Forex.com and XTB face off on stock access, platform power, and regulatory strength. The matchup highlights real share ownership against CFD-driven access and charting tools.
XTB edges Forex.com on editorial score. It offers real share ownership and broader stock access, while Forex.com remains strong in regulation and US access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you need access for US residents who cannot use many CFD brokers, and you prefer a multi platform setup with CFDs via MT4/MT5 and a proprietary Web Trader plus integrated Reuters news and calendar.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want real stock ownership with dividend entitlement and access to 5,800+ stocks and ETFs, plus zero commission up to EUR 100K per month on stock trades via the XTB platform and stock screener and earnings calendar on xStation 5.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
XTB wins for low cost trading due to commission-free stock trades up to EUR 100K per month.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $100 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 1 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Forex.com | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Forex.com rates 3.9/5 and XTB rates 4.1/5. 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.
Forex.com starts from 1. Current spread data is not available for XTB. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Forex.com requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for XTB.
Both Forex.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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Forex.com lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while XTB lists up to 1:5. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Forex.com charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for XTB are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5. Forex.com has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB offers commission-free stock trading while Forex.com does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Forex.com and XTB are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
Forex.com wins for safety & regulation, with NFA and CFTC oversight alongside FCA.
XTB wins for long-term investors due to real ownership and dividend entitlement.
XTB wins for active traders with a feature rich xStation 5 platform.
| 1.7 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $15/month (after 12 months) | $10/month (after 12 months)▼ lower |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS IIROC CFTC NFA | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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