Joseph Oloo
Written by
Alia Mehmood
Fact-checked by
Updated October 2026Country Guatemala
Data verified
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

IC Markets Vs XM Group 2026: Which Broker Suits Guatemala Traders?

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

IC Markets logo
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA · Founded 2007
Open Account
VS
XM Group logo
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC · Founded 2009
Open Account
Winner: XM Group
Categories: 12 compared
For: Guatemala traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Guatemala 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 Guatemala Muslims
Best for Beginners
XM Group
Better education & support
$200 vs $5
Min deposit
1:5000 vs 1:1000
Max leverage
ASIC vs CySEC
Top regulator
3.6 vs 4.3
Our scores
Table of Contents

Head-to-head comparison

For Guatemala traders exploring forex brokers in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and XM Group is a key decision. Both are globally recognized, regulated by top-tier authorities, and widely used by retail traders in Latin America. IC Markets scores 4.8/5, known for ultra-low spreads, high liquidity, and raw pricing models. XM Group scores 4.7/5, praised for its user-friendly platforms, extensive educational tools, and no re-quotes policy. Guatemala traders benefit from both brokers supporting local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals straightforward. The local financial regulator does not restrict either broker, so you can trade with confidence. Whether you’re a scalper, swing trader, or beginner, this comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and account features tailored to Guatemala’s trading environment.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets logo
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
VS
XM Group logo
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
3.7
4.4
WIN
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.8
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

InstrumentIC MarketsXM 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$200$5IC Markets

IC Markets offers lower trading costs for Guatemala traders, especially on its Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. XM Group’s standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, which is costlier for high-volume traders. For a typical 10-lot trade on EUR/USD, IC Markets costs around $35, while XM Group costs $100. Guatemala traders who trade frequently or with larger volumes will save significantly with IC Markets. XM Group’s fixed spreads appeal to those who prefer predictable costs, but overall, IC Markets is more competitive for active retail traders.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypeIC MarketsXM Group
Standard account✓✓
ECN / Raw spread✓✓
Islamic (swap-free)✓✓
Demo account✓✓
PAMM / MAM account✓✓
Zero spread account✓✓
Copy trading✗✗
Min deposit$200$5
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Guatemala Traders

Entity / AssetIC MarketsXM Group
Guatemala (offshore)Up to 1:5000Up to 1:1000
Forex major pairs1:50001:1000
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 to 1:10
Leverage Warning for Guatemala Traders
Traders in Guatemala typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassIC MarketsXM GroupWinner
Forex pairs90+65+IC Markets
Gold (XAU/USD)✓✓Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)✓✓Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesIC Markets
Crypto CFDs30+20+IC Markets
Stocks / Share CFDs✗✗XM Group
ETFs✗✗Tie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformIC MarketsXM Group
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)✓✓
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)✓✓
cTrader✓✗
TradingView✗✗
Expert Advisors (EAs)✓✓
Scalping allowed✓✓
Hedging allowed✓✓

Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular platforms among Guatemala traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, which offers advanced charting and faster execution for scalpers. XM Group focuses on MT4/MT5 and its own XM WebTrader, which is easy to use for beginners. Guatemala traders with stable internet connections will appreciate IC Markets’ low-latency servers. XM Group’s platforms are more intuitive for new traders, with integrated educational content. Both support mobile trading, essential for Guatemala traders on the go.

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorIC MarketsXM GroupWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNXM Group
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msIC Markets
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowed✓✓Tie
EA / Bot trading✓✓Tie

IC Markets offers ultra-fast execution with no dealing desk intervention and average speeds under 40ms, ideal for scalping Guatemala traders. XM Group provides no re-quotes policy but uses a market execution model with slightly higher latency. For Guatemala traders with fast internet, IC Markets’ execution is superior for high-frequency strategies. XM Group’s execution is reliable for standard trading but may experience slippage during news events. Overall, IC Markets wins for execution quality.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Guatemala Traders

