XM offers four main CFD trading accounts — Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, and Zero — plus a Shares account for direct stock trading. The core differences come down to spread structure, commission, and which regulatory entity your account falls under.
One critical point most guides skip: the Zero account is currently only available to clients under XM’s CySEC (EU) entity. International traders registered under IFSC (Belize) — which covers most of Asia, Africa, and the Americas outside the EU — cannot open a Zero account as of 2026. This guide clearly marks which accounts are available to international traders.
XM Account Types — Full Comparison
| Feature | Micro | Standard | Ultra Low | Zero |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 USD | |||
| Lot Size | 1,000 units (micro lot) | 100,000 units (standard lot) | 100,000 units | |
| Min. Spread (EURUSD) | 1.0 pips | 0.6 pips | 0.0 pips | |
| Commission | None | $3.5/lot (one way) | ||
| Max Leverage (International / IFSC) | Up to 1:1,000 | |||
| Max Leverage (EU / CySEC) | Up to 1:30 | |||
| Available to International Traders | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ EU (CySEC) only |
| Best For | Complete beginners | General traders | Active traders, scalpers | EU scalpers, EA traders |
- Zero account restriction: As of April 2026, the Zero account is only available under XM’s CySEC (EU) entity. Traders registered under IFSC (Belize) — covering most international clients outside the EU — cannot access the Zero account
- Inactivity fee: Accounts with no activity for 90 consecutive days are charged $10/month until the balance reaches zero
- Regulatory entity is auto-assigned based on your country of residence at registration — you cannot choose your entity
Which Account Has the Lowest Trading Cost?
Here’s how the all-in cost (spread + commission) compares on a standard 1-lot EUR/USD trade:
| Account | Typical Spread (EURUSD) | Commission | Total Cost / Lot | Available Internationally |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro / Standard | ~1.6 pips | None | ~$16 | ✅ |
| Ultra Low | ~0.8–1.1 pips | None | ~$8–$11 | ✅ |
| Zero | ~0.1 pip | $3.5/lot/side ($7 round turn) | ~$8 | ❌ EU only |
For international traders, Ultra Low is the lowest-cost option available. Total cost is roughly half that of the Standard account. For EU traders with access to the Zero account, Ultra Low and Zero have similar all-in costs — Zero is slightly cheaper during volatile sessions because the commission stays fixed while Ultra Low spreads can widen.
Each Account Type — Detailed Breakdown
Micro Account — Lowest Risk Entry for Beginners
The Micro account uses micro lots (1,000 units) — 1/100th the size of a standard lot. One pip on EUR/USD at 1 lot is worth approximately $0.10, meaning even a 100-pip adverse move only costs $1. Spreads start from 1.0 pip with no commission. The $5 minimum deposit is among the lowest in the industry.
Best for: Complete beginners placing their first live trades, traders testing strategies with real money at minimal risk. Also eligible for XM’s $30 no-deposit bonus (where available by region).
Standard Account — The All-Round Choice
The Standard account uses full standard lots (100,000 units). Same spread structure as the Micro account (from 1.0 pip), no commission, $5 minimum deposit. The key difference is that each pip is worth $10 on a 1-lot EUR/USD position — so position sizing becomes more important. Access to 1,400+ instruments including forex, metals, crypto, energy, indices, and stocks.
Best for: General retail traders, beginners moving beyond micro lots, users who want access to all bonus promotions. The most popular account type at XM globally.
Ultra Low Account — Best Value for International Traders
The Ultra Low account offers tighter spreads from 0.6 pips with zero commission — the lowest-cost option available to international traders. Available in two versions: Ultra Low Standard (standard lots) and Ultra Low Micro (micro lots), so you can combine tight spreads with smaller position sizes.
Best for: Active traders, scalpers, high-frequency traders, and anyone who wants the lowest all-in trading cost available to international XM clients. Many experienced traders hold both a Standard account (for bonuses and strategy testing) and an Ultra Low account (for live trading).
Zero Account — EU Clients Only
The Zero account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs with a fixed commission of $3.5/lot per side ($7 round turn). Total cost on EUR/USD is approximately $8/lot — roughly half the Standard account’s ~$16/lot. Ideal for EA operators and high-frequency scalpers where entry precision directly impacts profitability.
As of 2026, the Zero account is only available to clients under XM’s CySEC (EU) entity. International traders registered under IFSC (Belize) cannot open a Zero account. This is XM’s most significant competitive gap compared to brokers like Exness, which offer raw-spread accounts globally. If XM changes this policy, this article will be updated.
Shares Account — For Long-Term Stock Investors
Completely different from the other four. Provides direct access to real shares (not CFDs) on global stock exchanges — NYSE, LSE, NASDAQ, and more. No leverage, no overnight swap, per-share commissions. Minimum deposit $10,000. For investors who want actual equity ownership, not leveraged exposure.
Which Account Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Recommended Account | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Complete beginner, want minimal risk | Micro | Pip value ~$0.10, extremely low dollar risk per trade |
| New trader starting out | Standard | No commission, simple pricing, access to all bonuses |
| Active trader, want lower costs | Ultra Low | Lowest cost available to international traders |
| Scalper or high-frequency trader (international) | Ultra Low | Spreads from 0.6 pips, no commission |
| EU-based scalper or EA trader | Zero | Raw 0.0 pip spreads, fixed $7/lot cost |
| Long-term stock investor | Shares | Direct real share ownership, no leverage |
XM allows up to 8 live trading accounts under one profile, with instant free fund transfers between them. Many traders run a Standard account alongside an Ultra Low account — Standard for testing strategies and claiming bonuses, Ultra Low for live execution with tighter spreads.
Ready to open an account? Follow the step-by-step walkthrough in our XM account opening guide. To test account conditions before depositing, open an XM demo account — it mirrors Standard and Ultra Low Standard spreads at no cost.
Conditions That Apply to All Accounts
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes (all accounts) |
|---|---|
| Max Leverage (International / IFSC) | Up to 1:1,000 |
| Max Leverage (EU / CySEC) | Up to 1:30 on major forex pairs |
| Trading Platforms | MT4 / MT5 / Web Trader / XM App |
| Minimum Trade Size | 0.01 lots |
| Maximum Trade Size | 200 lots |
| Islamic (Swap-Free) Account | Available on Ultra Low Standard and Ultra Low Micro |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 90 days of no activity (stops when balance reaches zero) |
