Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs BlackBull Markets, 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 online brokers XTB and BlackBull Markets, one can easily note their differences in trust ratings and regulatory compliance. XTB, founded in 2002, stands out with a Trust Score of 96, placing it in the "highly trusted" category as per ForexBrokers.com. XTB also holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, further solidifying its credibility. This company is publicly traded, adding another layer of transparency for investors.
Established in 2014, BlackBull Markets holds a Trust Score of 78, which positions it in the "average risk" category. It possesses one Tier-1 license and lacks Tier-2 licenses, highlighting a more limited regulatory footprint. Unlike XTB, BlackBull Markets is not publicly traded, which might be a consideration for those emphasizing transparency and regulatory oversight in their brokerage choice. Neither company operates as a bank, keeping their operations focused purely on online trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 |
| 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 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, both XTB and BlackBull Markets earn 4.5 out of 5 stars. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees rankings, XTB places #12 out of 63 brokers, while BlackBull ranks #19 out of 63. Pricing for both is around the industry average, and the better fit depends on your account choice, deposit size, and monthly trading volume.
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account for retail traders and a commission-based Professional account reserved for elective professionals in the U.K. and Europe (the Pro option is being phased out and is mostly for legacy clients). Based on Q4 2023 data, the average EUR/USD spread on the Standard account was 1.0 pip, with a 250 minimum deposit in your base currency. Active traders can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group to receive 5%–30% spread rebates once they reach monthly volume tiers (from 20 lots up to 1,000), helping trim costs, though overall pricing still trails the very cheapest providers.
BlackBull Markets has three account types. The Standard account is commission-free with no minimum deposit but features higher spreads. The Prime account requires a $2,000 minimum and charges $3 per side ($6 round turn) with tighter pricing—its March 2024 average EUR/USD spread was 0.16 pip, for an all-in cost of about 0.76 pips. The ECN Institutional account targets active traders depositing at least $20,000, with $2 per side commissions. For traders who can meet the deposit, the Prime account is typically the most cost-effective option.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.71 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| 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 BlackBull Markets both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot. When it comes to sheer variety, BlackBull lists about 26,000 tradeable symbols versus XTB’s 7,184. Forex traders get 72 pairs at BlackBull and 71 at XTB. Both brokers also offer exchange-traded shares (not CFDs) on U.S. markets, as well as on international exchanges. If you’re interested in crypto, neither broker lets you buy coins directly, but both provide crypto-linked derivatives. Copy trading is available at BlackBull Markets, while XTB does not offer it.
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, both earned 5 stars for Range of Investments, with BlackBull Markets ranked 6th out of 63 brokers and XTB ranked 15th. Put simply, both cover a wide mix of markets, but BlackBull Markets stands out for its larger symbol list and copy trading, while XTB still delivers a strong selection with access to U.S. and global stocks, forex, and crypto derivatives.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
Comparing XTB vs BlackBull Markets on platforms and tools: both brokers provide free demo accounts, plus web and Windows desktop trading. XTB stands out with its proprietary, in-house platform, while BlackBull Markets leans on third-party options and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5)—features XTB does not offer. For social features, BlackBull Markets supports copy trading and ZuluTrade, whereas XTB does not; neither broker offers DupliTrade.
Both allow trading directly from charts. For charting tools, XTB offers 32 drawing tools versus 60 at BlackBull Markets, and their watchlists include 8 fields at XTB and 6 at BlackBull Markets. In independent reviews of trading platforms and tools, XTB earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #9 out of 63 brokers, while BlackBull Markets scores 4/5 stars and ranks #31.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and BlackBull Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts, real-time watchlists, drawings that auto-save, trendline tools, and multiple chart time frames. For charting depth, XTB includes 39 technical studies compared with BlackBull’s 30, giving XTB a slight edge if you rely on indicators for forex or stock analysis.
One key difference is watchlist syncing: BlackBull Markets syncs symbols between the mobile app and your online account, while XTB does not. In independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com, XTB scores 4.5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 for Mobile Trading Apps, while BlackBull Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #33. Choose XTB if you want more built-in studies and a higher-rated app; pick BlackBull if syncing watchlists across devices is a priority.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| 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.
Both XTB and BlackBull Markets provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed about daily trends and insights. However, when it comes to forex news sourced from prestigious outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters, XTB stands out by offering access, whereas BlackBull Markets does not include news from these top-tier providers. In terms of analytical tools, BlackBull Markets gains an edge by integrating Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis tools, a service not provided by XTB. Both brokers host sentiment-based trading tools to help understand market positions, and each includes an economic calendar to track global news events. Yet, neither offers research through TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools.
XTB achieves a higher research rating with five stars compared to BlackBull Markets’ four stars. As per ForexBrokers.com rankings, XTB holds a more impressive position at number 7 out of 63 brokers, exemplifying its solid research capabilities. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets ranks 18th in the same category, indicating its competence, though not as highly rated as XTB. For traders prioritizing market research features, XTB offers a slightly more comprehensive package, especially through its inclusion of forex news from top-tier sources.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing XTB and BlackBull Markets for their educational resources aimed at beginners, both brokers offer a strong selection of materials. XTB excels with a wide range of educational content, including over ten pieces focused on forex and CFDs, a monthly schedule of online client webinars, and a searchable archive of past webinars. This makes it easier for beginners to learn at their own pace. Additionally, XTB provides extensive video content tailored to both beginners and experienced traders. Despite its strengths, XTB lacks an investor dictionary, which is something that BlackBull Markets offers with definitions for over 50 investing terms.
BlackBull Markets is also committed to educating its clients, offering a similar suite of educational materials, including webinars and video content designed to help traders of all levels. However, in an educational ranking by ForexBrokers.com, XTB holds the #11 spot out of 63 brokers, with an impressive five-star rating in education, while BlackBull Markets ranks #29 with a four-star rating. This difference highlights XTB's slightly stronger offerings in this area, even though both brokers provide valuable resources for those new to trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 BlackBull Markets. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
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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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 78 |
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Both XTB and BlackBull Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide options to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both XTB and BlackBull Markets support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for fund deposits and withdrawals, XTB uniquely includes PayPal, whereas neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.71 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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