XS or ACY Securities – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare XS and ACY Securities in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.
XS is an established forex and CFD broker based in Australia. Clients can access 1000+ assets on the popular MT4 and MT5 platforms. The firm holds several global licenses and is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and Seychelles FSA.
ACY Securities is a reputable CFD broker offering over 2200 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, shares and more. Regulated by ASIC, ACY Securities is a trusted broker with a strong reputation since 2011 and numerous industry awards.
Pros
XS clients can access the reliable MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms with several flexible account types
I'm pleased with the strong regulatory oversight from CySEC and ASIC, plus negative balance protection
I'm satisfied that the multiple payment methods will make the broker accessible to global traders
Traders can access 1000+ investments through leveraged CFDs, with zero commissions
There's a free MT4 or MT5 demo account for beginners and prospective clients
I feel reassured that ACY Securities is regulated by top-tier authorization, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with negative balance protection and segregated client funds
I was pleased to be able to choose between the industry-renowned MT4 and MT5 terminals, as well as the respective mobile apps and additional tools like Capitalise.ai
The range of 15+ commission-free payment methods including POLi, Perfect Money, Skrill and wire transfer is competitive and aligns with top competitors
Responsive customer support is available 24/5 with local and international telephone numbers. I also found the live chat support reasonably helpful
I think the broker's range of 2200+ CFD instruments is fairly extensive and will serve any trader looking to build a diverse portfolio with low fees
I find the suite of analyst insights and educational content is comprehensive and enough to help me make informed trading decisions
Cons
Global traders registered with the offshore entity won't receive the same fund protections as the other licensed branches
I think XS trails behind competitors when it comes to education and research, with no notable tools available for clients
There are also no copy trading tools for new traders or for those who want to become strategy providers
I think it's a shame that the global entity is regulated offshore by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority, so some traders may not receive the same safeguarding measures as the ASIC-regulated branch
Crypto traders will be disappointed that digital currencies are not offered
With more than 1,100 CFDs spanning precious metals, stocks, crypto, forex, futures and indices, I’m pretty confident that there will be something for everyone at XS. Traders can also enjoy zero commissions on CFD trades plus a range of account types.
I appreciate the wide range of over 2,000 CFDs at ACY Securities, encompassing global stocks, ETFs, forex, indices and commodities. New traders can get started with just $50, but I found that the best CFD prices are available for those who can deposit at least $200.
Leverage
1:500
1:500
FTSE Spread
From 0.7 (Standard)
1.3
GBPUSD Spread<
From 0.7 (Standard)
0.8
Oil Spread
From 0.7 (Standard)
0.04
Stocks Spread
From 0.7 (Standard)
Variable
Forex
My tests have uncovered a decent range of 55 currency pairs at XS with spreads from 0.1 pips in the Pro accounts. Dedicated forex traders should also be pleased with the choice of MetaTrader platforms, which can facilitate complex forex strategies.
I was glad to see over 60+ major, minor and exotic currency pairs available to trade on the industry favourites, MT4 and MT5. Traders can leverage up to 1:500 and access liquidity from 16 tier-one global banks.
Assets
44
63
GBPUSD Spread
From 0.7 (Standard)
0.8
EURUSD Spread
From 0.7 (Standard)
0.4
EURGBP Spread
From 0.7 (Standard)
0.5
Cryptocurrency
On the downside, I am disappointed to see such a mediocre variety of crypto products supported by XS, with only 6 cryptocurrencies available. With that said, I was able to access decent leverage rates up to 1:20.