Detailed guide to XM’s Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero and Shares accounts, their MT4/MT5/XM App platforms, and the exact steps to open, verify and fund your forex trading account.
List & Comparison of XM's Account Types & Platforms Table of Contents
- XM account lineup at a glance
- Micro account – smallest contract size for forex
- Standard account – regular lot size, no commission
- Ultra Low account – tighter spreads without commission
- Zero account – raw spreads plus a fixed commission
- Shares account – direct stock trading
- Demo and Islamic account options
- How the accounts compare on spreads, commissions and sizing
- XM trading platforms – MT4, MT5 and XM App
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- XM App
- How accounts and platforms fit together in practice
- XM Account Opening Steps
- How XM structures its accounts for new clients
- What you need before starting the XM registration
- Personal details
- Information for the investor questionnaire
- Documents required for verification
- Initial online registration with XM
- Selecting the account category
- Entering personal data
- Configuring forex account settings
- Selecting platform, account type and base currency
- Choosing leverage
- Completing the regulatory questionnaire
- Creating secure login details
- Verifying your identity and address
- Uploading documents from the Members Area
- How XM checks the documents
- Accessing the XM Members Area and trading platforms
- Members Area functions
- Logging in to MT4 or MT5
- Opening additional XM accounts
- Funding the account after approval
- Supported deposit methods
- Minimum deposit and funding structure
- How the full XM account opening journey looks for a forex trader
XM structures its forex offering around a clear set of account types and a small group of trading platforms that cover almost every trading style. Instead of scattering features across many sub-brands, XM keeps things within one ecosystem: a handful of live accounts, and three main platforms – MT4, MT5 and the XM App – that connect to the same backend infrastructure.
XM account lineup at a glance
Across its different regulated entities, XM offers four main CFD trading accounts plus a dedicated stock account. The core names you will see are: Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero and Shares.
All of these, except the Shares account, focus on forex and CFD trading. They share some fixed traits:
- Negative balance protection as standard
- Hedging allowed
- Islamic (swap-free) variants available on request, subject to eligibility
- Support for MT4 and MT5, plus access to the XM mobile environment
Where they differ is in contract size, spreads, commissions and minimum deposit levels.
At a high level:
- Micro: very small contract size, no commissions, wider spreads
- Standard: regular contract size, no commissions, similar spreads to Micro
- Ultra Low: same contract sizes as Standard or Micro, lower spreads, still no commissions
- Zero: raw-style spreads close to 0.0 pips on many pairs, with a clear commission
- Shares: direct stock trading with higher minimum capital
Micro account – smallest contract size for forex
The XM Micro account is built for small position sizes. One lot on this account is just 1,000 units of the base currency instead of the 100,000 units used on standard accounts.
Key structural points:
- Minimum deposit: 5 USD or equivalent for many entities
- Contract size: 1 micro lot = 1,000 units of base currency
- Typical maximum leverage: up to 1:1000 at offshore entities; lower caps under stricter regulators
- Spreads: from about 1 pip on major forex pairs, commission-free
- Commission: none on forex and most CFDs
- Platforms: available on both MT4 and MT5
Because the contract size is small, each pip movement on a micro lot carries a much smaller monetary impact. That makes this account suited to:
- Forex traders who want to test strategies with live spreads and execution but low financial exposure
- Users who prefer very fine-tuned position sizing, for example 0.03 or 0.07 lot entries instead of larger steps
Spreads and leverage are aligned with the Standard account; the Micro label only changes the lot definition and the way risk scales per trade.
Standard account – regular lot size, no commission
The Standard account is XM’s classic forex CFD account. Each lot represents 100,000 units of the base currency, so position sizing follows the usual institutional convention.
Typical structure:
- Minimum deposit: 5 USD or equivalent
- Contract size: 1 lot = 100,000 units of base currency
- Leverage: up to 1:1000 at offshore entities; lower in tightly regulated regions
- Spreads: starting around 1.0–1.6 pips for major pairs, depending on entity
- Commission: none; costs are embedded in the spread
- Platforms: MT4, MT5 and XM App connectivity
For forex trading this means:
- Simple fee structure: you pay the spread only
- Straightforward translation between pips and monetary value, since the standard lot size is used
- Compatibility with most third-party EAs and signal services that assume a standard-lot environment
The Standard account behaves like a scaled-up version of Micro: same pricing model, same swap structure, larger contract size.
Ultra Low account – tighter spreads without commission
The XM Ultra Low account narrows spreads compared with Standard and Micro while keeping commission at zero. It is available in two contract sizes: Ultra Low Standard and Ultra Low Micro.
Core design points:
- Minimum deposit: typically 5 USD on XM’s own account pages; some third-party analyses report higher starting levels for specific entities
- Contract sizes:
- Ultra Low Standard: 1 lot = 100,000 units
- Ultra Low Micro: 1 lot = 1,000 units
- Spreads: from about 0.6–0.8 pips on major forex pairs, depending on the source and entity
- Commission: none
- Platforms: available on MT4 and MT5, and therefore also through XM’s mobile interface
Independent cost breakdowns show that Ultra Low accounts carry significantly lower spread charges on pairs like EUR/USD compared with Standard accounts, without adding a per-lot commission.
This makes Ultra Low the central choice inside XM for traders who:
- Focus on intraday forex trading where spread efficiency is important
- Still prefer a commission-free structure
- Want the flexibility of either micro or standard contract sizing under the same pricing model
Zero account – raw spreads plus a fixed commission
The XM Zero account shifts part of the trading cost from spread into commission. Spreads on key forex pairs start near 0.0 pips, with a stable per-lot charge.
Structural features:
- Minimum deposit currently promoted from 5 USD on XM’s account pages for entities that offer Zero alongside Ultra Low
- Contract size: 1 lot = 100,000 units
- Spreads: from 0.0–0.2 pips on many major pairs under normal liquidity
- Commission: typically 3.5 USD per side per standard lot (7 USD round turn) on forex
- Platforms: MT4 and MT5, with the same back-end pricing model applied across devices
Cost analysis from third-party reviewers shows that once spread and commission are combined, Zero often produces the lowest all-in trading cost for high-volume forex trading compared with Standard and Ultra Low, especially on major pairs.
This account suits traders who:
- Actively trade major forex pairs
- Want tight bid-ask spreads for precision entries and exits
- Are comfortable tracking commission separately from spread
Shares account – direct stock trading
The XM Shares account is a different product line. Instead of leveraged CFDs, it focuses on direct share trading with no leverage or with 1:1 exposure, depending on entity.
Key points:
- Minimum deposit: 10,000 USD or equivalent
- Contract size: varies by share; you trade real stock units
- Leverage: none or 1:1, depending on the exact structure
- Spreads: market-driven; usually the exchange bid-ask plus a markup
- Commission: charged per trade, as is standard for stock dealing
- Platform: tied to MT5, because MT5 is XM’s multi-asset platform for equities, indices, metals and energies
The Shares account is not designed for small-ticket forex trading. It targets traders who want access to equity markets under XM’s infrastructure.
Demo and Islamic account options
While not separate pricing plans, XM’s demo and Islamic variants are part of the account landscape:
- Demo accounts mirror live account types with virtual funds, using the same MT4/MT5 platforms and price feed.
- Islamic (swap-free) options are available on key account types, adjusting overnight financing to comply with specific religious requirements.
These options sit on top of Micro, Standard, Ultra Low and Zero; they do not create new fee structures beyond swap handling.
How the accounts compare on spreads, commissions and sizing
Looking across the line-up, the differences fall into a few simple groups.
Contract size
- Micro and Ultra Low Micro: 1 lot = 1,000 units
- Standard, Ultra Low Standard, Zero: 1 lot = 100,000 units
This affects:
- Pip value per lot
- Minimum trade size impact on account equity
- The granularity with which you can scale into or out of forex positions
Spreads and commissions
Independent research provides a clear ranking:
- Standard and Micro: spreads from about 1.0–1.6 pips on majors, no commission
- Ultra Low: spreads from about 0.6–0.8 pips on majors, no commission
- Zero: spreads close to 0.0–0.2 pips on many majors, with a fixed commission of 7 USD per standard lot per round turn
For forex trading, this means:
- Standard account: simple cost structure but higher spread on many pairs
- Ultra Low: lower spread while keeping charging model simple
- Zero: lowest spread once the commission is factored in, especially for larger and more frequent trades
Minimum deposit
Across multiple sources covering different XM entities, the pattern is:
- Micro and Standard: minimum deposit from 5 USD
- Ultra Low: minimum deposit often 5 USD, with some entities and reviewers citing higher thresholds such as 50 USD
- Zero: promoted with a 5 USD minimum on XM’s current global account page, but certain reviews still refer to 100 USD minimums on specific entities
- Shares: minimum deposit 10,000 USD
The core message is that XM allows forex traders to start on its CFD accounts with very low capital, while treating share dealing as a higher-ticket product.
XM trading platforms – MT4, MT5 and XM App
XM’s accounts plug into a compact set of platforms. Instead of building proprietary desktop software, XM relies on MetaQuotes’ MT4 and MT5 plus its own XM App environment.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
MT4 at XM is focused on forex and a subset of CFDs.
Main traits:
- Suitable for trading forex, stock index CFDs, metals and energies
- Over 50 built-in indicators and advanced charting tools
- Support for Expert Advisors (EAs) for automated trading
- One-click trading and multiple order types
- Available on desktop, mobile and web through XM’s infrastructure
Micro, Standard and Ultra Low accounts can run on MT4, and in many regions Zero is supported on MT4 as well.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
MT5 is XM’s multi-asset backbone. It covers everything MT4 does and adds stocks, more CFD classes and extra tools.
Key features:
- Access to forex, indices, metals, energies and stocks from one interface
- Over 58 indicators and 44 analytical objects
- Depth of Market (DOM) display for some instruments
- Built-in economic calendar
- Extensive support for Expert Advisors and custom scripts using MQL5
- Desktop, web and mobile versions, all tied to XM’s account ecosystem
Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero and Shares accounts can be opened as MT5 accounts, and XM explicitly states that multi-asset trading and WebTrader access are tied to MT5.
XM App
The XM App is a proprietary mobile environment that integrates account management, trading access and research.
Key traits:
- Unified login to live and demo accounts
- Advanced mobile charting with drawing tools and indicators
- Integrated news, analysis and in-app insights
- Direct funding and withdrawal control
- Connection to MT4/MT5 servers for order routing
The app does not replace MT4 or MT5 but sits alongside them, providing mobile access and analytics with a more modern interface.
How accounts and platforms fit together in practice
Putting everything together, XM’s structure for forex trading looks like this:
- Execution engines: MT4 and MT5 servers for CFD and forex, plus MT5 extensions for stocks
- Accounts: Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero for leveraged forex and CFDs; Shares for unleveraged stock dealing
- Front ends: MT4, MT5 and XM App for desktop, web and mobile trading
For forex traders the practical mapping is straightforward:
- Choose the account type based on contract size and pricing model (Micro/Standard vs Ultra Low vs Zero).
- Decide whether you need only forex and core CFDs (MT4 is enough) or full multi-asset coverage including shares (MT5 is required).
- Use the XM App as the mobile companion for monitoring and quick actions across your accounts.
Everything runs under one XM profile, with a single client area and the same regulatory framework applied across platforms.
XM does not overload traders with dozens of overlapping accounts and platforms. Instead, it offers:
- Four main CFD forex account types – Micro, Standard, Ultra Low and Zero – that differ only in lot size and pricing structure
- A dedicated Shares account for direct stock trading on MT5
- A platform trio of MT4, MT5 and the XM App, all connected to the same backend pricing and execution infrastructure
Micro and Standard accounts give straightforward, commission-free forex trading with standard or micro contract sizes. Ultra Low tightens spreads without adding commission. Zero pairs the tightest spreads with a transparent per-lot fee. Shares sits aside as an equity-focused product.
MT4 and MT5 provide the technical backbone for these accounts, while the XM App delivers modern mobile access. For forex traders this creates a compact, consistent structure where you pick the combination of account type and platform that matches your trade size, cost preference and asset coverage – without dealing with fragmented systems or inconsistent trading conditions.
XM Account Opening Steps
XM keeps its account opening process short and structured, but there are several precise steps that every forex trader goes through: online registration, choice of account, completion of the regulatory questionnaire, identity verification, and first funding. Once you understand each step, you know exactly what to expect from registration to your first trade on MT4, MT5 or the XM App.
How XM structures its accounts for new clients
XM operates multiple regulated entities and offers a small set of core account types: Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero, and a Shares account for stock trading. All these accounts (other than Shares) are built around leveraged forex and CFD trading, with a minimum deposit from 5 units of the chosen base currency for Micro and Standard, and the same headline minimum for Ultra Low and Zero where they are offered.
When you open an account, you do two things at once:
- Register yourself as a client of one XM entity
- Specify the technical profile of the first trading account (platform, account type, base currency and leverage)
The account opening flow is designed so that you finish both parts in a single online session, then move straight to verification.
What you need before starting the XM registration
Before you begin, you need three sets of information: personal details, forex trading profile details, and documents for identity verification.
Personal details
XM requires the same core personal data that any regulated forex broker collects:
- Full legal name
- Country of residence
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Phone number
- Email address (used as a main contact and login identifier)
These details are used to identify you, link you to the correct XM entity based on jurisdiction, and prepare later checks on your identity and address.
Information for the investor questionnaire
During account opening, XM asks questions about your trading background and financial situation. This is part of its suitability and appropriateness obligations as a regulated broker. The form covers:
- Employment status and general financial profile
- Estimated income and savings ranges
- Trading experience across forex, CFDs and similar products
- Knowledge of leverage, margin and risk in forex and CFD trading
- Intended trading frequency
XM uses these answers to classify you correctly and to meet regulatory rules for complex products like leveraged forex.
Documents required for verification
To complete the account opening, XM requires two categories of documents:
- Proof of identity (POI)
- a clear copy of a valid government-issued document such as:
- Passport
- National identity card
- Driver’s licence
The identity document must show your full name, date of birth, a validity date and a visible photograph.
- Proof of residence (POR)
- a recent document that confirms your address, for example:
- Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, phone, internet)
- Bank statement
- Tax bill or other official letter
The document must show your full name and current residential address.
XM checks that the information you submit on the form matches the details on these documents before it activates the account fully.
Initial online registration with XM
The starting point is the online registration form on XM’s site. This form opens when you click to create a new account and it guides you through client registration and the first trading account configuration in a single flow.
Selecting the account category
At the top of the registration form, XM asks you which trading platform you prefer (MT4 or MT5) and what type of account you wish to open first:
- Micro
- Standard
- Ultra Low (Standard or Micro)
- Zero
- Shares (stock trading via MT5)
This choice defines:
- Contract size (micro or standard lots)
- Spread and commission structure
- Asset coverage (Shares accounts focus on stocks, other accounts cover forex and CFDs)
You can open more account types later from the Members Area, but the first selection defines the base profile for your initial login.
Entering personal data
The same page asks for:
- First and last name
- Country of residence
- Preferred language
- Phone number
- Email address
This information is tied to the entity that will service your account and ensures the correct legal framework is applied from the start.
After you complete this block and accept the legal terms, the form leads to the second part of account configuration.
Configuring forex account settings
The next phase of the XM account opening process is all about trading parameters. Here you configure how your forex trading environment will look inside MT4, MT5 and the XM App.
Selecting platform, account type and base currency
XM asks you to confirm:
- Platform: MT4 or MT5
- Account type: Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero or Shares (depending on entity)
- Account base currency: typically USD, EUR, GBP or other supported currencies
The base currency is important because:
- Deposits, withdrawals and balance are held in that currency
- Margin and profit and loss are calculated in that currency
- If you fund in a different currency, XM converts to the base currency automatically
For forex traders, this step shapes how pip values and margin requirements map to the account balance.
Choosing leverage
XM allows flexible leverage up to 1:1000 on many global accounts, with smaller maximums in stricter regulatory zones. During account setup you select your preferred leverage from a drop-down list, such as 1:30, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 or 1:1000, depending on what is available for your region and product scope.
This choice directly affects:
- Margin required per trade
- How much of your account is used when you open forex positions
- How quickly equity can change during volatile moves
You can adjust leverage later from the Members Area, but the initial choice defines the starting profile for your account.
Completing the regulatory questionnaire
After technical choices are set, XM presents a regulatory suitability questionnaire. This step is mandatory under the rules that govern forex and CFD brokers and focuses on your financial background and trading experience.
Typical sections include:
- Employment and income – occupation, source of funds, income and savings range
- Trading knowledge – understanding of leverage, margin calls, stop-out, volatility
- Trading experience – previous activity in forex, CFDs, stocks, options or futures
- Risk acknowledgement – confirmation that you understand the high-risk nature of leveraged trading
XM uses this data to decide whether the products and leverage levels are appropriate for you and to classify you as a retail client under the relevant entity.
Creating secure login details
At the end of the online form, XM asks you to set a secure password for your Members Area. Your email address and this password form the login for managing your accounts, funding them and downloading trading platforms.
Once the form is submitted, XM generates:
- A unique Members Area login
- A trading account number for MT4 or MT5 (server details are also provided)
These credentials are sent by email and are also visible inside the secure portal. They allow you to log in to the trading platform, but full trading access depends on verification status and entity rules.
Verifying your identity and address
With the online form complete, the next core step in XM’s account opening process is identity verification (KYC). This is where you upload the documents prepared earlier.
Uploading documents from the Members Area
Once you log in to the Members Area, you see prompts to upload your:
- Proof of identity (passport, ID card or driver’s licence)
- Proof of residence (utility bill, bank statement or similar document showing your address)
XM’s interface shows separate upload fields for each document type. The process is fully digital; there is no need to send originals by post for normal retail registration under the current online procedure.
How XM checks the documents
XM reviews two key points:
- Identity match – your name and date of birth on the POI match what you entered on the application form
- Address confirmation – the POR shows your current residential address and ties to the country you stated during registration
If the files are clear and consistent, verification is completed and your account is marked as fully validated. At that stage, trading and funding limits shift from restricted status (for unverified accounts) to full status for the product set offered by that entity.
Accessing the XM Members Area and trading platforms
Once verification is complete, your account is active and you can start using XM’s platforms.
Members Area functions
The Members Area acts as the control centre for your forex trading environment. Inside the portal you can:
- View all live and demo accounts linked to your profile
- Open additional trading accounts with different types or base currencies
- Change leverage on existing accounts (within entity-specific limits)
- Deposit and withdraw funds
- Download MT4 and MT5 installation packages
- Connect to the XM App and link accounts for mobile trading
Logging in to MT4 or MT5
To trade forex and CFDs, you open MT4 or MT5 and log in with:
- The trading account number provided by XM
- The trading password set or confirmed in the Members Area
- The correct XM server, shown in the account details section
Once connected, you see live quotes, charting tools and order functions tied directly to your new XM account.
Opening additional XM accounts
XM allows each client to maintain multiple live accounts under the same profile. Additional accounts are opened from the Members Area with a streamlined flow, because identity verification is already completed.
From the “Open Additional Account” section you can choose:
- MT4 or MT5
- Account type (Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero, Shares)
- Base currency
- Leverage
No extra documents are required for additional accounts in most cases; the new account appears instantly in your profile with its own login credentials. This structure makes it easy to run different forex strategies or risk profiles in separate accounts while using the same client identity and KYC status.
Funding the account after approval
After verification, the final step in the XM account opening process is the first deposit.
Supported deposit methods
XM supports a mix of funding channels, depending on your region, which commonly include:
- Bank cards (debit and credit)
- Bank transfers
- E-wallets and local payment methods in certain jurisdictions
All these channels feed into the chosen base currency of your XM account. If you deposit in a different currency, XM converts into the base currency at prevailing rates.
Minimum deposit and funding structure
For Micro, Standard, Ultra Low and Zero accounts, XM sets the minimum deposit from 5 USD or equivalent in the account base currency. The Shares account uses a significantly higher entry point of 10,000 USD or equivalent.
XM does not add its own deposit fee on standard funding channels; any costs come from your bank or payment provider. Once funds reach the account, they show as balance and become part of your free margin for forex trading.
How the full XM account opening journey looks for a forex trader
Bringing all elements together, a new forex trader goes through a very specific sequence with XM:
- Online registration
- Choose MT4 or MT5 and an account type (Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero or Shares).
- Enter personal details, contact data and select a base currency and leverage setting.
- Regulatory questionnaire
- Complete questions on financial background, experience and understanding of leveraged trading.
- Account creation
- Receive Members Area login credentials and an MT4/MT5 trading account number connected to the chosen account type.
- Verification (KYC)
- Upload proof of identity and proof of residence from the Members Area.
- XM checks the documents and marks the account as fully validated.
- Platform access and additional accounts
- Log in to MT4, MT5 or the XM App with the given credentials and server.
- Open extra accounts with different types or base currencies directly from the portal if needed.
- Initial deposit
- Fund the chosen account using one of the supported payment methods, respecting the minimum deposit threshold for the account type.
Once these steps are complete, the account is fully active and ready for live forex and CFD trading under XM’s trading conditions, with leverage, spreads and platforms defined by the choices made during the opening process.
Posted by FXBonus
Please check XM official website or contact the customer support with regard to the latest information and more accurate details.
Please click "Introduction of XM", if you want to know the details and the company information of XM.
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