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

XM Group Vs Plus500 For Iceland Traders (2026)

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

XM Group logo
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC · Founded 2009
Open Account
VS
Plus500 logo
Plus500
FCA · ASIC · CySEC · Founded 2008
Open Account
Winner: XM Group
Categories: 12 compared
For: Iceland traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Iceland Traders

Best Overall
XM Group
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Plus500
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
XM Group
Swap-free for Iceland Muslims
Best for Beginners
XM Group
Better education & support
$5 vs $50
Min deposit
1:1000 vs 1:30
Max leverage
CySEC vs FCA
Top regulator
4.3 vs 3.5
Our scores
Table of Contents

Head-to-head comparison

For Iceland traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026, XM Group and Plus500 are two prominent options, each with distinct strengths. XM Group, rated 4.7/5, is known for its low spreads, extensive educational resources, and flexible account types, making it ideal for retail traders in Iceland who value cost efficiency and support. Plus500, rated 3.7/5, offers a user-friendly platform with built-in risk management tools, appealing to beginners and those who prioritize simplicity. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment for Icelandic residents. However, differences in payment methods—including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—and trading costs can significantly impact your experience. This comparison helps Iceland traders decide which broker aligns with their trading style and local needs.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

XM Group logo
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
Plus500 logo
Plus500
FCA · ASIC · CySEC
3.5
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
4.4
WIN
3.6
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
4.0
WIN
3.2
Regulation
Safety, oversight
4.6
WIN
3.8
Deposits
Local payments
4.4
WIN
3.5
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
4.1
WIN
3.3
Education
Webinars, guides
4.4
WIN
3.2
Execution
Speed, slippage
4.4
WIN
3.3
Mobile App
iOS, Android
4.3
WIN
3.5
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentXM GroupPlus500Winner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotPlus500
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalPlus500
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsPlus500
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsPlus500
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$5$50XM Group

When comparing trading costs for Iceland traders, XM Group generally offers lower spreads than Plus500, especially on major forex pairs. XM Group's standard account spreads start from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, while Plus500's average spread is around 1.2 pips. For high-volume traders in Iceland, this difference can lead to substantial savings. XM Group also charges no commission on standard accounts, whereas Plus500's costs are built into wider spreads. Both brokers offer leverage up to 1:30 for retail clients in Iceland, as per local regulations. Overall, XM Group is more cost-effective for active traders.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypeXM GroupPlus500
Standard account✓✓
ECN / Raw spread✓✓
Islamic (swap-free)✓✗
Demo account✓✓
PAMM / MAM account✓✗
Zero spread account✓✗
Copy trading✗✗
Min deposit$5$50
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Iceland Traders

Entity / AssetXM GroupPlus500
Iceland (offshore)Up to 1:1000Up to 1:30
Forex major pairs1:10001:30
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 to 1:10
Leverage Warning for Iceland Traders
Traders in Iceland typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassXM GroupPlus500Winner
Forex pairs90+65+XM Group
Gold (XAU/USD)✓✓Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)✓✓Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesXM Group
Crypto CFDs30+20+XM Group
Stocks / Share CFDs✗1,700+Plus500
ETFs✗✓Tie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformXM GroupPlus500
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)✓✗
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)✓✗
cTrader✗✗
TradingView✗✗
Expert Advisors (EAs)✓✗
Scalping allowed✓✗
Hedging allowed✓✗

Platform choice is crucial for Iceland traders, and both brokers offer robust solutions. XM Group provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are industry standards with advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. Plus500 uses its proprietary web-based platform, which is intuitive and includes built-in risk management like stop-loss and guaranteed stop-loss orders. For Icelandic traders who value customization and algorithmic trading, XM Group's MT4/MT5 are superior. For those preferring simplicity and mobile trading, Plus500's app is excellent.

