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XTB vs IG (2026): Which European Giant Wins?
We compared two of Europe's largest publicly traded brokers. Discover how XTB's xStation 5 stacks up against IG's vast market access and advanced research tools.
Verdict: IG Wins
IG is the overall winner due to its unmatched catalog of over 17,000 tradable instruments, deep institutional-grade research, and wider global regulation (including the US). However, XTB is an extremely strong alternative, particularly for traders who prioritize a beautifully designed, user-friendly trading platform (xStation 5) and want access to real stocks and ETFs with 0% commission (up to €100k/month volume).
XTB vs IG: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 | 1974 |
| Publicly Traded | Yes (WSE: XTB) | Yes (LSE: IGG) |
| Tier-1 Regulation | FCA, CySEC | FCA, ASIC, NFA, BaFin, FINMA |
| Tradable Markets | 5,800+ | 17,000+ |
| EUR/USD Spread (Min) | 0.8 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $250 (Card) |
| MetaTrader 4 | No (Phased out) | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Excellent (xStation 5) | Good (IG Web) |
| Direct Market Access (DMA) | No | Yes (L2 Dealer) |
| Real Stocks & ETFs | Yes (0% Commission) | Yes (Commission applies) |
| Accepts US Clients | No | Yes |
| Interest on Uninvested Cash | Yes (Up to 5%) | No |
XTB vs IG: Fees, Spreads, and Trading Costs
Both brokers utilize spread-based pricing models for Forex and CFDs. IG generally has slightly tighter spreads on major currency pairs (e.g., EUR/USD at 0.6 pips vs XTB's 0.8 pips). However, XTB destroys the competition when it comes to stock trading, offering 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs for monthly volumes under €100,000. IG charges standard stockbroking commissions for real equities.
| Fee Type | XTB | IG |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread (Min) | 0.8 pips | 0.6 pips |
| S&P 500 CFD Spread | 0.5 points | 0.4 points |
| Stock CFD Commission | From 0.08% | Varies (e.g., 0.10% UK/EU) |
| Real Stocks Commission | 0% (Under €100k/month) | Standard commission applies |
| Deposit Fee | Free (Bank/Card) | Free (Bank/Card) |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free (Above $50) | Free |
| Inactivity Fee | €10/month (after 1 year) | $18/month (after 2 years) |
Safety & Trust: Two Publicly Traded Powerhouses
It is difficult to find safer brokers than XTB and IG. Both are publicly traded companies (IG on the London Stock Exchange, XTB on the Warsaw Stock Exchange), meaning their financials are completely transparent and regularly audited. IG holds more Tier-1 licenses globally and has been operating since 1974. XTB is very strongly regulated in Europe (FCA, KNF, CySEC) but lacks the global reach of IG (which includes US NFA/CFTC regulation).
XTB
Tier 1- Regulators:FCA (UK)KNF (Poland)CySEC (Cyprus)FSC (Belize)
- Investor Protection: Yes (e.g., FSCS up to £85k in UK)
- Licensed Since: 2002
IG
Tier 1- Regulators:FCA (UK)ASIC (Australia)CFTC/NFA (US)BaFin (Germany)FINMA (Switzerland)MAS (Singapore)
- Investor Protection: Yes (e.g., FSCS up to £85k in UK)
- Licensed Since: 1974
Platform Quality vs Quantity
This category presents the biggest difference between the two brokers. XTB has gone all-in on its proprietary 'xStation 5' platform, completely phasing out MT4. xStation 5 is widely considered one of the most beautiful, intuitive, and fast web trading platforms in existence. IG, conversely, goes for breadth: offering its own solid web platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime for advanced technical chartists, and L2 Dealer for institutional-grade Direct Market Access.
| Feature | XTB | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | ||
| Proprietary Platform | xStation 5 (Award-winning UI) | IG Web & Trading Apps |
| Advanced Charting | Built into xStation 5 | ProRealTime Integration |
| Direct Market Access (DMA) | Yes (via L2 Dealer) | |
| Mobile App Quality | Exceptional | Very Good |
| Built-in Economic Calendar | ||
| Market Sentiment Tabs |
Pros & Cons: XTB vs IG
XTB
Pros
- xStation 5 is brilliantly designed and incredibly fast
- 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs (under €100k/mo)
- Publicly traded (WSE: XTB) for financial transparency
- Pays interest on uninvested cash balances
- No minimum deposit to open an account
Cons
- Does not offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Product catalog (5,800+) is smaller than IG's
- Does not accept US clients
- Spreads on forex pairs are average, not industry-leading
IG
Pros
- Unrivaled market access (17,000+ tradable instruments)
- Almost 50 years of operating history and LSE listed
- Extremely strong global regulation, including US CFTC/NFA
- Excellent research and daily live analysis via IGTV
- Multiple platform choices including MT4 and ProRealTime
Cons
- Can be overwhelming for new traders
- No MT5 support
- Standard account structure can be complex to navigate
- Charges standard commissions for non-CFD stock trading
Expert Verdict: XTB vs IG
Choose IG if you demand total market access. With over 17,000 instruments, if it can be traded globally, IG probably has it. Furthermore, IG is the definitive choice for US-based traders or those who rely heavily on advanced third-party charting tools like ProRealTime or require Direct Market Access (DMA) for order book transparency.
Choose XTB if user experience is your top priority. XTB's xStation 5 platform is simply phenomenal—it is fast, clutter-free, and perfect for traders who found MT4 clunky. Moreover, if you plan to build a long-term portfolio of real stocks and ETFs in addition to trading Forex, XTB's 0% commission offer on equities (up to €100,000 volume per month) is an unbeatable value proposition. Paying interest on uninvested cash is another fantastic modern feature XTB offers.
Ultimately, both are elite, publicly traded brokers that keep your money incredibly safe. IG wins on sheer scale and history, while XTB wins on modern platform design and stock trading value.
XTB vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
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Risk Warning: Forex and CFD trading involves significant risk of loss. 68–80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.|Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation from the brokers listed on this page. This does not influence our rankings or reviews, which are based on independent analysis.
Comparison data updated March 2026. Broker terms, spreads, and conditions vary by region and account type. See our methodology | Full Disclaimer | Privacy Policy