Disclaimer: This article is educational content, not investment advice. Forex and CFD trading carries significant risk — most retail traders lose money. Account features, deposit requirements and promotional terms may vary by XM entity and region. Always verify current conditions on XM's official website and legal documents before opening an account.
XM currently offers four account types: Standard, Ultra Low, Micro and Shares. Each is built for a different trading profile. All accounts share negative balance protection, hedging capability and an Islamic (swap-free) option as standard features. If your deposit currency differs from USD, stated minimums are converted at the prevailing rate.
This guide walks through every account, compares them side by side, and provides a practical framework to help you decide.
Full Comparison Table#
| Feature | Micro | Standard | Ultra Low | Shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $5 | $50 | $10,000 |
| Contract Size | 1,000 units | 100,000 units | 100,000 units | 1 share |
| Spread | From 1.0 pip | From 1.0 pip | From 0.6 pip | Variable |
| Commission | None | None | None | Per trade |
| Maximum Leverage | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 | 1:1 |
| Platforms | MT4 / MT5 | MT4 / MT5 | MT4 / MT5 | MT5 only |
| Islamic Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hedging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, commodities, indices, metals, energies | Same | Same | Real shares only |
Spreads are variable and fluctuate with market conditions. The values shown are minimum starting points, not guarantees. Always confirm live spreads in your MT4/MT5 terminal under the symbol specification tab.
Standard Account#
XM describes the Standard account as its most popular option. It combines straightforward pricing with bonus eligibility, making it the default choice for the majority of traders.
What defines it:
- All-in spread pricing with no separate commission on Forex CFDs
- Full access to XM's bonus programmes — deposit bonuses, loyalty rewards and promotional campaigns
- Standard contract size of 100,000 units per lot
- Minimum deposit of just $5, removing financial barriers to entry
Who it suits: Traders who want a simple cost structure where spread is the only variable, and who value access to bonuses that can extend margin or reduce effective risk on initial trades. The Standard account works equally well for casual swing traders and more active day traders who don't need the tightest possible spreads.
Ultra Low Account#
The Ultra Low account targets traders for whom per-trade cost is a priority. XM positions it as the ideal choice for high-volume trading with reduced friction.
What defines it:
- Tightest retail spreads XM offers — starting from 0.6 pips on major pairs
- No commission on most Forex CFDs; cost remains embedded in the spread
- Lower swap fees compared to Standard on many instruments
- Minimum deposit of $50
Who it suits: Scalpers, intraday traders and anyone executing a high number of trades per month. When you are placing dozens of trades daily, even a 0.4-pip spread difference compounds into meaningful savings over time. The higher minimum deposit is a minor trade-off for traders who have moved past the learning phase.
Important consideration: Bonus availability may differ on the Ultra Low account depending on the active promotion and your XM entity. Always check the specific campaign terms.
Micro Account#
The Micro account shares the same pricing structure as the Standard account but uses a 1,000-unit contract size instead of 100,000. This makes it the lowest-risk live account XM offers.
What defines it:
- Contract size 100x smaller than Standard — a 0.01 micro lot moves roughly $0.01 per pip
- Same spreads and execution quality as Standard
- Full bonus eligibility
- Minimum deposit of $5
Who it suits: Absolute beginners transitioning from demo to live, traders testing new strategies with real money but minimal exposure, and anyone who wants to experience real market conditions — live spreads, real execution, real emotions — without risking meaningful capital.
The Micro account is not a "lesser" account. It is a risk management tool. Many experienced traders use a Micro account alongside their main account to test strategies before scaling.
Shares Account#
The Shares account is fundamentally different from the other three. It provides access to real shares on major stock exchanges — not CFDs. You are buying actual ownership stakes in companies.
What defines it:
- Minimum deposit of $10,000
- Leverage fixed at 1:1 (no leverage)
- Per-trade commission applies
- MT5 only (MT4 does not support share trading)
- No Islamic option
Who it suits: Investors who want to build a stock portfolio alongside their Forex trading. The $10,000 minimum and lack of leverage make this unsuitable for most retail Forex traders. It is designed for those with larger capital who want direct stock market exposure through the same broker.
How to Choose: A Practical Decision Tree#
Rather than comparing spreadsheets, ask yourself four questions:
1. What is your experience level?
If you have never traded live before, start with Micro. The tiny position sizes protect you while you build real-market experience. Graduate to Standard or Ultra Low once you have 2-3 months of consistent execution.
2. How frequently do you trade?
If you trade fewer than 10 times per week, the spread difference between Standard and Ultra Low is unlikely to materially affect your results. If you trade 5+ times per day, Ultra Low's tighter spreads become a tangible cost advantage.
3. Do bonuses matter to your strategy?
If you plan to use deposit bonuses as margin buffer, confirm which account types are eligible for the specific promotion. Standard and Micro typically have the broadest bonus access.
4. Do you want to trade shares?
If you want to own real company stock through XM, you need the Shares account. For Forex, commodities and indices, the other three account types cover all available instruments.
Multi-Account Strategy#
XM allows up to 8 live trading accounts under a single profile. This means you do not have to choose one account type permanently. A practical setup:
- Micro for strategy testing and learning
- Standard or Ultra Low for active trading
- Transfer funds between accounts instantly from the Members Area
This approach lets you isolate risk, track performance per strategy, and avoid mixing experimental trades with your core trading capital.
Common Questions#
Can I switch my existing account to a different type?
No, you cannot convert an existing account. But you can open additional accounts (up to 8) under the same profile and choose a different type for each. Funds transfer between accounts is instant and free.
Is the $5 minimum deposit really enough to trade?
Technically yes, but $5 limits your position sizing and margin capacity significantly. Most practical traders start with $50–$200 on Micro or Standard to have enough room for proper risk management. The $5 minimum is useful for testing the platform with real money.
Which account has the lowest trading costs?
Ultra Low offers the tightest spreads (from 0.6 pips vs 1.0 pips on Standard/Micro). Over hundreds of trades, this difference is significant. However, for low-frequency traders, the annual cost saving may be minimal.
Are all account types available in every country?
Not necessarily. Account availability depends on the XM entity regulated in your region. Some regions may have restrictions on certain account types or features like leverage limits. Check XM's official site for your specific country.
Which account type should I pick for the $30 no-deposit bonus?
The $30 bonus is available on Micro, Standard and Ultra Low accounts. The Shares account is not eligible. For bonus details, see our guide to the XM $30 bonus.
Bottom line: There is no universally "best" account. The right choice depends on your capital, frequency, experience and goals. Start with the smallest risk you can, verify all conditions on XM's platform, and scale up as your track record supports it.
