Quick Verdict — Spain 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 Spain Muslims
Best for Beginners
XM Group
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:1000
Max leverage
ASIC vs CySEC
Top regulator
Head-to-head comparison
Choosing between IC Markets and XM Group is a key decision for Spain retail traders in 2026. IC Markets scores 4.8/5 and is known for ultra-low spreads (from 0.0 pips) and raw pricing, ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders in Madrid or Barcelona. XM Group scores 4.7/5 and offers a lower $5 minimum deposit, a wider platform selection (including MT4, MT5, and XM WebTrader), and strong educational resources for Spanish-speaking beginners. Both brokers accept local deposit methods popular in Spain—Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT—making fund management easy. Both are regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC) and comply with ESMA leverage limits for Spanish retail clients. Whether you trade forex, indices, or commodities from Spain, this comparison helps you find the right broker for your trading style and budget.
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Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
VS

XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
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Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 | IC Markets |
For Spain traders, trading costs are critical. IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3.50 commission per lot round turn, making it ideal for scalpers and day traders. XM Group offers Zero accounts with spreads from 0.6 pips and no commission, or Standard accounts with spreads from 1.0 pips and no commission. Over 100 lots per month, IC Markets saves Spain traders approximately $200 in spread costs compared to XM Group. However, XM Group’s Standard account is cheaper for low-volume traders (under 10 lots/month) due to no commission. Both brokers have no hidden fees for Spanish bank transfers or e-wallet deposits.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 |
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Leverage Comparison - Spain Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Spain (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:1000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for Spain Traders
Traders in Spain 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 Class | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 servers for ultra-low latency execution (under 1ms), ideal for Spain scalpers and algorithmic traders. XM Group offers market execution with no requotes on most accounts, but average execution speeds are around 10-20ms. For high-frequency trading, IC Markets is superior. For retail swing traders, XM Group’s execution is reliable and sufficient.
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Regulation & Safety for Spain Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| 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.
XM Group is regulated by the FCA,
ASIC,
CySEC, and also the
IFSC (Belize). Both brokers comply with ESMA leverage limits (1:30 for major forex pairs) for retail clients in Spain. The local financial regulator (CNMV) oversees compliance with EU directives.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Spain traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Spain
| Payment Method | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Spain traders can fund accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $5, while XM Group starts at just $5. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days and are free for EUR transfers. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant with no fees from either broker. USDT deposits are processed via TRC20 or ERC20 and arrive within minutes (network fees apply). Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours, while XM Group typically processes within 48 hours. Both brokers do not charge internal withdrawal fees, but bank intermediary fees may apply for Spain bank transfers.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Spain Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
IC Markets offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Spain Muslim traders with no swap charges on overnight positions. The minimum deposit is $200, and the account must be requested via support. XM Group also provides Islamic accounts with a much lower $5 minimum deposit, making it more accessible for new traders. Both brokers allow swaps on positions held over the weekend, but no additional fees are charged. For Spain’s Muslim community, XM Group’s lower entry barrier and straightforward application process are advantageous, while IC Markets suits those who trade larger volumes and want tighter spreads.
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
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Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in English and Spanish. Response times are under 5 minutes for live chat. XM Group provides 24/5 support (Monday to Friday) via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Spanish-speaking agents. XM also has a comprehensive FAQ and video tutorials in Spanish. For Spain traders, XM Group’s Spanish-language resources are more extensive, but IC Markets’ 24/7 availability is better for weekend traders.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
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Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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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
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Spain Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or day trader needing ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Trade high volumes (over 50 lots/month) and want raw pricing
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and fast execution
- Need 24/7 customer support for weekend trading
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner with a small budget (minimum deposit $5)
- Want a wide range of platforms including web-based trading
- Value Spanish-language educational resources and support
- Prefer no-commission trading on Standard accounts
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FAQ - IC Markets vs XM Group in Spain
Is IC Markets or XM Group better for Spain?
+Can Spain traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Spain traders?
+How do Spain traders deposit at IC Markets and XM Group?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Spain?
+Final Verdict - Spain 2026
XM Group wins overall
For Spain retail traders in 2026, both IC Markets and XM Group are excellent choices, but they serve different needs. IC Markets (3.6/5) wins for low-cost, high-speed trading with spreads from 0.0 pips and cTrader—ideal for active traders in Madrid and Barcelona. XM Group (4.3/5) is better for beginners with a $5 minimum deposit, extensive Spanish support, and no-commission accounts. Both accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits easy for Spain users. Regulation by the FCA and CySEC ensures safety under the CNMV’s oversight. If you trade frequently and prioritize low spreads, choose IC Markets. If you’re starting out or want a user-friendly platform, XM Group is your best bet.
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.