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 on regulation and trust, a few differences stand out. XTB, founded in 2002, is publicly traded, while BlackBull Markets, founded in 2014, is not; neither firm is a bank. XTB holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, whereas BlackBull Markets holds one Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses—designations that ForexBrokers.com considers highly trusted and trusted, respectively.
According to ForexBrokers.com’s Trust Score, XTB scores 96/99 and BlackBull Markets scores 77/99. On this scale, 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 should not be trusted—placing XTB in the highly trusted category and BlackBull Markets in the average risk range.
| 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 |
XTB and BlackBull Markets both score well for commissions and fees, with each broker rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. In the ForexBrokers.com Commissions and Fees category, XTB ranks #13 out of 36 brokers, while BlackBull Markets ranks higher at #9 out of 36. