This guide explains XM’s forex spreads across Standard, Micro, Ultra Low and Zero accounts and walks you step by step through the XM account opening process on MT4, MT5 and the XM app.
Spreads comparison of XM's account types & platforms Table of Contents
- XM’s account types and spread structure
- Commission-free Standard and Micro spreads
- XM Ultra Low account spreads
- XM Zero account spreads
- Shares account and CFD spreads
- How spreads differ by instrument at XM
- MT4 vs MT5: spreads across XM platforms
- Which XM spread structure fits which forex trading style?
- XM Account Opening Steps
- How XM structures account opening
- Profile registration: the first XM screen
- Email verification and first login
- Default account settings and what they mean for forex
- Completing personal and contact details
- Tax information and regulatory questions
- Financial profile and forex trading experience
- Identity documents: proof of who you are
- Address documents: proof of where you live
- Face verification and final checks
- What “verified” status unlocks
- Downloading MT4 or MT5 and logging in
- Opening additional XM accounts
- Opening an XM account via the mobile app
- How the account opening flow supports secure forex trading
XM structures its forex pricing around a clear spread model that depends on the account type, not on whether you trade on MT4, MT5, or the XM app. Once you understand how spreads differ between the Micro, Standard, Ultra Low and Zero accounts, you can immediately see which structure fits your forex trading style and how much you actually pay per trade in pips and dollars.
XM’s account types and spread structure
XM groups its main forex accounts into four categories:
- Micro account
- Standard account
- Ultra Low account (Micro and Standard contract sizes)
- Zero account
- Shares account (stock CFDs, with a different fee model)
Across these, XM uses two basic approaches:
- Commission-free pricing with wider spreads
- Micro
- Standard
- Ultra Low
- Raw-style pricing with very tight spreads plus commission
- Zero
The Shares account uses stock-style commissions instead of classic forex spreads, so it sits outside the usual pip comparison.
All of these accounts can be used on MT4, MT5 and the XM app. XM quotes the same pricing feed for a given account type across platforms, so if you are on a Standard account, your forex spread profile is the same whether you trade on MT4, MT5, or XM’s proprietary interface.
Commission-free Standard and Micro spreads
The Standard and Micro accounts share the same spread table. The only difference is contract size:
- Micro trades in 1,000-unit lots (cent-style notional), good for small positions.
- Standard trades in 100,000-unit lots, the classic forex lot size.
On these accounts:
- XM does not charge a trading commission.
- The trading cost is entirely in the spread.
Independent fee breakdowns show that this commission-free structure comes with wider spreads than the other XM account types:
- One detailed comparison lists minimum Standard spreads from about 1.0–1.6 pips on major forex pairs, with typical averages for EUR/USD closer to 2.0 pips.
- XM’s own marketing states “spreads as low as 0.8 pips” for its commission-free offering, but live minimum tables and real averages clearly sit above the Ultra Low and Zero accounts.
To understand what this means in cash terms, use EUR/USD with a 1-lot trade:
- On a Standard account, an example average of 2.0 pips on EUR/USD equals 20 USD per side (since each pip on a 1-lot EUR/USD trade is about 10 USD).
- For a round trip (open + close), that is 40 USD purely in spread cost.
For Micro, you simply divide by 100, because a micro lot is 1,000 units instead of 100,000. The pip cost is smaller, but the spread structure is identical.
These accounts suit traders who want:
- Simple all-in pricing with no commission lines on the statement
- Small deposit entry (as low as 5 USD equivalent)
- Basic forex trading on MT4 or MT5 without optimising every pip of cost
XM Ultra Low account spreads
The Ultra Low account exists specifically to cut spread cost while keeping the commission at zero. XM offers Ultra Low in both Micro and Standard contract sizes.
Key facts about Ultra Low spreads:
- Spreads start from 0.6 pips on major currency pairs.
- Independent spread tables list EUR/USD minimum as low as 0.8 pips on Ultra Low Standard, with similar tiers for other majors.
- XM emphasises this account for “low spreads and lower swap and commission costs,” confirming that the spread profile is tighter than Standard.
