Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australian traders seeking ASIC-regulated brokers, XM Group (rated 4.7/5) and FxPro (rated 4.1/5) are two prominent choices. Both hold Australian Financial Services Licences (AFSL) and offer local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits. However, XM Group stands out with higher overall ratings, lower trading costs, and a more extensive range of tradable instruments. FxPro, while known for excellent execution and a sophisticated ECN platform, lags behind in cost efficiency and deposit flexibility. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Australian traders: spreads, local payment integration, ASIC compliance, and account types. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities, understanding these differences will help you choose the broker that aligns with your trading style and budget.
| Instrument | XM Group | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FxPro |
For Australian traders, spread costs are a critical factor. XM Group offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips on AUD/USD across its standard accounts, while FxPro’s standard account averages 1.2 pips. On major pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD, XM consistently undercuts FxPro by 0.3–0.5 pips. Volume traders benefit significantly: a trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD saves approximately $120 AUD monthly with XM Group. FxPro’s Raw+ account can narrow spreads to 0.0 pips but requires a $500 USD minimum deposit and a commission per lot, making it less accessible. Overall, XM Group provides better value for Australian traders focused on cost efficiency.
| Account Type | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (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 | FxPro | 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+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Australian traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. XM Group also provides its own XM WebTrader, while FxPro offers cTrader for ECN-style trading. For Australian traders, MT4/MT5 compatibility is essential for using custom indicators and Expert Advisors (EAs). XM Group’s platforms are fully mobile-optimized and support Australian time zone trading. FxPro’s cTrader is ideal for scalpers but requires higher minimum deposits. Both brokers offer demo accounts, but XM Group’s are unlimited.
| Factor | XM Group | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| 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, but FxPro is known for its ECN execution model with no requotes. XM Group uses a market execution model with average execution speeds of 0.4 seconds. For Australian traders trading volatile pairs like AUD/USD during Sydney open, FxPro’s ECN model may provide slightly better slippage control. However, XM Group’s execution is still reliable and suitable for most trading strategies.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and FxPro are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), providing Australian traders with strong investor protection. XM Group operates under AFSL 443670, while FxPro holds AFSL 391441. ASIC regulation means both brokers adhere to strict client money segregation rules, leverage limits (1:30 for retail clients), and negative balance protection. XM Group also has additional oversight from CySEC and FCA, adding an extra layer of security. For Australian traders, ASIC compliance ensures that funds are held in trust accounts with authorized Australian banks, a key factor when choosing a broker.
| Payment Method | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 business day |
Australian traders have access to multiple local payment methods at both brokers. XM Group processes BPAY and POLi deposits instantly with zero fees, while Bank Transfers and Credit Card deposits are also supported. Minimum deposit at XM Group is just $5 USD, making it highly accessible. FxPro also accepts BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, but requires a minimum deposit of $100 USD. Withdrawals are faster at XM Group, typically processed within 24 hours via Bank Transfer. FxPro’s withdrawal times can take 2–5 business days. For Australian traders, XM Group’s lower minimums and faster processing make it more convenient for regular deposits and withdrawals.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XM Group and FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Australian Muslim traders. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on all account types with no additional fees or time limits, making it ideal for long-term position holders. FxPro also offers Islamic accounts but charges a small administration fee after 30 days. For Australian traders who require Sharia-compliant trading, XM Group’s policy is more favorable. Both brokers require verification of faith or a declaration of religious belief to access these accounts.
| Support Feature | XM Group | FxPro | 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 with a dedicated Australian phone line (1800 number) and live chat. FxPro also provides 24/5 support but lacks a local Australian number. Response times for XM Group average under 30 seconds, while FxPro’s live chat can take 2–3 minutes. For Australian traders, XM Group’s local support and faster response times are a clear advantage.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | FxPro | 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 | FxPro | 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 FxPro if you...
For Australian traders, XM Group is the clear winner with a higher overall rating (4.7 vs 4.1), lower spreads, and more convenient local payment options including BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card. Its ASIC regulation, fast withdrawals, and favorable Islamic account policy further strengthen its appeal. FxPro remains a solid choice for traders prioritizing ECN execution and cTrader platform, but its higher costs and slower deposit/withdrawal processes make it less competitive for the average Australian trader. If you value cost efficiency, accessibility, and local payment integration, XM Group is the recommended broker for 2026.