Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs BDSwiss, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% 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.
When comparing the online brokers XTB and BDSwiss, regulatory information provides key insights into their levels of trustworthiness. Established in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company, which contributes to its transparency and accountability. The broker holds two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, and two Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a solid foundation of trustworthiness. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96 out of 99, XTB is regarded as highly trusted in the industry.
In contrast, BDSwiss was founded in 2012 and is not publicly traded, which may be a consideration for some traders. The company holds one Tier-1 license but no Tier-2 licenses. This regulatory standing, along with a Trust Score of 73, indicates an average risk level according to ForexBrokers.com. While both brokers are not banks, XTB's combination of higher trust scores and public trading status may position it as a more reliable choice for those prioritizing regulatory confidence.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
Comparing commissions and fees, XTB generally comes out cheaper on headline EUR/USD pricing than BDSwiss. XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #12 out of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while BDSwiss is rated 4/5 stars and ranks #31 out of 63. If you want low, simple spreads without extra commissions, XTB’s Standard account is appealing for many retail traders.
XTB offers two account types: a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account that’s reserved for eligible elective professionals in the U.K. and EU (and is being phased out, remaining mainly for legacy clients). Using Q4 2023 data, the average EUR/USD spread on the Standard account was 1.0 pip. Minimum deposit is 250 in your base currency. High-volume traders can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group to receive spread rebates of about 5% to 30% once monthly volume thresholds are met (starting around 20 lots and scaling up toward 1,000 lots), which can narrow costs further. Overall pricing is around the industry average and typically most attractive on the Standard account, especially for smaller trade sizes.
BDSwiss posts higher typical spreads than top peers: the Classic account is about 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, the VIP account is about 1.2 pips, and the Raw account averages 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side (about a 1.3-pip effective cost). In a like-for-like EUR/USD comparison, XTB’s 1.0-pip Standard spread undercuts BDSwiss’s VIP and Raw effective pricing, and BDSwiss’s Classic account by an even wider margin. Traders focused on minimizing spread costs may therefore find XTB more cost-effective, while BDSwiss may appeal if you prefer its platform lineup and are comfortable with the slightly higher effective spreads.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB and BDSwiss both support forex trading (via CFDs or spot contracts), along with CFDs on other markets. XTB lists 7,184 tradeable instruments and 71 currency pairs, giving active traders a wider menu than BDSwiss, which offers 1,081 symbols and 53 pairs. Both let you trade cryptocurrency through derivatives, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. For social features, BDSwiss includes copy trading, while XTB does not.
If you want to buy real shares, XTB stands out by offering exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international markets, whereas BDSwiss does not support real (non-CFD) stock dealing. Reflecting this breadth, ForexBrokers.com rates XTB 5/5 for Range of Investments and ranks it 15th out of 63 brokers, compared with BDSwiss at 4/5 and 35th. In short: choose XTB for the largest selection and access to real shares; consider BDSwiss if copy trading and a focused CFD lineup meet your needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both XTB and BDSwiss have developed proprietary platforms, offering simulated trading or demo accounts to help users practice before committing real money. Both brokers provide traders with the flexibility of using a Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based trading interface. However, BDSwiss stands out by supporting MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular platforms known for their extensive trading tools and community. In contrast, XTB focuses on its proprietary platform, which garners high praise but lacks the MetaTrader options. Neither broker offers access to the copy trading platforms DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
In terms of charting tools, XTB offers a more comprehensive selection of drawing tools (32 options) compared to BDSwiss, which offers 15. Both platforms allow trading directly from stock charts, a feature that enhances user experience. For watch lists, XTB provides eight customizable fields, slightly more than BDSwiss, which offers seven. These differences contribute to XTB's higher rating of 4.5 stars, compared to the 4 stars for BDSwiss in the trading platforms and tools category, making XTB the ninth-ranked option out of 63 brokers, while BDSwiss ranks twenty-fourth according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and BDSwiss both offer versatile mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, supporting features like price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on stock or forex charts. While both platforms don't sync watchlist symbols across devices, they enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and offer multiple time frame views for charts. Auto-saving drawing capabilities further enhance the traders' experience on both apps, ensuring important sketches are never lost.
When it comes to charting tools, XTB offers 39 technical studies, slightly more than the 30 provided by BDSwiss, giving traders a broader range of analytical options. The user experience and satisfaction are reflected in the ratings, with XTB scoring 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranking 8th out of 63 brokers, whereas BDSwiss has a respectable rating of 4 stars and holds the 24th position in the mobile trading apps category according to ForexBrokers.com. These rankings highlight XTB’s edge in delivering a more advanced mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When evaluating the market research offerings of online brokers XTB and BDSwiss, both provide valuable insights for traders, but their services differ in certain areas. XTB stands out with a higher research rating of five stars, offering daily market commentary along with forex news sourced from prestigious platforms like Bloomberg and Reuters. The broker also provides a sentiment-based trading tool, enabling users to gauge market positions. Additionally, both XTB and BDSwiss offer access to an economic calendar to track global news events. XTB's commitment to quality information is reflected in its #7 ranking by ForexBrokers.com, compared to BDSwiss, which is placed at #24.
In contrast, BDSwiss shines in its offering of specialized research tools, including technical and fundamental analysis from Autochartist and Trading Central. While it lacks top-tier news sources and sentiment tools available through XTB, BDSwiss compensates with its advanced analytics, ensuring traders have access to in-depth market research. Despite holding a four-star rating for research, BDSwiss remains a competitive choice for those prioritizing comprehensive technical analysis resources. Ultimately, both platforms have distinct strengths catering to different trading needs, with XTB emphasizing news access and sentiment analysis, while BDSwiss offers enhanced technical research capabilities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XTB and BDSwiss both deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education. Each broker offers 10+ learning pieces—articles, videos, and archived webinars—hosts at least one client webinar per month, and maintains a searchable library of past sessions. Their video lessons cover all levels, with 10+ beginner videos and 10+ advanced videos at both brokers. One key difference is tools: BDSwiss includes an investor dictionary with 50+ trading terms, while XTB does not provide a glossary.
On overall quality, XTB pulls ahead with a 5-star education rating and a #11 ranking out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, compared with BDSwiss at 4 stars and #22. Choose XTB if you want top-rated courses, frequent webinars, and a deep catalog of videos; pick BDSwiss if having a built-in dictionary alongside solid education and regular webinars is a priority.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than BDSwiss. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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BDSwiss
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 |
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Both XTB and BDSwiss do not provide the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and BDSwiss in terms of fund transfer options, XTB supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas BDSwiss offers ACH or SEPA transfers, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support PayPal.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10-$5000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XTB Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | XTB | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BDSwiss Review |
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