Broker comparison

IG Markets vs.
XTB

Which broker fits your needs?

Platforms, products and fees side by side.

Updated: October 2026

See comparison

Summary

Your goal decides.

IG offers 17,000+ markets including options and is heavily regulated (FCA, BaFin and more), while XTB shines with the xStation 5 platform, tight forex spreads and 0% stock commission up to €100k. For market breadth IG leads; for cheap CFD/forex trading XTB wins.

World-leading CFD provider with 50 years of experience

Publicly traded CFD broker with award-winning xStation platform

At a glance

The key differences

Criterion
PlatformsIG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 DealerxStation 5, xStation Mobile
Product typesCFDs, Forex, Options, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, CryptoStocks, ETFs, CFDs, Forex, Commodities, Indices, Crypto
Options tradingYes, vanilla options and barriersNo, but over 6,000 stocks and ETFs commission-free
Fee modelSpreads from 0.6 pip on forex, from 0.1% on stock CFDs0% commission on stock CFDs (up to €100,000/month), spreads from 0.1 pip
Minimum deposit300 €0 €
RegulationBaFin/FCAKNF/FCA/CySEC
More informationDetailsDetails

Platforms

IG Markets

IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer

XTB

xStation 5, xStation Mobile

Product types

IG Markets

CFDs, Forex, Options, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Crypto

XTB

Stocks, ETFs, CFDs, Forex, Commodities, Indices, Crypto

Options trading

IG Markets

Yes, vanilla options and barriers

XTB

No, but over 6,000 stocks and ETFs commission-free

Fee model

IG Markets

Spreads from 0.6 pip on forex, from 0.1% on stock CFDs

XTB

0% commission on stock CFDs (up to €100,000/month), spreads from 0.1 pip

Minimum deposit

IG Markets

300 €

XTB

0 €

Regulation

IG Markets

BaFin/FCA

XTB

KNF/FCA/CySEC

More information

IG Markets

Details

Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.

Detailed comparison

Comparing fees

Compare total costs, not just the order fee.

Spreads from 0.6 pip on forex, from 0.1% on stock CFDs

Published fee
Spreads from 0.6 pip on forex, from 0.1% on stock CFDs
Minimum deposit
300 €
Inactivity
£12/month after 24 months of inactivity
See terms at provider

0% commission on stock CFDs (up to €100,000/month), spreads from 0.1 pip

Published fee
0% commission on stock CFDs (up to €100,000/month), spreads from 0.1 pip
Minimum deposit
0 €
Inactivity
€10/month after 12 months of inactivity
See terms at provider

The relevant costs depend on market, currency, order size and trading style.

Execution quality

Order type, venue and liquidity affect execution.

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Product range

CFDsForexOptionsIndicesCommoditiesStocks CFDsCrypto
StocksETFsCFDsForexCommoditiesIndicesCrypto

Categories come from broker profiles. Check specific markets and permissions before deciding.

Trading platforms

IG Platform · MT4 · ProRealTime · L2 Dealer

IG Markets offers four trading platforms: The IG Platform is the proprietary web platform with advanced charts, market analyses, and over 17,000 markets. MT4 is available for automated trading and Expert Advisors. ProRealTime offers professional chart analysis with over 100 indicators and backtesting capabilities. L2 Dealer enables Direct Market Access (DMA) for professional traders. All platforms support trading in CFDs, forex, and options.

Explore platform

xStation 5 · xStation Mobile

XTB offers the award-winning xStation 5 and the xStation Mobile app. xStation 5 features a modern interface with real-time charts, over 30 technical indicators, drawing tools, and integrated market analyses. The platform provides a stock scanner, trade calculator, market sentiment display, and performance statistics. The xStation Mobile app mirrors the full range of features on the smartphone. Various order types including stop loss and take profit are supported.

Explore platform

Regulation & security

BaFin/FCA

Regulatory information

KNF/FCA/CySEC

Regulatory information

Regulation does not prevent market losses. The relevant authority depends on the contracting entity.

Your investor profile

Who might it suit?

