XTB vs Interactive Brokers (IBKR): which is best for Europeans?
As regular users of both XTB and Interactive Brokers, we break down their key features, costs, strengths, and weaknesses so you can decide which one best fits your needs.
Summary
- XTB - Best for investing in stocks and ETFs without commissions. Feel free to use our referral code.
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR) - Best for experienced investors and larger portfolios thanks to its vast product range and ultra-competitive pricing.
We feel comfortable investing with either broker.
XTB is more suitable for those looking to invest in CFDs, Forex, and benefit from commission-free stocks and ETFs. XTB is a publicly listed company in the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
On the other hand, IBKR is unbeatable for currency conversion, large-order execution, and product breadth. While it doesn't offer commission-free investing, it is one of the largest brokers by assets under management, and one of the oldest in the industry (founded in 1978).
👑 Interactive Brokers wins the crown: it is our top pick overall.
Comparison table
| Feature | XTB | Interactive Brokers (IBKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Year founded | 2002 | 1978 |
| Main regulators | CMVM, KNF, FCA | SEC, FCA, Central Bank of Ireland |
| Minimum deposit | €1 | €0 |
| Investor protection | Up to €20.100 (Polish scheme - depends on your country) | 90% up to €20.000 (Irish ICCL - depends on your country) |
| Trading platforms | xStation 5 (web/desktop) & xStation Mobile | TWS, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader |
XTB - overview
Founded in 2002, XTB is one of the major names in the brokerage industry, with a broad global reach. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other key regulatory bodies in Europe. XTB is publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
You can invest via the xStation 5 and xStation Mobile platforms across a range of products such as stocks, ETFs, options* and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, Forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
XTB offers 0% commission on stocks and ETFs for up to €100,000 in monthly volume (then 0.20% with a minimum of €10), as well as interest on uninvested funds (in EUR and USD). There’s also a 0.50% currency conversion fee when buying assets in currencies other than EUR.
Want to know more? Check our XTB review.
*Options are live in Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain.
Pros and cons - XTB
Pros
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading (up to a limit)
- Customizable trading platform (charts and workspace)
- Low Forex spreads
- Demo account available
- Only €1 minimum deposit to open an account
- Offers a virtual debit card (e-money wallet)
- Educational materials
- Reputable regulatory bodies
- Branches and offices in multiple European countries
Cons
- Trading platform can be complex for beginners
- High spreads on stock CFDs
- Limited product portfolio (no bonds or futures; offers vanilla options on US stocks/ETFs)
- CFDs are mixed with real products - might be confusing
- Inactivity fee (€10/month after more than 1 year without activity and no deposit in the last 90 days)
- App is not as intuitive as IBKR's
Interactive Brokers - overview
Interactive Brokers (IBKR), founded in 1978 and listed on NASDAQ (ticker IBKR), is often dubbed the “Ferrari” of brokerage platforms.
Although its flagship Trader Workstation (TWS) targets professionals, the Client Portal and IBKR GlobalTrader mobile app make it accessible for beginners:
In short, it's a great choice for European investors looking for a safe, slick investment app that allows you to invest globally.
If you want to learn more details, read our Interactive Brokers review.
Pros and Cons - Interactive Brokers
Pros
- Ultra-low commissions on US stocks
- Widest product & market coverage in the industry
- Free demo account
- Outstanding reputation (since 1978)
- Comprehensive research & education tools
- Beginner-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader app
- Pays interest on idle cash balances
Cons
- Account opening can be lengthy and complex
- Steeper learning curve (especially in TWS)
- Website navigation sometimes confusing
- No interest on idle cash below €10.000
Safety and regulation
| Criterion | XTB | Interactive Brokers (IBKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory entities | FCA, KNF, CySEC, DFSA and FSC | SEC, FINRA, SIPC, CFTC, IIROC, FCA, CBI, AFSL, SFC, SEBI, MAS, MNB |
| Investor compensation scheme | Up to €20.100 - Polish fund (depends on your country) | 90% up to €20.000 - ICCL, Ireland (depends on your country) |
| Asset segregation | Yes | Yes |
| Private insurance | No | No (SIPC only for US accounts) |
| Negative-balance protection (CFDs & derivatives) | Yes (EU retail) | Yes (EU retail) |
| Banking licence | No | No |
| Listed on an exchange | Yes (Warsaw: XTB) | Yes (NASDAQ: IBKR) |
Both brokers are EU-regulated, stock-exchange-listed, and covered by investor-compensation schemes. IBKR is older and manages significantly larger client assets.
Financial products
| Asset class | XTB | IBKR |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks & ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds / Funds | No | Yes |
| Options / Futures | Options: Yes (vanilla, US stocks/ETFs, cash-settled) / Futures: No | Yes |
| Spot FX | No (CFD only) | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes (indices, FX, crypto, etc.) | Yes |
| Direct crypto | Yes (CFD) | No (crypto futures only) |
IBKR clearly wins on breadth, while XTB covers most needs for stock/ETF investors and short-term traders.
Fees & costs
| Fee / Charge | XTB | IBKR |
|---|---|---|
| EU/US stocks & ETFs | 0% up to €100 000 / month; then 0.20% (min €10) | Tiered plan: US $0.0035/share (min $0.35); EU 0.05% (min €1.25, max €29) |
| FX conversion | 0.50% | 0.002% (min $2) |
| Inactivity | €10 / month after 12 inactive months | None |
| Withdrawals | Free | Free |
| EUR cash interest | 2.50% preferential for the first 90 days (on up to €100,000); 1.00% standard after that, August 2026 | 1.723% on balances above €10,000 (IBKR Pro; 0.723% on IBKR Lite), August 2026 |
Both brokers offer highly competitive pricing, but IBKR is markedly cheaper for large orders (> €5,000) and especially on FX conversion.
For small trades in ETFs, XTB can be cheaper.
Which broker should you choose?
If you’re starting with a modest portfolio and want to invest in ETFs commission-free, XTB is a valid choice.
If you already have a sizeable portfolio and want to level up, Interactive Brokers makes large orders and currency conversions much cheaper and opens access to virtually every investment universe.
IBKR is our best choice overall. 👑
Whenever possible, testing both platforms in parallel is a great way to discover which one fits you best.
Want to learn more? Check our dedicated reviews:
- Interactive Brokers review
- XTB review
- And compare them with other competitors in our article "Best European Brokers".
Whenever possible, testing both platforms in parallel is a great way to discover which one fits you best.
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