HYCM vs XM Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - HYCM or XM?
Our pick: XM
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - XM looks preferable to HYCM.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas HYCM has 4.2/5 and ranks 33.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is HYCM suitable for?
Broker HYCM is suitable for most traders, but some features may not meet the expectations of specific traders.
Who is XM suitable for?
Broker XM is suitable for both novice traders, thanks to educational materials, and experienced traders who value a variety of instruments.
Comparison Table of HYCM and XM
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1976 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, United Arab Emirates | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Seychelles |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | HYCM Review | XM Review |
HYCM Review

HYCM is one of the Forex and CFD market leaders whose reputation is backed by strict regulation by major financial authorities such as the FCA, CySEC and DFSA. This ensures high protection of the client's funds and compliance with regulatory standards. The broker offers a wide range of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, recognized as some of the most reliable and functional in the industry. The variety of trading instruments available allows you to create a diverse investment portfolio, while a rich selection of educational resources supports traders at all stages of their professional development.
HYCM will be most suitable for traders looking for reliability and diversity in the toolkit without worrying about high commissions and a lack of innovative platforms. This broker is ideal for experienced traders who can use the analytical and educational resources provided to improve their trading strategies.
Pros and Cons of HYCM
Pros
- Well-regulated broker.
- An extensive set of educational materials.
- Diversity of trading assets.
Cons
- Absence of proprietary trading platform.
- No social trading.
HYCM is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
XM Review

XM broker offers a wide range of services, making it an attractive option for various traders. With over 1500 trading instruments, extensive educational resources, and numerous trading platforms, XM is ideally suited for beginners and experienced traders. Novice traders will particularly appreciate the accessible educational materials and low entry threshold, while professionals will find the competitive spreads and diversity of instruments appealing.
Pros and Cons of XM
Pros
- Wide range of trading assets.
- Extensive educational resources.
- Tight spreads on the Ultra Low account.
- Many analytical materials.
- Commission-free deposits and withdrawals.
Cons
- Inactivity fee.
- Standard account has a higher spread than the market average.
XM is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1976 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, United Arab Emirates | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Seychelles |
| Regulators |
|
|
HYCM
Broker HYCM provides high reliability and security, being under the control of various strict regulators around the world.
XM
XM is a reliable and well-regulated broker with licenses in key jurisdictions. Segregated accounts, negative balance protection, and a compensation fund make it a safe choice for traders.
Pros
- Licenses from ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, and other regulators
- Segregation of client funds
- Negative balance protection and compensation scheme
Account Opening
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
HYCM
The account opening process at HYCM is simple and convenient, ensuring a smooth start for traders. However, verification and financial profile completion may take time.
Pros
- Quick registration, taking less than 5 minutes.
- Straightforward and understandable registration process.
Cons
- Necessity to fill out a detailed financial profile.
- Minimum deposit of $100 may be high for beginners.
XM
Opening an account with XM is fast and convenient: registration takes only a few minutes, the interface is intuitive, and document requirements are standard.
Pros
- Fast online registration
- Clear and straightforward KYC process
- Ability to open demo and additional accounts
Account Types
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
HYCM
HYCM offers a variety of trading accounts suitable for different levels of experience, but some account types are missing.
XM
XM broker offers various account types to satisfy the needs of different traders, from beginners to professionals.
Pros
- A wide choice of accounts for different experience levels
- Flexible trading conditions (leverage, deposit)
- Specialized accounts for stock trading
Cons
- No ECN or STP accounts
Commissions
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0.1 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| Commission per Lot | $4 |
HYCM
HYCM charges average trading fees and an account inactivity fee.
XM
XM’s fees can be considered competitive: the Ultra Low account offers reduced spreads, while the absence of deposit and withdrawal fees lowers overall costs. With active trading, the conditions are attractive.
Pros
- Reduced spreads on the Ultra Low account
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Ability to lower costs through rebates
Cons
- Above-average spreads on the Standard account
- Inactivity fee applies
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
HYCM
HYCM offers a flexible and cost-effective approach to account funding and withdrawal of funds.
XM
The broker offers convenient deposit and withdrawal methods with zero commission but lacks cryptocurrency support.
Pros
- Zero commission for deposits and withdrawals
- A minimum limit of only 5 dollars
- Quick processing of withdrawal requests
Cons
- No cryptocurrency deposit/withdrawal options
Markets and Products
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 72 | 55 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 4 | 8 |
| Indices | 27 | 50 |
| Stocks | 1080 | 1307 |
| Cryptocurrency | 28 | 58 |
HYCM
HYCM offers a wide range of trading instruments, satisfying the diverse needs of traders.
XM
The broker offers a wide range of markets and products, including over 1500 items.
Pros
- A large selection of currency pairs
- Access to CFDs on various assets
- The ability to trade cryptocurrencies
Trading Platforms
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
HYCM
HYCM offers reliable and functional trading platforms MT4 and MT5, available on various devices and supporting automated trading.
Pros
- Availability of popular and functional platforms MT4 and MT5.
- Extensive capabilities for technical analysis and automated trading.
- Support for many devices, including desktop computers and mobile devices.
Cons
- Lack of a proprietary unique platform.
XM
XM offers various versions of MT4 and MT5 platforms, providing flexibility in trading.
Pros
- Availability on various devices (PC, Mac, mobile)
- MultiTerminal for managing multiple accounts
- WebTrader for browser-based trading
Cons
- No alternatives to MetaTrader
Analytics
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
HYCM
HYCM offers good analytical tools, but the regularity and variety of materials could be improved.
XM
XM’s analytics are well structured and deeply integrated into the platform. Trading Central, market sentiment tools, calendars, and calculators make them useful for both active trading and careful pre-trade analysis.
Pros
- Trading Central integration and XM in-house analysis
- Economic calendar, corporate events, and calculators
- Clear market sentiment tools
Education
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
HYCM
HYCM's educational materials cover a wide range of topics and are available in various formats, making them useful for traders of different levels.
XM
XM's educational materials are extensive and varied, suitable for all experience levels.
Pros
- A wide range of materials: webinars, videos, seminars
- Available in different languages
- Daily online sessions with experts
Customer Support
| Broker | HYCM | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
|
|
| Social Media |
HYCM
HYCM provides efficient and professional technical support, with some nuances.
Pros
- A sufficiently broad range of communication channels.
- Quick and professional response.
- Positive client reviews.
Cons
- Lack of 24/7 support.
- Can only call an international phone number.
- Absence of messenger services among communication channels.
XM
XM’s customer support operates reliably 24/7, offering multiple contact channels and multilingual assistance. Most issues are resolved quickly and professionally, which supports the broker’s high service rating.
Pros
- 24/7 support via chat, email, phone, and messengers
- Multilingual assistance
- Strong knowledge of products and procedures
Comparisons of HYCM and XM with other brokers
Conclusion
XM stands out as the better overall pick, while HYCM trails on aggregate criteria.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 in our rating; HYCM has 4.2/5 and ranks 33.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: HYCM or XM?
XM comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 2) versus HYCM (score 4.2/5, position 33).
Which broker is better for beginners: HYCM or XM?
XM is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — HYCM or XM?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with HYCM and XM?
HYCM: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. XM: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with HYCM and XM?
HYCM: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. XM: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by HYCM and XM?
HYCM: Classic, Fixed, Raw. XM: Standard, Micro, XM Ultra Low, Shares. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by HYCM and XM?
HYCM: Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. XM: Neteller, Skrill, SticPay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — HYCM or XM — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.


