XTB Review 2024
Highlights of XTB
XTB is a highly regulated global broker with licenses from leading authorities such as the FCA, CNMV, and DFSA. This ensures XTB's high reliability and transparency.
The broker offers a wide range of trading products, including currencies, indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, making it an attractive choice for traders of various levels and interests. Convenient account funding options and advanced analytical support highlight its competitiveness.
Pros and Cons of XTB
Pros
- Regulated by several leading financial authorities.
- Variety of methods to deposit funds.
- Wide range of trading assets.
- Extensive analytical tools and resources.
Cons
- Withdrawal and account inactivity fees.
- Withdrawal methods are limited.
- Limited number of trading account types.
- Lack of educational materials.
XTB reviews
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XTB Broker Overview
Foundation Year | 2001 |
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Official Website | https://www.xtb.com |
Regulated in Countries | Belize, Poland, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, GermanyMore Details |
Minimum Deposit |
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Spread | from 0.5 points |
Max Leverage | 1:500 |
Trading Assets |
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Trading Platforms |
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Email Support |
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Hotline Phones | |
Social Media | — |
X-Trade Brokers positions itself as a global leader in CFD and forex trading. In describing its activities, the broker emphasizes a deep commitment to clients' long-term results.
X-Trade Brokers has been in existence for over 20 years. The foundation year and the start of operations on the site are not indicated; however, in the company's history, the first significant events date back to 2002. There are several branches in different European countries.
Mentions of the company most often occur under the name XTB Online Trading, which is not so much an abbreviation of the full name as the official one. It was renamed in 2009.
Trading is conducted on a DD model – without access to interbank deals.
XTB Review Summary
Our ratings of XTB are based on a detailed methodology that considers over 200 criteria in various categories, including licensing and regulation, educational materials, available platforms, support services, etc. You can find more detailed information on how we evaluate brokers on our methodology page. Continue reading the review for more detailed information about XTB.
Reliability and Regulation
The following organizations regulate the company's activities:
Legal Entity | Regulator |
---|---|
XTB International Limited XTB International Limited | BFSC BFSC |
XTB S.A. XTB S.A. | KNF KNF AMF AMF ACPR ACPR |
XTB Limited XTB Limited | FCA FCA |
XTB Sucursal XTB Sucursal | CNMV CNMV |
XTB MENA Limited XTB MENA Limited | DFSA DFSA |
XTB S.A. German Branch XTB S.A. German Branch | BaFin BaFin |
XTB International Limited is regulated by the Financial Services Commission in Belize. Although Belize is a well-known jurisdictional center for many financial institutions, its regulatory standards may be less stringent than in other jurisdictions, such as the UK or the USA.
At the same time, other companies within the XTB group are regulated by several authoritative bodies, including the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV). This indicates a high degree of regulation and reliability, as these organizations are known for their strict standards and transparency requirements.
Account Opening
The account opening process with XTB broker is generally straightforward. It includes standard registration steps such as providing personal information and verifying it with documents. This is good practice as it helps ensure the broker complies with all KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) requirements.
However, the verification process may take some time, which can delay the ability to start trading.
Registration
On the website, in the top right corner, there are two buttons:
- Try a Demo – to open and test a demo account.
- Create Account – to directly register on the website and trade with real money.
To open an account, you need to select the second option.
The registration itself does not obligate you to anything. However, the broker will require quite a bit of personal information. Initially, the system only asks for an email and country of residence:
And then a little more information about the client. It is necessary to provide personal details that fully correspond to reality and what is written in the passport; otherwise, there may be problems with fund withdrawal. You will need to specify:
- Full name;
- Gender;
- Phone number;
- Date of birth;
- Country of citizenship;
- Annual income;
- Amount planned to invest over the year;
- Source of income and savings.
The next page opens with a request for some additional client information. Here, the entire residential address must be specified.
The following steps involve more specifics about the account and future trading. It is necessary to select the currency of the trading account (currently, only USD is available) and the preferred language of communication with the client.
The following page contains agreements where one must confirm and agree to the company's rules on risks and trading.
After filling in all fields and pages, the client gains access to the xStation trading terminal. At the same time, a registration confirmation email will be sent with a password and login details.
Verification
To activate your trading account, you must verify your phone number and upload scans of documents confirming the information provided during registration.
Thus, a client cannot start actual trading immediately: they first need to verify their identity and many details, including their address, and only after document verification will they be able to operate in the financial market.
Minimum Deposit
XTB offers a flexible approach to opening a trading account, not setting a specific minimum deposit. Thus, you can begin trading with any amount that suits you.
However, it should be noted that the minimum transaction volume and the corresponding minimum margin deposit may limit your opportunities for trading specific instruments. Therefore, even with a small initial deposit, it is essential to ensure that it allows you to carry out trading operations considering the trading parameters of the selected instrument.
Account Types
XTB accounts meet the basic needs of different groups of traders. Each account type has features and advantages, allowing traders to choose the most suitable option depending on their trading strategies, financial capabilities, and religious beliefs.
However, we note the absence of certain account types that could offer additional opportunities for specific groups of traders. In particular, there are no cent accounts, which could be helpful for beginners wanting to trade with minimal risks, and no accounts with fixed spreads, which might be preferable for those wishing to manage their costs. Moreover, there are no accounts with market execution of orders that could satisfy the needs of more advanced traders. Investment accounts (PAMM accounts or copy trading platforms), which could be helpful for investors preferring an automated approach to trading, are also not provided.
Trading Accounts
Broker XTB offers the following trading conditions:
Standard | Swap Free | |
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Account Currency | USD | |
Minimum Deposit | 1 $ | |
Trading Platforms | xStation | |
Spread | floatingfrom 0.5 pipsfor EURUSD~ 1.4 pips | floatingfrom 0.7 pipsfor EURUSD~ 1.4 pips |
Commission per Trade | per 1 lot~ 5 $ | |
Trading Assets | ForexETFStocksIndicesCryptocurrencyPrecious MetalsEnergy CarriersSoft CommoditiesBonds | ForexStocksETFIndicesPrecious Metals |
Opened Positions | — | |
Leverage | 1:1-1:500 | 1:1-1:200 |
Margin Call / Stop Out | 100% / 30% | |
Order Execution | MM | |
Demo Account | ||
Islamic Account | ||
Open AccountRegister | Open AccountRegister |
A trader can receive rebates (cashback) for trading large volumes when opening a Standard account. To receive cashback, one must complete verification, contact their manager, or write to sales_int@xtb.com.
Demo Account
To open a demo account, select the 'Demo' button in the upper right corner instead of 'Create Account.'
A training account will be linked if you have already registered a real account. If these accounts aren't interconnected, you should create a demo with a separate email address.
The registration requirements for a training account are significantly lower: just a few fields, and you can trade.
The company does not specify any special requirements or restrictions for using a demo account.
Islamic Account
XTB offers the possibility of opening an Islamic (Swap-free) account, which fully complies with Sharia principles and is particularly suitable for traders from Muslim countries. This type of account is offered within XTB International. It is available to clients from certain countries, such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Malaysia.
On the Islamic account, clients can access over 1500 assets, including currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, indices, commodities, and ETFs, all without interest and swaps.
Commissions
XTB's trading commissions are pretty moderate and comparable to the market average. Moreover, expenses can be further reduced through the broker's loyalty program or CashBack.
However, it should be noted that on XTB, there are inactivity and withdrawal fees.
Trading Commissions
Trading Commissions are only charged on the Swap Free account - $10 per lot (except for CFDs on stocks and ETFs).
On the standard account, trading costs are only spreads and swaps. Spreads are considered average for the market, while swaps are above average.
Below is a table of average spreads and swaps for major currency pairs on the Standard account.
Asset | Average spread | Swap long | Swap short |
---|---|---|---|
AUDUSD | 1.5 pips | -0.01 % | -0.00 % |
EURUSD | 1.4 pips | -0.01 % | 0.00 % |
GBPUSD | 1.8 pips | -0.00 % | -0.00 % |
NZDUSD | 2.0 pips | -0.00 % | -0.00 % |
USDCAD | 2.2 pips | -0.00 % | -0.00 % |
USDCHF | 2.0 pips | 0.01 % | -0.01 % |
USDJPY | 1.8 pips | 0.01 % | -0.02 % |
Deposit and Withdrawal Fees
Deposit Fee is only charged when using an e-wallet (for more details, see the "Deposit and Withdrawal" section).
XTB charges a $30 withdrawal fee for bank transfers if the withdrawal amount exceeds $50. No fee will be charged if the withdrawal amount is over $50.
