Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs iFOREX, 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 iFOREX, key regulatory details set them apart. XTB, founded in 2002, is a highly trusted choice in the trading world with a Trust Score of 96 out of 99, as rated by ForexBrokers.com. Notably, XTB is publicly traded, adding a layer of transparency for investors. With two Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses, XTB reassures traders with its strong regulatory backing. While XTB is not a bank, its credentials suggest a reliable trading platform for users.
On the other hand, iFOREX, established earlier in 1996, holds a Trust Score of 75, indicating an average risk level. Unlike XTB, iFOREX is not publicly traded, which might influence investor confidence differently. It holds one Tier-1 license but lacks Tier-2 licenses, highlighting a difference in regulatory frameworks compared to its competitor. Though neither firm functions as a bank, these nuanced differences can play an essential role for traders when choosing a platform that aligns with their risk tolerance and trust preferences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1996 |
| 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 XTB and iFOREX in terms of commissions and fees, XTB emerges as the more favorable option, with an evaluated rating of 4.5 stars. It ranks 11th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com. XTB offers two account types: a Standard account with spread-only pricing and a commission-based Professional account, which is gradually being phased out. The Standard account seems to be the best choice for most retail forex traders due to its competitive pricing on smaller trades and broader availability. In terms of specific fees, XTB’s average forex spread on the EUR/USD is approximately 1 pip, aligning with the general industry standard, though falling short of the top-tier brokers.
XTB also offers an attractive rebate program known as the Lower Spread Group, particularly beneficial for active traders. This program allows clients in the EU who qualify as elective professionals to receive a portion of their spread back, ranging from 5% to 30%, when they trade between 20 to 1000 lots monthly. This initiative serves to enhance XTB’s competitiveness against similar schemes provided by other brokers like FXCM, FOREX.com, and CMC Markets.
On the other hand, iFOREX is rated lower at 3 stars and ranks 60th for commissions and fees out of the same pool of brokers. Detailed data on average spreads for iFOREX is not readily available, making it harder to assess its pricing structure in detail. This lack of transparency, along with its lower ranking and star rating, positions iFOREX as a less attractive choice for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness in forex trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 comparing the range of investments offered by online brokers XTB and iFOREX, notable differences emerge. XTB provides an impressive selection of 7,184 tradeable symbols, which is significantly more than the 750 offered by iFOREX. When it comes to forex trading, both brokers enable trading via CFDs or spot contracts. However, iFOREX edges out with 88 tradeable forex pairs compared to XTB's 71. If investing in non-CFD exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges is a priority, XTB proves to be the preferable choice, as iFOREX does not support this feature.
In terms of cryptocurrency trading, both brokers allow for trading cryptocurrency derivatives but do not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Neither supports copy trading, which may be a consideration for those interested in mimicking the strategies of other traders. Reflecting its variety in investment options, XTB receives a high rating of 5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 14th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, iFOREX is rated at 3.5 stars, coming in at the 41st position, highlighting XTB's broader appeal for investors seeking diverse investment opportunities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 750 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 88 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 evaluating the trading platforms and tools of XTB and iFOREX, several key differences stand out. XTB offers a virtual demo account, providing an excellent opportunity for new traders to practice without financial risk, a feature not available with iFOREX. Both brokers have developed in-house proprietary platforms, but XTB also provides a Windows-based desktop platform, giving traders more flexibility in how they access the market. Both platforms allow trading directly from a stock chart, demonstrating user-friendly interfaces that cater to different trading needs. However, XTB shines with its 32 drawing tools for charting, a bit more than iFOREX's 25, enhancing users' ability to analyze market trends.
In terms of overall ratings, XTB earns 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, slightly outperforming iFOREX’s 4 stars. XTB is ranked 9th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strong offerings in this category, while iFOREX is positioned at 54th. While neither platform offers popular trading tools like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or copy trading services, XTB's more comprehensive set of features, including 8 watchlist columns, appeals to both novice and experienced traders seeking versatile and effective trading experiences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 57 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 25 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing mobile trading apps, XTB offers a more feature-rich experience than iFOREX. Both brokers provide iPhone and Android applications, but XTB excels with advanced functionalities. Traders using XTB can set stock or forex price alerts, a capability lacking in iFOREX's app. While neither app syncs watchlist symbols with online accounts, XTB shines with 39 technical studies for charting, allowing users to draw trendlines and explore various time frames, such as daily or intraday. Furthermore, XTB's app autosaves chart drawings and permits the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, adding to its user-friendly experience.
iFOREX offers a more limited app feature set compared to XTB. Without price alerts, trendline drawing, or multi-timeframe chart viewing, iFOREX's app may not satisfy traders seeking comprehensive charting tools. Additionally, iFOREX does not provide watchlists with real-time quotes, potentially hindering real-time decision-making. Rated at 4.5 stars compared to iFOREX’s 4 stars, XTB stands out as the superior choice, ranked number eight out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, whereas iFOREX is positioned at rank 55.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and iFOREX both provide daily market commentary and offer economic calendars that help traders stay up-to-date with global developments. When it comes to sourcing forex news from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters, XTB stands out as it offers these insights directly, while iFOREX does not. For those interested in sentiment tools, both brokers provide the capability to see the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, allowing traders to gauge market trends effectively.
In terms of research tools, iFOREX has the edge with access to Trading Central's resources, whereas XTB does not provide tools from Trading Central or Autochartist. However, this doesn't seem to affect user satisfaction significantly, as XTB enjoys a higher research rating of 5 stars compared to iFOREX's 3.5 stars according to ForexBrokers.com. Additionally, XTB is ranked #7 out of 62 brokers for research, whereas iFOREX is positioned at #48, indicating a more favorable reception for XTB's research offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners between online brokers XTB and iFOREX, XTB stands out as a more comprehensive platform. XTB provides its users with a rich array of learning materials focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring a selection of over 10 pieces that include articles, videos, and archived webinars. This provides novices with a well-rounded introduction to trading. Furthermore, XTB hosts regular, live educational webinars monthly and maintains a searchable archive of these sessions for easy access. These resources are complemented by an extensive library of educational videos catering to both beginners and advanced traders, making XTB a preferred choice for those looking to deepen their trading knowledge.
On the other hand, iFOREX offers a more limited educational experience. While it does provide educational videos targeting beginner traders, it falls short in other areas. Notably, iFOREX lacks a substantial collection of educational pieces on forex and CFDs, fails to provide regular live webinars, and does not offer a searchable archive of past webinars. Additionally, iFOREX does not extend its video content to cover more advanced trading topics. Consequently, XTB achieves an impressive 5-star rating for education and ranks 11th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas iFOREX holds a 3.5-star rating and is positioned at 53rd. This disparity highlights XTB's stronger commitment to educating its clients.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
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 iFOREX. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
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
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 75 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both XTB and iFOREX provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing users to capitalize on market movements without owning the actual cryptocurrencies, as neither platform offers the option to purchase and hold real (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
Both XTB and iFOREX do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for funding accounts, but they do offer PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing and withdrawing funds.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 750 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 88 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 57 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 25 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill