AvaTrade vs. XM: Spreads, Leverage & Platforms Compared

Choosing the right broker is one of the most critical steps in building a successful trading strategy—especially when trading high-volatility assets like gold CFDs. Two brokers that consistently rank among the top choices for global traders are AvaTrade and XM. But which one offers better conditions, tighter spreads, more leverage, and a superior trading platform experience?

In this article, we’ll compare AvaTrade vs. XM across key trading criteria—spreads, leverage, platform availability, regulation, and gold trading features—to help you decide which broker is more suitable for your trading style.

 Regulation and Trustworthiness

Both brokers are highly regulated and trusted by thousands of traders worldwide.

•        AvaTrade is licensed across multiple jurisdictions including Ireland (Central Bank of Ireland), Australia (ASIC), the UAE (ADGM), South Africa (FSCA), and others. This global regulatory presence ensures a high level of client protection and operational transparency.

•        XM is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Belize.

Verdict: Both brokers are well-regulated, but AvaTrade’s broader regulatory footprint gives it a slight edge in global trust coverage.

 Spreads and Trading Costs

When trading gold CFDs or any forex pair, spreads directly impact profitability.

•        AvaTrade offers fixed spreads on most assets, including gold. For XAU/USD, spreads typically start from around \$0.34 depending on the account type and market conditions. Fixed spreads provide predictability, especially during volatile news events.

•        XM offers variable spreads starting from as low as 0.1 pips, depending on the account type (especially XM Zero accounts), but these can widen significantly during high volatility.

Verdict: If you prefer predictable costs, AvaTrade’s fixed spreads are ideal. If you're comfortable with fluctuating but sometimes lower costs, XM may offer better pricing during stable periods.

 Leverage and Margin Flexibility

High leverage can increase profit potential—but it also increases risk, especially in gold CFD trading.

•        AvaTrade provides up to 1:400 leverage for retail clients depending on jurisdiction and asset type. Gold CFDs usually have leverage capped at 1:200.

•        XM offers leverage up to 1:1000, although such high leverage is often limited to micro and standard accounts and may vary by location and account balance.

Verdict: XM provides more aggressive leverage, which may suit scalpers or high-risk traders. AvaTrade offers more conservative and controlled risk management conditions.

 Trading Platforms and Tools

Platform quality plays a major role in order execution speed, usability, and analytical depth.

•        AvaTrade supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO (mobile), and its proprietary Web Trader platform. It also offers Asocial for copy trading and advanced technical analysis tools built-in.

•        XM also supports MT4 and MT5, but doesn’t offer its own proprietary platform or social trading features. Mobile trading is smooth, but more dependent on MetaTrader’s ecosystem.

Verdict: AvaTrade wins for its broader platform variety and enhanced mobile experience with AvaTradeGO and AvaSocial.

 Deposit Methods and Minimums

Ease of funding and minimum deposit requirements vary slightly between the two:

•        AvaTrade requires a \$100 minimum deposit, and accepts credit cards, wire transfers, and e-wallets including Skrill and Neteller.

•        XM requires a \$5 minimum deposit for most account types, which is extremely beginner-friendly. It also supports a wide range of payment methods.

Verdict: XM is better for new traders with low capital, while AvaTrade offers more flexibility in platform tools and trade execution for serious investors.

 Gold CFD Trading Features

Both brokers provide access to gold CFD trading, but there are key differences in execution and strategy support.

•        AvaTrade is known for its strong integration with AI-driven tools and compatibility with automated systems, including gold trading robots like SMARTT. It also offers low-latency execution ideal for automation.

•        XM provides solid execution, but may not support external automated systems as easily or efficiently, especially for users outside the MT5 environment.

Verdict: AvaTrade is better suited for automated gold trading systems and strategic execution, while XM focuses more on traditional manual trading.

 Customer Support and Education

•        AvaTrade offers 24/5 multilingual customer support and an impressive education hub with webinars, eBooks, and trading video tutorials.

•        XM also has a strong support system and offers frequent live seminars, trading contests, and extensive video education libraries.

Verdict: Both are excellent here. The choice depends on your preferred learning format—AvaTrade leans more digital; XM leans more interactive.

 Final Verdict: Which Is Better for Gold CFD Traders?

If you prioritize stability, automation, and strong global regulation, AvaTrade is the better choice—especially when using systems like SMARTT. If you’re starting out with limited capital and want flexible leverage, ^M may be more suitable.

To learn more about the trusted brokers that SMARTT works with—including AvaTrade, FBS, and Exness—visit our broker licenses page.