In this head-to-head, trust, costs, and platforms drive the tension as AvaTrade and XTB compete for your forex trading preferences.
AvaTrade and XTB are closely matched across most criteria. XTB's investor compensation scheme differentiates it from AvaTrade, which does not offer such protection.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
XTB offers tighter spreads from 0.80 pips vs 0.90 pips for AvaTrade, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Pros
Heavily regulated across 6+ jurisdictions
AvaOptions platform for vanilla options trading
Strong educational content and structured courses
Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5 and proprietary AvaTradeGo
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 4.4/5 and XTB rates 4.5/5. XTB has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
XTB starts from 0.8 pips, tighter than AvaTrade's 0.9 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
XTB has no minimum deposit, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes XTB more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and XTB hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: XTB has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while XTB lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB wins due to FCA/CySEC/KNF oversight and investor compensation scheme coverage.
XTB is better for active traders due to 5800 instruments and a strong proprietary platform.
XTB is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.80 pips.
XTB wins for platform choice with its powerful proprietary xStation 5.
AvaTrade wins for beginners with strong educational content and structured courses.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips | 0.8 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | €10/month (after 12 months)▼ lower |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA MFSA CBI ADGM | FCA CySEC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | ZuluTrade MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
LSE- and WSE-listed with FCA, CySEC, and KNF regulation, exceptional corporate transparency
xStation 5 is one of the best proprietary platforms in retail forex
Zero-commission stock CFDs up to EUR 100,000/month
No minimum deposit on standard accounts
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Inactivity fee of $50 after 3 months of no trading
Not available to US residents
Spread-only model means no raw ECN pricing
No investor compensation scheme
Cons
Market maker on forex, not appropriate for raw ECN scalpers
Product breadth narrower than IG or Saxo
Support quality varies outside European hours
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.4 / 5
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