Inactivity Fee
If there has been no position opening or closing on the client's account in the last 365 days and no funds have been deposited in the previous 90 days, a fee of €10 is charged. In the event of insufficient funds, a payment equal to the remaining free funds on the client's account is charged. Before the fee is set, the amount is converted into the account currency.
CashBack
XTB has implemented a unique rewards system for its traders, known as CashBack or a loyalty program. This program is unique because it is individually tailored to each trader, optimizing the reward amount based on their trading activity.
Your manager agrees upon the maximum cashback you can earn in one month. Cashback is automatically credited to your account at the end of each month.
Deposit and Withdrawal
XTB offers diverse account funding options, including bank transfers, payment cards, and electronic wallets. A significant advantage is the absence of a broker commission for depositing and withdrawing funds (for amounts over $50). However, the lack of other withdrawal methods besides bank transfer and a commission for withdrawing amounts less than $50 reduces the overall rating.
Account Funding Methods
Depositing and withdrawing money is done through the "Deposits" section of the personal account.
The following options are available for depositing funds:
Payment System | Currencies | Deposit Fee | Operation Limit |
---|---|---|---|
Neteller | USD | 1% | — |
Skrill | USD | 2% | — |
PaySafeCard | USD | 1.5% | — |
Bank Transfer | USD | 0% | — |
Visa | USD | 0% | — |
Mastercard | USD | 0% | — |
Maestro | USD | 0% | — |
Money is deposited without a broker commission.
Withdrawal Methods
The following method is available for withdrawal:
Payment System | Currencies | Withdrawal Fee | Operation Limit |
---|---|---|---|
Bank Transfer | USD | 0% | — |
The forex broker does not charge a withdrawal fee if the withdrawal amount exceeds $50. Otherwise, the fee is $30.
The processing time for a withdrawal request is 1 business day.
Markets and Products
XTB offers an extensive selection of markets and products for trading. Additionally, traders have the option to choose different levels of leverage depending on the market they select. Such a diverse selection makes XTB attractive to traders of various levels with varying interests in trading.
Which markets are available?
Traders have the following CFD options available:
Broker | IC Markets | XTB | Pepperstone |
---|---|---|---|
Forex | 61 | 57 | 97 |
Precious Metals | 7 | 9 | 20 |
Energy Carriers | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Soft Commodities | 8 | 10 | 16 |
Indices | 25 | 35 | 26 |
Stocks | 2175 | 1997 | 986 |
ETF | 38 | 177 | 108 |
Bonds | 10 | 3 | — |
Cryptocurrency | 21 | 41 | 30 |
Margin Requirements
The maximum leverage depends on the type of instrument the trader is trading with XTB.
Trading Instrument | Max. Leverage for Retail Traders |
---|---|
Forex | 1:500 |
Precious Metals | 1:500 |
Energy Carriers | 1:67 |
Soft Commodities | 1:200 |
Indices | 1:200 |
Stocks | 1:4 |
ETF | 1:4 |
Bonds | 1:200 |
Cryptocurrency | 1:4 |
Trading Platforms
XTB offers its proprietary trading platform, xStation 5, which is highly functional and offers many analysis tools. The platform has a mobile version, which is convenient for those who trade on the go. However, the lack of choice between trading platforms may limit some users.
xStation 5
Clients can trade using the xStation 5 terminal. In addition, a mobile version of this platform is available for Android devices.
The company has done well in platform development: all terminals have user-friendly charts suitable for everyone.
Thus, they publish news in real time.
The trading platform offers both market and pending orders.
The terminal can be customized: the size and position of the chart can be changed, different tabs can be opened, and the positions of the trading terminal can be altered.
Orders can be placed directly on the chart. For technical analysis, all types of graphical tools are available (trend lines, Fibonacci levels, Andrews' pitchfork, etc.) and many indicators.
The following analytical tools are also available in the trading terminal tabs:
- economic calendar;
- financial market news;
- stock screener;
- ETF scanner;
- currency pair heat map;
- knowledge base in the form of video tutorials.
Overall, xStation 5 is a convenient and well-thought-out trading platform. It is indeed very comfortable to trade on the Forex market with it.
Analytics
XTB provides a full suite of market analysis tools. The company actively uses its xStation 5 platform to provide these tools.
What analytical materials are available?
The broker offers traders the opportunity to receive analytics and learn trading. As for forecasting, it is available to everyone: any site visitor can use it. The analytics section includes:
- News feed.
- Forecasts from company analysts.
- Current rates (quotes).