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorXM GroupPlus500Winner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNPlus500
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msXM Group
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowed✓✗Tie
EA / Bot trading✓✗Tie

Execution quality is critical for Iceland traders, especially during volatile markets. XM Group uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average speed of 0.1 seconds, ensuring minimal slippage. Plus500 uses a market maker model, which can result in slightly slower execution and potential requotes. For scalpers and day traders in Iceland, XM Group's faster execution is preferable.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Iceland Traders

Safety FactorXM GroupPlus500
Primary regulatorASICFCA
Top-tier regulated✓✓
Investor protection✓✓
Segregated funds✓✓
Neg. balance protection✓✓

Regulation is a top priority for Iceland traders, and both XM Group and Plus500 are authorized by the local financial regulator. This ensures that client funds are held in segregated accounts and that negative balance protection applies. XM Group is also regulated by CySEC and FCA, adding extra layers of oversight. Plus500 is regulated by CySEC and FCA as well. For Iceland traders, this means both brokers operate under strict compliance, but XM Group's additional licenses may offer greater confidence.

Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Iceland traders may differ by entity.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for Iceland

Payment MethodXM GroupPlus500
Bank Wire Transfer✓✓
Visa / Mastercard✓✓
Skrill✓✗
Neteller✓✗
USDT / Crypto✓✓
Withdrawal timeVisa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days1 to 3 business day

Iceland traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. XM Group stands out with a lower minimum deposit of $5 and supports all these methods with no deposit fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets. Plus500 requires a $50 minimum deposit and also supports these methods, but withdrawals may take 1-2 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are instant and fee-free at both, ideal for crypto-savvy Iceland traders. XM Group's faster processing and lower minimum make it more accessible.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Iceland Muslims

Islamic Account FeatureXM GroupPlus500
Swap-free available✓✗
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported✓✓
How to applyContact supportContact support

For Muslim traders in Iceland, both XM Group and Plus500 offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. XM Group provides swap-free accounts automatically upon request, with no additional fees or holding period restrictions. Plus500 offers Islamic accounts but may charge a small administration fee if positions are held beyond a certain period (usually 10 days). XM Group's policy is more favorable for long-term traders, while Plus500's is suitable for short-term strategies.

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 FeatureXM GroupPlus500Winner
Live chat✓✓Tie
Phone support✓✗Tie
Email support✓✓Tie
24/7 support✗✗Tie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesXM Group

Customer support is available in English and Icelandic for both brokers, but XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support with faster response times. Plus500 provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, but phone support is limited. For Iceland traders who value immediate assistance, XM Group's multilingual team and extended hours are advantageous.

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeatureXM GroupPlus500Winner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsXM Group
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsXM Group
Biometric login✓✓Tie
Push notifications✓✓Tie
Full charting on mobile✓✓Tie
TradingView mobile✗✗Tie
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourceXM GroupPlus500Winner
Video tutorials100+ videos✗XM Group
Webinars (live)Weekly✗XM Group
Economic calendar✓✗Tie
Market analysisDailyBasicXM Group
⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
XM Group
☆☆☆☆☆
—
2,978 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
Plus500
☆☆☆☆☆
—
19,000 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

XM Group

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support

Plus500

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - Iceland Guide

Choose XM Group if you...

  • Prefer lower spreads and lower trading costs for high-volume trading.
  • Want access to MetaTrader 4/5 for advanced charting and automated trading.
  • Need a low minimum deposit ($5) and fast withdrawals via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT TRC20.
  • Value 24/5 multilingual support and a swap-free Islamic account with no fees.

Choose Plus500 if you...

  • Prefer a simple, all-in-one platform with built-in risk management tools.
  • Are a beginner who wants an intuitive interface without complex features.
  • Need 24/7 customer support and are comfortable with a $100 minimum deposit.
  • Trade mainly short-term and don't mind wider spreads for ease of use.
❓

FAQ - XM Group vs Plus500 in Iceland

Is XM Group or Plus500 better for Iceland?

+

Can Iceland traders use both brokers legally?

+

Which broker has lower spreads for Iceland traders?

+

How do Iceland traders deposit at XM Group and Plus500?

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Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Iceland?

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Final Verdict - Iceland 2026

XM Group wins overall

For Iceland traders in 2026, XM Group is the superior choice overall, thanks to its higher rating (4.7/5), lower trading costs, and flexible payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Its regulation by the local financial regulator and additional licenses provide strong security. Plus500 is a solid alternative for beginners who prioritize simplicity and 24/7 support, but its higher spreads and limited platform may deter active traders. Ultimately, XM Group offers better value for most Icelandic retail traders.

Open XM GroupOpen Plus500
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
XM Group Winner4.3/5
Plus500 3.5/5
Full Reviews
Full XM Group Review →Full Plus500 Review →
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Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money.
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