| Feature | XM Trading | ZuluTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Forex and CFD Broker | Social and Copy Trading Platform |
| Founded | 2009 | 2007 |
| Regulation | Regulated by CySEC, ASIC, IFSC, DFSA | Regulated by HCMC, FSA, FSCA, FSC |
| Tradable Instruments | Over 1,300 instruments including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies | Varies by partnered broker; includes Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrencies |
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, XM App | Integrates with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ActTrader, ZuluTrade+ |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | Varies by broker; minimum $100 to maintain ZuluTrade connection |
| Leverage | Up to 1:1000 (entity-dependent) | Determined by partnered broker |
| Fees and Commissions | Low stock index CFD and withdrawal fees; average forex and stock CFD fees; inactivity fee after 1 year | Varies by broker; ZuluTrade may charge commissions or spreads |
| Social/Copy Trading | Offers in-house copy trading service | Primary focus; extensive network of traders to follow and copy |
| Risk Management Tools | Negative balance protection; customizable demo accounts | ZuluGuard for automatic protection against strategy deviations |
| Educational Resources | Webinars, video tutorials, market analysis, XM Live | Video tutorials, webinars, market news, economic calendar |
| Customer Support | 24/5 support via live chat, email, phone; multi-language support | 24/5 support via live chat, email, phone; multi-language support |
| Mobile Trading | XM App available for iOS and Android | Mobile app available for iOS and Android |
| Deposit and Withdrawal Methods | Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, SticPay (under FSC) | Depends on partnered broker; common methods include bank transfer, credit/debit cards, e-wallets |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Regulated Regions | Not available in the USA, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Israel | Not available in the USA |
| Additional Features | VPS hosting for low-latency trading; thematic indices | Social Feed for interaction; Automator for setting trading rules |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop, One-Cancels-the-Other (OCO) | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop (depends on broker) |
| Spreads | Tight spreads from 0.0 pips (Ultra Low Account) | Spread varies by broker and strategy provider |
| Slippage Control | Minimal slippage due to fast execution | ZuluTrade users can set maximum slippage limits |
| Trading Strategies Allowed | Scalping, hedging, automated trading (EAs) | Copy trading, manual trading, EAs (if supported by broker) |
| Stop-Out Level | 20%–50% (varies by account type) | Broker-dependent |
| Trading Signals | Free and paid signals via MT4/MT5 | Extensive trader rankings with historical performance data |
| Copy Trading Provider Payouts | Not applicable | Strategy providers earn based on follower performance and volume |
| Trading Community | XM Trading community and forums | ZuluTrade social community and interaction features |
| Affiliate Program | Yes, offers multi-tier commissions | Yes, ZuluTrade Affiliates and IB programs |
| Cryptocurrency Trading | Yes (via CFDs, no physical crypto ownership) | Yes, varies by broker |
| Interest on Unused Funds | No | No |
| Deposit Bonus & Promotions | Frequent promotions, deposit bonuses, trading contests | No direct promotions, but brokers may offer their own bonuses |
| API Trading | No direct API | Yes, ZuluTrade API available for automation |
| Broker Partnerships | Operates as an independent broker | Partners with multiple brokers worldwide |
| Trading Restrictions | No major restrictions, except for regional limitations | Dependent on partner brokers’ terms |
| Market Execution Model | No Dealing Desk (NDD), STP/ECN execution | Depends on broker; can be NDD, STP, or Market Maker |
| Trading Restrictions on News Events | No restrictions | Broker-dependent |
| Minimum Trade Size | 0.01 lots (Micro Account) | Varies by broker |
| Max Open Positions | 200 orders | Broker-dependent |
| Trailing Stops | Yes, available on MT4/MT5 | Yes, depends on broker and platform |
| Tick-by-Tick Data Access | Yes (on MT5) | Broker-dependent |
| Spread Type | Variable | Varies by broker, fixed or variable |
| Commissions on Trading | No commissions on Standard and Micro accounts, Ultra Low accounts have spreads-only model | Some brokers charge additional commissions for ZuluTrade users |
| Scalping Efficiency | Highly effective due to fast execution | Broker-dependent, some brokers may restrict scalping |
| ECN Trading Access | No direct ECN accounts, but offers low spreads | Some partnered brokers offer ECN accounts |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | Available in MT5 | Broker-dependent |
| Real-Time Trade Monitoring | Yes, in MT4/MT5 | Yes, through ZuluTrade’s interface |
| Slippage Control Tools | Minimal slippage due to fast execution | ZuluGuard feature protects against strategy volatility |
| Algorithmic Trading (EAs, Bots) | Yes, supports Expert Advisors (EAs) | Limited support, depends on broker and platform |
| Custom Indicators | Yes, available on MT4/MT5 | Limited, depends on broker's platform |
| Swap-Free Interest Policy | Available for Islamic accounts | Broker-dependent |
| Fractional Lot Trading | Yes | Broker-dependent |
| Custom Trading Alerts | Yes, via MT4/MT5 | Yes, through ZuluTrade’s notification system |
| Profit/Loss Report Access | Available on MT4/MT5 platforms | Yes, detailed PnL reporting via ZuluTrade |
| AI-Powered Trading Assistance | No, manual and EA-based trading only | ZuluGuard’s AI monitors risk and performance |
| Server Location Options | Global servers with VPS support for low latency | Depends on broker’s infrastructure |
| Real-Time News Integration | Yes, via platform news feeds | Yes, integrated market news updates |
| Micro and Nano Lot Support | Yes (Micro Account) | Broker-dependent |
| Automatic Trade Copying | No, manual or EA-based | Yes, core feature of ZuluTrade |
| Customizable Copy Trading Parameters | N/A | Yes, users can adjust trade size, risk settings, and stop loss |
| Performance-Based Trader Rankings | No, standard trading conditions for all | Yes, leaderboard ranks traders based on performance metrics |
XM Trading is a forex and CFD broker offering direct trading with MT4/MT5, while ZuluTrade is a copy trading platform that connects users with professional traders across partnered brokers. XM suits independent traders, whereas ZuluTrade is ideal for social and automated trading.