- Choice of a forecast for a specific country/trading instrument.
- Subsection with economic calendar and trading schedule.
Also, remember the analytical tools we reviewed in the xStation 5 trading platform.
Education
XTB does not offer a wide range of educational materials, such as webinars, detailed video tutorials, podcasts, or in-depth articles. This may be a disadvantage for new traders seeking clear and understandable training.
What educational materials are available?
XTB is not the best Forex broker for educational training. The only educational material available to traders is the "Knowledge Base." These are the basics that every trader needs. It is tough to call this training, although the company has placed this information in such a section. It mainly contains instructions on opening and closing trades, the basics of technical and fundamental analysis, etc.
Customer Support
XTB's customer support demonstrates good efficiency overall. The company provides several communication channels, including phone and email, available 24/5. Note that online chat is not always open, which may cause inconvenience.
Operating Hours
XTB support operates 24/5.
How to contact support?
You can contact the broker and ask questions in several ways. For instance, you can use the phone numbers on the website or write an email.
- +357 257 25356 - for questions about opening a trading account
- +48 222 739 976 - technical support 24/5
- sales_int@xtb.com
You can also use the online chat, although it is not always operational and does not adhere to any schedule. However, if you leave your email, you will receive a response via email.
Conclusion
XTB is a highly regulated broker with licenses from leading bodies such as the FCA, reinforcing its reliability and transparency. This broker offers a wide range of trading products, including currencies, indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, making it a flexible choice for traders of different levels and interests. Various deposit options and advanced analytical support further enhance its appeal against competitors.
XTB suits traders who value regulation and security, those looking for various trading tools, and those who want access to extensive analytical resources. The broker will especially suit active traders who maximize low spreads and product diversity.
FAQ
Is XTB legit?
Yes, XTB is a legitimate broker. It is highly regulated with licenses from several leading authorities, including the BFSC (Belize Financial Services Commission), KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority), AMF (Autorité des marchés financiers) and ACPR (Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution) in France, FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in the UK, CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores) in Spain, and DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority).
Which country is XTB from?
XTB was founded in Poland and is headquartered in Warsaw. It operates globally and has offices in several countries.
Is XTB an ECN broker?
No, XTB is not an ECN broker. It operates as a market maker.
How does XTB make money?
XTB makes money primarily through the spreads on trades. It may also earn revenue from commissions on certain types of accounts and instruments, as well as from overnight swap fees.
Is XTB good for beginners?
Yes, XTB is good for beginners. It offers a user-friendly platform and excellent customer support to help new traders get started.
Does XTB offer a demo account?
Yes, XTB offers a demo account that allows traders to practice and familiarize themselves with the platform without risking real money.
How can I open an account with XTB?
To open an account with XTB, you need to visit their website, complete the online registration form, provide the necessary identification documents, and go through the verification process.
How can I delete my XTB account?
To delete your XTB account, you need to contact their customer support team and request an account closure. They will guide you through the necessary steps to close your account.
What is the minimum deposit for XTB?
XTB does not have any specific minimum deposit requirements. You can start trading with any amount you are comfortable with.
What is the maximum leverage on XTB?
The maximum leverage offered by XTB varies depending on the instrument and the regulatory requirements of the region. Generally, it can go up to 1:500 for professional clients and 1:30 for retail clients under ESMA regulations.
How do I deposit funds in an XTB account?
You can deposit funds in an XTB account using various methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and electronic payment systems like Neteller and Skrill.
How do I withdraw money from XTB?
To withdraw money from XTB, you need to log in to your account, navigate to the withdrawal section, choose your preferred withdrawal method, and follow the instructions provided.
Does XTB provide VPS?
No, XTB does not provide VPS (Virtual Private Server) services directly. However, clients can use third-party VPS providers to enhance their trading experience.
Is XTB suitable for scalping?
Yes, XTB is suitable for scalping. The broker allows scalping strategies and provides the necessary tools and conditions to execute such trades effectively.
Is XTB suitable for auto-trading?
Yes, XTB is suitable for auto-trading. It supports platforms like MetaTrader 4 and its proprietary xStation, both of which allow for automated trading strategies.
Is XTB suitable for hedging?
Yes, XTB allows hedging strategies. Traders can open long and short positions on the same instrument to hedge their trades.
Is XTB suitable for spread betting?
No, XTB does not offer spread betting. It provides trading in CFDs (Contracts for Difference) across various asset classes.