Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing between XM Group and FP Markets is a common dilemma for Italy traders in 2026. Both brokers hold strong 4.7/5 ratings and cater to retail traders across the country. XM Group is known for its educational resources and zero-commission trading, while FP Markets excels with ultra-tight spreads on its ECN accounts. For Italy-based traders, key factors include local payment methods like SEPA, Bank Transfer, and PostePay, as well as regulatory frameworks. Neither broker is directly regulated by CONSOB, but they operate under CySEC and ASIC/FSMA licenses respectively, which are accepted for EU clients. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, deposit options, and Islamic account availability specifically for Italy traders.
| Instrument | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 | FP Markets |
For Italy traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability, especially for high-frequency traders. XM Group offers a Standard account with no commission and spreads from 1.0 pips, plus a Zero account with spreads from 0.6 pips and a $5 commission per lot. FP Markets provides a Standard account with spreads from 1.0 pips and no commission, and a Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3 commission per lot. On EUR/USD, FP Markets Raw account is cheaper for traders executing over 10 lots per month, while XM Group's Zero account suits moderate volume traders. Both brokers have no hidden fees for EUR-denominated accounts.
| Account Type | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both XM Group and FP Markets offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular platforms among Italy traders. XM Group also provides its own XM WebTrader and mobile app, which are user-friendly for beginners. FP Markets adds cTrader, a platform favored by scalpers and algorithmic traders for its advanced charting and order execution. For Italy traders who prioritize speed and customization, FP Markets' cTrader is a standout. Both brokers support VPS for automated trading, which is crucial for Italy traders using Expert Advisors.
| Factor | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FP Markets is known for its superior execution speed, with ECN technology offering low latency and no requotes, ideal for scalpers. XM Group uses a market execution model with no requotes on most accounts, but slippage can occur during volatile markets. For Italy traders trading news events or using scalping strategies, FP Markets' execution is more reliable. Both brokers offer negative balance protection.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
XM Group is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), offering negative balance protection and investor compensation up to €20,000 under the ICF. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and the FSCA (South Africa), with additional oversight from CySEC for EU clients. For Italy traders, neither broker is directly under CONSOB, but CySEC regulation provides a safety net. XM Group's EU-based license offers more familiar protections for Italian retail traders, while FP Markets' ASIC regulation is known for strict financial standards. Both comply with ESMA leverage limits for EU clients.
| Payment Method | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days | 24 hours |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Italy traders at both brokers. XM Group supports SEPA bank transfers (free, 1-2 business days), Bank Transfer, PostePay (instant, no fee), plus Skrill, Neteller, and credit/debit cards. FP Markets also accepts SEPA (free, 1-3 days), Bank Transfer, and PostePay (instant, no fee), along with PayPal and credit/debit cards. Both brokers process withdrawals via the same methods, with XM Group offering same-day processing for e-wallets. For Italy traders using PostePay, deposits are instant and fee-free at both brokers, making them equally convenient for local payments.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Italy traders seeking Sharia-compliant accounts, both XM Group and FP Markets offer swap-free Islamic accounts. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Zero, and Micro) with no additional fees, but positions held beyond a certain period may incur a small admin fee. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Raw accounts, also with no swap, but may charge a holding fee for long-term positions. Both brokers require a request to activate the Islamic account. For Italy's Muslim community, XM Group's wider account range is more flexible.
| Support Feature | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual customer support in Italian via live chat, phone, and email, with fast response times. FP Markets also provides 24/5 Italian support through live chat and email, but phone support is in English. For Italy traders who prefer speaking Italian, XM Group has a slight edge. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational content in Italian.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | XM Group | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | XM Group |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For Italy traders in 2026, both XM Group and FP Markets are excellent choices, but the decision hinges on your trading style. XM Group is the better option for beginners and those who prioritize Italian support, educational materials, and flexible Islamic accounts. FP Markets wins for experienced traders seeking the lowest spreads, fastest execution, and cTrader platform. Both support SEPA and PostePay deposits, making them equally accessible for Italy residents. While neither is CONSOB-regulated, XM Group's CySEC license offers EU-level protections. Ultimately, test both with a demo account to see which fits your strategy best.