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Direct answer: how the three XM account types differ
The Micro account uses micro lots (1 lot = 1,000 units) so you can trade very small sizes, the Standard account uses standard lots (1 lot = 100,000 units), and the Zero account offers tighter raw-style spreads but charges a commission per lot. As of the time of writing — verify on XM’s official site — Micro and Standard typically start from a USD 5 minimum deposit with spreads from around 1.0 pip, while the Zero account starts from a higher minimum and quotes spreads from around 0.0 pips plus commission.
In short: Micro suits people who want to practise with tiny real positions, Standard suits general use, and Zero suits traders who prefer tight spreads and accept a per-lot commission. Availability of each account type depends on which XM entity serves your region.
Lot size, minimum deposit, spreads and bonus eligibility compared
The single most confusing difference between Micro and Standard is the lot definition. On both account types the platform shows “lots”, but the underlying contract size is different. A trade of 1.00 lots on a Micro account moves roughly one hundred times less money than 1.00 lots on a Standard account.
Here is a side-by-side comparison. All numbers are as of the time of writing — verify on XM’s official site, because conditions change and differ by regulated entity.
| Feature | Micro | Standard | Zero |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract size (1 lot) | 1,000 units | 100,000 units | 100,000 units |
| Minimum trade size | 0.01 lots (10 units) on MT5; 0.1 lots on MT4 | 0.01 lots (1,000 units) | 0.01 lots (1,000 units) |
| Typical spread (EUR/USD) | From ~1.0 pip | From ~1.0 pip | From ~0.0 pips |
| Commission | None (built into spread) | None (built into spread) | Charged per lot traded (e.g. around USD 3.5 per side per 100,000 traded) |
| Minimum deposit | USD 5 | USD 5 | Higher (often USD 5–100 depending on entity) |
| Promotional bonuses | Usually eligible (where offered) | Usually eligible (where offered) | Usually not eligible |
| Base currencies | Multiple (USD, EUR and others) | Multiple (USD, EUR and others) | Fewer options at some entities |
Two practical consequences follow from the table. First, if you open a Micro account and trade 0.01 lots, your position is only 10 currency units — profit and loss per pip is tiny, which is useful for testing execution with real money but minimal exposure. Second, the Zero account’s headline “0.0 pip” spread is not free: once you add the round-turn commission, the effective cost on a major pair is often comparable to, sometimes lower than, the Standard spread. You need to calculate total cost (spread + commission) for the instruments you actually trade.
Bonus eligibility also matters. Where XM offers deposit bonuses or loyalty points, these are generally available on Micro and Standard accounts but not on Zero accounts. Bonuses, maximum leverage and account availability differ by regulated entity: XM’s group includes entities regulated by CySEC, ASIC and the Belize FSC, each serving different regions under different rules. Verify which entity and which conditions apply to you on XM’s official website before opening an account.
How to open or add an account type in the XM Members Area
Existing clients can hold several account types at once. The procedure takes a few minutes:
- Log in to the XM Members Area with your email and password.
- Click Open an Additional Account (shown on the dashboard or under your profile menu).
- Choose the platform (MT4 or MT5) and the Account Type — Micro, Standard or Zero, as available for your entity.
- Select the base currency and leverage from the drop-down menus.
- Choose whether to receive bonuses (where the option appears) and confirm.
- You will receive new login credentials by email; use them in MT4/MT5 via File → Login to Trade Account.
To move funds between your accounts, use Internal Transfer in the Members Area under the funding menu — but read the “what if” section below first, because transfers can affect bonuses.
Common “what if” situations and how to handle them
What if my bonus disappeared after an internal transfer? This is one of the most frequent surprises. Under XM’s bonus terms as of the time of writing, transferring funds out of a bonus-eligible account can remove a proportional amount of the bonus, and transferring into a Zero account (which is not bonus-eligible) means the bonus does not follow the funds. The removed bonus is usually not restored if you transfer the money back. Before any internal transfer, open the funding page, read the warning text XM displays about bonus deduction, and if in doubt contact live chat from the Members Area and ask how much bonus will be deducted. Keep a screenshot of the answer.
What if I traded 1 lot on a Micro account expecting Standard-sized results? The opposite mistake — entering 1.00 lots on Standard when you meant Micro sizing — is more dangerous, because your exposure is one hundred times larger than intended. Always check the contract specification before trading: in MT4/MT5 right-click the symbol in Market Watch, choose Specification, and confirm the Contract size field (1,000 for Micro symbols, 100,000 for Standard/Zero). Micro symbols often carry a suffix such as “micro” in the symbol name.
What if I can’t see the Zero account option when opening an additional account? Account type availability depends on the entity your profile is registered under and sometimes on the platform chosen. If Zero does not appear, switch between MT4 and MT5 in the account-opening form, and if it still does not appear, ask support whether your entity offers it. Do not try to register a second profile with different details — duplicate profiles can cause verification and withdrawal problems.
Also note that XM does not accept residents of certain jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, Israel and Iran. You must check your own eligibility and local regulations before registering.
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Limitations, fees and risks
An honest comparison needs the downsides, not just the feature list.
- Zero account costs are not always lower. On less liquid pairs, exotic crosses or during news events, the Zero account’s variable spread can widen significantly, and the commission applies regardless. For small, infrequent trades the Standard account’s all-in spread may be simpler and not meaningfully more expensive. Run the numbers for your own instruments and typical trade size.
- Micro accounts do not reduce percentage risk. A Micro account limits the absolute money at stake per trade, but leverage still applies and a badly sized position relative to a tiny balance can still be wiped out quickly. Small account size is not a substitute for risk management.
- Inactivity and funding fees can erode small balances. As of the time of writing, XM applies an inactivity fee to dormant accounts after a period of no trading activity, and some payment methods may involve third-party costs. On a USD 5–50 balance, such fees are proportionally large. Verify the current fee schedule on XM’s official site.
- Conditions vary by entity. Maximum leverage, bonus availability, negative balance protection details and even which account types exist differ between the CySEC-, ASIC- and Belize FSC-regulated entities. A review written for one region may not describe your conditions. Always confirm against the legal documents for the entity that will hold your account.
- Swap and holding costs apply on all three types. Overnight financing charges are independent of account type and can exceed the spread cost on positions held for days or weeks.
FAQ
Q. Can I hold a Micro, a Standard and a Zero account at the same time?
A. Yes, XM generally allows multiple trading accounts under one verified profile, subject to a maximum number of accounts per client. You can move money between them with the Internal Transfer function, but watch the bonus-deduction rules described above.
Q. Is the Micro account the same as a demo account?
A. No. A Micro account uses real money with real execution; only the contract size is smaller. A demo account uses virtual funds. Many people use a demo first, then a Micro account with a small deposit to experience real spreads, slippage and swaps with limited exposure.
Q. Which account type has the lowest total trading cost?
A. It depends on the instrument and conditions. On major pairs in normal liquidity, Zero’s spread-plus-commission is often competitive with Standard’s all-in spread; on other instruments or in volatile moments it may not be. Compare the live spreads on a demo or small live account rather than relying on advertised minimums, which are “from” figures, not averages.
Q. Do bonuses work on the Zero account?
A. Generally no — where XM runs promotions, Zero accounts are typically excluded, and bonuses are not available at all under some regulated entities. Check the current promotion terms for your entity on XM’s official website.
Q. Can I change an existing account from Standard to Zero?
A. You normally cannot convert an account type in place. The standard route is to open an additional account of the desired type via Open an Additional Account in the Members Area and transfer funds internally, keeping the bonus rules in mind.
Summary
Micro and Standard accounts share the same pricing model (spread-only, typically from around 1.0 pip, USD 5 minimum deposit as of the time of writing — verify on XM’s official site) and differ mainly in contract size: 1,000 versus 100,000 units per lot. The Zero account swaps the all-in spread for a raw-style spread plus a per-lot commission and usually gives up bonus eligibility. Choose Micro to keep absolute exposure tiny, Standard for general spread-only trading, and Zero if you have calculated that spread-plus-commission is cheaper for your specific instruments and volume. Whatever you pick, confirm the exact conditions for your regulated entity, your eligibility, and the current fee schedule directly with XM before depositing. This page is information only, not investment advice.
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Risk warning: CFDs and forex are leveraged products; losses can exceed your deposits and a high percentage of retail investor accounts lose money. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.