XTB Review 2022

Trust

In our trust category, we place most importance on how a broker is regulated. So let’s dive in and take a look at how the different entities of XTB across the globe are regulated and how this impacts you as a trader. We rate regulators on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 reflecting the highest level of trust.

XTB is a trademark of XTB Group. The various entities of XTB are regulated as follows:

• XTB Limited (UK) is authorized and regulated by The UK Financial Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), firm reference number: 522157. The FCA covers clients in the United Kingdom. We rate the UK FCA as a Tier 1 regulator.
• XTB Limited (CY) is authorized and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), licence Number: #250/14. CySEC covers clients in the European Economic Area (EEA). We rate CySEC as a Tier 1 regulator.
• X-Trade Brokers DM SA is authorized and regulated by the Polish Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego (KNF). We rate KNF as a Tier 2 regulator.
• XTB International Limited is authorized and regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize, License number 000302/185. We rate IFSC as a Tier 3 regulator.

Why is it important to know where your broker subsidiary (entity) is regulated?

Different regulators provide different levels of protection. For example, XTB clients in the United Kingdom benefit from the oversight of the FCA. The FCA requires that clients have negative balance protection, which means that they cannot lose more than their deposit. Client funds must be held in segregated accounts, which are protected in the event of a broker going bankrupt.

In addition, when trading with a broker authorised by the FCA, client funds are also protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS protects investments of up to £85,000 if a firm becomes insolvent. By contrast, a trader working with a broker entity regulated offshore would not have these benefits guaranteed to them.

In the table below we break down the mandated protections and benefits by entity, regulator and region.

Stability and Transparency

In our tests for the Trust category we also cover factors relating to stability and transparency. Here, we focused on how long the broker has been in business, the size of the company and how transparent they are in terms of information being readily available.

Founded in 2002, XTB has a substantial operating history and is one of the oldest Forex and CFD brokers in the world. It is also among the larger CFD brokers with between 201 to 500 employees, according to the company LinkedIn page. The company has offices in over 13 countries including the UK, Poland, Germany, France and Chile.

XTB is a publicly traded company, listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (PL:XTB). As a publicly traded company, XTB must disclose financial reports, allowing for greater insight into the stability of the company.

In our research, XTB showed an adequate level of transparency in areas such as their regulatory status, fees and general background information. Most information and materials were easy to find on the website. Regulatory status is covered on the About Us page. Fees can be found under the Account Information page. The User Agreement (Terms of Business) document is available at the footer of the website.

In summary, our findings indicate that XTB can be regarded as having a high level of trust and stability due to the following factors:

• Being regulated by multiple top-tier agencies.
• Having a lengthy operating history.
• Being a publicly traded company.
• Being generally transparent in their practices.

Fees

XTB earns money mainly from spreads (the gap between the bid and offer prices of an asset). However, in the case of stock and ETF CFDs commissions are also charged.

Trading Fees

Spreads at XTB are variable, meaning that they fluctuate slightly. The size of the spread depends on the level of liquidity in the market. Liquidity describes the extent to which an instrument can be bought and sold quickly and without moving the market. Tighter spreads are typically seen when there is greater liquidity in the market.

We tested the spreads at XTB across different asset classes in a live account using the xStation 5 platform. The test was done at 8AM GMT and at 3PM GMT on December 17st 2021. We made our tests at two different times to allow greater perspective. 8AM GMT is the London open, when there is a great deal of liquidity in the forex market and therefore tighter spreads in currency pairs. 3PM GMT is a quieter time, shortly before the opening of the New York stock exchange.

Spreads at XTB

Spreads at XTB were generally competitive in our tests, beating industry averages in assets from forex to index CFDs.

In the table below, we compared spreads at XTB against a selection of CFD industry leaders:

We performed the test above in live accounts at 14:30 GMT on December 21st 2021.

Looking at the order ticket before you make a trade, you can see the cost of the spread (the cost to enter the trade) and also the cost of holding the trade overnight.

Swap fees (the cost of holding a position overnight) were average at XTB.

In the table below you can see the Swap Long (the cost/credit of holding a buy position overnight) and the Swap Short (the cost/credit of holding a sell position overnight) for one full sized contract. A full sized contract is 100,000 units of the base currency (the first currency quoted in the pair).

Non-Trading Fees

XTB does not charge any deposit, withdrawal or account closing fees. There is an inactivity fee of 10 units of your local currency per month after a year without making a trade and if no deposit was made in the last 90 days. This fee is fairly standard for the industry.

Are Fees at XTB Competitive?

Overall we were impressed by the fees at XTB and especially with the tight spreads, which is something considered highly important to traders. The costs of entering and exiting trades are reflected in the spread. For an active trader, this cost can often make the difference between being profitable or suffering losses at the end of the day. Fees in stock and ETF CFDs were less competitive, given the added commission.

