HF Markets vs XTB Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
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 - HF Markets or XTB?
Our pick: HF Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - HF Markets looks preferable to XTB.
HF Markets scored 4.3/5 and ranks 22 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas XTB has 3.7/5 and ranks 55.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is HF Markets suitable for?
HF Markets is suitable for traders of any level looking for a reliable broker with good trading conditions and support for MetaTrader 4 and 5.
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 HF Markets and XTB
| Broker | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2009 | 2001 |
| Regulated in Countries | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Seychelles, Cyprus, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Kenya | Belize, Poland, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.5 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | HF Markets Review | XTB Review |
HF Markets Review
HF Markets is a reliable and appealing Forex broker, offering a wide selection of trading assets, a variety of account types, and access to the popular trading platforms MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. With its regulation and industry experience, the company has earned a reputation as a dependable partner for traders of varying experience levels.
HF Markets is recommended for those seeking a trustworthy and vetted broker with favorable trading conditions and customer support.
Pros and Cons of HF Markets
Pros
- Regulated by reputable financial authorities.
- Wide selection of trading assets.
- A variety of educational materials and analytical reviews.
Cons
- There is no alternative to MetaTrader.
- High swaps and wide spreads.
HF Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
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 and account inactivity fees.
- Withdrawal methods are limited.
- Limited number of trading account types.
- Lack of educational materials.
Reliability
| Broker | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2009 | 2001 |
| Regulated in Countries | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Seychelles, Cyprus, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Kenya | Belize, Poland, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany |
| Regulators | SVGFSA SVGFSA FSCA FSCA SFSA SFSA - CySEC CySEC FCA FCA DFSA DFSA CMA CMA | BFSC BFSC KNF KNF AMF AMF ACPR ACPR FCA FCA CNMV CNMV DFSA DFSA BaFin BaFin |
HF Markets
HF Markets is highly regulated and provides dependable services, safeguarding its clients' interests.
XTB
XTB is quite reliable, considering regulation in several authoritative jurisdictions.
Account Opening
| Broker | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
HF Markets
The account opening process at HF Markets is simple and quick, with a user-friendly interface and standard verification.
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 | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.5 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
HF Markets
The broker offers a range of accounts to satisfy the needs of diverse traders.
Pros
- A wide selection of account types to suit different requirements.
- Specialized accounts, such as Cent and Islamic accounts.
- The opportunity to copy trades from successful traders.
XTB
XTB offers basic accounts, but does not provide full variability, which may not satisfy all traders' needs.
Pros
- Swap-free account for Muslim traders.
- No restrictions on demo accounts
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts and fixed spread accounts.
- No market execution of orders.
- No investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading).
Commissions
| Broker | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 2/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.5 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.5 | 1.4 |
| Commission per Lot | $3 |
HF Markets
HF Markets' commissions are above average for the market.
Pros
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals.
Cons
- Spreads are above average
- High swaps for long-term trading.
- Inactivity fee.
XTB
XTB offers an average level of commissions.
Pros
- Cashback system helps to offset some of the commissions.
Cons
- High commission for withdrawals less than $50.
- Fee for account inactivity.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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HF Markets
HF Markets provides many deposit and withdrawal methods, making the broker convenient for many traders.
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 | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 53 | 57 |
| Precious Metals | 6 | 9 |
| Energy Carriers | 2 | 5 |
| Soft Commodities | 5 | 10 |
| Indices | 11 | 35 |
| Stocks | 95 | 1997 |
| ETF | 33 | 177 |
| Bonds | 3 | 3 |
| Cryptocurrency | 40 | 41 |
HF Markets
HF Markets offers a wide selection of trading assets, though it has a limited choice of stocks.
XTB
XTB offers an extensive range of markets and products for trading, including currency pairs, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
HF Markets
HF Markets offers a wide choice of reliable and functional platforms, making it attractive to traders of various levels.
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 | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
HF Markets
HF Markets offers an impressive set of analytical tools and up-to-date news from experts, facilitating effective trading.
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 | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 2/5 |
HF Markets
HF Markets' educational materials are extensive and in-depth, allowing traders of all levels to improve their skills and strategies.
XTB
XTB's educational materials are very 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 | HF Markets | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media | — |
Facebook
Twitter
Telegram
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedInHF Markets
HF Markets' customer support is efficient, available through various channels, and responds quickly.
Pros
- Variety of communication channels (email, phone, online chat).
- Quick and professional response.
- Positive user feedback.
Cons
- Absence of instant messaging for quick communication.
- Lack of national phone lines.
- Support is limited to working days (24/5).
XTB
XTB's technical support is generally good, available 24/5, but the absence of a constantly operating online chat is a drawback.
Pros
- Operates 24/5.
- Contact options include phone and email.
- Responses to inquiries are received within a reasonable timeframe.
Cons
- Online chat not always available.
- Only international phone number available for contact.
- Lack of messaging channels for communication.
Comparisons of HF Markets and XTB with other brokers
Conclusion
HF Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while XTB trails on aggregate criteria.
HF Markets scored 4.3/5 and ranks 22 in our rating; XTB has 3.7/5 and ranks 55.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: HF Markets or XTB?
HF Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 22) versus XTB (score 3.7/5, position 55).
Which broker is better for beginners: HF Markets or XTB?
HF Markets 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) — HF 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 HF Markets and XTB?
HF Markets: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader. XTB: xStation. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with HF Markets and XTB?
HF Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, 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 HF Markets and XTB?
HF Markets: Cent, Premium, Zero, Pro. XTB: Standard, Swap Free. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by HF Markets and XTB?
HF Markets: Skrill, Perfect Money, FasaPay, BitPay, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. XTB: Neteller, Skrill, PaySafeCard, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — HF 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.
