Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers and XTB are both well-established online brokers with impressive regulatory credentials. Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers is publicly traded and holds 9 Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its high level of trust. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, Interactive Brokers is considered highly trustworthy. Despite not being a bank, its regulatory standing is robust, setting it apart as a leader in the industry.
XTB, established in 2002, is also publicly traded and holds 2 Tier-1 licenses, demonstrating a solid level of trust within the market. It shares the same number of Tier-2 licenses as Interactive Brokers, with 2 licenses that indicate trusted standing. XTB secures a Trust Score of 96 out of 99 by ForexBrokers.com, marking it as a highly trusted broker, just a notch below Interactive Brokers in terms of trustworthiness.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2002 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Interactive Brokers and XTB offer distinct structures that cater to different trader preferences. Interactive Brokers, a top contender ranked #2 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, impresses with a five-star rating. This firm provides competitive pricing for forex trading, with average spreads around 0.59 pips for EUR/USD, factoring in a commission. Forex commissions start at 0.2 basis points per side, with a $2 minimum charge per order. Notably, Interactive Brokers aggregates prices from leading interbank forex dealers, charging commissions from $16 to $40 per million round turn, making it attractive for traders favoring commission-based structure.
In contrast, XTB, ranked #11 and holding a 4.5-star rating, offers a more straightforward pricing approach. It provides two main account types: Standard (spread-only) and Professional (commission-based). The Standard account boasts an average forex spread of 1 pip for EUR/USD, aligning with industry averages. Active traders on XTB can benefit from its Lower Spread Group, where reaching specific trading volumes can rebate a portion of the spread, ranging from 5% to 30%. Although the Professional account is being phased out, XTB continues to serve its clients with simplifying and competitive offerings.
Ultimately, both brokers have their merits. Interactive Brokers appeals to traders seeking low commission rates and a sophisticated pricing model, especially beneficial for those trading at high volumes. Meanwhile, XTB offers a more accessible structure with competitive spreads and appealing rebates for active traders, ensuring varied choices according to trading needs and preferences.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 1.00 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 1.00 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments, Interactive Brokers and XTB both offer diverse options, but with subtle differences that cater to varying investor needs. Interactive Brokers stands out by offering 8,500 tradeable symbols compared to XTB’s 7,184. This includes a wider selection of forex pairs—90 for Interactive Brokers against XTB's 71. Both platforms provide access to exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing traders to invest in companies like Apple and Vodafone directly. Both brokers also offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, alongside providing cryptocurrency derivatives. However, Interactive Brokers holds a unique advantage by enabling clients to purchase actual cryptocurrency, something XTB does not support.
On the flip side, neither Interactive Brokers nor XTB offers copy trading. Despite these similarities, Interactive Brokers edges ahead with a five-star rating for its investment range and ranks #1 among 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, XTB also enjoys a five-star rating for its offerings but is positioned at #14 in the same ranking. This evaluation highlights Interactive Brokers' more extensive range of investment options, which might appeal to those looking for a greater breadth of trading opportunities.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 7184 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
Interactive Brokers and XTB both offer comprehensive trading platforms equipped with a range of essential tools for traders. Both brokers provide simulated trading options, allowing users to hone their skills with a free virtual demo account. They also feature proprietary platforms developed in-house and offer trading platforms accessible via Windows desktop or web browsers, catering to varied user preferences. However, neither Interactive Brokers nor XTB provides popular third-party trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, or social trading options such as copy trading or integrations with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade.
When it comes to technical tools, Interactive Brokers stands out with 85 drawing tools and the ability to create watch lists featuring up to 659 columns, providing a highly customizable experience. In comparison, XTB offers 32 drawing tools and watch lists with up to 8 columns. Both platforms facilitate trading directly from stock charts, enhancing the trading experience. In ratings, Interactive Brokers earns a full five stars for its trading platforms and tools and ranks third out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, indicating a slightly superior offering to XTB, which is rated 4.5 stars and ranks ninth in this category.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 39 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 32 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Interactive Brokers and XTB offer convenient options for iPhone and Android users. Interactive Brokers stands out with 97 technical studies for charting, while XTB offers 39. Both platforms provide tools to draw trendlines and view charts across various time frames. However, XTB's app will auto-save your drawings, whereas you'll have to manually save them on Interactive Brokers' app. Both apps support watching market prices and sending alerts, helping you stay informed about stock and forex movements.
For users who sync watchlists between their mobile app and online account, Interactive Brokers accommodates this feature, while XTB does not. Interactive Brokers is awarded a 5-star rating for its mobile trading experience, ranking 4th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, XTB holds a 4.5-star rating, ranking 8th. These distinctions highlight Interactive Brokers as a slightly more advanced option for those looking for a comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 39 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research features of Interactive Brokers and XTB, both platforms offer daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, Interactive Brokers stands out by providing technical analysis tools from Trading Central, while XTB does not offer this feature. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools, which help traders gauge market sentiment through the ratio of long and short positions on various instruments. Additionally, Interactive Brokers enriches its offering with market research from TipRanks and research tools from Acuity Trading, resources that XTB does not provide. Furthermore, each broker includes an economic calendar to keep users informed of global news events, ensuring traders are always up to date.
When it comes to research ratings, both Interactive Brokers and XTB have earned a commendable 5-star rating. However, Interactive Brokers secures a higher ranking at #3 compared to XTB's #7 out of 62 brokers as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. This higher ranking reflects Interactive Brokers' comprehensive suite of research tools and resources, which cater to traders seeking in-depth market analysis and insights. The combination of their offerings makes Interactive Brokers a preferred choice for those who value advanced research tools and detailed market intelligence. XTB, while slightly trailing in features ranking, still provides a solid research platform suitable for traders focused on core market insights.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Interactive Brokers and XTB provide a wide array of materials to help new traders learn about forex and CFDs. Each platform offers at least 10 different educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. They also conduct monthly webinars to keep their clients informed and offer access to a searchable archive of past sessions, which makes it easy for beginners to reinforce their learning at their own pace. Additionally, both brokers offer a collection of beginner and advanced trading videos, ensuring comprehensive education for traders at various skill levels. However, a notable difference is that Interactive Brokers includes a helpful investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, while XTB does not.
While both Interactive Brokers and XTB receive top marks for their educational offerings, with each earning 5-star ratings, Interactive Brokers stands out by securing a higher ranking in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #3 compared to XTB’s #11. This recognition might make Interactive Brokers an appealing choice for those who place a high value on learning resources as part of their trading journey. Both platforms are strong options for anyone looking to delve into the world of forex and CFDs, but depending on individual needs, one may slightly edge out the other in terms of educational support.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
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 Interactive Brokers is better than XTB. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while XTB finished with an overall rank of #7.
Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted multi-asset broker with an extensive offering of tradeable global markets. It delivers competitive fees and high-quality research and education, as well as a modern, institutional-grade trading platform suite.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
XTB
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Interactive Brokers provides the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, while XTB only offers the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives and does not support buying the actual cryptocurrency.
When comparing the deposit and withdrawal options of Interactive Brokers and XTB, Interactive Brokers offers ACH or SEPA transfers and bank wires, but does not support PayPal, Skrill, Visa, or Mastercard, whereas XTB provides options for PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but not 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2002 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Interactive Brokers | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 7184 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 1.00 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 1.00 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 39 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 32 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | 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 | 97 | 39 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Interactive Brokers | 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 | Interactive Brokers Review | XTB Review |
| Overall | Interactive Brokers | XTB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | XTB Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill