Our comparison of leading Forex brokers IG and XTB, examines trading features like costs, platform, customer service and more to help you make an informed decision when choosing a broker.
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Our full comparison covers the 10 most important trading factors to help you decide between IG and XTB. Here are five key differences:
When it comes to trading costs, both IG and XTB offer competitive pricing.
1. Standard Account Spreads
IG offers lower spreads on its standard account compared to XTB, making it a more cost-effective choice for traders who prioritise low spreads.
2. RAW Account Spreads
For RAW account spreads, XTB takes the lead with its ultra-low spreads, offering significant savings for high-volume traders.
3. Commission Rates
Both brokers charge competitive commission rates, but IG’s rates are slightly lower, providing an edge for cost-conscious traders.
4. Deposit & Withdrawal Fees
Neither broker charges fees for deposits or withdrawals, making them both excellent choices for traders who frequently move money in and out of their accounts.
5. Other Fees
In terms of other fees, such as inactivity fees, both brokers are on par with industry standards.
| Broker | Other Fees |
|---|---|
| IG | Standard industry fees for inactivity |
| XTB | Standard industry fees for inactivity |
Verdict: In terms of other fees, such as inactivity fees, both brokers are on par with industry standards.
Both IG and XTB offer a range of trading platforms to suit different trading styles and experience levels.
| Trading Platform | IG Group | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 | No | No |
| cTrader | No | No |
| TradingView | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
1. MetaTrader 4 and 5
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and 5, popular platforms known for their advanced charting features and automated trading capabilities.
2. cTrader and TradingView
While neither broker offers cTrader or TradingView, they both provide their own proprietary platforms that offer similar functionality.
3. Social And Copy Trading
XTB offers social and copy trading through its xSocial platform, while IG does not currently offer this feature.
4. VPS and Other Trading Tools
Both brokers offer VPS services and a range of other trading tools, including advanced charting tools, economic calendars, and market news updates.
| Broker | Limit Order Speed | Market Order Speed |
|---|---|---|
| IG | 209 ms | 182 ms |
| XTB | N/A | N/A |
Verdict: While both brokers offer a range of robust trading platforms, XTB’s social and copy trading capabilities give it a slight edge for traders interested in these features.
IG offers a wider range of account types, including standard, DMA, and professional accounts. XTB, on the other hand, offers standard and pro accounts.
| IG Group | XTB | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Account | Yes | Yes |
| Raw Account | Yes | Yes |
| Swap Free Account | No | Yes |
| Active Traders | No | No |
| Spread Betting (UK) | Yes | No |
Verdict: IG’s wider range of account types makes it a more versatile choice for traders with varying needs and trading styles.
When it comes to user experience, both IG and XTB have their merits, but they offer different vibes. IG’s platform is sleek and professional, making you feel like you’re in the cockpit of a fighter jet with all its advanced features. It’s perfect for those who love to have all the bells and whistles. On the other hand, XTB’s xStation 5 is more intuitive and user-friendly, ideal for those who want to get straight to the point without any fuss.
Verdict: For traders who prioritise a streamlined, community-focused experience, XTB takes the cake. However, if you’re all about advanced features and faster execution, IG is the way to go.
IG Group Trust Score
XTB Trust Score
IG is regulated by a larger number of regulatory bodies, including ASIC, FCA, BaFin, FINMA, NFA/CFTC, CySEC, DFSA, FMA, MAS, JFSA, BMA, and FSCA.
On the other hand, XTB is regulated by FCA, CMNV, BaFin, KNF, CySEC, DFSA, and IFSC.
| IG Group | XTB | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Regulation | ASIC (Australia) FCA (UK) BaFin (Germany) FINMA (Switzerland) NFA/CFTC (USA) CYSEC (Cyprus) MAS (Singapore) FMA (New Zealand) | FCA (UK) CYSEC (Cyprus) |
| Tier 2 Regulation | JFSA (Japan) DFSA (Dubai) | DFSA (Dubai) CMNV (Spain) KNF (Poland) |
| Tier 3 Regulation | BMA (Bermuda) FSCA (South Africa) | FSC-BZ |
Verdict: IG’s broader regulatory oversight makes it the more trustworthy choice for traders concerned about security and regulation.
When it comes to the range of products and CFD markets, IG and XTB both offer a broad spectrum, but they cater to different types of traders. IG is a powerhouse, offering a staggering range of CFDs on forex, shares, commodities, and more. If you’re the kind of trader who likes to diversify your portfolio, IG is like a treasure trove. XTB, while not as extensive as IG, still offers a solid range of CFDs, particularly excelling in the cryptocurrency sector.
| Product Type | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Forex CFDs | 110 | 48 |
| Shares CFDs | 13,000+ | 1,848 |
| Cryptos CFDs | 13 | 10+ |
| Commodities CFDs | 41 | 23 |
| Indices CFDs | 130 | 30 |
| Bonds/Treasuries CFDs | 14 | 3 |
| Spread Betting (UK only) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 | Yes | No |
| Automated Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit | $450 | $250 |
Verdict: For traders looking for a wide array of CFDs and markets, IG is the clear winner with its extensive product range.
Education is a cornerstone for any trader, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro looking to upskill. IG offers a comprehensive set of educational resources, including webinars, video tutorials, and articles that cover a wide range of topics. XTB isn’t far behind, though. They have a robust educational centre filled with courses, webinars, and e-books, making it a great place for traders who are keen to learn.
Verdict: Based on our team’s scoring, IG slightly edges out XTB in offering superior educational resources with a score of 8.5 compared to XTB’s 8.0.
Both IG and XTB offer excellent customer service, with multiple channels of communication and 24/7 support. However, IG’s customer service is slightly more responsive based on user reviews.
Verdict: While both brokers offer excellent customer service, IG’s slightly more responsive service gives it the edge in this category.
Funding your trading account should be as straightforward as possible, and both IG and XTB understand this. IG offers a variety of funding options, including debit/credit cards, bank transfers, and even PayPal for those who prefer digital wallets. XTB also provides multiple funding options but lacks the PayPal option, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
XTB compensates for this by not charging any deposit fees, whereas IG does charge a small fee for credit card deposits. Both brokers process withdrawals quickly, usually within 1-2 business days, making it easier for you to access your funds when you need them.
| Funding Option | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Debit/Credit Card | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| PayPal | ✓ | ✗ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| Deposit Fees | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal Fees | ✗ | ✗ |
| Processing Time | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Minimum Deposit | $450 | $250 |
Verdict: For traders who value a wider range of funding options, including PayPal, IG takes the lead. However, if you’re looking to avoid deposit fees, XTB is your go-to broker.
Getting started in trading shouldn’t break the bank, and both IG and XTB offer options that make it easier for traders to jump in. IG offers a $0 minimum deposit for its CFD account, but if you’re looking to get into Direct Market Access (DMA), you’ll need to put down $450. XTB, on the other hand, keeps things simple with a $0 minimum deposit for its standard account, making it an accessible option for traders who are just starting out or those who prefer to start small.
The minimum deposit can often be a deciding factor, especially for new traders who might not want to commit a large sum initially. Here’s a quick look at the minimum deposit requirements for both brokers:
| Broker | CFD Account | DMA/Standard Account |
|---|---|---|
| IG | $0 | $450 |
| XTB | $0 | $0 |
Verdict: For traders looking for the lowest barrier to entry, XTB is the clear winner, with a $0 minimum deposit for its standard account.
XTB is the winner because it offers a well-rounded trading experience with a user-friendly platform, low minimum deposit, and excellent trading experience and ease. The table below summarises the key information leading to this verdict:
| Criteria | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Spreads And Fees | ✅ | ✅ |
| Better Trading Platform | ❌ | ✅ |
| Superior Accounts And Features | ✅ | ❌ |
| Best Trading Experience And Ease | ❌ | ✅ |
| Stronger Trust And Regulation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Top Product Range And CFD Markets | ✅ | ❌ |
| Superior Educational Resources | ✅ | ❌ |
| Superior Customer Service | ✅ | ❌ |
| Better Funding Options | ✅ | ❌ |
| Lower Minimum Deposit | ❌ | ✅ |
For beginner traders, XTB is the better choice due to its user-friendly platform and low minimum deposit.
For experienced traders, IG offers a more comprehensive range of products and advanced features.
XTB generally offers lower costs, particularly with its RAW account spreads. IG also has competitive spreads on its standard account. For a deeper dive into brokers with low spreads, you can explore this guide on Lowest Commission Brokers.
Both IG and XTB offer MetaTrader 4, but IG comes with a broader range of additional features and plugins for MT4. For a detailed comparison of top brokers offering MT4, you can visit this comprehensive analysis of the Best MT4 Brokers list.
XTB stands out for offering social trading through its xSocial platform, a feature not currently available with IG. For more options and insights into social or copy trading platforms, check out this review of the best social trading platforms.
IG offers spread betting, a feature that is not available with XTB. This makes IG a suitable choice for traders in the UK looking to take advantage of tax benefits associated with spread betting. For more information on this, you can check out this best spread betting broker guide.
In my opinion, neither IG nor XTB particularly stands out for Australian Forex traders. Both brokers are regulated by ASIC but are not founded in Australia. If you’re an Aussie trader looking for more localized options, you might want to explore other brokers listed in this Best Forex Brokers In Australia review.
For UK Forex traders, I’d say IG is the superior choice. Both brokers are FCA-regulated, but IG has a more extensive presence in the UK. With its wide range of products and strong regulatory framework, IG is a reliable option for UK traders. For a more detailed comparison, you can visit this best UK Forex brokers.
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