Broker comparison · updated 2026-07-29
XTB vs IG
XTB suits traders who prefer its single in-house platform, while IG offers a broader platform and market-selection framework in supported regions.
Our verdict
It depends on what you trade.
This XTB vs IG comparison depends mainly on platform needs and the legal entity serving your account. XTB is the more focused choice for traders who want xStation and a broker-published no-minimum-deposit policy in applicable jurisdictions. IG is stronger for traders who value broader stated market access and more third-party platform options, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView and ProRealTime where supported. Both operate through multiple regulated entities, so the applicable regulator, negative-balance protections, pricing and payment rules must be checked before funding. Neither broker’s regulatory status removes the substantial risk of leveraged trading.
XTB vs IG at a glance
 XTB |
 IG |
|
|---|---|---|
| Our comparison score | 75.5 / 100 | 67.5 / 100 |
| Founded | 2002 | 1974 |
| Minimum deposit | No broker-set minimum published* | Bank: none; cards vary by region* |
| EUR/USD published spread | Approx. 0.5 pip (standard)* | From 0.6 points (UK)* |
| Inactivity fee | €10/month after stated conditions* | Free on IG UK charges page* |
| Main platforms | xStation and XTB mobile app | Web, app, MT4/MT5 and more* |
| Published market range | Nearly 2,100 CFD demo instruments | 17,000+ markets* |
| UK regulatory disclosure | FCA, FRN 522157 | IG Markets Limited, FCA |
marks the stronger side on that row. Key numbers were re-checked on 2026-07-29. Terms differ by legal entity and country — confirm on the broker's own legal pages before funding.
Score breakdown
How XTB and IG earn their comparison scores, component by component — same methodology as every review on this site.
XTB vs IG pricing: lower published EUR/USD entry at XTB, but compare the full trade
Choose XTB if a lower published standard-account EUR/USD indication is your first filter: its French comparison material cites about 0.5 pip, while IG’s UK charges page lists a 0.6-point minimum. These are not like-for-like guarantees. XTB describes forex spreads as floating, and IG says its spreads change with market conditions; the price visible at the time of dealing is what matters. XTB also publishes a €10 monthly inactivity charge after 365 days without opening or closing a trade and 90 days without a deposit. IG’s UK charges page currently lists inactivity as free. Neither figure settles the broader cost question, because overnight financing, conversion charges, share-CFD commissions and regional account terms can materially change the result. Check the charge schedule assigned to your entity before opening an account.
Platform comparison: xStation focus at XTB versus IG’s wider toolkit
XTB is the cleaner fit for someone who wants to learn one proprietary environment. Its current lineup centers on xStation and the XTB mobile app, with trading tools, charts, account management and research housed in that ecosystem. IG gives supported clients more routes: its web platform and mobile app sit alongside MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer. That breadth is useful if an existing workflow depends on third-party charting, automation or market-depth tools. It also creates a practical caveat: availability is not uniform. IG says MT4 currently displays forex, indices and some commodities, rather than its full market catalog. Platform choice should therefore be made alongside the exact account type and region, not from a global product list alone.
Regulation comparison: both require entity-level checking before you deposit
For UK clients, XTB Limited states that it is authorized and regulated by the FCA under firm reference 522157. XTB’s group also operates through entities associated with Polish KNF, CySEC and other jurisdictions. IG Markets Limited states that it is FCA-authorized, while the wider IG group operates under regional permissions that include regulators such as ASIC, BaFin, the CFTC and others. This is a tie on the central editorial point: a brand-level regulator list is not your protection package. Your onboarding documents identify the contracting entity, which determines the rules on client money, compensation arrangements, leverage limits, complaints handling and product availability. FCA authorization is meaningful for an eligible UK account, but it should not be assumed to apply to an account opened under a different group company.
Funding and account minimums: bank transfers are the least restrictive route
XTB’s international education page says it does not set a minimum initial deposit; the practical constraint is the minimum transaction size and margin required for the product. Its listed payment methods include bank transfer and cards, though local options can differ. IG does not publish one universal card minimum. Its current help material says bank transfers have no minimum, while a card payment can start at $50 on one international help page; the UK table instead shows currency-specific card minimums, including $50 for USD and €300 for EUR. That variation is exactly why a headline minimum deposit can mislead. For either broker, confirm the funding screen after account approval, then review processing times, card limits, withdrawal conditions and conversion costs. Fund only after confirming the legal entity and available payment route.
Research and market access: IG offers more stated coverage; XTB keeps the workflow integrated
Pick IG if the priority is breadth of stated market coverage and specialized analysis tools. IG advertises access to more than 17,000 markets on its platform ecosystem and integrates features such as news, charts, alerts and ProRealTime in supported accounts. XTB is less expansive in its current demo description, which cites nearly 2,100 tradable CFD instruments, but it combines market commentary, education and platform tools inside xStation. XTB also says it offers more than 50 currency pairs and thousands of stock and ETF CFDs, alongside real stocks and ETFs in eligible locations. The decision is not simply about the larger number: market counts can include different product types, exchanges and regional permissions. Traders who want a consolidated in-house workflow may prefer XTB; those needing a wider published universe or external platform integrations should examine IG’s local offering.
Which broker fits you
- You want XTB’s xStation-centered web and mobile experience.
- A broker-published no-minimum initial-deposit policy is important to you.
- You prefer a more contained platform setup over multiple third-party integrations.
- You have confirmed that your local XTB entity offers the instruments and protections you need.
- You need third-party platform options, including MT4, MT5, TradingView or ProRealTime where available.
- A wider published market catalog matters more than a single-platform workflow.
- You want no inactivity fee under IG’s current UK charges schedule.
- You have confirmed the exact IG entity, payment minimums and local product availability.
Common questions
Is XTB or IG cheaper for EUR/USD trading?
XTB publishes an approximate 0.5-pip standard EUR/USD indication in French material, while IG UK lists a 0.6-point minimum. Neither is a fixed all-in cost: XTB uses floating spreads, IG prices vary with market conditions, and overnight funding, conversion charges and entity-specific terms can alter the outcome.
Does XTB or IG have a minimum deposit?
XTB says it does not determine a minimum initial deposit, subject to product margin and minimum trade-size requirements. IG’s published bank-transfer minimum is zero in relevant help pages, but card minimums differ by country and currency. For example, one IG page states $50 for cards, while UK guidance gives a currency-by-currency table.
Is IG more regulated than XTB?
Both groups operate through multiple regulated entities. XTB Limited discloses FCA authorization in the UK and XTB also uses other entities, including Polish and Cypriot structures. IG Markets Limited is FCA-authorized and IG has additional regional entities. The relevant comparison is the entity shown in your account agreement, not the group-wide list.
Does IG offer more platforms than XTB?
Yes, based on current published lineups. XTB centers its offering on xStation and its mobile app. IG lists its web platform and app plus third-party or specialist options including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer. Availability and market coverage differ by account and region.