Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Norway traders looking to enter the forex market in 2026, choosing between XM Group and FXTM is a common challenge. Both brokers are well-established, offer competitive trading conditions, and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, they differ in key areas that matter to Norwegian retail traders. XM Group holds a higher overall rating of 4.7/5 compared to FXTM's 4.3/5, reflecting its superior spreads, faster execution, and more flexible account options. Norway traders often prioritize low costs and reliable regulation, and XM's Micro and Standard accounts cater well to both beginners and experienced traders. FXTM, on the other hand, stands out with its extensive educational materials and advanced trading tools, making it a strong choice for traders who value learning and analysis. Both brokers accept Norwegian clients and offer accounts denominated in USD, which is common for international forex trading. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading style and local needs in Norway.
| Instrument | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 | FXTM |
When comparing trading costs for Norway traders, XM Group has a clear advantage. XM's Standard account offers spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, while FXTM's Standard account starts at 1.2 pips. For a Norwegian trader executing 50 trades per month with an average volume of 1 lot, the difference in spreads can save hundreds of dollars annually with XM. Both brokers charge no commission on standard accounts, but XM's tighter spreads mean lower overall costs. FXTM's ECN account has lower spreads but charges a commission, which may be suitable for high-volume traders. XM also offers a Micro account for smaller lot sizes, ideal for beginners in Norway. Overall, for cost-conscious traders, XM Group is the more economical choice.
| Account Type | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:3000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:3000 |
| 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 | FXTM | 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+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and FXTM offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are popular among Norway traders for their reliability and advanced charting tools. XM also provides its own XM WebTrader for browser-based trading, while FXTM offers a proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile users. For Norway traders who value fast execution and custom indicators, MT4 and MT5 are excellent choices. FXTM's platforms come with additional features like economic calendars and market analysis, which can be beneficial for traders who rely on fundamental analysis. Both brokers support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), a key requirement for algorithmic traders in Norway.
| Factor | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 |
Execution quality is crucial for Norway traders, especially those trading volatile pairs like USD/NOK. XM Group boasts an average execution speed of under 0.2 seconds with no requotes, thanks to its No Dealing Desk (NDD) model. FXTM also offers fast execution, averaging 0.3 seconds, but some traders report occasional slippage during high volatility. XM's superior execution speed and reliability make it the better choice for scalpers and day traders in Norway.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical factor for Norway traders. XM Group is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, while FXTM holds licenses from CySEC, the FCA, and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. Neither broker is directly regulated by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority (Finanstilsynet), but both comply with EU regulations like MiFID II, which offers strong investor protection. For Norway traders, this means your funds are held in segregated accounts, and you have access to negative balance protection. XM's longer track record (since 2009) and higher regulatory standing give it a slight edge in trustworthiness.
| Payment Method | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is smooth for Norway traders with both brokers. XM Group and FXTM support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. XM offers instant deposits via Skrill and Neteller, with no fees, and bank transfers typically take 1-3 business days. FXTM also processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly but may charge a small fee for certain bank transfers. Both brokers accept USDT TRC20, a popular choice for traders in Norway who prefer cryptocurrency transactions. Minimum deposit is $5 for XM and $10 for FXTM. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers. XM's faster processing times and lower minimum deposit make it more accessible for Norwegian retail traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Norway, both XM Group and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. XM provides Islamic accounts on all its account types (Micro, Standard, and XM Ultra Low), while FXTM offers them only on Standard and Cent accounts. To activate an Islamic account, traders need to submit a request, and both brokers approve it within 24-48 hours. XM's broader availability of Islamic accounts gives it an edge for Norway traders who require swap-free trading across different account types. Both brokers ensure no hidden fees or swap charges on overnight positions.
| Support Feature | XM Group | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
Customer support is available 24/5 for both brokers, with English being the primary language. XM Group offers phone, email, and live chat support, with a response time of under 2 minutes for live chat. FXTM also provides multilingual support, including Norwegian language assistance on request. XM's support team is known for being more responsive and helpful, which is beneficial for Norway traders who may need quick assistance during European trading hours.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | 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 FXTM if you...
For Norway traders in 2026, XM Group is the stronger overall choice, with a higher rating of 4.7/5, lower spreads, faster execution, and better support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its lower minimum deposit and Islamic account availability make it accessible to a wider range of retail traders. FXTM is a solid alternative, particularly for beginners who value education and advanced tools, but its higher spreads and fewer Islamic account options put it behind. Both brokers are reliable and compliant with EU regulations, giving Norway traders peace of mind. Ultimately, if cost and speed are your priorities, choose XM Group; if learning and analysis matter more, FXTM is a good fit.