ThinkMarkets and XTB compete on regulation, platforms, and stock access, revealing a clash between ownership rights and trading tools.
XTB edges ThinkMarkets on the editorial score, anchored by stronger Platforms & Tools and broader real-stock access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ThinkMarkets if…
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want reliable phone support, access to 12 stock exchanges via CFD trading, and a regulated mobile‑first experience backed by FCA and ASIC oversight, with ThinkTrader and ThinkCopy enhancing equity exposure for active equity traders.
Choose XTB if…
Choose XTB if you want real stock ownership with dividends, a stock screener, and fractional shares across 16 exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
XTB is best for low cost trading, offering zero commission on 5,800+ real stocks and ETFs up to EUR 100K monthly.
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 0.4 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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: ThinkMarkets rates 3.8/5 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.
ThinkMarkets starts from 0.4. Current spread data is not available for XTB. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ThinkMarkets requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for XTB.
Both ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while XTB supports xStation 5. ThinkMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. XTB has exclusive access to xStation 5.
XTB offers commission-free stock trading while ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets 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.
Regulatory oversight is strong for both, making ThinkMarkets and XTB equally matched on safety.
XTB wins for long-term investors due to real stock ownership and dividend entitlement.
XTB wins for active traders with the higher Platforms & Tools rating and integrated stock screener.
| 1.1 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | $10/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrill |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 FSCA JFSA | FCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 | xStation 5 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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