Two multi-regulated brokers face off over regulation, platform quality, and costs. The matchup pits Markets.com against XTB on price transparency and tool depth.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Markets.com if you want a low $25 minimum deposit, four-jurisdiction regulation, and no inactivity fee.
Choose if…
Choose XTB if you want a proprietary platform, broad instrument access, and a $0 minimum deposit on standard accounts.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Pros
CySEC, FCA, ASIC, and FSCA four-jurisdiction regulation
$25 minimum deposit - lowest among brokers with this regulatory stack
2,200+ instruments including shares CFDs
FSCS protection (UK) and ICF compensation (EU)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Markets.com | 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 | Pass | 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 |
XTB rates 4.5/5 versus 4/5 for Markets.com. XTB edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Markets.com 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.
XTB has no minimum deposit, while Markets.com requires at least $25. This makes XTB more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Markets.com 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.
Markets.com 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.
Markets.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Markets.com has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 5. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
Markets.com offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 0.80 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
XTB wins for safety with FCA, CySEC and KNF oversight and listed on the LSE/WSE.
XTB wins thanks to the xStation 5 platform and 5,800 instruments.
Markets.com is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.60 pips.
XTB wins platform choice with the xStation 5 and MT4 compatibility.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $25 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | €10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| 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 CySEC FCA FSCA | CySEC FCA KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | xStation 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform 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
Spread-only pricing, no raw ECN account
Research tools limited, no analyst reports or stock screener
Not available to US clients
Platform analytical depth below Saxo or IG
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
XTB edges Markets.com on editorial score (4.5 vs 4.0) due to stronger regulation, platform quality, and pricing clarity.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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