Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Norway traders seeking a reliable forex broker face a choice between two industry leaders: XM Group, rated 4.7/5, and Tickmill, rated 4/5. Both brokers cater to retail traders with competitive conditions, but they differ in key areas that matter to Norwegian clients. XM Group stands out with its extensive product range, including over 55 currency pairs and CFDs on indices, commodities, and stocks, alongside a low $5 minimum deposit. Tickmill, on the other hand, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads and transparent pricing model, ideal for cost-conscious traders. For Norway residents, local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 are supported by both brokers, ensuring smooth deposits and withdrawals. The local financial regulator does not directly oversee these brokers, so traders must rely on offshore licenses (e.g., FCA, CySEC) for protection. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, whether you prioritize spreads, account flexibility, or local payment convenience.
| Instrument | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | Tickmill |
When comparing trading costs for Norway traders, Tickmill has a clear advantage in spread pricing. Its Raw account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a small commission of $3 per lot per side, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. XM Group's Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, but its Micro account can be cheaper for small trades. For a Norway trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, Tickmill's total cost might be around $60 in commissions vs. XM's spread cost of $100 (at 1.0 pips). However, XM's Zero account with spreads from 0.0 pips and $5 commission per lot offers a middle ground. Overall, Tickmill is more cost-effective for active traders, while XM suits those who prefer no-commission simplicity.
| Account Type | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Tickmill | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and Tickmill offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely used by Norway traders for their advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), and mobile access. XM also provides its own XM WebTrader for browser-based trading, while Tickmill adds a mobile-friendly app for on-the-go trading. For Norway traders, MT5 is particularly useful for multi-asset trading across forex, stocks, and commodities. Both brokers support VPS hosting for EAs, which is crucial for Norwegian scalpers needing low latency. Platform stability is excellent on both sides, but XM's extra proprietary platform gives it a slight edge in flexibility.
| Factor | XM Group | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 critical for Norway traders, especially scalpers. Tickmill offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 0.2 seconds and no requotes on its Raw account, thanks to its STP/ECN model. XM Group also provides reliable execution with an average speed of 0.3 seconds and a no-dealing-desk policy on its Zero account. Both brokers offer negative balance protection. Tickmill's execution is marginally better for high-frequency trading, while XM's execution is consistent for all account types.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a critical consideration for Norway traders. XM Group is regulated by multiple authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), providing strong investor protection through compensation schemes like the FSCS (up to £85,000). Tickmill is regulated by the FCA and CySEC as well, plus the Seychelles FSA for its international arm. However, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in Norway. This means Norway traders are not covered by the Norwegian investor compensation scheme. Both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds, but XM's multi-regulatory oversight adds an extra layer of security. Norway traders should verify the specific entity they open an account with and understand the regulatory safeguards applicable.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days, Credit/Debit Cards: Up to 8 working days. |
Norway traders can fund their accounts at both XM Group and Tickmill using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, among other methods. XM Group supports a wider range of options including credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Tickmill focuses on the core methods. Deposits are typically instant with e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) and USDT TRC20, while Bank Transfer may take 1-3 business days. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but Norway traders should check for any intermediary bank charges on wire transfers. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers. XM Group offers a slightly faster withdrawal process with no fees, while Tickmill may charge a small fee for certain methods. USDT TRC20 is a convenient option for crypto-friendly Norway traders, offering low fees and quick processing.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Norway traders who require them due to religious beliefs. XM provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Micro, Standard, Zero) upon request, with no additional conditions for most clients. Tickmill offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw accounts, but traders must apply and may face restrictions on holding positions for extended periods without swap charges. For Norway Muslim traders, XM's policy is more straightforward, as it does not impose time limits or volume requirements. Tickmill's Islamic accounts are also reliable but may have stricter conditions. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged on overnight positions, aligning with Sharia law.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Tickmill | 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 in Norwegian at both XM Group and Tickmill, with 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support. XM Group offers 24/7 support for its premium clients, which is beneficial for Norway traders in different time zones. Tickmill's support is responsive but limited to weekday hours. Both brokers provide comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources in Norwegian. XM's multilingual team and instant chat responses give it a slight advantage.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 Tickmill if you...
For Norway traders, the choice between XM Group and Tickmill ultimately depends on your trading priorities. XM Group (4.7/5) is the better all-rounder, offering lower barriers to entry, diverse assets, and robust regulatory protection from multiple authorities. It supports all local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. Tickmill (4/5) excels in cost efficiency with its raw spreads and fast execution, ideal for active traders who want to minimize costs. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, so Norway traders should proceed with caution and choose the entity that best fits their risk tolerance. If you value flexibility and security, go with XM Group. If you prioritize low spreads and execution speed, Tickmill is your best bet. Both are excellent choices for Norway's retail forex community.