IG 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 - IG 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 IG.
XTB scored 4.2/5 and ranks 31 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is IG suitable for?
Broker IG.com is suitable for traders of all levels, offering reliability, convenience, a wide selection of instruments, and good customer support.
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 IG and XTB
| Broker | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2001 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Belize, Poland, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.5 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | IG Review | XTB Review |
IG Review
IG is a highly regulated broker with licenses from reliable financial authorities, providing clients with high funds protection. Thanks to narrow spreads, traders can effectively manage their costs and increase the profitability of their operations. Quality trading platforms and advanced analytical tools support informed trading decisions, while extensive educational resources make IG attractive to traders of all experience levels.
Pros and Cons of IG
Pros
- Licenses from regulators with a high level of credibility.
- Tight spreads.
- A variety of markets and products.
- Extensive set of analytical tools and content.
- Quality educational resources for different levels of traders.
Cons
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
- High trading fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Limited choice of payment methods.
IG 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 methods are limited.
- Lack of educational materials.
Reliability
| Broker | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2001 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Belize, Poland, United Kingdom, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Germany |
| Regulators |
|
|
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
XTB
XTB is quite reliable, considering regulation in several authoritative jurisdictions.
Account Opening
| Broker | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
IG
The account opening process is simple, fast, and convenient for traders of any experience level.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required.
- Quick registration process (5-10 minutes).
Cons
- Necessity to provide extensive personal and financial information.
- Verification may take a couple of days.
- There is a possibility of being denied account opening.
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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.5 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
IG
IG offers a limited selection of accounts, meeting the basic needs of traders, but not accommodating specific requirements.
Pros
- Availability of DMA account for professional traders.
- Premium service offered for high-value clients.
- Free demo account for practice and training.
Cons
- Absence of Islamic and investment accounts.
- No fixed spread accounts and cent accounts.
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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.5 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.1 | 1.4 |
| Commission per Lot | $6.48 |
IG
IG provides an average level of commissions, with low spreads but high transaction fees on DMA accounts.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals.
Cons
- High transaction fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Currency conversion fee and guaranteed stop fee.
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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.7/5 | 4/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
IG
Broker IG offers an average level of services for deposits/withdrawals, not charging a fee, but has limitations on available methods.
Pros
- No commission for funding and withdrawal.
- PayPal available as a deposit/withdrawal option.
- Transparent information about limits.
Cons
- Absence of cryptocurrencies and most electronic wallets.
- Withdrawal processing time can take up to 5 business days.
- Restrictions on the minimum withdrawal amount.
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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 99 | 57 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 9 |
| Energy Carriers | 9 | 5 |
| Soft Commodities | 20 | 10 |
| Indices | 46 | 35 |
| Stocks | 13000 | 1997 |
| ETF | 5400 | 177 |
| Bonds | 19 | 3 |
| Cryptocurrency | 15 | 41 |
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
XTB
XTB offers an extensive range of markets and products for trading, including currency pairs, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
IG
IG offers a variety of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, and L2 Dealer, catering to traders of all 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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3/5 |
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
|
|
| Social Media | — |
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTubeIG
IG provides fast and professional support.
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 IG and XTB with other brokers
Conclusion
XTB stands out as the better overall pick, while IG trails on aggregate criteria.
XTB scored 4.2/5 and ranks 31 in our rating; IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: IG or XTB?
XTB comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.2/5, position 31) versus IG (score 4.1/5, position 38).
Which broker is better for beginners: IG 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) — IG 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 IG and XTB?
IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. XTB: xStation. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IG and XTB?
IG: 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 IG and XTB?
IG: CFD, DMA. XTB: Standard, Swap Free. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IG and XTB?
IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. XTB: Neteller, Skrill, PaySafeCard, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IG or XTB — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
