Focus Markets vs XTB Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and XTB. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - Focus Markets or XTB?
Our pick: XTB
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - XTB looks preferable to Focus Markets.
XTB scored 4.2/5 and ranks 35 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Focus Markets suitable for?
Focus Markets is suitable for experienced Forex/CFD traders who trade via MT5 and independently use external analytics.
Who is XTB suitable for?
XTB suits experienced traders looking for a reliable broker with a wide selection of instruments and high-quality analytics.
Comparison Table of Focus Markets and XTB
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2002 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Belize, Poland, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.5 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | Focus Markets Review | XTB Review |
Focus Markets Review
Focus Markets is a broker aimed primarily at independent Forex and CFD traders who value access to popular markets, the familiar MetaTrader 5 platform, and a clear trading account structure. It is not the most versatile option for beginners who need strong education, regular analytics, and a wide selection of services within the broker’s ecosystem.
Focus Markets is best suited to experienced traders who already use external analytics sources, make trading decisions independently, and are looking for a broker for active CFD trading. For beginner clients, the broker may be less convenient due to its weak educational base and limited support in making trading decisions.
Pros and Cons of Focus Markets
Pros
- More than 700 CFD instruments are available, including Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
- MetaTrader 5 is supported with WebTrader, mobile versions, Expert Advisors, and one-click trading.
- The broker does not charge internal fees for deposits and withdrawals.
- Various deposit methods are available: cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets.
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts.
- No MetaTrader 4, cTrader, or proprietary trading platform.
- Weak analytics: no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party analytical services.
- No educational materials for beginners.
XTB Review
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.
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 methods are limited.
- Lack of educational materials.
Reliability
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2002 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Belize, Poland, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany |
| Regulators |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets combines a regulated Australian division with international structures in Mauritius and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Client protection depends on the legal entity.
Pros
- There is a division supervised by ASIC.
- The group’s international structure is disclosed.
Cons
- No compensation fund.
- No information about additional funds insurance.
XTB
XTB is quite reliable, considering regulation in several authoritative jurisdictions.
Account Opening
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
Focus Markets
Opening an account with Focus Markets is convenient and fairly fast: registration is completed online, the questionnaire is clear, and document verification usually takes up to 24 business hours.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Clear 3-step questionnaire.
- Wide selection of account base currencies.
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification is required.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- No instant activation of a live account.
XTB
The account opening process at XTB is simple and clear, but takes some time.
Pros
- Easy registration and data verification.
- Flexibility regarding the minimum deposit.
- Adherence to KYC and AML standards.
Cons
- Verification can take time.
- Need to provide a large volume of personal data.
Account Types
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.5 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ account lineup covers traders’ basic needs, but remains limited: only Standard and Raw are available, with no cent, Islamic, or fixed-spread account.
Pros
- Standard and Raw accounts are available.
- 30-day demo account.
- Trader copy trading is available.
Cons
- No cent account.
- No Islamic account.
- No fixed-spread account.
XTB
XTB’s account types cover the core needs of most traders and investors: a Standard and Swap-Free account for CFD trading plus a separate investment account for real stocks and ETFs, though the overall choice is less diverse than some rivals.
Pros
- Simple lineup: Standard, Swap-Free and Investment account.
- Access to real stocks and ETFs with one broker.
- Unified xStation platform for trading and investing.
Cons
- Fewer account types than some competitors.
- No specialized “pro” accounts for niche strategies.
Commissions
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.5 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ fees are average: spreads and swaps on Standard are typical for the market, the Raw commission is $3.5 per lot per side, and withdrawals are free of broker fees.
Pros
- No withdrawal fee from the broker.
Cons
- An account inactivity fee may apply.
XTB
XTB offers an average level of commissions.
Pros
- Cashback system helps to offset some of the commissions.
Cons
- Fee for account inactivity.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
Focus Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Focus Markets are convenient: many methods are available, there are no internal fees, and withdrawal times are usually 1–3 business days.
Pros
- Cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets are available.
- No internal broker fees.
- Most deposits are processed quickly.
Cons
- Withdrawals are reviewed by the finance department.
- Fees from banks and providers may apply.
XTB
XTB provides convenient methods for depositing funds without a commission, but has limited withdrawal options.
Pros
- Wide selection of deposit methods.
- No commission for depositing funds.
- No commission for withdrawals over $50.
Cons
- The only available withdrawal method is bank transfer.
- Commission of $30 for withdrawals less than $50.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 57 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 9 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 5 |
| Indices | 8 | 35 |
| Stocks | 500 | 1997 |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | 41 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 10 |
| ETF | - | 177 |
| Bonds | - | 3 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers a wide selection of CFD instruments: Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- More than 700 instruments.
- Leverage up to 1:500.
Cons
- No real stocks or ETFs.
- No soft commodities.
XTB
XTB offers an extensive range of markets and products for trading, including currency pairs, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers the reliable and functional MT5 platform, but the selection is limited: there is no MT4, cTrader, or proprietary broker platform.
Pros
- MetaTrader 5 is available.
- WebTrader and mobile versions are available.
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4.
- No cTrader.
- No proprietary platform.
XTB
XTB offers its functional and user-friendly trading platform xStation 5, well-suited for market analysis.
Pros
- A multitude of analytical tools.
- Customizable terminal interface.
- Android mobile app available.
Cons
- Lack of choice between different trading platforms.
- No platform version for iOS devices.
- No desktop version of the platform.
Analytics
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ analytics are weak: there are no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party services such as Trading Central or Autochartist.
Cons
- No market reviews.
- No trading signals.
- No analytics from third-party providers.
XTB
XTB offers superior analytics with a rich set of tools available to all users, making them one of the leaders in this area.
Pros
- In-depth analytics, including forecasts from experts and news.
- A wide range of analysis tools, including an economic calendar and trading schedules.
- Analytics available to all users, not only company clients.
Education
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Focus Markets
Education at Focus Markets is poorly developed: instead of a full knowledge base, the broker offers only an FAQ, with no courses, webinars, video lessons, or market analysis materials.
Pros
- There is an FAQ on key questions.
Cons
- No educational courses.
- No webinars or video lessons.
- No materials on strategies or market analysis.
XTB
XTB's educational materials are limited.
Pros
- Basic trading information is provided.
Cons
- Lack of webinars and detailed video tutorials.
- Not suitable for beginners seeking comprehensive education.
Customer Support
| Broker | Focus Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones | — |
|
| Social Media | — | — |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ technical support is basic: online chat, email, and an FAQ are available, with a 24/5 schedule, but there are few contact channels and limited public feedback on service quality.
Pros
- Online chat is available on the website.
- Support operates 24/5.
Cons
- No clearly specified social networks or messengers.
- Limited number of public reviews.
XTB
XTB's technical support is generally good, available 24/5.
Pros
- Operates 24/5.
- Contact options include phone and email.
- Responses to inquiries are received within a reasonable timeframe.
Cons
- Lack of messaging channels for communication.
Comparisons of Focus Markets and XTB with other brokers
Conclusion
XTB stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
XTB scored 4.2/5 and ranks 35 in our rating; Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Focus Markets or XTB?
XTB comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.2/5, position 35) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or XTB?
XTB is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Focus Markets or XTB?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with Focus Markets and XTB?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. XTB: xStation. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and XTB?
Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. XTB: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Focus Markets and XTB?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. XTB: Standard, Swap Free. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Focus Markets and XTB?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. XTB: Neteller, Skrill, PaySafeCard, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus Markets or XTB — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
