Which broker is better for Netherlands traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Netherlands traders in 2026, choosing between XM Group and FP Markets is a tough decision as both brokers score an impressive 4.7/5. Both brokers accept clients from the Netherlands and offer local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. While neither is regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), they operate under reputable international licenses (FCA, CySEC, ASIC). XM Group is known for its user-friendly platform and educational resources, ideal for retail traders new to forex. FP Markets, on the other hand, appeals to experienced traders with its raw spreads and fast execution. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Netherlands traders: cost, regulation, platform, and local payment support.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Netherlands traders, FP Markets has the edge for active traders with its Raw ECN account offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot per side. XM Group’s Zero account offers spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, which can be cheaper for smaller trades. For a standard 1-lot trade on EUR/USD, XM Group costs about $6 in spread, while FP Markets costs around $3 (spread + commission). However, XM Group’s fixed spreads are more predictable, which some Netherlands traders prefer.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands (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 brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the most popular platforms among Netherlands traders. XM Group also provides its own XM WebTrader and mobile app with advanced charting tools. FP Markets offers cTrader in addition to MT4/MT5, which is favored by scalpers for its depth of market and order flow visibility. For Netherlands traders who value automation and custom indicators, both brokers support Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5, but FP Markets’ cTrader offers a more modern interface for manual traders.
| 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 offers superior execution quality with an average execution speed of under 40ms on its Raw ECN account, thanks to its deep liquidity pool and no dealing desk (NDD) model. XM Group also provides NDD execution but with a slightly higher average of 50-60ms. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in the Netherlands, FP Markets’ faster execution can reduce slippage and improve trade entry precision. Both brokers have no requotes on market orders.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither XM Group nor FP Markets is regulated by the Dutch AFM, but both are regulated by top-tier authorities: XM Group by the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), and FP Markets by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC. For Netherlands traders, this means they are not covered by the Dutch investor compensation scheme, but they benefit from strict international standards. Both brokers segregate client funds and offer negative balance protection. Traders should verify the specific entity accepting Netherlands clients to ensure regulatory compliance.
| 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 |
Netherlands traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both XM Group and FP Markets. XM Group also supports credit/debit cards, PayPal, and local bank transfers, while FP Markets adds Perfect Money and China UnionPay. Minimum deposits are low: $5 for XM Group and $50 for FP Markets. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Both brokers do not charge deposit or withdrawal fees, but your bank or payment provider may apply conversion fees from EUR to USD. For quick access, Skrill and Neteller are the fastest options.
| 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 |
Both XM Group and FP Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in the Netherlands. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on all account types with no additional charges, and the status is maintained indefinitely as long as no swap positions are held for more than 10 days. FP Markets offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw ECN accounts, but traders must request it via support. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest, making them suitable for Netherlands Muslim traders.
| 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 via live chat, email, and phone, with Dutch language support available. FP Markets provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, but Dutch language support is limited to business hours. Both brokers have extensive FAQs and educational sections. For Netherlands traders, XM Group’s Dutch-speaking support is a significant advantage if language preference matters.
| 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 Netherlands traders in 2026, both XM Group and FP Markets are top-tier brokers with a 4.7/5 rating, but your choice depends on your trading style. If you are a retail trader who values simplicity, fixed spreads, and Dutch-language support, XM Group is the better fit. If you are an active trader focused on cost efficiency, tight spreads, and fast execution, FP Markets is the winner. Both support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and neither is regulated by the Dutch AFM, so ensure you understand the regulatory implications. Overall, FP Markets offers slightly better value for active traders, while XM Group is more beginner-friendly.