Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore has established itself as a leading financial hub in Asia, and its traders demand brokerages that offer speed, transparency, and local payment convenience. XM Group and FXTM are two of the most popular international brokers among Singapore residents, each bringing distinct strengths to the table. XM Group, with a Trustpilot score of 4.7/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads, no hidden fees, and a wide range of account types tailored for both beginners and seasoned traders. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, appeals to traders who value educational resources, advanced trading tools, and a strong global presence. Both brokers accept Singapore clients and support local payment methods like PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. However, differences in regulation, spread costs, and platform offerings can significantly impact your trading experience. This comparison provides a detailed, Singapore-specific analysis to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and financial goals.
| 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 |
For Singapore traders, trading costs directly affect profitability, especially for high-frequency or high-volume strategies. XM Group offers a competitive edge with its Zero Account, where EUR/USD spreads start from 0 pips plus a $3.5 commission per lot round turn. In contrast, FXTM's Standard Account has spreads starting from 1.3 pips with no commission. Over 100 lots per month, XM Group's cost advantage becomes substantial—potentially saving Singapore traders hundreds of SGD. Both brokers offer Micro and Standard accounts for lower-volume traders, but XM Group consistently delivers tighter spreads on major pairs. Additionally, XM Group does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees, while FXTM may apply fees for certain withdrawal methods. For cost-conscious Singapore traders, XM Group is the clear winner.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (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 provide the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely preferred by Singapore traders for their advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and fast execution. XM Group also offers a proprietary XM WebTrader for browser-based trading, while FXTM provides the FXTM Trader app for mobile trading. For Singapore traders who rely on algorithmic trading or custom indicators, both brokers support EAs seamlessly. However, XM Group's platform suite is slightly more polished with lower latency, which is crucial for traders in Singapore's fast-paced environment. FXTM's platform excels in user-friendliness for beginners, but XM Group's platform performance gives it an edge for sophisticated investors.
| 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 paramount for Singapore traders, especially those using scalping or high-frequency strategies. XM Group offers Straight Through Processing (STP) execution with an average order execution speed of 0.002 seconds, with no requotes on most accounts. FXTM uses a combination of STP and ECN execution, with speeds around 0.003 seconds. Both brokers allow scalping and hedging, but XM Group's lower latency and consistent execution make it the preferred choice for active traders.
| 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 Singapore traders, even when trading with offshore brokers. Neither XM Group nor FXTM is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), but both hold licenses from reputable international bodies. XM Group is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). FXTM is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. While MAS regulation would offer the highest level of local protection, these licenses ensure that both brokers adhere to strict capital adequacy, client fund segregation, and negative balance protection standards. Singapore traders should verify the specific entity they trade under, as conditions may vary by region.
| 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. |
Singapore traders benefit from multiple convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both XM Group and FXTM. XM Group supports PayNow, local Bank Transfer in SGD, and Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard). Deposits via PayNow are processed instantly and without fees, making it ideal for quick account funding. FXTM also accepts PayNow, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, with similar instant processing for e-wallet methods. Minimum deposits are low—$5 for XM Group's Micro account and $10 for FXTM's Standard account. Withdrawals at both brokers are typically processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 business days for bank transfers. XM Group does not charge withdrawal fees, while FXTM may impose a small fee for certain methods. For Singapore traders, XM Group's zero-fee policy and broader PayNow integration give it a slight advantage.
| 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 |
Both XM Group and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Singapore Muslim traders who need to comply with Sharia law, which prohibits earning or paying interest (riba). XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Micro, Standard, and Zero, with no swap fees on overnight positions. FXTM offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Cent accounts, but not on its ECN or Shares accounts. XM Group's policy is more inclusive, allowing all traders to switch to a swap-free account regardless of their account type. Both brokers require a declaration of faith or a request to activate the Islamic account. For Singapore Muslim traders, XM Group's broader availability of Islamic accounts makes it the more accommodating choice.
| 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 XM Group and FXTM, with multilingual teams including English and Mandarin. XM Group offers live chat, phone support, and email, with response times typically under 30 seconds for live chat. FXTM also provides similar channels but has slightly longer wait times during peak hours. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For Singapore traders, XM Group's faster response and dedicated local phone number give it an edge in support.
| 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 sophisticated investors in Singapore's financial hub, XM Group stands out as the superior choice due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and more comprehensive local payment support including PayNow and Bank Transfer without fees. Its 4.7/5 Trustpilot score reflects strong client satisfaction, especially among active traders. While FXTM offers valuable educational tools and a broader product range, XM Group's cost efficiency and regulatory backing from the FCA and CySEC make it more suitable for traders focused on profitability. Although neither broker is MAS-regulated, both adhere to strict international standards. Ultimately, XM Group's combination of low costs, local payment convenience, and robust platform performance gives it the edge for Singapore traders seeking a competitive edge in 2026.