XTB Review 2025

Trust

XTB Regulators

In our reviews, we examine the regulatory status of each entity operated by a broker. This allows us to compare the different levels of client protection. We rank regulators using a three-tier system, where Tier-1 licensing reflects the highest level of regulation.

Here are my findings on the various entities of XTB:

• XTB Limited (UK) is authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), firm reference number: 522157. The FCA covers clients in the United Kingdom. We rate the UK FCA as a Tier-1 regulator.
• XTB Limited (CY) is authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), license Number 169/12. CySEC covers clients in the European Economic Area (EEA). We rate CySEC as a Tier-1 regulator.
• XTB S.A. German Branch is registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), BaFin-ID:10121520. We rate BaFin as a Tier-1 regulator.
• XTB S.A. is authorized and regulated by Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), official registration number 40. We rate CNMV as a Tier-1 regulator.
• X-Trade Brokers DM SA is authorized and regulated by the Polish Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego (KNF). We rate KNF as a Tier-1 regulator.
• XTB International Limited is authorized and regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize, License number 000302/185. We rate IFSC as a Tier-3 regulator.

Understanding the Regulatory Protections of Your Account

Brokers operate multiple entities to serve clients globally, yet regulatory protections vary by jurisdiction. Some regulators enforce strict financial standards, while others are more lenient. Traders should understand the protection offered by the entity where they intend to open an account.

• Segregation of Client Funds: Keeping client funds in segregated bank accounts from the ones used for the broker’s corporate capital negates the risk of accounting errors. All XTB entities ensure this.
• Negative Balance Protection: This safety mechanism removes the risk of trading losses exceeding the account balance. In other words, the losses you incur from trading are capped at the amount you have put in your trading account. This is especially important in volatile markets. All XTB entities provide negative balance protection, except for offshore XTB International Limited.
• Compensation Scheme: A compensation scheme protects retail traders against the broker’s liabilities in the unlikely event that the company becomes insolvent. All entities of XTB provide a compensation scheme, except for XTB International Limited.
• Maximum Leverage: Capping maximum leverage limits retail traders’ market exposure—higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. XTB International Limited offers the highest leverage ratio (1:500) among XTB’s entities, available exclusively to clients under the IFSC Belize regulation. This contrasts with stricter limits (1:30 for forex) imposed by top-tier regulators like the UK FCA and EU authorities.

Stability and Transparency

Our evaluation of broker trustworthiness examines three critical pillars: operational history, organizational scale, and transparency practices.

• Established Market Presence: Founded in 2004, XTB has over two decades of industry experience. Its longevity positions it among the most seasoned CFD brokers globally.
• Institutional Scale: With 1,001–5,000 employees, XTB operates as a large-scale brokerage, demonstrating capacity for robust infrastructure and client support.
• Regulatory Transparency: XTB prominently displays its regulatory affiliations—including the UK FCA, CySEC, and Belize IFSC—in website footers. Trading costs are explicitly outlined on a dedicated Terms and Fees page, while granular operational details are accessible via the Legal Documents section.
• Financial Accountability: As a Warsaw Stock Exchange-listed company, XTB adheres to public market disclosure requirements, enhancing fiscal transparency. Its segregated client accounts and negative balance protection further reinforce institutional credibility.

Is XTB Safe to Trade With?

To summarize, I rate XTB as trustworthy and stable due to the following:

• Regulated by five top-tier regulators
• Has a 23-year operating history
• All entities segregate funds
• Publicly traded company with a market cap of over $2.3B

Fees

XTB Trading Fees

XTB Spreads

I tested the spreads at XTB during the London open and just after the New York open on 8 April. At these times, the market is typically highly liquid with the tightest spreads.

XTB offers competitive forex spreads, particularly on EUR/USD. Spreads on share CFDs at XTB are also competitive due to the absence of additional commissions. However, commodity spreads are more aligned with the market average. Lastly, index spreads are slightly above average, providing a moderate advantage over other brokers in this asset class.

Exchange-Traded (Non-CFD) Shares and ETFs

XTB does better than most competitors by offering commission-free trading in real shares and ETFs for a monthly turnover equivalent to 100,000 EUR (after that 0.2%, minimum 10 GBP).

XTB Swap Fees

In the table below, you can see the Swap Long (the cost/credit of holding a buy position overnight) and the Swap Short (the cost/credit of maintaining a sell position overnight) for one full-sized contract.

In forex, a full-sized contract is 100,000 units of the base currency (the first currency quoted in the pair), or 100 ounces in the case of gold. I recorded the data on 9 April 2025.