Using the same 1-lot EUR/USD example, with figures drawn from a live comparison:
- Ultra Low account
- Example average spread: 1.1 pips
- Cost per side: 1.1 pips × 10 USD = 11 USD
- Round trip cost: 22 USD
Compare that with the 40 USD round trip on the Standard account, and you see that Ultra Low cuts the spread cost by nearly half for the same trade size and pair.
This account is clearly targeted at:
- Scalpers and intraday forex traders who place many trades
- Traders who want tighter spreads but still prefer an easy commission-free structure
- Users on both MT4 and MT5 who rely on Expert Advisors and need lower friction on each order
XM Zero account spreads
The Zero account takes the opposite approach: instead of wider, commission-free spreads, it offers raw-style spreads plus a fixed commission.
Core characteristics:
- Spreads from 0.0 pips on a wide set of forex pairs
- Commission 3.50 USD per side per standard lot, so 7 USD per round trip
- Floating spreads that often sit around 0.1–0.3 pips on EUR/USD in typical market conditions
When you combine spread and commission on EUR/USD for a 1-lot trade, independent analyses give a clear numeric comparison:
- Standard account
- Average spread: 2.0 pips → 20 USD per side
- Round trip: 40 USD
- Ultra Low account
- Average spread: 1.1 pips → 11 USD per side
- Round trip: 22 USD
- Zero account
- Average spread: 0.2 pips → 2 USD per side
- Commission: 3.50 USD per side
- Per side total: 2 + 3.50 = 5.50 USD
- Round trip: 11 USD
This breakdown shows that Zero has the lowest forex trading cost per lot among XM’s accounts when you factor in both spread and commission.
The Zero account is designed for:
- High-frequency trading
- Algorithmic systems that rely on tight pricing
- Traders who are comfortable with a visible commission line in exchange for very narrow spreads
Availability of the Zero account depends on the XM legal entity you fall under, but where it is offered, it sits at the top of the pricing ladder in terms of raw cost per lot.
Shares account and CFD spreads
The Shares account follows stock-style pricing:
- XM quotes share CFDs based on the underlying exchange price.
- Fees are structured mainly as a percentage commission on transaction value (for example, around 0.10% per trade for many markets).
Technically there is still a spread between bid and ask, but in practice the key cost driver is the commission, not a wide forex-style spread. For this reason, the Shares account is not the main choice for pure forex traders. Those focused on EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY and similar pairs usually stay with Standard, Ultra Low, or Zero.
All share trading is accessible through MT5 and XM’s app, while MT4 is used primarily for forex and CFDs that follow pip-based spreads.
How spreads differ by instrument at XM
Spreads at XM vary by:
- Account type
- Currency pair category (major, minor, exotic)
- Trading session and liquidity
From comprehensive spread tables:
- Major pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY):
- Standard/Micro: larger minimum values (around 1.0–1.6 pips or more).
- Ultra Low: minimums closer to 0.6–0.8 pips.
- Zero: minimum 0.0 pips with averages around 0.2 pips on EUR/USD in balanced conditions.
- Minor pairs (EUR/GBP, AUD/NZD etc.):
- Spreads are naturally wider than majors on all accounts.
- Ultra Low and Zero still show a clear step down compared with Standard and Micro.
- Exotic pairs (USD/TRY, USD/ZAR etc.):
- Higher spreads across the board due to lower liquidity, but the account hierarchy remains the same: Zero < Ultra Low < Standard/Micro when you factor in full trading cost.
XM also promotes average spreads around 0.2 pips on some majors under optimal liquidity for its narrow-pricing setups, which matches the raw figures reported for Zero and the tight side of Ultra Low.
All spreads are floating, so they adapt to market depth, but the relative relationship between account types stays consistent. Standard always sits at the top, Ultra Low in the middle, and Zero at the bottom of the cost pyramid when you factor in both spread and commission.
MT4 vs MT5: spreads across XM platforms
From a pricing point of view, XM treats MT4 and MT5 the same for each account type:
- If you open a Standard account on MT4, the spread structure matches a Standard account on MT5.
