OANDA vs XM for gold trading
Across the 22 countries we cover, OANDA scores higher in 5 and XM in 2. In 15, 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 | OANDA | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Other countries | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| United States | 70 · CFTC | Not accepted |
| United Kingdom | 85 · FCA | Not accepted |
| EU / EEA | 40 · FSC | 74 · CySEC |
| Australia | 79 · ASIC | 79 · ASIC |
| Canada | 76 · CIRO | 40 · FSC |
| Singapore | 70 · MAS | 40 · FSC |
| Malaysia | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Indonesia | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Thailand | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Vietnam | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Philippines | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| India | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Japan | 70 · JFSA | 40 · FSC |
| Hong Kong | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| UAE | 40 · FSC | 59 · DFSA |
| South Africa | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Kenya | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Nigeria | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| South Korea | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Turkey | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Mongolia | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
| Brazil | 40 · FSC | 40 · FSC |
Side by side
| Founded | 1996 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York, US | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Listed parent | No | No |
| Regulators | CFTC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, JFSA, FSC | CySEC, ASIC, DFSA, FSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, Own | MT4, MT5, Own |
| Minimum gold order | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Swap-free account | No | Yes |
| Protection you actually get | 30 | 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 | 75 | 75 |
Choose OANDA if…
- Retail clients can be served by Tier 1 regulated companies (CFTC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, JFSA).
- In 6 of the 22 countries we cover, your account would sit with a Tier 1–2 regulated company.
- Offers both MT4 and MT5.
- Can be traded directly from TradingView charts.
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 OANDA Global Markets Ltd (FSC), a light offshore regulator.
- No swap-free account.
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 OANDA or XM better for gold trading?
Across the 22 countries we cover, OANDA scores higher in 5 and XM in 2. In 15, 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, OANDA or XM?
In countries without a local licence, OANDA uses OANDA Global Markets Ltd (FSC). 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 OANDA and XM both offer MT5?
OANDA: 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.