IC Markets vs XM for gold trading
Across the 22 countries we cover, IC Markets scores higher in 19 and XM in 1. In 2, they are tied or neither is available. The winner depends on where you live, because each broker opens your account with a different company in each country.
Score by country
| If you live in | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Other countries | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| United States | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| United Kingdom | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| EU / EEA | 76 · CySEC | 74 · CySEC |
| Australia | 80 · ASIC | 79 · ASIC |
| Canada | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Singapore | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Malaysia | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Indonesia | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Thailand | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Vietnam | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Philippines | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| India | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Japan | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Hong Kong | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| UAE | 41 · FSA | 59 · DFSA |
| South Africa | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Kenya | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Nigeria | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| South Korea | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Turkey | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Mongolia | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
| Brazil | 41 · FSA | 40 · FSC |
Side by side
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Listed parent | No | No |
| Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB | CySEC, ASIC, DFSA, FSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, Own |
| Minimum gold order | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Swap-free account | Yes | Yes |
| Protection you actually get | 26 | 30 |
| Gold trading cost | Not measured yet | Not measured yet |
| Execution under stress | Not measured yet | Not measured yet |
| Money in and out | Not measured yet | Not measured yet |
| Platforms and gold conditions | 95 | 75 |
Choose IC Markets if…
- Retail clients can be served by Tier 1 regulated companies (ASIC).
- Offers both MT4 and MT5.
- Can be traded directly from TradingView charts.
- Swap-free account available.
Watch out for
- Licence details come from the broker’s own pages; our register check is not finished.
- Clients outside its licensed countries are onboarded to Raw Trading Ltd (FSA), a light offshore regulator.
Choose XM if…
- Retail clients can be served by Tier 1 regulated companies (ASIC).
- In 3 of the 22 countries we cover, your account would sit with a Tier 1–2 regulated company.
- Offers both MT4 and MT5.
- Swap-free account available.
Watch out for
- Licence details come from the broker’s own pages; our register check is not finished.
- Clients outside its licensed countries are onboarded to XM Global Ltd (FSC), a light offshore regulator.
Questions
Is IC Markets or XM better for gold trading?
Across the 22 countries we cover, IC Markets scores higher in 19 and XM in 1. In 2, they are tied or neither is available. The winner depends on where you live, because each broker opens your account with a different company in each country.
Which is safer, IC Markets or XM?
In countries without a local licence, IC Markets uses Raw Trading Ltd (FSA). In countries without a local licence, XM uses XM Global Ltd (FSC). In licensed countries, check the table: the company that holds your money decides your protection.
Do IC Markets and XM both offer MT5?
IC Markets: yes. XM: yes.
See also
Data checked: November 2026 · CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Ratings are our opinion, based on the data and rules described in the methodology. They are not investment advice.