
Trading Account Comparison: ThinkMarkets Standardvs XM Standard
Explore differences in spreads, commissions, deposits and trading conditions, alongside a detailed review of each account's advantages and limitations.


Standard
What Makes ThinkMarkets Standard Different from XM Standard?
Before comparing the numbers, it is important to understand the purpose of each account and the conditions that may make it suitable for different traders.
ThinkMarkets Standard
The ThinkMarkets Standard account is the standard option categorized by Broker Alarab for MT4 and MT5 traders. Its listed spreads range from 0.4–1.0 pips with a recorded average of 0.7 pips, there is no separate trading commission, the minimum deposit is $50 and orders use Market Execution. It provides a different pricing choice from the low-spread ThinkZero account and differs from ThinkTrader in its target users and deposit requirement.
XM Standard
The XM Standard account is one of XM’s main account options for traders looking for straightforward commission-free pricing. Based on Broker Alarab account data, spreads range from 1.0–1.5 pips, the minimum deposit is $5 and orders use Market Execution, making Standard worth comparing with XM Micro, Ultra Low and Zero before choosing an account.
Compare Trading Accounts, Spreads, Commissions and Platforms
Review spreads, commissions, minimum deposits, trading platforms, execution methods and broker-level regulatory information.
01 — Basic Account Information
Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information.
Broker
Account Name
Account Type
Broker Regulatory Licenses
Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country.
02 — Spreads and Trading Costs
Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing.
Advertised Spread Range
Minimum Recorded Spread
Based on the available account information.
Average Recorded Spread
Advertised Commission
03 — Deposits and Execution
Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics.
Minimum Deposit
Order Execution Method
Trading Platforms
Available platforms may differ by account type.
04 — Account Features and Conditions
Review relevant account characteristics and trading suitability.
Scalping Suitability
An internal classification, not a guarantee of suitability.
05 — Broker Information and Regulation
Broker-level information does not guarantee that every license applies to the selected account.
Listed Regulatory Licenses
Broker Maximum Leverage
Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity.
Open a Trading Account
Information is based on records available to Broker Alarab. Trading conditions may vary by account, country and legal entity.
| Comparison Criteria | ThinkMarkets Standard | XM Standard |
|---|---|---|
01 — Basic Account Information Compare the broker, account name, account classification and regulatory information. | ||
| Broker | ThinkMarkets | XM |
| Account Name | Standard | Standard |
| Account Type | standard | standard |
| Broker Regulatory Licenses Broker-level regulatory information. Verify which legal entity serves your country. | FCA | ASIC | CySEC | FSCA | FSA | CySEC | ASIC | DFSA | FSCA | FSC |
02 — Spreads and Trading Costs Compare the recorded trading costs without assuming undocumented pricing. | ||
| Advertised Spread Range | 0.4 - 1.0 | 1.0 – 1.5 |
| Minimum Recorded Spread Based on the available account information. | 0.4 | 1 |
| Average Recorded Spread | 0.7 | 1.2 |
| Advertised Commission | $0 | $0 |
03 — Deposits and Execution Review account funding requirements and order execution characteristics. | ||
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $5 |
| Order Execution Method | Market Execution | Market Execution |
| Trading Platforms Available platforms may differ by account type. | ThinkTrader | MT4 | MT5 | TradingView | MT4 | MT5 |
04 — Account Features and Conditions Review relevant account characteristics and trading suitability. | ||
| Scalping Suitability An internal classification, not a guarantee of suitability. | Not classified in this category | Not classified in this category |
05 — Broker Information and Regulation Broker-level information does not guarantee that every license applies to the selected account. | ||
| Listed Regulatory Licenses | FCA | ASIC | CySEC | FSCA | FSA | CySEC | ASIC | DFSA | FSCA | FSC |
| Broker Maximum Leverage Actual leverage may depend on the account, jurisdiction and legal entity. | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Open a Trading Account | Open Account ↗ | Open Account ↗ |
Broker Alarab's Assessment of Both Accounts
We review each account independently, highlighting strengths, limitations and the types of traders it may suit, without declaring an unsupported winner.

