Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs BlackBull Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing online brokers XTB and BlackBull Markets, one can easily note their differences in trust ratings and regulatory compliance. XTB, founded in 2002, stands out with a Trust Score of 96, placing it in the "highly trusted" category as per ForexBrokers.com. XTB also holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, further solidifying its credibility. This company is publicly traded, adding another layer of transparency for investors.
Established in 2014, BlackBull Markets holds a Trust Score of 78, which positions it in the "average risk" category. It possesses one Tier-1 license and lacks Tier-2 licenses, highlighting a more limited regulatory footprint. Unlike XTB, BlackBull Markets is not publicly traded, which might be a consideration for those emphasizing transparency and regulatory oversight in their brokerage choice. Neither company operates as a bank, keeping their operations focused purely on online trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of XTB and BlackBull Markets, both platforms offer competitive options, each with its own strengths. XTB provides two account types: the spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account. However, the Professional account is reserved for eligible clients in the U.K. and Europe, and is being phased out. XTB's pricing aligns with the industry average, placing it behind top competitors in this category. The Standard account, with average forex spreads of 1 pip for EUR/USD as of Q4 2023, tends to be more cost-effective for smaller trades. Active traders in the EU can benefit from XTB's Lower Spread Group, which offers spread rebates ranging from 5% to 30%. XTB earns a 4.5-star rating and ranks 11th out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees.
BlackBull Markets' trading costs are generally average and depend on the selected account type. The Prime account is noteworthy, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 as of March 2024, resulting in an all-in cost of 0.76 when factoring in the per-side commission. This makes the Prime account a top choice over the commission-free Standard account, despite its higher $2,000 minimum deposit and $6 commission per 10,000 traded. Meanwhile, the ECN Institutional account caters to high-volume traders with at least a $20,000 deposit, offering even lower commission rates. BlackBull Markets is also rated 4.5 stars for commissions and fees but is positioned 19th in the ForexBrokers.com rankings among 62 brokers.
In summary, XTB may be preferable for smaller trades and clients seeking rebate opportunities, especially within the European Union, while BlackBull Markets' Prime account offers lower spreads at higher trading levels with a significant initial deposit requirement. Both brokers provide solid options for traders, each with unique advantages tailored to different trading needs and preferences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.76 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to a wide array of investment options, both XTB and BlackBull Markets excel, yet they offer slightly different experiences. XTB provides access to 7184 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, positioning itself as a robust choice for those who appreciate a diverse portfolio. In contrast, BlackBull Markets boasts a whopping 26000 symbols and 72 forex pairs, offering traders a vast selection to explore. Both platforms allow direct investment in exchange traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, letting users engage with companies like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, each company supports trading cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the purchase of actual cryptocurrency.
Further distinguishing their services, BlackBull Markets includes a copy trading feature, which is particularly appealing for traders who wish to mirror the strategies of successful investors, a service XTB does not provide. As for their accolades, both brokers receive a perfect five-star rating for their range of investments. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks BlackBull Markets slightly higher, at #6 compared to XTB's #14, indicating a slight edge in overall offerings according to industry evaluators. Despite these distinctions, either platform is an excellent choice for anyone looking to engage in a wide range of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of XTB and BlackBull Markets, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, which are perfect for beginners or those wanting to test strategies risk-free. XTB has developed its own proprietary platform, providing a unique experience that is not available with the generic solutions used by other brokers. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets does not have a proprietary platform but offers compatibility with popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, catering to traders who favor these well-established systems. Both XTB and BlackBull Markets provide Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms, ensuring access to the markets from computers and browsers alike. However, BlackBull Markets adds value with copy trading and ZuluTrade support, features absent from XTB's offering.
Looking into the tools and customizations available, XTB offers 32 chart drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, while BlackBull Markets provides a wider array of 60 drawing tools and the same direct trading functionality. For watch lists, XTB allows for more customization with 8 columns, compared to BlackBull's 6 columns. XTB is highly regarded with a 4.5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, and it is ranked 9th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. BlackBull Markets, while respectable with a 4-star rating and ranking 28th, shows some room for improvement when compared to XTB’s broader offerings and higher industry recognition.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XTB and BlackBull Markets, both brokers cater to iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of investors. Each app supports stock or forex price alerts and provides the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a key difference lies in watchlist symbol syncing; BlackBull Markets excels in this area by syncing watchlists between the app and online account, while XTB does not offer this feature.
For charting features, XTB provides a slight advantage with 39 technical studies compared to BlackBull Markets’ 30. Both apps allow drawing trendlines, viewing different time frames, and automatically saving chart drawings. Although users can expect reliable functionality from both, XTB's mobile app earns a higher rating of 4.5 stars and ranks #8 among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, BlackBull Markets achieves a 4-star rating, securing the #30 spot. Overall, XTB provides a more highly-rated mobile trading experience for those focusing on advanced charting and broader technical study options.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
In comparing the market research offerings of XTB and BlackBull Markets, both brokers provide daily market commentary and economic calendars, essential tools for active traders. XTB distinguishes itself with forex news sourced from industry leaders like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, offering traders access to high-quality insights that are not available at BlackBull Markets. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools to reveal trends and positions, enhancing traders' perspectives on market sentiments.
While BlackBull Markets caters to traders looking for technical analysis tools by providing access to Autochartist, neither broker offers support from Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. However, XTB's higher rating of five stars compared to BlackBull Markets’ four stars underscores its superior market research services. With these offerings, XTB is ranked seventh by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers in the Research category, whereas BlackBull Markets holds the eighteenth position, highlighting XTB's edge in delivering comprehensive research capabilities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginner traders seeking to enhance their understanding of forex and CFDs, both XTB and BlackBull Markets provide a wealth of educational resources. Each broker offers more than ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing primarily on forex and CFDs. They also conduct at least one live educational webinar per month and maintain a searchable archive of past webinars. This allows beginners to learn at their own pace while benefiting from a variety of instructional materials. Furthermore, both brokers cater to different levels of expertise with over ten beginner and advanced trading videos, making it easier for new and seasoned traders alike to find relevant content. However, while BlackBull Markets provides a comprehensive investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, XTB does not offer this feature.
Despite the similarities in educational offerings, XTB receives higher accolades, being rated with five stars for Education and ranking 11th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, BlackBull Markets is rated with four stars and holds the 29th position in the same category. This higher ranking for XTB might reflect more user satisfaction and a broader range of quality educational content, making it a potentially better choice for those starting their trading journey. Nevertheless, both platforms stand out for their commitment to education in the trading community.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than BlackBull Markets. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 78 |
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Both XTB and BlackBull Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both XTB and BlackBull Markets support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for fund deposits and withdrawals, XTB uniquely includes PayPal, whereas neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.76 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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