Swap fees in forex were in line with industry standards during my test, whereas swaps for gold were relatively high.

XTB Non-Trading Fees

XTB imposes an inactivity fee of €10 per month if your account remains inactive for 12 months and no deposit has been made within the preceding 90 days. This fee is automatically stopped once trading resumes.

Are XTB Fees Competitive?

I rate the fees at XTB as relatively competitive for the following reasons:

• Tight spreads in forex majors
• Fair overnight fees in forex
• Minimal withdrawal fees
• Spreads and swap fees in commodities could be better

Platform and Tools

XTB Web Platform

The browser-based xStation 5 platform distinguishes itself with a suite of advanced yet accessible features tailored for modern traders. The platform offers customizable watchlists, allowing users to monitor live quotes for preferred instruments through a streamlined market watch panel. It also provides price alerts that notify traders of key price levels without requiring constant screen monitoring.

Efficiency-focused tools include one-click trading for instant order execution (critical for scalping and fast-paced strategies) and trading directly from charts, enabling users to open positions or attach orders to specific price points with minimal clicks. For risk management, xStation 5 supports direct hedging, permitting simultaneous long and short positions in the same instrument to navigate volatile markets.

Beyond standard offerings, the platform enhances decision-making with sentiment heatmaps, stock scanners, and a dedicated trading statistics tool that provides real-time performance analytics. These features, combined with its web-based accessibility and clean interface, position xStation 5 as a versatile solution for both tactical day traders and strategic long-term investors.

Charts

The xStation 5 platform delivers advanced charting versatility with a comprehensive toolkit for technical analysis. Traders gain access to five chart types—including candlestick, line, OHLC, HLC, and Heiken Ashi—and nine timeframes spanning 1-minute intervals to monthly overviews.

Key analytical tools:

• 46 indicators: Ranging from trend-following tools (Alligator) to pattern-recognition aids (ZigZag)
• 20+ drawing instruments: Features Fibonacci retracements, Gann fans, and Pitchforks.

The platform supports grid-view layouts, enabling traders to track multiple markets at once.

Orders

The xStation 5 platform provides a core selection of order types—market, limit, and stop-loss—with customizable parameters for strategic trading.

Key order functionalities:

• Market Orders: Execute instantly at the best available price, ideal for rapid entry/exit.
• Limit Orders: Set predefined buy/sell prices (or better) to capitalize on specific price targets or retracements.
• Stop-loss Orders: Automatically trigger to close positions at specified levels, mitigating unexpected market moves.

Pending orders (limit/stop) can be assigned expiry dates, allowing traders to confine strategies to specific timeframes. However, a notable limitation is the absence of trailing stop-loss orders, which would otherwise enable dynamic risk management by adjusting stop levels as prices move favorably.

Depth of Market (DOM)

In xStation 5, the depth of market (DOM) feature—a detailed order book visualization for specific instruments—shows buy and sell orders at different price levels. By displaying liquidity and volume at each price point, it allows traders to gauge market sentiment and anticipate potential price movements through real-time supply and demand insights.

Trade History

The xStation 5 platform features a trade management panel located at the bottom of the screen, providing a centralized view of your open positions and pending orders. This layout allows for efficient monitoring and management of active trades, ensuring that traders can quickly assess their current market exposure and make adjustments as needed.

Price Alerts

The alert feature in xStation 5 is a powerful tool for tracking key price levels across multiple instruments, allowing traders to monitor several markets simultaneously. By setting alerts, users can receive on-screen notifications when specific price conditions are met, helping them stay informed without needing constant market surveillance.

Performance Statistics

The xStation 5 platform features real-time trading performance analytics—a dynamic tool that doubles as a comprehensive trading journal. Updated continuously, this module helps traders identify patterns in their strategies by tracking key metrics:

Core performance insights:

• Profit/loss breakdown (total and average per trade)
• Trade volume (total executed orders)
• Maximum drawdown (peak-to-trough equity decline)
• Win/loss ratio (success rate across all trades)
• Sequential patterns (streaks of profitable/losing trades)

By analyzing these statistics, particularly the win rate and average trade outcome, users gain actionable insights into their risk/reward efficiency and consistency. The platform’s emphasis on real-time data allows traders to adjust tactics mid-session, while historical tracking aids long-term strategy refinement.

XTB: My Key Takeaways

I rate xStation 5 as an excellent platform. It masterfully balances intuitive design with professional-grade tools. Its uncluttered interface belies a robust feature set, including heatmaps, scanners, hotkeys, and performance analytics, while maintaining effortless navigation.

