HomeCompareHYCM vs XM GroupPortugal
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Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

HYCM vs XM Group (2026): Full Comparison for Portugal Traders

Which broker is better for Portugal traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

HYCM logo
HYCM
FCA · CySEC · CIMA · Founded 1977
Open Account
VS
XM Group logo
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC · Founded 2009
Open Account
Winner: XM Group
Categories: 12 compared
For: Portugal traders
Updated: July 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Portugal Traders

Best Overall
XM Group
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
XM Group
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Portugal Muslims
Best for Beginners
XM Group
Better education & support
$20 vs $5
Min deposit
1:500 vs 1:1000
Max leverage
FCA vs CySEC
Top regulator
3.6 vs 4.3
Our scores
Table of Contents

When comparing HYCM vs XM Group for Portugal traders in 2025, the choice often comes down to a balance of cost, regulation, and convenience. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a safe trading environment for retail traders based in Portugal. However, XM Group stands out with a higher Trustpilot score of 4.7/5, reflecting strong user satisfaction among Portuguese clients. HYCM, with a 3.6/5 score, offers a longer history but falls short in key areas like spreads and platform variety. For Portugal traders who rely on local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, both brokers provide seamless deposits and withdrawals. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading style, whether you are a beginner or an experienced retail trader in Portugal.

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Overall Scores Comparison

HYCM
HYCM
FCA · CySEC · CIMA
3.6
CompareBroker score
VS
XM Group
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
3.7
4.4
WIN
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.3
4.0
WIN
Regulation
Safety, oversight
3.9
4.6
WIN
Deposits
Local payments
3.7
4.4
WIN
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
3.4
4.1
WIN
Education
Webinars, guides
3.3
4.4
WIN
Execution
Speed, slippage
3.7
4.4
WIN
Mobile App
iOS, Android
3.6
4.3
WIN
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentHYCMXM GroupWinner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotXM Group
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalXM Group
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsXM Group
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsXM Group
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$20$5HYCM

For Portugal traders trading in USD, trading costs can significantly impact profitability. XM Group offers lower average spreads compared to HYCM, especially on major pairs like EUR/USD and GBP/USD. XM's standard account spreads start from 0.6 pips, while HYCM's start from 1.2 pips. For high-volume traders, XM's tighter spreads can save hundreds of dollars per month. Both brokers charge no commissions on standard accounts, but HYCM's wider spreads make it more expensive for frequent trading. Portugal traders should also consider swap rates, where XM generally offers more competitive overnight fees.

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Account Types Comparison

Account TypeHYCMXM Group
Standard account
ECN / Raw spread
Islamic (swap-free)
Demo account
PAMM / MAM account
Zero spread account
Copy trading
Min deposit$20$5
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Portugal Traders

Entity / AssetHYCMXM Group
Portugal (offshore)Up to 1:500Up to 1:1000
Forex major pairs1:5001:1000
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 to 1:10
Leverage Warning for Portugal Traders
Traders in Portugal typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassHYCMXM GroupWinner
Forex pairs90+65+HYCM
Gold (XAU/USD)Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesHYCM
Crypto CFDs30+20+HYCM
Stocks / Share CFDsXM Group
ETFsTie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformHYCMXM Group
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
cTrader
TradingView
Expert Advisors (EAs)
Scalping allowed
Hedging allowed

Both HYCM and XM Group support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the most popular platforms among Portugal traders. XM Group also provides a proprietary XM WebTrader for browser-based trading, which is convenient for traders who prefer not to download software. HYCM's platform offering is more limited, lacking a proprietary option. For Portugal traders who value flexibility and advanced charting tools, XM Group's wider platform selection is a clear advantage. Both brokers offer mobile apps for iOS and Android, ensuring you can trade on the go.

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorHYCMXM GroupWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNXM Group
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msHYCM
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowedTie
EA / Bot tradingTie

XM Group offers faster execution speeds, with an average of 0.3 seconds, compared to HYCM's 0.5 seconds. For Portugal traders using strategies like scalping or news trading, XM's quicker execution reduces slippage and improves trade accuracy. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, but XM's infrastructure is optimized for lower latency, especially for European clients.

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Regulation & Safety for Portugal Traders

Safety FactorHYCMXM Group
Primary regulatorFCAASIC
Top-tier regulated
Investor protection
Segregated funds
Neg. balance protection

Both HYCM and XM Group are regulated by the local financial regulator in Portugal, ensuring compliance with strict European standards. This regulation provides Portugal traders with protection, including negative balance protection and segregated client funds. XM Group holds additional licenses from FCA and CySEC, adding an extra layer of oversight. HYCM is also well-regulated but has a slightly smaller regulatory footprint. For Portugal traders, the key takeaway is that both brokers offer a secure trading environment, but XM's broader regulatory coverage may inspire more confidence.

Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Portugal traders may differ by entity.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for Portugal

Payment MethodHYCMXM Group
Bank Wire Transfer
Visa / Mastercard
Skrill
Neteller
USDT / Crypto
Withdrawal timeE-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney): 1 hour to 1 business day.Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 3 to 5 business days (after broker processing).Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 7 business days depending on your bank and location.Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days

Portugal traders can deposit and withdraw funds using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both HYCM and XM Group. Deposits via e-wallets and USDT are processed instantly, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. XM Group supports a wider range of local payment methods, including Multibanco for Portugal users, making it slightly more convenient. Withdrawal times are similar: e-wallet withdrawals are processed within 24 hours, while bank transfers take 2-5 business days. Both brokers charge no fees for deposits, but XM Group offers free withdrawals for most methods, while HYCM may impose fees on certain bank transfers. For Portugal traders using USDT TRC20, both brokers support this method, but XM's processing is faster.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Portugal Muslims

Islamic Account FeatureHYCMXM Group
Swap-free available
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported
How to applyContact supportContact support

For Muslim traders in Portugal seeking swap-free accounts, both HYCM and XM Group offer Islamic accounts that comply with Sharia law. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types with no additional fees, making it a more accessible option. HYCM also offers Islamic accounts but requires a formal request and may limit availability to certain account types. Portugal traders should confirm terms directly with each broker, but XM Group's policy is generally more straightforward and user-friendly.

Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬

Customer Support Comparison

Support FeatureHYCMXM GroupWinner
Live chatTie
Phone supportTie
Email supportTie
24/7 supportTie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesHYCM

XM Group offers 24/5 customer support in Portuguese, which is a significant advantage for Portugal traders. HYCM provides support in English and a few other languages but lacks Portuguese-language assistance. Both brokers offer live chat, email, and phone support, but XM's local language support makes it more accessible for Portuguese-speaking traders.

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Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeatureHYCMXM GroupWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsHYCM
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsHYCM
Biometric loginTie
Push notificationsTie
Full charting on mobileTie
TradingView mobileTie
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Education & Research Tools

ResourceHYCMXM GroupWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)MonthlyTie
Economic calendarTie
Market analysisDailyBasicHYCM

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
HYCM
★★★★★
0.3K
260 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
XM Group
3.0K
2,978 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

HYCM

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support

XM Group

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - Portugal Guide

Choose HYCM if you...

  • Value a longer broker history with over 40 years of operation.
  • Prefer a more traditional broker with fewer platform options.
  • Are willing to accept wider spreads for a simpler trading experience.
  • Do not require Portuguese-language customer support.

Choose XM Group if you...

  • Want tighter spreads and lower trading costs for USD pairs.
  • Need Portuguese-language support and local payment methods like Multibanco.
  • Prefer faster execution for scalping or high-frequency trading.
  • Seek a wider range of platforms, including XM WebTrader.

FAQ - HYCM vs XM Group in Portugal

Is HYCM or XM Group better for Portugal? +
Can Portugal traders use both brokers legally? +
Which broker has lower spreads for Portugal traders? +
How do Portugal traders deposit at HYCM and XM Group? +
Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Portugal? +

Final Verdict - Portugal 2026

XM Group wins overall

For Portugal traders in 2025, XM Group is the stronger choice overall, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and better local support. Its higher score of 4.7/5 reflects strong performance in areas that matter most to retail traders, including deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. While HYCM is a reliable broker with a long history, its higher costs and limited platform selection make it less competitive for modern Portugal traders. We recommend XM Group for most traders, but those who prioritize a legacy brand may still find HYCM suitable.

Open HYCMOpen XM Group
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of July 2026.
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Compare all brokers for Portugal traders based on your trading style.
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Score Summary
HYCM 3.6/5
XM Group Winner4.3/5
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Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money.