Most account comparisons stop at a table of headline numbers. The table matters, but the real question is which combination of costs and conditions fits the way you trade. This independent ExemSignup comparison puts XM's account types side by side, shows how to find the point where one becomes cheaper than another, and then matches accounts to common trader profiles. Figures are as reported in published 2026 sources; confirm everything on the registration page for your country.
XM accounts side by side
| Feature | Standard | Ultra Low | Micro | Shares | Demo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Widely listed | Widely listed | Some regions or entities only | Listed on main page | Free for anyone registering |
| Main cost | Variable spread | Tighter variable spread; check for commission | Check specification sheet | Check share-dealing fees | Virtual money only |
| Quoted spreads (majors) | From roughly 1.6 pips | From roughly 0.8 pips | Not confirmed | Not applicable | Similar to live, may differ |
| Typical contract size | 1 lot = 100,000 units | Check specifications | Usually smaller (micro lots) | Per share | Matches chosen type |
| Minimum deposit | About USD 5 advertised | About USD 5 advertised | Not confirmed | Reported around USD 10,000 | None |
| Leverage | Depends on entity and equity | Depends on entity and equity | Depends on entity | Typically unleveraged | Selectable |
| Promotions | Check current terms | Reportedly excluded from some offers | Check current terms | Check current terms | Not applicable |
Spreads are variable and the quoted figures are "from" levels at the time of writing. Minimum deposits depend on your entity, payment method and currency.
Finding the break-even between Standard and Ultra Low
The most common real decision is Standard versus Ultra Low. If Ultra Low has a tighter spread but carries a commission for your entity, there is a trade size where the two cost the same. Here is how to find it, using hypothetical numbers.
Assume, purely for illustration:
- Standard spread on EUR/USD: 1.7 pips, no commission.
- Ultra Low spread: 0.9 pips, plus a commission of USD 5 per lot round turn.
- One pip on 1.00 lot: about USD 10.
Cost per 1.00 lot:
- Standard: 1.7 x USD 10 = USD 17.
- Ultra Low: 0.9 x USD 10 + USD 5 = USD 14.
- Difference: USD 3 per lot in favour of Ultra Low under these assumptions.
Because both costs scale with lot size, the per-lot difference stays the same whatever size you trade. What changes is how much it adds up to. At 2 lots a month, it is USD 6; at 200 lots a month, it is USD 600. If instead the commission were USD 9 per lot, Ultra Low would cost USD 18 against Standard's USD 17, and the advantage would disappear. That is why checking the commission line is more important than comparing spreads alone. If Ultra Low has no commission for your entity, the full spread difference is your saving.
Which account fits you: by trader profile
The complete beginner
Start with: a demo account, then a Standard account with small sizes. You need to learn order placement, position sizing and margin before costs matter. A spread-only price is the easiest to understand. Our demo account guide includes a four-week practice plan.
The small-balance trader
Consider: Micro if it appears on your form, otherwise Standard at 0.01 lot. With a balance of a few hundred dollars, precise position sizing matters more than fractions of a pip. Read the Micro account guide to see why availability varies.
The active day trader or scalper
Consider: Ultra Low, after running the break-even calculation with real figures. High trade counts multiply every pip saved. Check whether a commission applies and whether you would lose access to a promotion you value. Details in the Ultra Low guide.
The swing or position trader
Consider: Standard or Ultra Low based on swap rather than spread. When trades last days or weeks, the spread is paid once while swap is charged every night. Compare the swap tables for your instruments on each account type.
The automated strategy user
Consider: the account with the lowest all-in cost per trade, tested first on demo. Expert advisors can trade far more often than a person, so small cost differences compound. Make sure your platform choice (MT4 or MT5) supports your software.
The long-term share investor
Consider: the Shares account, if the reported higher minimum deposit suits you. It is designed for holding shares rather than leveraged CFD trading. If you only want short-term exposure to share prices, CFDs on a Standard account are a different, higher-risk product.
Five questions to settle before registering
- Which XM entity will my account be under, and which account types does it offer?
- Does the account I prefer charge a commission, and how much?
- What are the minimum lot size and the minimum deposit for my payment method?
- Does any promotion I care about apply to this account type?
- What leverage will I actually set, and how much could one losing trade cost?
Remember that XM has allowed several live accounts per client (reported as up to 10) under one Members Area profile, so the first choice is not permanent. You can open a second type later and compare real results.
When you have decided, follow our step-by-step registration guide, or read XM account types explained for background on each type.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between XM Standard and Ultra Low?
Pricing. XM has quoted Standard spreads from roughly 1.6 pips and Ultra Low from roughly 0.8 pips on majors at the time of writing. Check whether Ultra Low adds a commission or limits promotions for your entity.
Which XM account is cheapest?
It depends on your trade size, frequency and any commission. Work out the all-in cost per lot for each account using the spread, any commission and swap, then multiply by your usual monthly volume.
Which XM account should a beginner choose?
Many beginners start with a demo account, then move to a Standard account with small positions because the spread-only pricing is easy to understand. Micro can suit small balances where it is offered.
Can I hold more than one XM account type?
XM has allowed several live accounts per client, reported as up to 10, under one Members Area profile. That lets you open different types and compare them.
Why does my registration form show different accounts from this table?
XM serves clients through different legal entities depending on country, and each entity can offer a different account menu. The form shows the accounts available to you.
How we checked this guide: XM changes its products, entities and forms over time, and conditions differ by country. We describe the process in general terms and say so when a detail could not be confirmed. Always treat the information on XM's own registration pages and client agreement as final. Read our fact-checking policy.