Safety FactorIC MarketsXM Group
Primary regulatorASICASIC
Top-tier regulated✓✓
Investor protection✓✓
Segregated funds✓✓
Neg. balance protection✓✓
IC Markets Global is not FCA-authorised — the FCA has issued a public warning about this entity, and its clients do not have FOS or FSCS protection; verify the specific entity and licence before depositing. For Guatemala traders, neither broker is directly overseen by the local financial regulator, but both comply with international standards. This means your funds are protected by client money segregation and negative balance protection. XM Group’s FCA regulation offers additional investor protection, which may reassure risk-averse traders. IC Markets’ ASIC regulation ensures strict compliance.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Guatemala traders may differ by entity.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for Guatemala

Payment MethodIC MarketsXM Group
Bank Wire Transfer✓✓
Visa / Mastercard✓✓
Skrill✓✓
Neteller✓✓
USDT / Crypto✓✓
Withdrawal timeE-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 daysVisa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days

Guatemala traders can fund their accounts easily at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets processes e-wallet deposits instantly and bank transfers within 1-3 business days, with no deposit fees. XM Group offers similar methods, with minimum deposits as low as $5 (vs. $200 for IC Markets). Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets, while XM Group takes 1-2 business days. Both brokers support withdrawal back to the original payment method, ensuring security. USDT deposits are available on both platforms, providing a crypto-friendly option for Guatemala traders seeking faster transactions. Overall, XM Group is more accessible for smaller accounts, while IC Markets suits higher-volume traders.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Guatemala Muslims

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

Both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Guatemala Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard, with no additional fees. XM Group offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Micro accounts, requiring a simple declaration. Both brokers adhere to Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. Guatemala traders should note that swap-free accounts may have holding period limits (e.g., 30-60 days) on certain instruments. Overall, both brokers accommodate Islamic trading needs, with IC Markets offering more flexibility across account types.

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 FeatureIC MarketsXM GroupWinner
Live chat✓✓Tie
Phone support✓✓Tie
Email support✓✓Tie
24/7 support✗✗Tie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesIC Markets

IC Markets provides 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with Spanish-speaking agents available. XM Group also offers 24/5 support with Spanish language options, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. Guatemala traders will find IC Markets’ round-the-clock support beneficial for after-hours trading. XM Group’s support is more beginner-friendly, with dedicated account managers for larger accounts. Both are responsive, but IC Markets edges ahead for availability.

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeatureIC MarketsXM GroupWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsIC Markets
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsIC Markets
Biometric login✓✓Tie
Push notifications✓✓Tie
Full charting on mobile✓✓Tie
TradingView mobile✗✗Tie
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourceIC MarketsXM GroupWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)✗MonthlyTie
Economic calendar✓✓Tie
Market analysisDailyBasicIC Markets
⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
IC Markets
☆☆☆☆☆
—
54,430 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
XM Group
☆☆☆☆☆
—
2,978 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

IC Markets

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-$200 min deposit
-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? - Guatemala Guide

Choose IC Markets if you...

  • Are a scalper or day trader needing low spreads and fast execution
  • Trade high volumes and want to minimize costs per lot
  • Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and algorithmic trading
  • Need 24/7 customer support in Spanish

Choose XM Group if you...

  • Are a beginner seeking educational resources and demo accounts
  • Prefer fixed spreads for predictable trading costs
  • Want a low minimum deposit of $5 to start trading
  • Value FCA regulation for additional investor protection
❓

FAQ - IC Markets vs XM Group in Guatemala

Is IC Markets or XM Group better for Guatemala?

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Can Guatemala traders use both brokers legally?

+

Which broker has lower spreads for Guatemala traders?

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How do Guatemala traders deposit at IC Markets and XM Group?

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Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Guatemala?

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Final Verdict - Guatemala 2026

XM Group wins overall

For Guatemala traders in 2026, both IC Markets and XM Group are excellent choices, but the best fit depends on your trading style. IC Markets excels with lower spreads, faster execution, and support for high-volume strategies, making it ideal for active retail traders. XM Group offers a more accessible entry point with a $5 minimum deposit, fixed spreads, and robust educational tools, perfect for beginners. Both support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and operate under trusted international regulators. Given the local financial regulator’s neutral stance, Guatemala traders can confidently choose based on their priorities. For cost-conscious scalpers, IC Markets is the winner; for newcomers seeking simplicity, XM Group is the better option.

Open IC MarketsOpen 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 October 2026.
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Score Summary
IC Markets 3.6/5
XM Group Winner4.3/5
Full Reviews
Full IC Markets Review →Full XM Group Review →
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