X
XM
3.9 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A globally regulated, multi-asset powerhouse built for serious forex and CFD traders.
- Min deposit
- $5
- Max leverage
- 1:1000
- Spread from
- 0.6 pips
- Regulators
- CySEC, ASIC, FCA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/30/2026
XM vs Stake: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
XM and Stake serve very different traders — one is a global multi-asset forex powerhouse, the other a stripped-down stock investing app. Our research puts XM ahead overall with a 3.9/5 rating versus Stake's 3.4/5, though Stake claws back ground on fees and accessibility.
S
Stake
3.4 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A no-frills, zero-minimum stock investing app built for cost-conscious beginners.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA
Overall Winner
XM
Best for Beginners
Stake
Lowest Fees
Stake
Top Regulation
XM
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | X XM | S Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 2009 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Sydney, Australia |
| Regulation | CySEC, ASIC, FCA | ASIC, FCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:1 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Stocks, Indices, Commodities | Stocks |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
XM
$5
Stake
$0
Spreads From
XM
0.6 pips
Stake
0 pips
Commission
XM
None
Stake
None
Deposit Fees
XM
None
Stake
None
Withdrawal Fees
XM
None
Stake
None
Pros & cons
X
XM
Pros
- Higher overall rating of 3.9/5 in our independent research
- Broader regulatory coverage across three tier-1 jurisdictions
- Significantly higher maximum leverage for experienced traders
- Wider range of tradable markets including forex and commodities
- Industry-standard MT4/MT5 platform support for automated trading
- Low $5 minimum deposit keeps entry costs accessible
- Established track record dating back to 2009
Cons
- Spreads from 0.6 pips are wider than Stake's 0.0 pip offering
- High leverage up to 1:1000 increases risk for inexperienced traders
- No dedicated stock-only account style for passive investors
- Proprietary mobile app is secondary to third-party MT4/MT5 platforms
S
Stake
Pros
- Tighter spreads starting from 0.0 pips
- No minimum deposit required to start investing
- Clean, beginner-friendly proprietary platform experience
- Regulated by two respected tier-1 authorities
- No deposit or withdrawal fees on the platform
Cons
- Limited to stocks only with no forex, CFD, or commodity access
- Maximum leverage capped at just 1:1, limiting flexibility
- No MT4/MT5 support for advanced or automated trading
- Fewer regulatory licences compared to XM's three-jurisdiction coverage
- Lower overall rating of 3.4/5 in our independent research
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner XM
Lowest fees Stake
Best regulation XM
Better for beginners Stake
XM is our top pick overall, earning a 3.9/5 rating compared to Stake's 3.4/5 in our independent research. XM's advantage comes from broader regulation, higher leverage, and a wider range of tradable markets including forex, CFDs, indices, and commodities. Stake still wins on pure cost with 0.0 pip spreads and a $0 minimum deposit, making it a genuinely attractive entry point for beginners who only want simple stock exposure. If you want a full-service multi-asset broker, choose XM; if you want a low-cost, no-frills stock investing app, Stake fits the bill.
Regulation & Safety
Both brokers operate under credible tier-1 oversight, which is the first box any serious trader should check before depositing funds. XM is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and FCA — three separate top-tier regulators spanning Europe, Australia, and the UK. Stake, by comparison, holds licences from ASIC and FCA only, covering two jurisdictions.
This gives XM a structural edge for traders who prioritize multi-jurisdictional oversight and the added client protections that come from operating under additional regulatory frameworks. Stake's two licences are still perfectly respectable and place it firmly in the tier-1 regulatory bracket, but XM simply covers more ground.
Neither broker reports deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a positive for both platforms when it comes to transparent account funding. For traders where regulatory breadth is the deciding factor, XM is our recommended choice for regulation and safety.
Fees, Spreads & Minimum Deposit
This is where Stake fights back hardest. Stake advertises spreads starting from 0.0 pips, undercutting XM's spreads from 0.6 pips. Neither broker charges a standard commission on top of spreads, so the raw spread comparison is a fair like-for-like measure.
Minimum deposit requirements tell a similar story: Stake requires $0 to open an account, while XM requires a modest $5. For cash-strapped beginners or those testing a platform before committing real capital, Stake's zero-deposit threshold is a genuine accessibility advantage.
However, low spreads and low deposits only tell part of the cost story. XM's markets span forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, and commodities, whereas Stake is limited strictly to stocks — so the fee comparison only really applies to the asset classes both platforms actually offer.
Trading Platforms & Tools
XM supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms alongside its own proprietary mobile app. This gives XM traders access to advanced charting, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and a platform ecosystem trusted by millions of forex and CFD traders worldwide.
Stake takes a simpler route with a proprietary web platform and a proprietary mobile app, designed primarily for straightforward stock investing rather than active multi-asset trading. There's no MT4/MT5 support, which will be a dealbreaker for algorithmic or highly technical traders.
If platform sophistication and automated strategy support matter to you, XM's MT4/MT5 integration is far more capable. Stake's simplicity, on the other hand, appeals to investors who just want a clean, mobile-first stock buying experience without a learning curve.
Market Access & Leverage
XM offers access to five distinct market categories — forex, CFDs, stocks, indices, and commodities — with maximum leverage reaching an aggressive 1:1000. That leverage ceiling is squarely aimed at experienced forex and CFD traders comfortable managing higher risk-reward ratios.
Stake, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Sydney, focuses exclusively on stocks with maximum leverage of just 1:1, essentially a cash-account style investing model. There's no forex, commodities, or indices exposure available on Stake at all.
This makes the two brokers almost complementary rather than direct competitors: XM suits traders wanting leveraged, diversified market exposure, while Stake suits long-term stock investors who prefer to avoid leverage entirely.
Company Background & Track Record
XM has been operating since 2009 out of Limassol, Cyprus, giving it well over a decade and a half of operating history in the competitive forex and CFD brokerage space. That longevity has helped XM build a globally recognized brand across multiple regulated regions.
Stake is a newer entrant, founded in 2017 and based in Sydney, Australia, with a narrower focus on democratizing stock market access, particularly for Australian and international investors wanting exposure to global equities.
Both companies carry a 2/4 score on our internal benchmarking scale, indicating comparable standing in their respective niches despite the age gap — XM as an established multi-asset broker, Stake as a modern, streamlined investing app.
Our Verdict
XM is the stronger overall broker for the majority of traders thanks to its broader regulatory footprint, wider market selection, professional-grade platforms, and higher leverage ceiling. It earns our award for both best overall broker and best regulation in this matchup.
Stake earns its own recognition as best for beginners and best for low fees, thanks to its $0 minimum deposit and tighter 0.0 pip spreads. It's a smart, low-barrier entry point for new investors who only care about stock exposure.
Ultimately, your choice should hinge on what you actually want to trade. Choose XM for serious, diversified, leveraged trading across forex and CFDs; choose Stake if you're a beginner who wants simple, low-cost stock investing with no minimum deposit hurdle.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
XM wins overall
XM edges out Stake overall based on our expert rating score.
X
Highest Rated
XM
3.9 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.9/5).
XMBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
StakeLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
StakeStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
XM
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent research, XM scores higher overall with a 3.9/5 rating compared to Stake's 3.4/5. XM's advantage comes primarily from broader regulation, wider market access, and higher leverage options, though the right choice still depends on whether you need multi-asset trading or simple stock investing.
Stake edges out XM on raw spread cost, offering spreads from 0.0 pips versus XM's 0.6 pips. Neither broker charges an additional commission, so Stake is technically the cheaper option for the stock trades both platforms support.
XM requires a minimum deposit of just $5, while Stake requires no minimum deposit at all. Both figures are low enough that either broker is accessible to beginners with limited starting capital.
Yes, both brokers hold tier-1 regulatory licences. XM is regulated by CySEC, ASIC, and FCA, giving it coverage across three major jurisdictions, while Stake is regulated by ASIC and FCA, covering two jurisdictions.
XM supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and a proprietary mobile app, giving traders access to advanced charting and automated strategy tools. Stake offers only a proprietary web platform and mobile app, built for simplicity rather than advanced trading features.
XM is accessible to beginners thanks to its low $5 minimum deposit, but its high leverage of up to 1:1000 and broader CFD/forex offering are better suited to traders who understand leveraged risk. Beginners wanting a simpler experience may prefer Stake instead.
No, Stake is limited strictly to stocks and does not offer forex, CFDs, indices, or commodities trading. Traders wanting exposure to those markets would need to use a broker like XM instead.
XM offers significantly higher leverage of up to 1:1000, compared to Stake's maximum leverage of 1:1. This makes XM more suitable for leveraged forex and CFD strategies, while Stake suits investors who prefer unleveraged stock positions.
Yes, there's nothing preventing you from opening accounts with both brokers simultaneously. Many traders use XM for leveraged forex and CFD exposure while using Stake for straightforward, unleveraged stock investing.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.