XM

XM

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.5
/ 10
vs
Squared Financial

Squared Financial

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
7.1
/ 10

XM vs Squared Financial

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

XM and Squared Financial are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. XM, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, IFSC and offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips with a minimum deposit of $5. Squared Financial, established in 2005 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from CySEC with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $250 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, XM scored 8.5/10 overall compared to Squared Financial's 7.1/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Squared Financial holds its own with overall value, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • 📊

    XM scores 8.5/10 overall vs 7.1/10 for Squared Financial — a 1.4-point difference.

  • 💵

    XM requires just $5 to start, while Squared Financial needs $250 — XM is 50x more accessible.

  • 📈

    XM offers 1,000+ instruments vs 400+ at Squared Financial — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    XM runs on MT4, MT5, XM App, while Squared Financial uses MT4, MT5 — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

  • The biggest gap is in Education: XM scores 9.5 vs 6.5 for Squared Financial — a 3.0-point difference.

Our Verdict

🏆 WINNER
XM

XM

Score: 8.5/10 · Wins 8 categories
  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
Squared Financial

Squared Financial

Score: 7.1/10 · Wins 0 categories
  • You prefer Squared Financial's trading environment overall

XM takes the lead with an overall score of 8.5/10 compared to 7.1/10, winning in 8 out of 8 scoring categories. XM stands out for lower trading costs and better trading platforms, while Squared Financial remains a solid alternative.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, XM comes out ahead with a 8.5/10 overall rating, winning 8 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Education where it scores 9.5/10. XM holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Squared Financial is not without merit — it scores 7.1/10 overall and excels in Platforms & Tools (7.5/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full XM review and Squared Financial review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

XM
Squared Financial
Trading Costs
8.0 7.0

XM wins by 1.0 points

Platforms & Tools
8.5 7.5

XM wins by 1.0 points

Regulation & Trust
9.0 7.5

XM wins by 1.5 points

Education
9.5 6.5

XM wins by 3.0 points

Customer Service
8.0 7.0

XM wins by 1.0 points

Research & Analysis
7.5 7.0

XM wins by 0.5 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
8.5 7.0

XM wins by 1.5 points

Product Range
8.0 7.0

XM wins by 1.0 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
8.5/10
7.1/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$5
$250
Max Leverage
1:1000
1:500
Spreads From
0.6 pips
0.0 pips
Platforms
MT4, MT5, XM App
MT4, MT5
Regulation
CySEC, ASIC, IFSC
CySEC
Founded
Older track record highlighted
2009
2005
Markets
1,000+
400+
XM: 1 Squared Financial: 0
💰

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: XM (8.0 vs 7.0)

When it comes to trading costs, XM has the edge with a score of 8/10 versus 7/10 for Squared Financial. XM offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips, while Squared Financial starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at XM is $5, compared to $250 at Squared Financial. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.

XM
8.0
Squared Financial
7.0
XM: 2 Squared Financial: 0
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: XM (8.5 vs 7.5)

XM scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 7.5/10 for Squared Financial. XM provides MT4, MT5, XM App, while Squared Financial offers MT4, MT5. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.

XM
8.5
Squared Financial
7.5
XM: 3 Squared Financial: 0
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

🏅 Section Winner: XM (9.0 vs 7.5)

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. XM is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, IFSC (Tier 1), while Squared Financial holds licenses from CySEC (Tier 1). XM scores 9/10 and Squared Financial scores 7.5/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.

XM
9.0
Squared Financial
7.5
XM: 4 Squared Financial: 0
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: XM (9.5 vs 6.5)

For learning resources, XM leads with 9.5/10 compared to 6.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. XM and Squared Financial both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.

XM
9.5
Squared Financial
6.5
XM: 5 Squared Financial: 0
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: XM (8.0 vs 7.0)

XM offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 8/10, while Squared Financial provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 7/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.

XM
8.0
Squared Financial
7.0
XM: 6 Squared Financial: 0
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: XM (8.5 vs 7.0)

XM scores 8.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Squared Financial scores 7/10. XM accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, and Squared Financial supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. XM requires a minimum deposit of $5 versus $250 for Squared Financial. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

XM
8.5
Squared Financial
7.0

Which Broker Is Right for You?

XM

Choose XM if you...

  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
Visit XM
Squared Financial

Choose Squared Financial if you...

  • You prefer Squared Financial's trading environment overall
Visit Squared Financial

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is XM better than Squared Financial?

XM scores higher overall (8.5/10 vs 7.1/10), winning 8 of 8 categories. However, Squared Financial remains competitive. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, XM or Squared Financial?

XM scores higher for trading costs. XM offers spreads from 0.6 pips with a $5 minimum deposit, while Squared Financial starts from 0.0 pips with $250 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is XM safe to trade with?

XM is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, IFSC and scores 9/10 for regulation. Squared Financial is regulated by CySEC with a score of 7.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, XM or Squared Financial?

XM scores 8.5/10 for platforms. XM offers MT4, MT5, XM App, while Squared Financial provides MT4, MT5. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for XM vs Squared Financial?

XM requires a minimum deposit of $5, while Squared Financial requires $250. XM has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.

Ready to Start Trading?

Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.

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