TRADING COSTS 2026
XM Spreads & Fees 2026: EUR/USD, Gold (XAUUSD) by Account Type
What you actually pay when trading at XM depends more on which account type you choose than on the broker's headline numbers. This guide breaks down real spread figures by account type for the two most-traded instruments — EUR/USD and XAUUSD gold — along with every other fee traders should know about.
📋 Quick Facts — XM Fees
- Standard & Micro: spread-only, no commission — avg EUR/USD ~1.6–2.0 pips
- Ultra Low: tighter spreads ~0.6–1.1 pips EUR/USD, still commission-free
- Zero: raw spreads ~0.1–0.2 pips EUR/USD + fixed commission per lot/side
- Gold (XAUUSD): Ultra Low averages ~$0.25–0.30/oz, best for no-commission gold
- All spreads are floating — they widen during news events
- No deposit or withdrawal fees from XM's side
- Inactivity fee: charged monthly after 90 days with zero trading activity
📚 Related Articles
EUR/USD Spreads by Account Type
| Account | Avg Spread EUR/USD | Commission | Total Cost (1 lot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | ~1.6–2.0 pips | None | ~$16–$20 |
| Standard | ~1.6–2.0 pips | None | ~$16–$20 |
| Ultra Low ★ | ~0.6–1.1 pips | None | ~$6–$11 |
| Zero | ~0.1–0.2 pips (raw) | Fixed per lot/side | Depends on commission rate |
⚠️ These Are Averages, Not GuaranteesSpread figures above are based on multiple third-party sources tracking XM accounts during normal London and New York session hours. Your actual spread depends on market conditions at the moment you trade. During major news releases (NFP, FOMC, CPI), spreads on any account can widen dramatically above these averages.
XAUUSD (Gold) Spreads by Account Type
| Account | Avg Spread (London session) | Commission | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro / Standard | ~$0.50/oz | None | Beginners, occasional gold trades |
| Ultra Low ★ | ~$0.25–0.30/oz | None | Active gold traders, commission-free |
| Zero | ~$0.16/oz (raw) | Fixed per lot/side | High-volume scalpers |
ℹ️ Gold Spreads Widen in Asian SessionXAUUSD spreads at XM (and at most brokers) are significantly wider during the Asian trading session when gold liquidity is lower. The figures above reflect London session conditions — the most liquid period for gold. Asian session spreads can reach $0.80–$2.00+ even on Ultra Low accounts.
📚 Read Also
How XM Pricing Models Compare
XM uses a market-making model rather than an ECN/STP model — meaning all Standard, Micro, and Ultra Low costs are built into the spread rather than charged separately. This makes cost calculation straightforward: your cost per trade is simply the spread × lot size × pip value.
The Zero account introduces a different structure — a tighter raw spread plus a per-lot commission. Whether that's cheaper than Ultra Low depends on your trade frequency and lot size. High-volume traders who execute many lots per day will often find Zero cheaper overall despite the commission line; occasional traders usually find Ultra Low's all-in spread more predictable.
Other XM Fees to Know
| Fee Type | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit fee | None (from XM) | XM covers deposit costs; payment provider may charge |
| Withdrawal fee | None (from XM) | Receiving bank or payment service may charge |
| Inactivity fee | Monthly charge after 90 days | No trades, deposits, withdrawals, or transfers |
| Overnight swap | Varies by instrument and direction | Positions held past daily rollover |
| Swap (Islamic accounts) | Eliminated | Not charged on swap-free accounts |
| Shares commission | Per-trade, exchange-dependent | Shares account only ($1–$9 per trade depending on market) |
🚨 The Inactivity Fee Catches Many Traders Off GuardIf your account sits dormant for 90+ days with no activity at all, XM begins charging a monthly fee. If this drains the balance to zero without any trading resuming, the account may eventually be permanently deactivated — you'd need to open a new account. Keep at least one trade, deposit, or internal transfer every 90 days to avoid this.
How to Read XM's Spread in Real Time
- In MT4 or MT5: the spread is the difference between the Ask and Bid price shown at the top of any chart or in Market Watch
- In the XM WebTrader: spread is shown as a column in the instrument panel
- XM also maintains a live spread comparison page on their website — use it to check current conditions before trading news events
Frequently Asked Questions — XM Spreads & Fees
What are XM's spreads on EUR/USD? +
XM EUR/USD spreads vary by account type. Standard and Micro accounts typically see spreads around 1.6–2.0 pips during normal market hours. Ultra Low accounts offer tighter spreads, commonly cited around 0.6–1.1 pips. The Zero account offers the narrowest raw spreads (around 0.1–0.2 pips) but charges a fixed commission per lot per side. All spreads are floating and widen significantly during major news events.
What are XM's spreads on XAUUSD (gold)? +
XM XAUUSD spreads also vary by account. Standard and Micro accounts average around $0.50 per ounce during the London session. Ultra Low accounts average around $0.25–0.30 per ounce with no commission — the most cost-effective option for commission-free gold trading. Zero account averages around $0.16 per ounce but adds a per-lot commission. Gold spreads widen substantially during the Asian session and during major news releases.
Does XM charge any trading commissions? +
Standard, Micro, and Ultra Low accounts are commission-free — all trading costs are built into the spread. Only the Zero account charges a separate fixed commission per lot per side on top of the raw spread. The Shares account also charges a per-trade commission based on the specific stock exchange.
Does XM charge an inactivity fee? +
Yes. XM charges a monthly inactivity fee on accounts that have had no trading activity, deposits, withdrawals, or internal transfers for 90 consecutive days. The fee is deducted monthly from the idle account balance until the balance reaches zero. Once at zero with no activity, the account may eventually be permanently deactivated.
Which XM account has the lowest spread for active trading? +
For commission-free trading, the Ultra Low account offers the tightest spreads at XM. For traders comfortable with a per-lot commission and who want the absolute lowest raw spread, the Zero account offers that — though you need to confirm it's available for your regulatory entity and region before opening one.
Are XM spreads fixed or floating? +
XM uses floating spreads on all account types — spreads fluctuate with market conditions. The figures published by XM and cited in reviews represent minimum or average spreads during normal liquidity conditions, not guaranteed fixed rates. During major economic data releases, spreads can widen dramatically on any account type.
Choosing the Right Account for Your Trading Cost
Ultra Low is the strongest option for most active traders who want lower costs without a commission line — especially for gold trading. If you execute very high lot volumes and can confirm Zero account availability for your region, the raw spread plus commission structure may work out cheaper at scale.
🚀 Open an XM Account
Free registration · Compare spreads on a demo account first
