Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Tickmill, 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.
Founded in 2002, XTB stands out with its strong presence as a publicly traded entity. Despite not being a bank, XTB manages to inspire confidence with its two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 regulatory licenses, providing substantial security for traders. With a high Trust Score of 96 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, XTB is positioned as a highly trusted choice for those involved in the markets.
On the other hand, Tickmill, which began operations in 2014, is not publicly listed but also garners trust through its regulatory framework. Like XTB, Tickmill holds two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses, affirming its commitment to safely conducting business. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, Tickmill is a trusted broker, although slightly behind XTB in terms of perceived safety and reliability in the eyes of industry experts.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commission and fee structures of XTB and Tickmill, it's clear both brokers offer unique advantages for traders. XTB provides two types of accounts: a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, although the latter is being phased out and is less accessible. With average forex spreads on the EUR/USD at around 1 pip, XTB's pricing aligns with the industry average but doesn't lead the pack. For regular retail forex traders, the Standard account, with a minimum deposit of 250 base currency, is often a better choice, especially since the Pro account is not widely available. XTB does offer rebates through its Lower Spread Group, rewarding active traders with discounts between 5% and 30% as they trade higher volumes, further enhancing their savings potential. XTB garners a commendable 4.5-star rating and holds the 11th spot out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees as ranked by ForexBrokers.com.
Tickmill stands out with its two primary account options: the Classic account, which is commission-free but has higher average spreads, and the Raw account. The Raw account is particularly appealing for active traders, thanks to its low average spreads of 0.11 pips for EUR/USD, and an all-in cost of 0.71 pips after factoring in the commission structure of $3 per side per 100,000 units. Even with a recent commission increase, Tickmill maintains a reputation for competitive pricing. The minimum deposit requirement for Tickmill's Raw account is only $100, making it accessible while providing superior cost efficiency for traders focused on tight spreads and transparent fees. Tickmill's approach has earned it an impressive 5-star rating and it ranks 4th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category as per ForexBrokers.com.
In essence, both XTB and Tickmill cater to different trading needs. XTB offers a solid choice for those looking for a spread-based account with perks for volume trading, whereas Tickmill appeals to traders seeking minimal spreads coupled with transparent commissions, particularly in its Raw account. Both brokers present compelling options, yet Tickmill edges ahead in terms of competitive pricing and flexibility for active traders.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.51 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.31 |
| 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 XTB and Tickmill for their range of investments, XTB stands out with a vast selection of 7,184 tradeable symbols compared to Tickmill's 725. In terms of forex trading, both brokers offer it as a CFD or spot contract, but XTB provides access to 71 tradeable forex pairs, slightly more than Tickmill's 63. A major advantage for XTB is its offering of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to directly purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, Tickmill does not provide direct access to exchange-traded securities on these markets.
Both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives but not the actual cryptocurrencies. However, Tickmill offers copy trading, a feature not available with XTB. Reflecting its broader investment offerings, XTB earns a higher rating of 5 stars for its range of investments and ranks #14 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Tickmill, on the other hand, receives a 3.5-star rating in this category and is ranked #42, highlighting a more limited selection for investors.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 725 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 63 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 Tickmill, both brokers provide a rich set of features, yet there are key differences that might influence your choice. Both XTB and Tickmill offer users the chance to practice with a free virtual demo account, making it easy for traders to hone their skills. XTB shines with its in-house proprietary platform, which is a unique offering not matched by Tickmill. Additionally, while both platforms support Windows-based desktop and web-based trading, Tickmill stands out by providing access to MetaTrader 4 and 5, popular platforms that are absent from XTB's lineup. However, XTB compensates with a greater number of drawing tools, numbering 32 compared to Tickmill’s 15, allowing for more detailed chart analysis.
For traders interested in copying trades, Tickmill offers this service, but XTB does not. Still, both brokers let you trade directly from stock charts, providing an integrated trading experience. XTB offers more personalization for watch lists with eight columns compared to Tickmill's seven. In terms of recognition, XTB is rated higher than Tickmill, earning 4.5 stars versus Tickmill's 4 stars, and holds a superior rank of #9 compared to Tickmill’s #32 in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com. These distinctions make XTB a potentially better choice for traders emphasizing proprietary technology and charting features, while Tickmill may appeal to those who prefer the MetaTrader platforms and copy trading options.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading, both XTB and Tickmill offer iPhone and Android apps, ensuring accessibility across popular smartphones. Traders with either broker can receive stock or forex price alerts, and both apps support the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. However, neither platform offers the convenience of watchlist symbol syncing, which means users cannot sync changes between their mobile apps and online accounts.
XTB's mobile app leads slightly in terms of technical studies, offering 39 compared to Tickmill's 30. Users of both apps can enjoy the auto-save feature for drawings on charts, and both platforms let traders set up watchlists with real-time quotes. Despite their similarities, XTB edges out with a higher overall rating of 4.5 stars, compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. Notably, XTB is more favorably ranked by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #8 out of 62 brokers, while Tickmill stands at #31. This reflects a more favorable view of XTB's mobile trading capabilities in comparison to Tickmill.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| 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.
XTB and Tickmill both provide traders with valuable daily market commentary and forex news sourced from renowned outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters. Both brokers also offer sentiment-based trading tools, allowing insights into the ratio of long to short positions on a variety of instruments. Furthermore, they both include an economic calendar that highlights important global events which may impact trading decisions. However, when it comes to additional research tools, Tickmill stands out by offering resources from Acuity Trading, such as the Signal Centre, while XTB does not incorporate such offerings from Acuity Trading.
In terms of technical analysis or fundamental research tools, neither XTB nor Tickmill includes platforms like Autochartist or Trading Central. Despite this, XTB is rated higher for research, earning a perfect 5-star rating, while Tickmill receives a commendable, but lower, 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB ranks 7th out of 62 brokers for its research capabilities, showcasing its strong commitment to providing quality insights. Meanwhile, Tickmill is positioned at 21st in the same category, reflecting a solid but less prominent standing in research offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners between online brokers XTB and Tickmill, both platforms provide a comprehensive range of resources related to forex and CFDs. Each broker offers at least ten educational pieces in formats such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, both XTB and Tickmill conduct regular online client webinars, enhancing their commitment to continuous learning. Users can access a searchable archive of these recorded webinars, making it easy to revisit sessions whenever needed. Both brokers also deliver educational videos that cater to varying levels of trading expertise, ensuring that beginners and more advanced traders have access to tailored insights.
Despite their similarities, there are notable differences between XTB and Tickmill. Tickmill edges ahead by offering an investor dictionary, featuring definitions for over 50 investing terms, which can be particularly beneficial for novices looking to grasp essential trading jargon. However, XTB earns a higher education rating, receiving 5 stars compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. Furthermore, XTB ranks 11th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill ranks 15th in the Education category. These distinctions highlight XTB’s slight advantage in educational resources and recognition in the industry.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 |
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Both XTB and Tickmill do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and Tickmill, both platforms do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they do offer PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire services for these transactions.
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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 725 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 63 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.51 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.31 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | XTB | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Tickmill Review |
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