I was impressed that the platform features advanced tools like depth-of-market (DOM) and sentiment data. While better than most competitors in usability and functionality, xStation 5 has some limitations: it lacks guaranteed stop loss orders and does not support algorithmic or copy trading.

XTB Mobile App

The XTB mobile app earns high marks for its intuitive design and streamlined functionality, enabling agile trading on the go. Key features like 1-click execution and chart-integrated trading—allowing direct order placement from price charts—ensure responsiveness to market movements.

Charting capabilities are robust for mobile:

• 4 chart types (candlestick, line, OHLC, HLC)
• 9 timeframes (1-minute to monthly intervals)
• 13 technical indicators (including RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands)
• 6 drawing tools (trendlines, Fibonacci retracements, etc.)

Order execution mirrors the web platform’s flexibility:

• Market/limit/stop orders with expiration date/time settings
• Pending orders (buy stop, sell stop, buy limit, sell limit)
• Stop-loss/take-profit attachment to all trade types

XTB Mobile App: My Key Takeaways

The XTB mobile app offers a robust and feature-rich trading experience designed for on-the-go use, combining powerful functionality with a modern, intuitive interface. Its sleek design makes navigation a pleasure, while standout features like the ‘Discover’ tab provide summaries of trending markets and breaking news to inform decisions.

The app includes advanced security measures like a four-digit passcode and two-factor authentication for enhanced protection. Key features include market insights (sentiment indicators, top movers), customization options (light/dark modes, personalized watchlists), and risk management tools (integrated stop-loss/take-profit, trading calculator).

While slightly pared down from the desktop version, the app retains core analytical capabilities, such as 13 technical indicators and multi-timeframe charting, making it an excellent choice for traders seeking flexibility without sacrificing functionality.

XTB Order Execution Model

XTB Limited sends all trades automatically to its parent company X-Trade Brokers DM – their liquidity provider. XTB is a non-dealing desk (NDD) broker, meaning that trades are executed automatically without manual intervention. XTB is a market maker and the counterparty to all CFD trades.

Tradable Instruments

XTB stands out with a superior depth of instruments across every asset class. A significant advantage lies in its ability to offer trading in both CFDs and real shares and ETFs, providing users with a versatile range of investment options.

What are CFDs?

A Contract for Difference (CFD) is an agreement between a buyer and a seller to exchange the difference between the opening price and the closing price of a trade. If the price rises, the seller pays the buyer the difference. If the price falls, the buyer pays the seller the difference.

What CFDs Can You Trade with XTB?

To better illustrate the range of instruments available at XTB, the following tables show samples from various asset classes:

XTB Instruments: My Key Takeaways

XTB provides a robust selection of tradable CFD instruments, enabling traders to explore a wide range of global assets. I also liked that the platform allows trading in a diverse range of real stocks, with access to exchanges from the US to Finland and Portugal, offering a comprehensive trading experience all in one place.

Customer Support

XTB Customer Support Test

Support is a key component of a broker’s offering, whether you are a new trader looking for guidance on how to use the platform or an experienced trader who needs help quickly to exit their positions in the event of a technical glitch.

UK clients of XTB have access to 24/5 support in 17 languages. An important bonus is that XTB assigns its clients a dedicated account manager, offering a personalized level of service tailored to meet individual needs and enhance their trading experience.

Having live chat integrated directly into the xStation 5 platform is a major convenience, allowing for quick support without disrupting the trading experience. During my two-week testing period, a human operator consistently responded almost instantly and was able to efficiently handle all of my queries.

When testing phone support, a knowledgeable representative answered my calls within a few rings. I tested agents with various questions, from straightforward to complex/technical, and had a good experience overall.

Deposit and Withdrawal

XTB Deposit Methods

While XTB does not charge any deposit fees, your bank may apply its own fees.

XTB Withdrawal Methods

At XTB, withdrawals are processed quickly—typically the same day if requested before 1:00 p.m. Requests after that time are processed the next day.

Account Types and Terms

XTB Account Opening Process

XTB account registration

To open an account with the UK entity of XTB, prospective clients must complete an application covering the following parts:

• Contact and Personal Details: Name, phone, address, date of birth, gender, nationality, tax ID.
• Financial Details: Annual income, liquid net worth, occupation, industry, source of funds, anticipated investment.
• Level of Trading Experience: Trading activity, trading experience, volume of trades, and a brief questionnaire.

XTB Account Types and Their Benefits

Professional Account

To qualify as a professional client, you must meet two out of the three criteria below:

• You’ve carried out a minimum of 10 significantly sized transactions at a frequency of 10 per quarter over the previous four quarters.
• The size of your investment portfolio, including cash deposits and financial instruments, exceeds €500,000.
• You’ve worked (or work) in the financial sector for at least one year in a professional position.

Demo Account

XTB offers a 30-day demo account for practice. Demo accounts are particularly valuable for beginners, enabling users to hone their strategies and familiarize themselves with the trading platform without risking real money.

The demo account features live quotes and simulates live market conditions in assets such as forex and CFDs on commodities, indices, and stocks. Once users feel confident enough, they can seamlessly transition to a live account.

Islamic Account

Swap-free (Islamic) accounts are only available under XTB International for clients from certain countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Malaysia.

ISA Account

UK XTB clients can open a tax-free Individual Savings Account (ISA). The ISA is a separate account, connected to the main standard account.

What is CFD Leverage?

Leverage—a defining feature of forex and CFD markets—is a key driver of trader interest. It allows market participants to amplify their positions using borrowed capital, enabling exposure far beyond what their account balance alone would permit. By magnifying both potential gains and risks, leverage empowers traders to access larger market opportunities while requiring disciplined risk management.

The maximum leverage for the XTB Ltd (UK) entity is 1:30 for retail accounts. This means that, with an account of $1,000, you can control up to $30,000 in positions in the market. Leverage is often described as a ‘double-edged sword’—as it can hurt you as much as it helps you. Traders should keep in mind that it can amplify both their profits and their losses.

Leverage varies by asset class, as illustrated in the following table:

XTB Restricted Countries

XTB accepts clients from the majority of countries globally. However, XTB does not accept clients from the following countries:

India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, United States, Australia, Albania, Belize, Belgium, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Israel, Turkey, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Uganda, Cuba, Yemen, Afghanistan, Laos, North Korea, Guyana, Vanuatu, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Macao, Panama, Singapore, Bangladesh, Kenya, Palestine, Zimbabwe.

Research

XTB’s seasoned research team provides news and analysis via the website and the xStation platform. It covers breaking news, in-depth market analysis, and specific trade ideas. These materials cater to both beginners and advanced traders. The volume of content is strong, with multiple reports published throughout the day.

In addition, the xStation 5 platform offers a variety of tools to assist with market research:

• Market Sentiment – Displays the percentage of XTB traders buying or selling specific instruments.
• Stock & ETF Scanners – Allow users to filter based on criteria like dividend yield or P/E ratio.
• Heatmap Tool – A real-time market map illustrating price percentage changes.
• Economic Calendar – Keeps users informed about upcoming key economic releases.

Note: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

XTB Research: My Key Takeaways

XTB checks all the boxes when it comes to research. It offers clients the ability to stay on top of major news stories and gain practical insights from reports written by experienced traders. Tools such as the scanner, heatmap, and watchlists help traders develop their own trading ideas.

Education

The XTB website features a Knowledge Base section, which includes articles on technical analysis, trading strategies, and xStation 5 platform tutorials. The content is beneficial for beginners and provides valuable insights even for seasoned traders.

Within the xStation 5 platform, users can access a variety of educational courses, featuring video lessons from seasoned industry experts like Steve Ward and Tom Hougaard. Scalping stock indices and trading psychology are among the themes covered.

The Bottom Line

Over the past 21 years, XTB has evolved into a prominent global brand. In my review, this Polish CFD powerhouse consistently scored above-average across various categories, demonstrating its status as a highly versatile and accomplished broker.

Boasting an extensive operating history, multiple entities licensed by top-tier regulators, and its status as a publicly traded company valued at over $2.3B, it earned a strong trust rating. Spreads in CFDs on forex majors and indices are competitive, though most other instruments align closer to the industry average.

xStation 5 is both intuitive and feature-rich. I particularly appreciated built-in tools like the scanner, heatmap, and depth-of-market (DOM). The platform is versatile and supports a wide range of strategies, from scalping to long-term investing.

A standout benefit of xStation 5 is the ability to trade both CFDs and real (exchange-traded) stocks and ETFs. Moreover, the range of 10,000+ tradable instruments is impressive, spanning a broad spectrum of asset classes. The educational and research resources at XTB are strong, and I rate the courses offered by industry experts within the xStation 5 platform as particularly noteworthy.

XTB could further enhance its offerings by incorporating algorithmic and copy trading capabilities and providing tighter spreads. Overall, I find XTB an all-around broker capable of fostering your growth and performance as a trader.

FAQ