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XTB

X-Trade Brokers, or XTB, was founded in Poland in 2002 and is now one of the largest brokers in the market with over 200,000 traders. XTB is publicly listed in Poland and offers services in over 18 languages. XTB also operates a branch office in Germany.

81% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs with this provider.

Visit XTB

According to our XTB experience, there are significantly more advantages than disadvantages that speak in favor of XTB. XTB is a reputable, regulated, publicly listed, and established broker that has been enabling CFD and Forex trading for traders from many different countries since 2002. For most traders, especially advanced traders, XTB is a good choice. Unfortunately, due to the high minimum fees for stocks, XTB may not be the right fit for every trader. Smaller accounts, in particular, might be better off with other brokers (if the focus is on stock trading).

XTB rating

4.5

Overall rating
81% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Pros and Cons of XTB

What we like about XTB

Positive experiences with XTB are likely for traders thanks to the wide selection of trading instruments. With over 4,500 assets, few traders will have reason to complain, and even exotic stocks are available. Fees for markets such as Forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies are below average. In particular, Forex conditions are very low. Order execution is very fast, whether using MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or xStation 5. XTB operates its own branch in Germany with customer service based in Frankfurt am Main, ensuring excellent service. XTB also offers a wide range of free educational materials, such as books and live webinars, and runs its own Trading Academy.

Pros of XTB
  • 4500+ trading instruments

  • Low forex fees

  • Fast order execution

  • Excellent Support Service

What we dislike about XTB

Negative experiences with XTB may arise for some traders due to the minimum fee of €8 – €10 per trade/transaction for stocks and stock CFDs. For smaller accounts under €500, trading stocks, especially in the short term, is hardly worthwhile. Bond traders may also find XTB less appealing. However, XTB’s offering is not much smaller than that of most other brokers, as Euro Bunds (Bund Futures) and T-Notes are available.

Advanced traders might note negatively that MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is not offered. XTB only provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and its proprietary xStation 5. It is also surprising that only 19% of traders trade profitably with XTB, which is slightly below the average.

Cons of XTB
  • High minimum fees for stocks

  • Limited selection of bonds

  • No MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 support

Tradable Instruments at XTB

The available trading instruments at XTB include over 4,500 different markets, which is significantly more than the average broker. These include:

  • +49 Forex/currency pairs
  • +42 indices (Cash & CFD Futures)
  • +22 commodities
  • +194 ETFs
  • +114 ETF-CFDs
  • +25 cryptocurrencies
  • +1,772 stock CFDs
  • +2,357 stocks
  • +2 bonds

 

All in all, XTB offers the most important and frequently traded instruments. Only in the area of bonds does XTB lack selection.

Trading fees at XTB

XTB offers a competitive fee structure that appeals to a wide range of traders, particularly those engaging in forex and CFD trading. The platform is known for its low spreads, which can significantly reduce the cost of entering and exiting positions. For major currency pairs like EUR/USD, XTB offers spreads as low as 0.6 pips during peak trading hours, which is considered competitive in the industry.

When it comes to stock and ETF trading, XTB provides commission-free trading for many European customers, particularly those who trade less than €100,000 in a month. This offer is available for UK and EU customers onboarded under XTB’s Polish entity. However, for investments at or above €100,000 per calendar month, a 0.2% commission is charged with a minimum of €10 per trade. It’s worth noting that while this offer is favorable, some competitors provide commission-free trading without any limitations.

For CFD trading, XTB doesn’t charge direct commissions. Instead, the cost is built into the spread, which varies depending on the product and market liquidity. For instance, the S&P 500 CFD has an average spread cost of 0.5 points during peak trading hours. This pricing model can be advantageous for traders who prefer a more straightforward fee structure without separate commission charges.

XTB also implements a currency conversion fee of 0.5% for trades involving different currencies. This is particularly relevant for traders with accounts in one currency but trading assets denominated in another. To mitigate this cost, XTB offers the option to open accounts in different base currencies, including GBP, EUR, and USD.

It’s important to note that while XTB’s fee structure is generally competitive, there are some additional costs to consider. For instance, there’s an inactivity fee of €10 per month after one year of trading inactivity if no deposit was made in the last 90 days. However, XTB doesn’t charge fees for most deposits and withdrawals, which can be a significant advantage compared to some other brokers.

Overall, XTB’s fee structure is designed to be attractive to both novice and experienced traders, with its combination of low spreads, commission-free options, and transparent pricing. However, as with any trading platform, it’s crucial for traders to carefully consider their trading style and volume to determine if XTB’s fee structure aligns with their specific needs and strategies.

Detailed Review XTB

XTB, formerly known as X-Trade Brokers, was the first broker to offer CFDs and Forex on the Polish market in 2002. Since then, XTB has continuously grown and now has branches in more than 13 countries. By market capitalization, XTB is the fourth-largest Forex & CFD broker. The size of XTB is evident in the wide range of trading instruments it offers. With over 4,500 instruments, XTB.com outpaces most other brokers and generally provides very good to excellent conditions. However, the high fixed costs for stocks remain a drawback for traders with small accounts. Traders planning to deposit less than €1,000 and trade stocks exclusively may be better off with another broker that doesn’t impose minimum commissions. Execution times are fast across all available trading platforms.

XTB offers both stocks and stock CFDs. Traders can choose to buy actual stocks with associated benefits (no holding costs, dividends, etc.) or trade leveraged stock CFDs for short-term opportunities. It should be noted that the vast majority of stocks are only available via the xStation 5 platform.

xtb-Konto-Stufen

 

XTB previously offered a service level system before the new and current ESMA regulation came into effect. Essentially, it was a loyalty/bonus program that rewarded traders with higher trading volumes. This program is currently suspended and no longer available. XTB has no margin call obligation for both retail and professional clients alike.

 

Regulation & Safety at XTB

XTB is a reputable broker with multiple regulatory licenses. The main regulatory bodies include the FCA, KNF, CySEC, and IFSC. For Germany, XTB is also registered with BaFin. Additional registrations exist in several other countries. More information can be found on the CySEC website as well as the BaFin website.

Country

Regulatory Authority

United Kingdom

FCA

Poland

KNF

France

ACP – Banque de France

Germany

KNF, BaFin

Spain

CNMV

Czech Republic

National Bank of CR

Slovakia

National Bank of SR

Portugal

CMVM

Turkey

CMB

Romania

ASF

Uruguay

Banco Central de Uruguay

XTB is publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) under WKN A2AJ7Q and ISIN PLXTRDM00011.

Your account at XTB

XTB essentially offers two account types: the Standard account and the Pro account. The main difference between them is that the Standard account has normal spreads (no commissions), while the Pro account offers reduced spreads (with commissions). The Pro account is therefore XTB’s ECN/Raw account. XTB specifies market execution as the execution type for both accounts. XTB also offers a free demo account.

Further details and differences are shown in the following table.

FeaturesStandardPro
ExecutionMarket executionMarket execution
Min. Spread from0.000080.00001
Forex, Indices, Commoditiesfrom €0€6 per lot
Stocks & ETFsGerman assets:
0.12% (min. €10)
German assets:
0.12% (min. €10)
Stock CFDs & ETF CFDsFor Germany:
Fees from 0.08% (min. €8)
For Germany:
Fees from 0.08% (min. €8)
Cryptocurrencies€0€3.5 per transaction
No margin call obligation
Max leverage (Standard)1:301:30
Max leverage (Pro)1:2001:200

How can I open an account with XTB

Due to regulations, every new customer must undergo some basic compliance checks to ensure they understand the risks of trading and are authorized to trade. When opening an account, you will likely be asked for the following, so it’s good to have them ready:

A scanned color copy of your passport, driver’s license, or national ID
A utility bill or bank statement from the last three months showing your address

You will also need to answer a few basic compliance questions to confirm how much trading experience you have. It’s best to set aside at least 10 minutes to complete the account opening process.

Although you can explore the demo account immediately, it is important to note that you cannot conduct real trades until you have passed compliance, which may take several days depending on your situation.

How To Close Your XTB account?

You can close the XTB account from within the XTB app. Go to app settings and click Leave XTB to close your XTB account.

Account Types available at XTB

Account TypeAvailable
Standard accountYes
Demo accountYes
Islamic accountYes
VIP accountYes

Trading platforms available at XTB

XTB offers xStation 5 as trading software or platforms. We won’t go into further detail about the popular MetaTrader 4 here. For that, you can refer to our MT4 tutorial, where we address the most frequently asked questions.

