Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore is one of Asia’s most dynamic financial hubs, and local traders demand brokers that combine low costs, strong regulation, and local payment convenience. XM Group (rated 4.7/5) and Libertex (rated 3.7/5) are two international brokers popular in Singapore, but they serve different trader profiles. XM Group is a MAS-regulated broker offering deep liquidity, tight spreads, and advanced trading tools for sophisticated investors. Libertex is a user-friendly broker with a simple web platform and social trading features, but it lacks MAS regulation and local payment options like PayNow. For Singapore traders who value regulatory safety, low trading costs, and fast local deposits, XM Group is the clear leader. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, deposit methods, and more—all tailored to the Singapore market.
| Instrument | XM Group | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 | Libertex |
For Singapore traders, trading costs are a key factor, especially for high-volume forex and CFD trading. XM Group offers spreads from 0.6 pips on Standard accounts and from 0.0 pips on Zero accounts (with a $3.50 commission per lot). Libertex spreads start from 0.7 pips on major pairs but can be wider on exotics, and the broker charges a spread markup on some instruments. Over 100 trades per month, XM Group can save a Singapore trader 15-30% in costs compared to Libertex. XM Group also offers a loyalty program that reduces spreads for active traders.
| Account Type | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the gold standard for professional traders in Singapore. These platforms offer advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and hundreds of indicators. Libertex uses its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is intuitive for beginners but lacks the depth and automation features that sophisticated Singapore traders need. XM Group also offers a web trader and mobile apps with full functionality, making it the better choice for traders who rely on technical analysis and automated strategies.
| Factor | XM Group | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 |
XM Group offers straight-through processing (STP) execution with no requotes and an average execution speed of 0.1 seconds. Libertex uses a market maker model, which can result in slippage and requotes during volatile market conditions. For Singapore traders who trade during major news events, XM Group’s execution is more reliable and transparent.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Singapore traders. XM Group is authorized and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), offering a high level of investor protection, including negative balance protection and access to FIDReC for dispute resolution. Libertex is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and other offshore bodies, but it is not MAS-regulated. For Singapore traders who prioritize safety and local oversight, XM Group is the only MAS-regulated broker in this comparison.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 business days |
Both brokers support SGD deposits, but XM Group offers superior local payment options for Singapore traders. XM Group accepts PayNow (instant, no fees), Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours and can be done via the same methods. Libertex accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits but does not support PayNow. Withdrawals at Libertex can take 2-5 business days. For Singapore traders who want instant deposits via PayNow and faster withdrawals, XM Group is the clear winner.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Libertex offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in Singapore. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types with no additional fees and no time limit on holding positions. Libertex also offers Islamic accounts but may charge an administration fee if positions are held beyond a certain period (typically 10 days). For long-term holding of Islamic accounts, XM Group is the more cost-effective and transparent choice for Singapore Muslim traders.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Libertex | 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 provides 24/5 customer support in English and Chinese, with a dedicated Singapore phone line and live chat. Libertex offers 24/5 support via email and live chat but does not have a local Singapore contact number. XM Group also has a local office in Singapore, which adds an extra layer of convenience for traders who prefer face-to-face assistance.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | XM Group |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For sophisticated Singapore traders, XM Group is the superior choice. It is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), offers tighter spreads, supports PayNow deposits, and provides advanced platforms like MT4 and MT5. Libertex is easier to use for beginners but falls short in regulation, costs, and local payment options. If you are a serious trader in Singapore’s financial hub, XM Group delivers the safety, speed, and cost-efficiency you need. Libertex may suit casual traders, but for professional-grade trading, XM Group wins decisively.