Two retail forex specialists square off on trust, cost, and platform depth. tastytrade touts a US options-centric model, while XTB emphasizes regulation and a powerful proprietary platform.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade if you prioritize a US-only options focus with capped commissions and no inactivity fee.
Choose if…
Choose XTB if you want MT4/MT5 access, 24/5 live chat, and strong regulation with multilingual support.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Pros
Options commissions capped at $10/leg, major cost advantage for traders who size up
$0 to open options trades; $1/contract to close
Platform built natively for options: IVR, Greeks, curve tool, and multi-leg management all first-class
Futures and futures options on the same account as equity derivatives
No PFOF on options, exchange-routed for best execution
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | tastytrade | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: tastytrade rates 4.3/5 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. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
Neither tastytrade nor XTB requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both tastytrade 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, XTB provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
XTB lists maximum leverage of 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for XTB are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. tastytrade has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5 and MetaTrader 4.
XTB offers spreads from 0.80 pips.
XTB wins safety & regulation with FCA, CySEC and KNF oversight and segregated client funds.
tastytrade offers an options-focused platform with multi-leg management and derivatives on the same account.
XTB wins for beginners due to no minimum deposit, multilingual support, and 24/5 live chat.
tastytrade offers about 10,000 instruments, more than XTB's 5,800.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | N/A | 0.8 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $1/lot | N/A |
|---|
| N/A | N/A |
| Max Leverage | N/A | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | €10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferWire transferACH | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferWire transferACH | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | CFTC NFA | CySEC FCA KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | xStation 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Part of IG Group (LSE-listed), institutional governance and financial stability
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
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
US-only, no international accounts
Options-first interface has a steep learning curve for equity-focused traders
No live chat support, phone and email only
Minimal fundamental research tools; no stock screener or analyst reports
Mobile app less appropriate for entering complex multi-leg strategies than the desktop platform
No negative balance protection
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Support available in limited languages
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 tastytrade overall with a higher editorial score, supported by stronger regulation and a more versatile platform, while tastytrade remains US-only and options-focused.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker