XM Account Types Explained

When you register with XM, one of the first decisions the form asks you to make is the account type. For a new trader the list can look like a menu of near-identical options with slightly different names. In practice, the account type mostly decides three things: how your trading cost is built into the price, what size of position one "lot" represents, and which instruments you can access. This page is an independent overview from ExemSignup, not XM's own description. We explain the logic behind each type so the choice on the form makes sense before you click.

What an account type actually controls

Every forex or CFD account is a combination of pricing rules attached to one trading login. When brokers create several account types, they are usually adjusting a small number of levers:

• Spread width. The spread is the gap between the buy and sell price. A wider spread means a higher built-in cost each time you open a position.
• Commission. Some accounts charge a separate fee per lot instead of, or in addition to, a wider spread. Whether a commission applies is something to check in the account specifications for your entity.
• Contract size. On most accounts one standard lot is 100,000 units of the base currency. Micro-style accounts shrink this so one lot is a much smaller exposure.
• Instrument list. A share-dealing account, for example, gives access to real or exchange-traded shares rather than only CFDs.
• Eligibility for promotions. Brokers sometimes restrict bonuses or offers to certain account types. Treat any promotion as entity-specific and check the current terms.

Things like the trading platform (MT4 or MT5), the Members Area and the verification process are generally the same regardless of which type you pick.

The main XM account types

Based on published 2026 sources, XM's account lineup currently looks like this. Always confirm against what the registration page shows for your country.

Standard

The Standard account is the general-purpose option. Costs are carried in the spread, and XM has quoted spreads from roughly 1.6 pips on major currency pairs at the time of writing. Spreads are variable, so they widen and narrow with market conditions. Our XM Standard account guide goes into how that spread turns into a real cost per trade.

Ultra Low

The Ultra Low account is aimed at traders who are sensitive to spread cost. XM has quoted figures from roughly 0.8 pips on majors at the time of writing. Lower spreads often come with trade-offs elsewhere, such as different promotion eligibility or a narrower instrument list, so read the specification sheet rather than assuming it is simply "Standard but cheaper". See the Ultra Low account guide for the details worth checking.

Shares

The Shares account is a separate product for buying shares rather than trading CFDs on them. Reviews report a much higher minimum deposit for this account (around USD 10,000), and it typically does not use leverage in the same way CFD accounts do. Most beginners registering for forex trading will not start here.

Micro (availability varies)

Sources disagree about the Micro account. Some reviews still list it; others say it has been removed. Our honest position: Micro is offered in some regions or entities and not in others. Check whether it appears as an option when you register. The Micro account guide explains what a micro lot is and what to do if the option is missing.

Why your entity changes the list

XM operates through several legal entities, including an offshore entity regulated in Belize and entities regulated in Cyprus (CySEC), Dubai (DFSA) and Australia (ASIC). Which entity you are placed with depends mainly on your country of residence. Each entity can offer a different set of account types, different maximum leverage and different minimum deposits.

That is why two traders in different countries can see different account menus on the same website. Before choosing, look at the entity named in the registration page footer and in the client agreement. That name tells you which rulebook applies to you.

How to choose in practice

Rather than trying to find the "best" account, ask which cost structure matches how you trade:

1. How often do you trade? If you open many short trades, the spread is paid many times, so a lower-spread account matters more. If you hold a few positions for days or weeks, swap (overnight financing) costs can outweigh spread differences.
2. How large are your positions? If you plan to trade very small sizes while learning, a smaller contract size or the minimum lot on a standard account becomes the key question.
3. Do you need promotions? If a particular offer matters to you, check which account types it applies to before registering.
4. Are you just learning? A demo account costs nothing and lets you see spreads in real time before you commit money to any type.

For a side-by-side table and a profile-by-profile recommendation, use our XM account comparison.

Minimum deposit and leverage across types

XM has advertised a minimum deposit of about USD 5 on its standard-type accounts; the exact figure depends on your entity, payment method and currency, so confirm it on the registration page. Our minimum deposit guide covers this in more depth.

Maximum leverage depends on the XM entity you register with and your account equity. Offshore entities have advertised up to 1:1000 for smaller balances, with lower tiers as equity grows, while regulated EU-style entities cap retail leverage much lower (for example around 1:30 on major pairs). Leverage is set per account, so it is one of the settings to review when you open each one.

Common mistakes when picking an account type

• Comparing headline spreads without checking whether a commission or other cost applies.
• Assuming every account type is available in your country because a review listed it.
• Choosing the account with the highest leverage as if it were a feature rather than a risk setting.
• Forgetting to note the account currency, which affects conversion costs on deposits and withdrawals.

Once you have decided, the registration guide walks through the form step by step.