Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing Oanda vs XM Group for Norway traders in 2025, the choice depends on your trading style and priorities. Oanda, with a score of 3.6/5, is a well-established broker known for its powerful proprietary platform and transparent pricing. However, XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, offers lower spreads, a wider range of deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and better overall value for Norwegian retail traders. Both brokers are accessible to Norway clients, but XM Group’s higher rating reflects its superior execution, broader asset coverage, and more flexible account types. For Norway traders looking to minimise costs and maximise trading opportunities, XM Group stands out as the more competitive option.
| 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 |
For Norway traders, trading costs are a critical factor. XM Group offers lower spreads starting from 1 pip on major pairs like EUR/USD, while Oanda’s spreads are typically higher, often starting from 1.2 pips. This difference becomes significant for high-volume traders or scalpers. XM Group also charges low commissions on its standard accounts, whereas Oanda’s cost structure is spread-based with no commissions. Over a month of active trading, XM Group can save Norway traders up to 20% in costs compared to Oanda, especially when trading larger lot sizes.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Norway traders have different platform preferences. Oanda offers its own proprietary platform, which is user-friendly and customisable, plus MetaTrader 4 and TradingView integration. XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are widely used by Norwegian traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group also offers a web trader and mobile apps. For traders who prefer a simple interface, Oanda is good; for those who need advanced tools and EA support, XM Group is better.
| 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 |
Execution quality is vital for Norway traders. XM Group offers ECN execution with no requotes and low latency, making it ideal for scalpers and day traders. Oanda uses a market maker model with some requotes during volatile periods. XM Group’s execution is generally faster and more reliable, especially during news events.
| Safety Factor | Oanda | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is important for Norway traders. Oanda is regulated by top-tier authorities like the FCA and ASIC, but it is not directly supervised by the local financial regulator (Finanstilsynet). XM Group is regulated by CySEC and the FCA, and also complies with EU MiFID II standards. While both brokers are considered safe, XM Group’s adherence to EU regulations provides additional protection for Norwegian clients, including negative balance protection and investor compensation schemes.
| 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 |
Norway traders have several deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. For Oanda, deposits can be made via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, with withdrawals processed within 1-2 business days. XM Group supports the same methods plus additional e-wallets like Perfect Money and local bank transfers. XM Group also offers faster withdrawal processing, often within 24 hours. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but XM Group has a lower minimum deposit ($5) compared to Oanda ($1,000 for bank transfers). USDT TRC20 deposits are particularly useful for crypto-friendly Norway traders.
| 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 |
For Norway Muslim traders, Islamic (swap-free) accounts are available only at XM Group. XM Group offers swap-free accounts on all account types, with no interest on overnight positions. Oanda does not provide Islamic accounts, which means Muslim traders in Norway would incur swap fees on positions held overnight. Therefore, XM Group is the clear choice for traders requiring Sharia-compliant trading conditions.
| 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 |
Customer support for Norway traders is available from both brokers. Oanda offers 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with English as the primary language. XM Group provides 24/5 multilingual support, including Norwegian-speaking agents, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. XM Group’s support is generally faster and more accessible for Norwegian clients.
| 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 Norway retail traders in 2025, XM Group is the superior choice over Oanda. With a higher overall score (4.7/5 vs 3.6/5), lower spreads, faster execution, and more deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, XM Group offers better value and flexibility. While Oanda has a strong platform and reputation, XM Group’s competitive pricing and local payment options make it the preferred broker for most Norwegian traders. Additionally, XM Group’s Islamic account option and compliance with EU regulations provide added benefits for Norway clients.