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

XM Group Vs Plus500 For Italy Traders (2026)

Which broker is better for Italy 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: Italy traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Italy 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 Italy 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

When choosing between XM Group and Plus500 for trading in Italy, the differences are clear. XM Group, with a CompareBroker score of 4.7/5, stands out for its low spreads, flexible account types, and strong local payment support. Plus500, scoring 3.7/5, is a straightforward CFD broker but lacks some features important to Italian traders. Both are regulated by CONSOB and comply with ESMA leverage limits (1:30 for retail), ensuring a safe environment. However, XM's acceptance of PostePay and SEPA transfers, combined with tighter spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD, gives it an edge for daily trading. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Italy traders: costs, local payments, regulation, and platform usability.

🏆

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

For Italy traders, trading costs are a decisive factor. XM Group offers spreads from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD with its Zero account, while standard accounts start at 1 pip. Plus500 typically shows spreads of 0.8-1.2 pips on the same pair. Over 100 trades per month, XM's lower spreads can save €50-100 in costs. XM also has no commission on standard accounts, whereas Plus500's spreads include all fees. For higher-volume traders in Italy, XM's cost advantage becomes even more pronounced, especially when trading indices or commodities.

📂

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 - Italy Traders

Entity / AssetXM GroupPlus500
Italy (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 Italy Traders
Traders in Italy 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✓✗

XM Group provides the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are highly customizable and widely used by Italian traders. Plus500 uses its proprietary web-based platform, which is simpler but less flexible. For Italian traders who value advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators, XM's MT4/5 are superior. Plus500's platform is user-friendly for beginners but lacks depth. Both offer mobile apps, but XM's integration with TradingView and Expert Advisors gives it a clear edge for active traders in Italy.

⚡

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

XM Group uses straight-through processing (STP) with no dealer intervention, ensuring fast execution with minimal slippage. Plus500 operates a market maker model, which can lead to requotes during volatile periods. For Italian traders trading news events or scalping, XM's execution is more reliable and transparent.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Italy Traders

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

Both XM Group and Plus500 are regulated by CONSOB (Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa) and adhere to ESMA standards. This means Italy traders get negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and leverage capped at 1:30 for retail accounts. XM Group also holds licenses from CySEC and FCA, adding extra layers of oversight. Plus500 is listed on the London Stock Exchange, providing transparency. For Italian traders, this regulation ensures a high level of safety, though XM's multiple licenses offer broader protection.

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

Deposits & Withdrawals for Italy

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

Italy traders have several convenient options to fund their accounts. XM Group supports SEPA bank transfers (free and fast), standard Bank Transfers, and PostePay, the popular Italian prepaid card. Minimum deposit is just €5 via PostePay. Plus500 accepts SEPA and Bank Transfers but not PostePay, which limits options for some users. Withdrawals at both brokers are processed within 1-2 business days, with XM offering free withdrawals for most methods. For Italian traders, XM's PostePay support is a significant advantage, making deposits quick and easy without needing a credit card.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Italy 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 Italy, XM Group offers swap-free Islamic accounts on all account types, where no overnight interest is charged on positions held beyond one day. This is a key feature for those adhering to Sharia law. Plus500 does not provide Islamic accounts, meaning Muslim traders would incur swap fees on overnight positions. Therefore, XM Group is the only suitable choice among these two brokers for Italy's Muslim community.

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

XM Group offers 24/5 customer support in Italian via live chat, phone, and email. Response times are fast, and the team is knowledgeable about local payment methods like PostePay. Plus500 provides 24/7 support in multiple languages, including Italian, but primarily through email and live chat. Both are reliable, but XM's dedicated Italian phone line adds a personal touch for Italy traders.

📱

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? - Italy Guide

Choose XM Group if you...

  • Want the lowest spreads on EUR/USD and other major pairs.
  • Prefer using MetaTrader 4/5 for advanced charting and automated trading.
  • Need to deposit via PostePay or SEPA for easy local payments.
  • Require an Islamic account for swap-free trading.

Choose Plus500 if you...

  • Are a beginner looking for a simple, all-in-one platform.
  • Trade infrequently and don't need advanced tools.
  • Prefer a broker with a strong brand and stock exchange listing.
  • Are comfortable with slightly wider spreads and a market maker model.
❓

FAQ - XM Group vs Plus500 in Italy

Is XM Group or Plus500 better for Italy?

+

Can Italy traders use both brokers legally?

+

Which broker has lower spreads for Italy traders?

+

How do Italy traders deposit at XM Group and Plus500?

+

Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Italy?

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Final Verdict - Italy 2026

XM Group wins overall

For Italy traders, XM Group is the clear winner with a 4.3/5 score versus Plus500's 3.7/5. XM offers lower spreads, support for PostePay and SEPA transfers, MetaTrader platforms, and Islamic accounts—all crucial for the Italian market. Plus500 is simpler but lacks these key features. If you value cost efficiency, local payment convenience, and regulatory safety under CONSOB, XM Group is the better choice for trading in Italy in 2026.

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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