IC Markets vs XM Group: Which Broker is Better for Ukraine Traders in 2026?

For Ukraine traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when trading high volumes. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, while XM Group’s standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. On a typical trade of 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets costs approximately $70 in commissions plus variable spreads, whereas XM Group costs around $100 in spreads alone. For lower-volume traders, XM Group may be more cost-effective due to zero commissions. Both brokers offer competitive pricing, but IC Markets is generally cheaper for active Ukraine traders.

Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Ukraine traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform known for its intuitive interface and depth of market, ideal for scalpers. XM Group offers its own XM WebTrader, which is accessible without download and features one-click trading. For Ukraine traders with varying internet reliability, XM’s web-based platform may be more convenient, while IC Markets’ cTrader offers superior execution speed for high-frequency strategies.

IC Markets is known for its ultra-fast execution, with average speeds under 40 milliseconds on its Raw Spread account, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Ukraine. XM Group offers execution speeds of around 100 milliseconds, which is still competitive but slower than IC Markets. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, ensuring no requotes. For Ukraine traders with high-volume strategies, IC Markets’ speed advantage can reduce slippage and improve trade outcomes.

IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while XM Group is regulated by CySEC, the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in Ukraine, but both operate under international licenses that accept Ukraine clients. This means Ukraine traders are protected by client fund segregation and negative balance protection, though they may not have access to local dispute resolution. XM Group’s CySEC regulation offers additional investor compensation up to €20,000, which can be reassuring for smaller traders.

Ukraine traders can fund their accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets supports instant deposits via Skrill and Neteller with no fees, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. XM Group offers similar options, with Skrill and Neteller deposits processed instantly and bank transfers taking 2-5 business days. USDT deposits are available at both brokers, with IC Markets accepting USDT on the Ethereum network (ERC-20) and XM Group supporting multiple crypto networks. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at both brokers, though bank transfers may incur intermediary fees. For Ukraine traders, using Skrill or Neteller is the fastest and most cost-effective method, while USDT provides an alternative for those preferring crypto.

For Ukraine Muslim traders requiring Sharia-compliant accounts, both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight swap fees, allowing traders to hold positions indefinitely without interest. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, while XM Group offers them automatically on all accounts for clients from Muslim-majority regions. XM Group’s Islamic accounts also include a free VPS service for active traders, which can be beneficial for Ukraine traders using automated strategies. Both brokers ensure that swap-free accounts comply with Islamic finance principles.

IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Ukrainian language support available during business hours. XM Group provides 24/5 support with multilingual options, including Ukrainian, through live chat and phone. XM Group also has a dedicated support line for Ukraine clients, which can be helpful for resolving issues quickly. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.