ThinkMarkets
Standard

XM
Standard
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see ThinkMarkets Standard as a clear option for MT4 or MT5 users who prefer pricing without a separate trading commission. Its listed spread range is 0.4–1.0 pips with a 0.7-pip recorded average and a $50 minimum deposit. Traders primarily seeking tighter spreads should compare it with ThinkZero, while ThinkTrader and TradingView users have a separately categorized account.
Broker Alarab's Assessment
We see XM Standard as a straightforward option for traders who want commission-free pricing and conventional position sizing. It should not automatically be treated as the cheapest XM account, however. Spread-sensitive and active traders should compare Standard directly with Ultra Low and Zero before opening an account.
Account Advantages
- ✓No separate trading commission according to Broker Alarab data
- ✓Listed spreads of 0.4–1.0 pips with a 0.7-pip recorded average
- ✓Categorized for MT4 and MT5 traders
- ✓Minimum deposit is $50
- ✓Simpler pricing model than ThinkZero for users who prefer no separate commission
Account Advantages
- ✓No separate trading commission based on our account data
- ✓Minimum deposit starts from $5
- ✓Straightforward pricing structure primarily based on the spread
- ✓Suitable for traders who prefer conventional position sizing over the Micro structure
- ✓Easy to compare with other XM accounts on spread and overall trading cost
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !The listed spread range is wider than ThinkZero
- !The minimum deposit is higher than ThinkTrader
- !No separate commission does not mean trading cost is zero
- !Users prioritizing ThinkTrader or TradingView have another account categorized specifically for that use
Disadvantages and Considerations
- !The 1.0–1.5 pip spread is not the lowest among XM accounts in our data
- !Ultra Low has a tighter displayed spread range without a separate commission
- !May not be the most cost-efficient option for highly spread-sensitive traders
- !Active or frequent traders should compare its total cost with XM Zero
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •MT4 traders according to Broker Alarab account categorization
- •MT5 traders according to Broker Alarab account categorization
- •Users who prefer trading without a separate commission
- •Traders who prefer Standard over the low-spread commission-based ThinkZero model
Who Is This Account Suitable For?
- •Traders looking for an XM account without a separate trading commission
- •Users who prefer conventional position sizing rather than the Micro structure
- •Beginners who want a straightforward and easy-to-understand pricing model
- •Traders looking for an XM account with a $5 minimum deposit
Detailed Account Analysis
ThinkMarkets Standard vs ThinkZero: What Is the Pricing Difference?
Standard has listed spreads of 0.4–1.0 pips with a 0.7-pip recorded average and no separate commission, while ThinkZero has 0.0–0.3 pip spreads with a 0.1-pip recorded average and a $7 per-lot round-turn commission. The minimum deposit is $50 on Standard compared with $100 on ThinkZero. The key trade-off is therefore spread-only pricing versus tighter spreads with a separate commission.
ThinkMarkets Standard vs ThinkTrader
The accounts share the same core spread and commission figures in our data: both have listed 0.4–1.0 pip spreads and a $0 separate commission. Standard is categorized for MT4 and MT5 users with a $50 minimum deposit, while ThinkTrader is categorized for ThinkTrader and TradingView users and starts from $10. Platform preference is therefore an important distinction between them.
How Should Traders Read the ThinkMarkets Standard Spread?
The recorded minimum is 0.4 pips, but the full Broker Alarab range is 0.4–1.0 pips with a 0.7-pip recorded average. The 0.4-pip figure should therefore not be interpreted as a fixed spread. With a $0 separate commission, the spread becomes particularly important when evaluating the account pricing structure.
Detailed Account Analysis
XM Standard vs Micro: Which Account Should You Choose?
Broker Alarab data shows the same headline spread range of 1.0–1.5 pips for Standard and Micro, with no separate trading commission and a $5 minimum deposit on both. The meaningful difference is therefore not the basic pricing. Micro is more focused on smaller position sizing and granular control of exposure, while Standard is closer to conventional contract sizing. Traders who do not specifically need the smaller sizing structure of Micro may find Standard the more straightforward choice.
XM Standard vs Ultra Low: Are You Paying a Higher Spread?
This is one of the most important comparisons to make before choosing Standard. Our data lists Standard spreads at 1.0–1.5 pips compared with 0.6–1.0 pips for Ultra Low, while both have no separate trading commission and a $5 minimum deposit. On displayed spread alone, Ultra Low has a clear advantage in our dataset. Traders should therefore consider the full account structure rather than assuming Standard is automatically the best default XM account.
XM Standard vs Zero: Spread or Commission?
Standard and Zero use different pricing models. Standard has no separate trading commission in our data and spreads of 1.0–1.5 pips, while Zero is listed at 0.0–0.3 pips with a $7-per-lot commission. The cheaper account cannot therefore be identified from spread alone. Active traders should compare total transaction cost, while traders who value simpler commission-free pricing may find the Standard structure easier to evaluate.
Important details about the ThinkMarkets Standard account
Standard is categorized for MT4 and MT5 users
This is the account use recorded in Broker Alarab data, while ThinkTrader has a separate account categorized for ThinkTrader and TradingView users.
$0 commission does not mean zero cost
There is no separate trading commission, but the listed 0.4–1.0 pip spread remains part of trading cost.
The minimum deposit is $50
This is the account requirement recorded in our data and is not a recommendation that $50 represents appropriate trading capital or risk management.
Important details about the XM Standard account
Standard does not have the lowest XM spread in our data
Broker Alarab lists Standard spreads at 1.0–1.5 pips. Ultra Low has a tighter range in our data, while Zero combines lower displayed spreads with a commission, so Standard should not be selected automatically without comparison.
Commission-free does not mean cost-free trading
The Standard account has no separate trading commission in our data, but the spread remains an important part of transaction cost. Traders should evaluate the effective cost of a trade rather than looking at the commission field alone.
The minimum deposit is not recommended trading capital
Our account data lists a $5 minimum deposit for XM Standard. This is an account entry requirement and should not be interpreted as the amount of capital appropriate for every strategy, position size or level of trading risk.
How to Choose the Right Trading Account
Numbers alone are not enough. Account suitability depends on your trading strategy, capital, financial instruments and the conditions applicable to you.
Compare Spreads and Commissions Together
The recorded spread for ThinkMarkets Standard is 0.4 - 1.0, while XM Standard shows 1.0 – 1.5. Evaluating overall trading costs also requires checking commission rates, pricing units, instruments and position sizes.
Review Minimum Deposit Requirements
The recorded minimum deposit for ThinkMarkets Standard is $50, compared with $5 for XM Standard. A lower deposit requirement may provide more flexibility, but it does not automatically make an account better.
Compare Trading Platforms and Execution
Check which trading platforms each broker actually offers for the selected account, including MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 where supported. Also review execution policies and potential slippage. Availability and conditions may vary by account and country.
Verify Regulation and Eligibility
Confirm the legal entity that will serve your account, the regulatory framework applicable to that entity, and whether the selected account is available in your country.
FAQs About ThinkMarkets Standard vs XM Standard
Answers to common questions about account comparisons, trading costs and account conditions.
What is the difference between ThinkMarkets Standard and XM Standard?+
Is the account with the lowest spread always better?+
Can I compare two accounts from the same broker?+
How can I verify the trading conditions?+
What is the ThinkMarkets Standard account?+
What are the ThinkMarkets Standard spread and commission?+
What is the ThinkMarkets Standard minimum deposit?+
What is the difference between ThinkMarkets Standard and ThinkZero?+
What is the XM Standard account?+
What is the XM Standard account spread and commission?+
Explore Both Trading Accounts in Detail
Review the full account information, compare trading conditions and verify the broker's requirements before opening an account.
