IG and XTB face off on regulation, costs, and platform capability. The matchup contrasts broad market access with advanced trading tools, inviting readers to weigh the trade-offs.
IG edges XTB on the editorial score thanks to stronger regulation and broader instrument coverage.
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.
IG offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 0.80 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.8 / 5 |
Pros
LSE-listed with FCA and ASIC regulation, among the most credible regulatory stacks in retail CFDs
19,000+ markets including weekend crypto, volatility indices, and EM pairs, real breadth, not a padded count
Proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and DMA equity routing built in
Spread betting available for UK clients, tax-free gains on the same account used for CFD trading
No minimum deposit and no deposit or withdrawal fee on standard methods
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | 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) | Pass | 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: IG rates 4.8/5 and XTB rates 4.5/5. IG 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.
IG starts from 0.6 pips, tighter than XTB's 0.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither IG nor XTB requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both IG 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
IG lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
IG wins for safety & regulation, holding NFA, DFSA, FCA, ASIC, and more with segregated funds.
IG wins for active traders due to broad markets and advanced charting on its proprietary platform.
IG is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
IG wins for platform choice with MT4/MT5, proprietary tools, and TradingView integration.
IG wins for beginners because of strong regulation and client protection.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.8 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 1974 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month (after 24 months) | €10/month (after 12 months)▼ lower |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF | FCA CySEC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
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
Market maker on forex, not suitable for scalpers who need sub-0.1 pip raw ECN spreads
Inactivity fee of £12/month kicks in after 24 months with no trades
Onboarding verification is slower than smaller or offshore brokers
Customer support quality drops outside UK business hours
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 4.5 / 5
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