Platforms and Tools

Web and Desktop Platform

The flagship xStation 5 platform is robust and feature rich with a clean, user-friendly interface.

We tested XTB’s xStation 5 platform, which is available via web, desktop app and mobile. The desktop app has the same functionality as the web version. XTB clients also have access to MetaTrader 4, which offers some advanced features like automated trading.

The xStation 5 platform has a clean look and feel and is easy to navigate. The layout is customizable, with a number of different options to suit your trading style.

Key Features

xStation 5 has popular features such as watchlists, alerts, 1-click trading and trading from the chart.

• Alerts. Price alerts on xStation 5 can automatically inform you when important price levels are reached, without having to spend all day in front of the monitor.
• Watchlists. Traders can set up a list of their favorite instruments and follow live quotes in a panel called Market Watch.
• One-click trading. This feature allows traders to execute orders with a single click and no secondary confirmation. Being able to place a trade with a single click saves time and is especially useful for short term traders.
• Trading from the chart. xStation also allows users the convenience of trading directly from the chart.

Order Types

MetaTrader also delivers when it comes to the range of available order types. Available order types include market, limit, stop loss and trailing stop. It is also possible to set an expiry date and time to your pending orders.

• Market Order. This is an order to buy or sell an instrument at the current best available price.
• Limit Order. This is an order to buy or sell an instrument at a specified price or better.
• Stop Loss Order. This is an order to buy or sell an instrument that is triggered when price reaches a specified level.
• Trailing Stop Order. This is a stop loss order that can be set at a defined percentage or dollar amount away from an instrument’s current market price. It is used to secure profits when you are in a winning trade, while not having to exit the position.

Charting

The xStation platform has good charting capabilities.

• 5 Chart Types. Candlestick, Line, OHLC, HLC and Heiken ashi.
• 9 Time Frames. These range from 1 Minute to 1 Month.
• 37 Indicators. From Alligator to ZigZag.
• 29 Drawing Tools. These include classics such as Fibonacci, Gann and Pitchfork tools.

Available Languages

We concluded that xStation is a solid and user friendly platform. It likely covers the needs of the majority of traders. For traders looking for more advanced functionality such as strategy backtesting and automation, XTB also offers the MetaTrader 4 platform.

Mobile App

The xStation mobile app offers trading in over 1,500 CFD instruments from the palm of your hand.

XTB’s xStation mobile trading app is available for Android, Windows and iOs devices, in the same languages offered by the web platform. The app allows for complete order entry and trade management for over 1,500 CFD instruments spanning forex, indices, commodities and shares.

The app is also available in tablet form with even more features including a customisable interface, order history, market commentary and economic calendar.

The same order types as the web platform are available via mobile: market orders, limit orders, stop loss orders and trailing stop orders. You can set an expiration date and time to pending orders. 1-click trading is available. However, it is not possible to set up alerts on the mobile app.

For enhanced security a four digit passcode and fingerprint authentication can be set up for accessing the app. We judged that the xStation 5 mobile app is well designed and has an impressive range of features.

Order Execution

XTB Limited sends all trades automatically to their parent company X-Trade Brokers DM, which is their liquidity provider. Trades are executed automatically without any manual intervention from any dealing desk.

Tradable Instruments

XTB has a strong product offering across the various asset classes. The range of tradable instruments at XTB covers forex, commodities, indices, shares from multiple exchanges, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cryptocurrencies.

CFDs (Contract for Differences) are financial derivative products that allow traders to speculate in various markets without owning the underlying assets. Tradable instruments at the XTB Limited UK entity include the following assets:

• 57 Currency Pairs. A currency pair combines two different currencies, with the value of one currency quoted against the other. For example EUR/USD, which reflects the value of the euro measured in dollars.
• 37 Index CFDs. An index is a basket of trading instruments that is used to gauge a market sector, stocks within an exchange or the economy of a country.
• 23 Commodity CFDs. Commodities are raw products, such as gold and oil.
• 1,849 Global Stock CFDs. A stock is a security that represents partial ownership of a corporation. Keep in mind that when trading stock CFDs you are speculating on the price of a stock without actually taking ownership of the underlying company.
• 138 Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) CFDs. Exchange traded funds (ETF) are financial instruments that track an index or sector and trade like a stock on an exchange.

Below is a sampling of instruments across the various asset classes.

The breadth of the product offering is strong at XTB and above average for the industry. Nevertheless, it still falls short of the enormous catalogue offered by industry giants such as CMC Markets and IG.

Customer Support

European clients of XTB have access to 24/5 support, while international clients are able to reach support 24/7. Support is available in 20 languages.

When using the chat feature, you are first answered by a bot, but if that answer is not sufficient you are passed on to a live operator. When testing phone support, our calls were answered almost immediately by a knowledgeable representative.

We tested customer support with a range of questions from easy to difficult and had a good experience overall.

Deposit and Withdrawal

The base currency is the currency in which your account is denominated. XTB offers 5 base currencies which you can use to open an account: USD, EUR, GBP, HUF and PLN.

Deposits

Deposits via PayPal or an e-wallet are subject to the following fees:

• PayPal: 2% of the deposit
• Paysafe (formerly known as Skrill): 2% of the deposit

Meanwhile, withdrawals can only be done via bank wire transfer. Withdrawals by bank wire are free for transfers above $100. For withdrawals of less than $100, the fee is $20.

Importantly, withdrawals are initiated fast at XTB. Withdrawals are typically processed the same day if requested before 1PM. Requests after that time are processed the next day.

Account Types and Terms

Opening an account at XTB is fast and seamless. Clients start out by entering their email and choosing the country. After creating a password, individuals must enter their name, date of birth, nationality, gender and in the case of the United Kingdom, their national insurance number. Prospective clients must also declare their tax residence and TIN number. Then, users must enter their address and length of residence, choose a base currency (the account in which the account is denominated) between GBP, EUR, USD and HUF and enter their preferred language.

As part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) process users must answer questions covering their net worth, occupation, source of funds and length of their trading experience. There was also a question testing basic knowledge of trading. The KYC questionnaire aims to ensure that brokers understand the risk tolerance, investment knowledge, and financial position of prospective clients.

Finally, to activate the account for live trading, users must upload proof of identity (passport, drivers license or ID card) and address (such as an electricity bill or phone bill).

XTB covers all the bases when it comes to account types, offering Demo, Standard, Professional, Islamic and Corporate Accounts.

With the Professional Account the main difference is in the available leverage, which is 1:100. The spreads, available instruments and platform are the same as the Standard Account. Both account types have negative balance protection and segregated accounts. With the professional account, XTB is not required to provide the current risk warnings for retail clients.

Islamic accounts are only available outside Europe and corporate accounts have a minimum deposit of 15,000 GBP.

Leverage

One of the reasons that traders are attracted to the forex and CFD markets is the high degree of available leverage. Leverage is the use of borrowed funds to increase the size of your trading positions beyond what would be possible using only the cash in your account. The available leverage listed below is based on an account opened with the XTB Limited UK entity (XTB.com).

A standard account offers a maximum of 1:30 leverage. This means that with an account of $1,000, you can control up to $30,000 worth of positions in the market. Traders can apply for a professional account, which offers higher leverage, but the costs and platform are the same.

Investors with a professional account can trade with a maximum leverage of 1:100. This means that with an account of $1,000, you can control up to $100,000 worth of positions in the market. In order to qualify for a professional account users must show a financial portfolio of over €500,000 and relevant financial experience.

Leverage is often described as a ‘double-edged sword’ because it can amplify both your profits and losses. Leveraged trading comes with a high level of risk and can often result in significant losses.

Demo and Islamic Accounts

An unlimited demo account is available that allows you to hone your skills without risking any money. XTB also offers a swap free Islamic account that adheres to the principles of Sharia law.

XTB accepts clients from the majority of countries globally. However, like most CFD brokers, XTB does not accept clients from the United States or from FATF (Financial Action Task Force) blacklisted countries North Korea and Iran.

Research

XTB has an award winning research team providing news and analysis via the xStation platform. Stories cover breaking news, in depth market analysis and specific trade ideas. These materials can cater to both beginners and advanced traders.

In addition, the platform offers a variety of tools to help conduct your own market research.

These include:

• Market sentiment: this shows what percentage of XTB’s traders are buying or selling specific instruments.
• Top movers: which instruments are gaining or losing the most.
• Stock & ETF scanners: allows users to filter stocks and ETFs based on a range of criteria such as dividend yield or 6 month return.
• Heatmap: a real time map of the market illustrating price percentage change and other factors.

Education

The Trading Academy is accessible from the XTB website and lessons are in written format. At the end of each lesson there is a quiz to test your knowledge.

The course materials tackle trading related subjects such as intermarket correlation as well as tutorials on how to use the xStation platform – for example how to set up price alerts. The lessons will be helpful to beginners and even seasoned traders will be able to pick up some useful ideas from the Trading Academy.

Within the xStation 5 platform there are also a variety of educational videos, including lessons from industry experts such as Steve Ward and Tom Hougaard.

The Bottom Line

XTB provides a compelling offering to traders of all levels of experience. The low cost of trading major instruments was enticing, with the exception of stock and ETF CFDs with their added commission. We were especially impressed by some of the innovative features of the xStation 5 platform, such as the heatmap.

There are a few areas where XTB is trumped by the leading brokers in the space, such as the range of products. Nevertheless, it arguably more than compensates for this with its strength in other areas such as spreads, customer service, research and the user-friendly xStation 5 platform.

FAQ