The xStation 5:

xtb-xstation

 

The xStation 5 can be used either as a web-based platform or a mobile app. The web trader is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. The mobile version, the xStation 5 app, is available for iOS and Android.

The xStation includes, like most web traders, a market overview for various products as well as a watchlist. Additionally, it features an integrated economic calendar along with financial news.

xStation-5-App

The order screen conveniently displays both the spread and the required margin, making it user-friendly. Unlike MetaTrader 4, this allows traders to immediately see the size of the position they are about to open, helping to prevent mistakes.

Another interesting feature is the market sentiment tool, which is directly integrated into the xStation. It shows which positions traders are currently holding, making it easier to identify extreme positions and position oneself accordingly.

XTB-sentiment

Additionally, the following features are offered:

  • Top Mover: Markets or assets that have moved the most
  • Stock Screener: An analysis tool to find suitable stocks based on specific criteria and filters
  • ETF Scanner: The counterpart to the Stock Screener for ETFs
  • Heatmap: Sectors and markets compared to one another, making it easier to spot reallocations and overarching trends
Trading PlatformAvailable
IOS appYes
Android appYes
Desktop windowsNo
Desktop MACNo
Web platformYes
Propriety platformYes
MetaTrade 4 (MT4)No
MetaTrade 5 (MT5)No

Deposits and withdrawals at XTB

XTB offers various deposit and withdrawal options. No fees are charged, and even deposits via PayPal are free of charge. However, conversion fees are not covered by XTB.

Currently, XTB offers the following payment methods:

  • Bank transfer
  • Credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, Maestro)
  • PayPal
  • Instant transfer

A fee of €10 is charged for withdrawals under €200. Otherwise, withdrawals are free of charge.

XTB charges an inactivity fee of €10 per month after 365 days of inactivity. All client funds are held in segregated bank accounts in accordance with regulatory obligations. Funds are kept separate from company assets, ensuring client fund segregation.

Client deposits are currently protected up to an equivalent of €3,000.00 in PLN at 100%, and amounts exceeding this up to €22,000.00 in PLN are secured at 90%.

How is the customer support at XTB

XTB offers excellent service. Customers can access XTB’s customer support 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, to resolve any questions or issues. Most concerns are handled directly by German staff at the branch office in Frankfurt.

XTB provides the following contact numbers:

Account Opening
+49 (0) 800 987 2330
General Inquiries
+49 (0) 69 2400 6868
Customer Service
+49 (0) 69 9675 9232
Additional contact options include:
  • Email: info@xtb.de
  • Live Chat

Frequently asked questions about XTB

  • Is XTB a good broker?

    XTB is a well-regulated and reliable broker, overseen by authorities like the FCA, KNF, CySEC, and IFSC, and publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. It offers diverse trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and stock CFDs, along with its proprietary xStation 5 platform known for user-friendliness and advanced tools. With competitive fees, strong customer support, and extensive educational resources, XTB is a solid choice for both novice and experienced traders. Client funds are secured in segregated accounts, adding an extra layer of protection.

  • Is XTB regulated and trustworthy?

    XTB is a well-regulated brokerage firm, authorized and overseen by several prominent financial authorities:

    • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom
    • Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) in Poland
    • Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) in Cyprus
    • International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize

    Additionally, XTB is publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, enhancing its transparency and accountability. This extensive regulatory oversight ensures that XTB adheres to stringent standards of financial integrity and client protection.

  • Is XTB a scam broker?

    XTB is a reputable and trustworthy brokerage firm. Established in 2002, it operates under the supervision of several top-tier regulatory authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC). Additionally, XTB is publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, enhancing its transparency and accountability. The company has garnered positive evaluations from industry experts, highlighting its comprehensive educational resources, user-friendly trading platforms, and competitive fee structures. These factors collectively affirm XTB’s legitimacy and reliability as a brokerage service provider.

  • What is the minimum deposit at XTB?

    The first deposit at XTB should be at least 250$. After that, you can deposit as low as 1$.

  • Which trading platform is available at XTB?

    XTB offers its proprietary trading platform, xStation 5, available in both web and mobile versions. xStation 5 is recognized for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and real-time market data, catering to traders of all experience levels. Notably, XTB no longer supports MetaTrader platforms, having transitioned fully to its in-house xStation suite.

  • Does XTB offer a free demo account?

    Yes, XTB provides Demo Accounts.