Two regulated forex brokers present contrasting approaches to accessibility and technology. Windsor Brokers emphasizes EU protections and MT4/MT5, while XTB leans on a strong proprietary platform and broader instrument access.
XTB gains a higher overall editorial score than Windsor Brokers. Its no minimum deposit and advanced platform tools bolster accessibility.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Windsor Brokers if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you want CySEC regulation and ECN pricing on MT4/MT5.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want no minimum deposit and access to the advanced proprietary platform xStation 5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Windsor Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.80 pips for XTB, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Pros
35+ years of continuous operation, one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Windsor Brokers | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | 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 Windsor Brokers. XTB edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Windsor Brokers starts from 0 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 Windsor Brokers requires at least $100. This makes XTB more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
XTB holds top-tier regulation (FCA, CySEC, KNF), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
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.
Windsor Brokers lists maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for XTB are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB wins for safety & regulation with FCA oversight and multiple European regulators.
XTB wins for active traders due to higher instrument count and advanced charting.
Windsor Brokers is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 1988 | 2002 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Nicosia, Cyprus | Warsaw, Poland |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.8 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $8/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.8 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| 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 | CySEC FSCA | FCA CySEC KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 | 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
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
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5, no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
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
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