If you are reading this article, you’re likely having trouble deciding whether Markets.com or XTB is the better Forex trading platform for you. While both platforms generally provide positive user experiences, there are some essential differences to note.

In this Markets.com vs XTB review, we outline the highlights of each trading platform to help you make a more informed decision. We evaluate:

Headquarters
United KingdomUnited States
Regulators
N/AASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
20022008
Execution Type(s)
Market MakerMarket Maker
Minimum Deposit
$0$100
Trading Platform(s)
Proprietary platformProprietary platform
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.1 pips ($1.00)0.7 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
0.2 pips ($2.00)1.1 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.04$0.05
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.36$0.30
Retail Loss Rate
N/A79.90%
Minimum Raw Spreads
N/A Not applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads
N/A0.6 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
N/ACommission-free
Islamic Account
Signals
US Persons Accepted?
Managed Accounts
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Features and Platforms

MT4
MT5
cTrader
Proprietary Platform
Automated Trading
DOM?
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Scalping
Hedging
One-Click Trading
OCO Orders
Interest on Margin
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Markets.com and XTB rank among leading global online brokers, presenting clients with a competitive trading environment. Both feature their proprietary trading platforms, but the former also offers the core MT4/MT5 trading platforms as an alternative, notably absent from the latter. The similarities extend with one of the best commission-free cost structures for Forex traders and excellent asset choices. Markets.com features more quality trading tools, while XTB deploys a volume-based cash rebate program. Markets.com delivers in-house research and market commentary. New traders have access to quality educational content, and both remain excellent choices.

Available Markets

Currency Pairs
N/A
Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks (non-CFDs)
Bonds
N/A
ETFs
Futures
Synthetics
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Markets.com provides Forex traders with 67 currency pairs and 25 cryptocurrency pairs. XTB maintains 57 and 25, respectively. Both have an above-average cryptocurrency selection, capturing the emerging sector and delivering a competitive environment to their traders. Markets.com has 28 commodities versus 23 commodities at XTB, and both have the bulk of assets in the equity sector. Markets.com maintains 2,027 equity CFDs, 40 index CFDs, and 62 ETFs. XTB counters with 2,004 equity CFDs, plus 42 index CFDs, and 140 CFDs, granting it an overall edge. Markets.com also created 23 in-house themed stock baskets and has four bond CFDs.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.1 pips ($1.00)0.7 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
0.2 pips ($2.00)1.1 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.04$0.05
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.36$0.30
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
$100.00$51.50
Minimum Raw Spreads
N/A Not applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads
N/A0.6 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
N/ACommission-free
Deposit Fee
N/A
Withdrawal Fee
N/A
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While Markets.com and XTB present Forex traders with a commission-free pricing environment, XTB remains in the lead. Markets.com has a minimum mark-up of 0.6 pips, already among the best industry-wide, bested by 0.5 pips at XTB. The difference equals $1.00 per 1.0 standard lots. Equity traders pay a minimum commission of 0.10% at Markets.com versus 0.08% at XTB, and traders receive the impact of corporate actions at both brokers. Swap rates on leveraged overnight positions apply at Markets.com and XTB alike, but the volume-based cashback rebate program at XTB extends its cost structure advantage over Markets.com.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
Belize, Cyprus, Poland, United KingdomAustralia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, South Africa
Name of the Regulator
N/AASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Regulatory License Number
000302/438, 522157, 169/12, 0000217580607305, 092/08, 424008, SIBA/L/14/1067, 46860
Regulatory Tier
4, 1, 1, 1N/A
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The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates operating units at Markets.com, its primary authority, and XTB. The former has additional units authorized by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), and the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC). XTB maintains additional oversight from the Belize International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), the Polish Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego (KNF), its primary regulator, and the Spanish Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV). Client deposits remain segregated, and negative balance protection exists at both well-regulated, trustworthy brokers with a secure trading environment.

XTB vs Markets.com – Verdict

Markets.com and XTB operate well-established and trustworthy brokers with a similar core product and services portfolio.>/b> Markets.com is a subsidiary of UK publicly listed company Playtech, while XTB is listed on the Polish equity market, offering clients an additional layer of security. Markets.com also has a £/€/$1,000,000 excess of loss insurance policy, while both deliver an excellent brokerage. The asset selection at both brokers remains competitive and broad-based, and two proprietary trading platforms are available at both brokers. Markets.com also has out-of-the-box MT4/MT5 trading platforms, which XTB neglects. The commission-free Forex trading cost structure ranks among the best among all Forex brokers at both, but XTB delivers a significant advantage with its volume-based cash rebate program. Equity traders enjoy a similar edge at XTB versus Markets.com, but the latter has more quality trading tools. Both brokers maintain a competitive trading environment with distinct advantages.

FAQs

Is XTB a good broker?

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XTB presents one of the lowest trading costs and a well-balanced asset selection. XTB is an ideal choice for manual traders.

Is Markets.com or XTB safer for Forex and CFDs trading?

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Both brokers are members of publicly listed companies in Europe and have numerous regulators supervising them. Markets.com and XTB have a clean regulatory track record and present an equally safe trading environment for Forex and CFDs trading.

Which is better, Markets.com or XTB?

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Markets.com provides more trading platform choices and trading tools, while XTB has an edge in the cost structure. Automated traders must opt for Markets.com, as XTB does not support them, while active manual traders will determine XTB superior.

What about MetaTrader and copy trading?

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Neither broker offers a distinct copy-trading service, but Markets.com offers the MT4/MT45 trading platform with integrated copy trading functions.

Does Markets.com or XTB offer lower pricing?

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Both deploy a trader-friendly cost structure. XTB delivers an overall lower pricing environment versus Markets.com across the board, from spreads to commissions and its volume-based rebate program.