drawbacks. If you value low costs, local payment convenience, and Italian-language support, XM Group is the better fit. Both brokers are CONSOB-compliant, but XM Group's broader offering for Italian traders gives it the edge.