IC Marketsvs
XTBStock Broker Comparison
This comparison pits IC Markets and XTB on editorial quality and feature mix. The tension centers on ownership models, platform depth, and regulatory reach.
Our Verdict
Too close to call
XTB is the overall winner on editorial score. Its higher Platforms & Tools rating and real share ownership support the edge.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets offers phone support while XTB does not.
- 2XTB provides a stock screener.
- 3XTB offers fractional shares.
Who should choose IC Markets vs XTB?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you value phone support and access to 12 exchanges via CFDs.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want advanced research tools, a stock screener, and real share ownership with dividend entitlement.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
XTB wins for low cost trading with zero-commission real shares up to EUR 100K/month.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IC Markets vs XTB: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $200 | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
IC Markets vs XTB Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- 2,000+ share CFDs across US, UK, ASX, European, and Asian exchanges on MT5 and IRESS
- IRESS provides genuine DMA access to ASX and major global equity markets
- Commission-transparent pricing: USD 0.02/share on US stocks, no spread markup
- ASIC and CySEC regulated, tier-1 regulatory coverage for equity CFD trading
Cons
- CFDs only, no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment programme
IC Markets vs XTB: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
IC Markets
criteria win
3
XTB
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | 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 |
IC Markets vs XTB: Frequently Asked Questions
IC Markets and XTB share the same editorial score of 4.1/5. One concrete differentiator: platform availability and account types differ between them.
IC Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for XTB. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
IC Markets requires $200. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for XTB.
Both IC Markets 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.
IC Markets lists maximum leverage of 5:1, 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.
IC Markets 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.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB offers commission-free stock trading while IC Markets 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 IC Markets 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.