World-leading CFD provider with 50 years of experience

  • Over 17,000 markets available
  • Vanilla options and barriers available
  • Very long company history since 1974
  • Minimum deposit €300
  • High fees for small accounts

Publicly traded CFD broker with award-winning xStation platform

  • Award-winning xStation platform
  • 0% commission on stocks up to €100,000
  • Publicly traded company
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months
  • No MetaTrader 4/5

Find the broker that fits

IG Markets oder XTB?

Side by side. Decided with knowledge.

See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.

IG Markets4.6
  • Over 17,000 markets available
  • Vanilla options and barriers available
  • Very long company history since 1974
XTB4.4
  • Award-winning xStation platform
  • 0% commission on stocks up to €100,000
  • Publicly traded company
VS
  • Fees
  • Platform
  • Regulation
  • Matching lessons
Two brokers. Many options. Your call.
Open The Dealing Room

In-depth analysis

Entry and fees: The entry barrier already separates them: IG asks for a €300 minimum deposit, XTB for €0. Spreads are close — IG quotes EUR/USD from 0.6 pip (typical) and stock CFDs from 0.1%, XTB EUR/USD from 0.5 pip on the Standard account and spreads from 0.1 pip. XTB adds 0% commission on stock CFDs up to €100,000 a month. If you take breaks, know the inactivity fees: per its record IG charges £12 a month after 24 months without a trade, XTB €10 a month after just 12 months. IG's own profile lists high fees for small accounts as a drawback.

Products and platforms: This is where the real difference lies for options traders. IG trades vanilla options and barriers and reaches more than 17,000 markets — CFDs, forex, indices, commodities, stock CFDs and crypto. XTB offers no options, but more than 6,000 stocks and ETFs commission-free, alongside CFDs, forex, commodities, indices and crypto. On software IG goes wide: its own IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer. XTB relies solely on its award-winning xStation 5 and xStation Mobile, with no MetaTrader 4 or 5. On execution IG quotes around 17 ms, XTB around 85 ms median; XTB also lists limited research tools as a weakness.

Profile and verdict: IG (4.6/5 from 2,500 reviews) was founded in 1974, sits in London and is regulated by BaFin and the FCA, with a German office. XTB (4.4/5 from 2,100 reviews) has existed since 2002, sits in Warsaw, is regulated by the KNF, FCA and CySEC, is publicly traded and offers German support. If you need options, ProRealTime or MT4 and do not mind the €300 entry, IG fits. If you want to start without a minimum deposit and trade real stocks and ETFs commission-free alongside CFDs, XTB is the cheaper route.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions

How do fees differ between IG Markets and XTB?
IG Markets: Spreads from 0.6 pip on forex, from 0.1% on stock CFDs. XTB: 0% commission on stock CFDs (up to €100,000/month), spreads from 0.1 pip. Compare total costs for the specific market, product, currency and order size in the current fee schedule.
Which broker offers more products: IG Markets or XTB?
IG Markets offers CFDs, Forex, Options, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Crypto. XTB offers Stocks, ETFs, CFDs, Forex, Commodities, Indices, Crypto.
How are IG Markets and XTB regulated?
The broker profiles list BaFin/FCA for IG Markets and KNF/FCA/CySEC for XTB. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is IG Markets or XTB better for beginners?
IG Markets lists a 300 € minimum deposit and offers IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer. XTB lists 0 € and offers xStation 5, xStation Mobile. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
IG Markets vs XTB: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between IG Markets (4.6/5, 2500 reviews) and XTB (4.4/5, 2100 reviews) depends on your needs. IG Markets: World-leading CFD provider with 50 years of experience. XTB: Publicly traded CFD broker with award-winning xStation platform.
How do spreads compare between IG Markets and XTB?
IG Markets offers typical spreads of EUR/USD from 0.6 pip (typical). XTB offers EUR/USD from 0.5 pip (Standard). Tighter spreads reduce trading costs especially for active trading.
Do IG Markets or XTB charge an inactivity fee?
IG Markets: £12/month after 24 months of inactivity. XTB: €10/month after 12 months of inactivity.

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Before you pick a broker

The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.

Options risks & opportunitiesWhat you can lose, and what the risk buys you.Options taxes in GermanyFlat-rate tax, loss offsetting and allowances.Options trading basicsStrike, expiry, underlying: the building blocks of every option.
Terms in the glossary:MarginPremiumCall optionUnderlyingExercise