- If you trade Ultra Low or Zero on MT5, you get the same spread and commission grid as on MT4.
The differences between MT4 and MT5 are structural, not pricing-based:
- MT4 is focused on forex and CFD trading, widely used for Expert Advisors and classic indicator-based systems.
- MT5 adds more markets, more timeframes, depth-of-market and more order types, which is useful if you also trade stock CFDs and additional asset classes.
XM quotes the same low-spread marketing line (“spreads as low as 0.8 pips” and “from 0.0 pips” depending on account) by account type across its platforms. That confirms that spread conditions belong to the account, not the software front-end.
Whether you log in through desktop MT4, desktop MT5, web terminal, or mobile, once you select the same account ID, you see the same bid/ask and therefore the same spread on any forex pair at a given moment.
Which XM spread structure fits which forex trading style?
Because spread directly shapes cost per trade, XM’s account grid aligns cleanly with different trading approaches.
Standard & Micro accounts
- Best for:
- Traders who place fewer trades and focus on simplicity
- New forex traders who want all-in spreads with no commission line
- Spread profile:
- Wider spreads, especially on majors like EUR/USD and GBP/USD
- Example average cost on EUR/USD: around 40 USD per 1-lot round trip based on 2 pips spread
- Platforms:
- Fully supported on MT4, MT5 and XM app
Ultra Low account
- Best for:
- Day traders and scalpers who still want commission-free pricing
- Traders who care about spread on each short-term forex position
- Spread profile:
- Spreads from 0.6 pips on major pairs, with example averages around 1.1 pips on EUR/USD
- Round trip cost on EUR/USD example: 22 USD per 1-lot
- Platforms:
- MT4, MT5, and XM app, with both Micro and Standard contract sizes
Zero account
- Best for:
- High-frequency and algorithmic traders
- Traders who want raw-style spreads and accept a fixed commission
- Spread profile:
- Spreads from 0.0 pips, with averages around 0.2 pips on EUR/USD in balanced conditions
- Commission: 3.50 USD per side per standard lot
- Round trip example: 11 USD total cost per 1-lot EUR/USD trade
- Platforms:
- MT4 and MT5, where available under your XM entity
Shares account
- Best for:
- Traders who want to trade stock CFDs alongside forex
- Pricing model:
- Exchange-linked pricing with a percentage commission, not a pure pip-spread model
- Platform:
- MT5 and XM app for stock CFD access
If you strip everything back to trading cost, XM’s spreads line up in a clear hierarchy:
- For forex spreads on MT4 and MT5, the account type is what matters.
- Standard and Micro accounts have the widest spreads and the highest all-in cost per lot, but with simple, commission-free pricing.
- Ultra Low narrows spreads significantly while staying commission-free, cutting the cost per lot almost in half compared with Standard on pairs like EUR/USD.
- Zero uses raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus commission and delivers the lowest all-in cost on major forex pairs when you calculate spread plus commission together.
All of these accounts are fully accessible on MT4 and MT5, and XM quotes the same forex spread structure for a given account ID across desktop, web and mobile platforms. The choice between MT4 and MT5 therefore comes down to tools and markets, not to spread differences.
For any forex trader comparing XM account types, the structure is straightforward:
- Choose Standard or Micro if you prefer a simple spread-only model and do not mind paying more per pip.
- Choose Ultra Low if you want tighter spreads with no commission and you trade often.
- Choose Zero if you want the lowest possible all-in forex spreads and are comfortable with a fixed commission charge on each trade.
Once you match your trading style to one of these profiles, XM’s spread and cost structure becomes clear across both MT4 and MT5.
XM Account Opening Steps
XM is a large forex and CFD broker that opens trading accounts through a fully online process. You move from a simple registration form to a fully verified trading profile with access to MT4, MT5 and the XM app. Each step has a clear purpose: identify you, link you to the correct XM entity, check your trading background, and verify your documents so deposits and withdrawals run under strict regulatory rules.
How XM structures account opening
XM follows a fixed pattern for every new real account:
- Create a profile with country, email, and password
- Confirm your email and log in to the Members Area
- Receive a default real and demo account
- Complete personal, tax and financial questions
- Upload identity and address documents
- Wait for the back office to mark the account as verified
- Fund the account and log in to MT4 or MT5 to start forex trading
Understanding this sequence makes it easier to move through the forms without confusion or delay.
Profile registration: the first XM screen
The process begins on the XM registration page or inside the XM mobile app. The very first form creates your XM profile, which later controls all your real and demo accounts.
On this page you enter:
- Country of residence
- Email address
- Password for the Members Area
Your country of residence determines which XM legal entity you fall under and which forex trading conditions (for example, leverage caps and bonus availability) apply to you. The email and password become your login for the Members Area. This profile is the foundation for every account you open with XM.
Email verification and first login
Immediately after you submit the registration form, XM sends a “Verify your email address” message to the email you provided. The message contains a verification button. When you click it, the profile is confirmed and you gain access to the Members Area.
At the same time, XM sends a welcome email that includes:
- Your Members Area credentials
- MT IDs for a new real account and a demo account
After verification you log in to the Members Area, where you can see your client dashboard, the default real account, and basic account management options.
Default account settings and what they mean for forex
When the profile is created and the email is verified, XM automatically creates a default real account. For many clients this is an MT5 Standard account with base currency aligned to the main currency of the client’s country.
This default setup matters for forex traders because it defines:
- The platform you see first (MT5)
- The contract type (Standard lots of 100,000 units)
- The account currency used to show your balance, margin and profit
You can change your setup later by opening additional accounts (for example, MT4 Micro, Ultra Low or Zero), but the first account gives you immediate access to a live trading login once verification is complete.
Completing personal and contact details
To activate the account, XM requires a full personal information form. Inside the Members Area, you click “Verify Now” or a similar prompt and complete several pages of details.
Typical fields include:
- Full name as shown on your ID
- Date of birth
- Mobile phone number
- Country of residence, city and full address
- Postal code
These details must match your identification documents and proof of residence. XM uses them to link the trading account to a specific individual at a specific address, which is a basic requirement for regulated forex brokers.
Tax information and regulatory questions
XM then asks for tax information linked to your profile. This step connects your trading activity to the correct tax jurisdiction.
In this section you provide:
- Confirmation of your tax residency
- Tax Identification Number (TIN), if your country issues one
- Answers to questions about whether you are a tax resident in more than one country
XM records this data to follow international tax reporting rules. The information is stored in your profile and used when regulators require cross-border reporting on financial accounts.
Financial profile and forex trading experience
Before granting full trading access, XM evaluates whether forex and CFD trading fits your knowledge and experience. This is done through a short questionnaire in the Members Area.
The questionnaire covers:
- Employment status and occupation
- Approximate income and net worth ranges
- Main source of trading funds (salary, savings, business income and similar categories)
- Prior experience in forex, CFDs, stocks, or other leveraged products
- Familiarity with margin, leverage, and the possibility of rapid losses
XM uses your answers to classify your profile, but it still opens an account when you complete the form honestly. In some stricter jurisdictions, the information may influence which products or leverage levels are available to you, but the basic account opening sequence stays the same.
Identity documents: proof of who you are
The next phase is Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. XM requires clear documents that confirm your identity. The broker accepts several types of Proof of Identity (POI):
- Passport
- Government-issued ID card
- Driver’s licence
The document must show:
- Your full name
- Your photo
- Date of birth
- Document number and expiry
- Signature, where applicable
XM allows you to upload scans or photos of the document through the Members Area or the XM mobile app. The interface guides you to choose the document type and upload it from your phone or computer. On some flows, XM also uses an automated check to ensure the image is clear and all corners of the document are visible.
Address documents: proof of where you live
Alongside the identity document, XM requires Proof of Residence (POR). This ensures the address on your profile is accurate and that you actually live in the stated country. Accepted POR documents include:
- Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, landline, or internet)
- Bank statement
- Credit card statement
- Other official correspondence from a recognised institution
The document must show:
- Your full name
- The same address as in your XM profile
- A recent issue date shown clearly
You upload this document using the same interface as the POI. XM links it to your profile and uses it to confirm that your legal address matches your trading account data.
Face verification and final checks
For many clients, XM also performs a face verification step. The system prompts you to take a selfie with your phone or webcam. The platform compares this image to the photo on your identity document.
Once all documents are uploaded, XM’s back office completes several checks:
- Confirms that the POI is genuine and not expired
- Confirms that the POR shows the correct address and is recent
- Confirms that your identity is not on internal or external sanction lists
Only after these checks are complete does XM mark your trading account as verified in the client area.
What “verified” status unlocks
When your XM account shows “Verified” in the Members Area, the profile is fully active. This status unlocks several practical features for forex traders:
- Ability to deposit funds using bank cards, bank transfer, and supported e-wallets
- Full access to withdrawals back to verified payment methods
- Access to bonuses and promotions offered by your XM entity
- Ability to open additional live accounts without sending documents again
From this point onward, you are treated as a fully onboarded client. You can start forex trading on MT4 or MT5 using your login details, and you can move money in and out of XM within the broker’s normal processing times and policies.
Downloading MT4 or MT5 and logging in
XM supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and the XM app. MT4 and MT5 are available on desktop, mobile and web. Once your account is verified, XM sends you:
- Trading account ID (for MT4 or MT5, depending on your default account)
- The server name (for example, “XMGlobal-Real 3”)
- Instructions to set or confirm your trading password
You then:
- Install MT4 or MT5 on your preferred device, or open the web terminal
- Enter the trading account ID, password, and server
- Connect and confirm that the balance and base currency match what you see in the Members Area
Once connected, you can view live forex prices, open charts, attach indicators, and place your first trades according to your plan and risk tolerance.
Opening additional XM accounts
XM lets you have multiple live accounts under the same profile. This is useful if you want:
- One account for Standard or Micro trading
- Another for Ultra Low or Zero spreads
- Separate accounts for different base currencies or strategies
The process is simple and does not require new documents when your first account is already verified. In the Members Area you choose “Open Additional Account”, select platform, account type, leverage and base currency, and confirm.
XM then creates another trading account ID with its own balance and login credentials, while keeping all accounts under the same KYC profile.
Opening an XM account via the mobile app
You can also open and verify your XM forex account through the XM application on smartphones. The app mirrors the same steps as the web portal:
- Install and open the XM app
- Complete profile registration with country, email and password
- Verify your email from within the app
- Fill in personal details, tax and financial information
- Upload POI and POR photos using the phone camera
- Wait for the verification status to change to “Verified” inside the app
This mobile route is convenient if you prefer to manage everything from one device, including registration, document upload, deposits, withdrawals and forex trading.
How the account opening flow supports secure forex trading
Every part of XM’s account opening flow serves a specific risk and compliance function that protects both the client and the broker:
- Profile and email verification ensure that only you can access your Members Area and receive account notices.
- Full personal and address details link each forex trading account to a real, identified person at a verified location.
- Tax and regulatory questions connect the account to the appropriate jurisdiction and support international reporting obligations.
- KYC documents and face verification prevent impersonation and help XM meet strict anti-money-laundering standards.
- Verified status before full access to deposits and withdrawals ensures that funds flow only between XM and payment methods genuinely owned by the same client.
For a forex trader, this means that once you pass through these steps, your account sits on a robust identity and compliance framework, which is essential for large deposits, frequent withdrawals, and long-term trading activity.
Opening a forex trading account with XM follows a consistent, digital sequence:
- Register a profile with country, email and password
- Verify your email and log in to the Members Area
- Review your default real account settings
- Complete personal details, address, and tax information
- Fill out your financial profile and trading experience
- Upload identity and address documents and complete face verification
- Wait for XM to mark the account as verified
- Install MT4 or MT5, log in using the trading account ID, and start trading
- Optionally, open additional accounts with different types or platforms when needed
The entire flow is built around regulatory requirements and practical needs of forex traders. Once these steps are complete, you have a verified XM account that supports deposits, withdrawals, and live forex trading on MT4, MT5, and the XM app with the account types and trading conditions that fit your strategy.
Updated 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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