Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs XTB, 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.
FOREX.com, established in 1999, and XTB, founded in 2002, are both well-known online brokers listed on stock exchanges, though neither operates as a bank. Both companies have earned high regard for their reliability, with FOREX.com boasting a near-perfect Trust Score of 99 and XTB following closely with a score of 96 according to ForexBrokers.com. These scores reflect their overall credibility and the trust analysts place in them.
In terms of regulation, FOREX.com leads with seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating a strong level of trust, alongside one Tier-2 license. In comparison, XTB holds two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses. This suggests that while both brokers are considered highly reliable, FOREX.com slightly edges out with a broader array of top-tier regulatory endorsements. Overall, both platforms provide a secure and trusted environment for investors looking to trade online.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2002 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the fees and commissions between FOREX.com and XTB, both brokers offer distinct structures that cater to different types of traders. FOREX.com provides multiple execution methods and account types, making it one of the top choices for market-maker brokers. However, it tends to be slightly more expensive compared to the industry average. In the United States, the average spread for the EUR/USD is 1.4 pips with the Standard account, which is optimal for traders seeking market-maker execution despite higher spreads. Meanwhile, its Raw Spread account features significantly lower spreads around 0.13 pips but includes a commission of $7 per standard lot, along with volume-based rebates for active traders. FOREX.com received a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking 13th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and was previously known for its commission-based Pro account, which is now largely phased out. XTB's average spreads for the EUR/USD are around 1 pip, aligning with industry norms but not leading in the competitive landscape. The Standard account, requiring a minimum deposit of 250 base currency units, is more cost-effective for retail forex traders, especially as the Pro account is mostly unavailable to new clients. For active traders, XTB provides a rebate on spreads (5% to 30%) through its Lower Spread Group program, starting from 20 lots per month, enhancing its appeal against rivals like FOREX.com and FXCM. XTB also holds a 4.5-star rating, but ranks slightly higher than FOREX.com at 11th place out of 62 brokers.
In essence, both FOREX.com and XTB offer competitive options for traders, with FOREX.com being a solid choice for those who prioritize execution variety and active trading discounts, while XTB could be more suitable for those focused on straightforward, spread-only cost structures. Both brokers have strong reputations with similar ratings and rank close to each other in the industry, providing good value based on specific trading needs and volumes.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.00 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Both FOREX.com and XTB excel in offering a wide variety of investment options, making them attractive choices for traders. FOREX.com provides access to 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 91 forex pairs. This comprehensive range caters well to forex enthusiasts and those looking to explore diverse instruments. Although FOREX.com does not allow for the purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets, it offers forex trading as both CFDs and spot contracts, along with cryptocurrency derivatives.
XTB offers an impressive 7,184 tradeable symbols, with 71 forex pairs available, making it a strong contender for anyone seeking extensive market exposure. Unlike FOREX.com, XTB allows clients to trade exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, such as buying shares of Apple or Vodafone. While both platforms offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, both platforms receive a 5-star rating for their range of investments, but FOREX.com ranks slightly higher at #7 compared to XTB's #14, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 7184 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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 offered by FOREX.com and XTB, both brokers provide a strong selection suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. They each offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. Additionally, both brokers have developed their own proprietary platforms and provide a Windows-based desktop application as well as a web-based platform that can be accessed through a browser. However, a key difference is that FOREX.com offers the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are not available with XTB. Neither broker supports copy trading or platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which means users will need to rely on their analysis and strategy development.
Charting capabilities differ significantly between the two brokers. FOREX.com offers an impressive 239 drawing tools, vastly exceeding XTB's 32, as well as providing the ability to trade directly from a stock chart. When it comes to organizing watchlists, FOREX.com offers 20 columns for fields, while XTB provides 8. These distinctions likely contribute to FOREX.com's higher rating of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, compared to XTB's 4.5 stars. Furthermore, within the ForexBrokers.com rankings of 62 brokers, FOREX.com is placed at #7, indicating a slightly stronger reputation than XTB, which is positioned at #9 in this category.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 39 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 32 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of FOREX.com and XTB, both platforms offer apps for iPhone and Android devices, allowing traders to access stock and forex price alerts seamlessly. However, a standout feature for FOREX.com is its ability to sync watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the user's online account—a convenience not available with XTB. In terms of charting capabilities, FOREX.com's mobile app leaves a strong impression with 88 technical studies, compared to XTB's 39. Additionally, both apps provide features like drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts, which includes options for daily, weekly, and intraday views, and both automatically save chart drawings.
Regarding watchlist functionality, both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, when considering ratings and rankings, FOREX.com slightly edges out XTB, boasting a five-star rating compared to XTB's 4.5 stars. Furthermore, FOREX.com is ranked third out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps on ForexBrokers.com, while XTB holds the eighth spot. These distinctions make FOREX.com's mobile trading app appear particularly appealing for those seeking a comprehensive trading tool on the go.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 39 |
| 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.
When it comes to market research features, both FOREX.com and XTB offer daily market commentary and top-tier forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, FOREX.com stands out with its integration of Trading Central tools, providing users with advanced technical analytics, which XTB lacks. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools that display the market positioning across various instruments, as well as comprehensive economic calendars that highlight significant global news events. Neither broker features tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, ensuring that users rely primarily on their in-house resources and partnerships for insights.
Despite some differences in research tools, both brokers receive commendable ratings in the research category, with FOREX.com receiving a 4.5-star rating and XTB scoring a slightly higher 5-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB ranks higher for research at #7 out of 62 brokers, slightly ahead of FOREX.com, which holds the #9 spot. This indicates that while both brokers provide a solid array of research offerings, XTB marginally edges out in overall user satisfaction and research capability.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 beginners interested in the educational resources offered by online brokers, both FOREX.com and XTB present solid options. Both brokers provide at least 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex or CFDs, ensuring new traders have ample resources to learn the ropes. Both also offer monthly webinars and maintain a searchable archive of past sessions, making it easy to access valuable knowledge whenever needed. Each broker delivers at least 10 beginner educational videos tailored to newcomers, along with advanced videos to cater to more experienced traders. However, FOREX.com stands out for offering an investor dictionary detailing over 50 investing terms, a resource XTB lacks.
Despite FOREX.com's slight edge with its comprehensive dictionary, XTB receives a perfect 5-star rating for education, whereas FOREX.com earns 4.5 stars. Yet, when evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com achieves a higher standing by being ranked 4th among 62 brokers in the Education category, while XTB is ranked 11th. This suggests that while XTB may offer higher-rated individual resources, FOREX.com's overall educational package potentially appeals to a broader audience of learners at various stages.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FOREX.com is better than XTB. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while XTB finished with an overall rank of #7.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
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Both FOREX.com and XTB provide the capability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
When comparing online brokers FOREX.com and XTB, it's notable that FOREX.com provides ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but does not support Skrill, whereas XTB supports Skrill and PayPal but not ACH/SEPA transfers, with both brokers offering Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options.
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 | FOREX.com | XTB | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | XTB | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2002 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 7184 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 91 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.00 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 39 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 32 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 39 | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com Review | XTB Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | XTB | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | XTB Review |
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