Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore traders looking for a reliable forex broker often narrow their search to XM Group and Admirals, two globally recognised names with strong local presence. XM Group holds a 4.7/5 rating and is known for its low-cost trading environment, while Admirals scores 4.1/5 and appeals to traders who value advanced analytics and educational resources. Both brokers are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), giving you the confidence that your funds are protected under local laws. In this comparison, we dive into spreads, platforms, deposit methods including PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, and regulatory safeguards specifically for Singapore-based traders. Whether you are a sophisticated investor or a financial hub trader, this guide will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs.
| Instrument | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 | Admirals |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are a critical factor. XM Group offers tighter spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD (from 0.6 pips on Standard account) and USD/SGD (from 1.0 pips). Admirals' spreads start from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD and 1.3 pips on USD/SGD. If you trade high volumes, XM’s Zero account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus $3.5 per lot commission is more cost-effective than Admirals’ Zero account at 0.2 pips plus $3 per lot. Swap rates for holding positions overnight are also slightly lower at XM, benefiting swing traders. Overall, XM Group provides a cheaper trading environment for most Singapore traders.
| Account Type | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the gold standards for forex trading. XM Group also provides its own XM WebTrader for browser-based trading. Admirals stands out with its MetaTrader Supreme Edition plugin, which adds advanced tools like sentiment analysis and correlation matrix – a big plus for sophisticated investors in Singapore. For mobile trading, both brokers have well-rated apps. If you want raw MT4/MT5, XM is simpler. If you want enhanced analytics, Admirals is better.
| Factor | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Both brokers offer fast execution with no requotes. XM Group executes orders in under 1 second on average, using STP/ECN technology. Admirals also offers ECN execution with average speeds of 1-2 seconds. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Singapore, XM’s slightly faster execution and tighter spreads give it an edge. Both brokers offer negative balance protection as required by MAS.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and Admirals are regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), ensuring compliance with strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules. XM Group also holds licences from CySEC and FCA, while Admirals is regulated by the FCA and BaFin. For Singapore traders, MAS regulation means your funds are held in segregated accounts with local banks, and you are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for UK entities if applicable. This dual-layer protection makes both brokers equally safe for local traders.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Singapore traders. Both XM Group and Admirals support PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. XM Group processes PayNow deposits instantly with zero fees, making it ideal for quick top-ups. Admirals also offers instant PayNow but may take up to 1 hour for first-time deposits. Bank transfers take 1-2 business days at both brokers, with no fees charged by the broker. Credit Card deposits are instant; XM charges 0% fees, while Admirals charges 1.5%. For withdrawals, XM processes within 24 hours via PayNow or bank transfer, while Admirals takes 1-3 business days. XM is faster and cheaper for local payments.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Muslim traders in Singapore, both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. XM Group provides swap-free status on all account types with no time limit, making it ideal for long-term position traders. Admirals offers Islamic accounts but applies a swap-free fee after 30 days for positions held overnight, which can add costs. XM Group is the more accommodating choice for Singapore Muslim traders who need a true swap-free environment.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Singapore hotline. Admirals also provides 24/5 support but has limited weekend hours. Response times are faster at XM (under 2 minutes on chat) compared to Admirals (3-5 minutes). Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections in English. XM’s local support is more responsive for Singapore traders.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Admirals if you...
For Singapore traders, XM Group is the clear winner with a 4.7/5 rating, lower spreads, faster PayNow deposits, and a better Islamic account policy. Its MAS regulation and local payment support make it a perfect fit for sophisticated investors in the financial hub. Admirals (4.1/5) is a solid alternative if you prioritise advanced trading tools and educational content, but its higher spreads and slower withdrawals are drawbacks. For most traders in Singapore, XM Group offers the best balance of cost, speed, and safety.