InstaForex 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 - InstaForex 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 InstaForex.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas InstaForex has 4.2/5 and ranks 34.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is InstaForex suitable for?
InstaForex is suitable for beginner traders looking for simple conditions and education but may be unsuitable for professionals with large deposits due to wide spreads and low liquidity.
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 InstaForex and XM
| Broker | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Seychelles |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | InstaForex Review | XM Review |
InstaForex Review
InstaForex is a popular broker that offers a wide range of trading instruments and specialized accounts. The unique possibility of accruing interest on the account balance, ForexCopy's automatic transaction copying service, and support for cryptocurrency trading make InstaForex an attractive choice for a variety of traders. Customer support is available round the clock, and account replenishment does not charge any commission, which is a significant plus.
InstaForex is suitable for beginner traders and investors interested in passive income through PAMM accounts, as well as for those looking for innovative features such as cryptocurrency trading and automatic trade copying.
Pros and Cons of InstaForex
Pros
- Large selection of trading instruments.
- PAMM accounts and the ForexCopy automatic trade copying service for passive income.
- 24/7 efficient customer support.
- Wide range of methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
- Decent analytical section.
Cons
- Trading commissions are above average.
- No trading accounts with market execution of orders (ECN or STP).
- Broker commission on fund withdrawals.
InstaForex 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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Seychelles |
| Regulators |
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InstaForex
InstaForex operates through multiple legal entities regulated by various financial authorities. However, it should be noted that these are not the strictest or most authoritative market regulators.
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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InstaForex
Given the lack of minimum deposit requirements and the option to bypass verification for certain funding methods, it can be said that opening an account with InstaForex is maximally convenient and accessible.
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
InstaForex
InstaForex accounts offer sufficiently flexible conditions to meet the needs of most traders.
Pros
- Cent and Islamic accounts are available
- PAMM accounts and copy trading services are provided
Cons
- No market execution of orders
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 2.2/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.7 | |
| Commission per Lot | $3 |
InstaForex
InstaForex offers its clients trading commissions above average compared to other brokers.
Pros
- Transaction commission slightly below market average
- Commission rebates (rebate) are available
Cons
- Inactivity fee is charged
- Withdrawal fees may apply
- Wide spreads
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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InstaForex
InstaForex provides various flexible options for depositing and withdrawing funds, although some fees may be higher than those of some competitors. This disadvantage is offset by the company's offer of advantageous deposit bonuses.
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 108 | 55 |
| Precious Metals | 8 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 6 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 13 | 8 |
| Indices | 21 | 50 |
| Stocks | 1448 | 1307 |
| ETF | 67 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 72 | 58 |
InstaForex
A wide range of trading instruments is available on InstaForex, including 110 currency pairs and various Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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InstaForex
InstaForex offers a wide selection of platforms, which can satisfy the needs of the overwhelming majority of traders.
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
InstaForex
A strong point of InstaForex is its robust analytical section for beginners. The company's analysts publish daily market forecasts, breakdowns of trading situations, and important economic news.
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
InstaForex
InstaForex provides high-quality and diverse educational materials (video tutorials, courses, webinars), benefiting beginners and advanced traders. However, access to the entire training course is open only to owners of trading accounts.
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 | InstaForex | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Telegram
Whatsapp
OK
VK
Viber
Skype
Twitter
Messenger
YouTube
LinkedIn
Facebook
InstagramInstaForex
The technical support of InstaForex demonstrates good customer service, offering various ways to connect and prompt responses to client inquiries.
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 InstaForex and XM with other brokers
Conclusion
XM stands out as the better overall pick, while InstaForex trails on aggregate criteria.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 in our rating; InstaForex has 4.2/5 and ranks 34.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: InstaForex or XM?
XM comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 2) versus InstaForex (score 4.2/5, position 34).
Which broker is better for beginners: InstaForex 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) — InstaForex 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 InstaForex and XM?
InstaForex: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, InstaForex Webtrader. XM: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with InstaForex and XM?
InstaForex: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, 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 InstaForex and XM?
InstaForex: Insta.Standard, Insta.Eurica, Cent.Standard, Cent.Eurica. XM: Standard, Micro, XM Ultra Low, Shares. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by InstaForex and XM?
InstaForex: Skrill, Neteller, YooMoney, PayCo, AstroPay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. XM: Neteller, Skrill, SticPay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — InstaForex or XM — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
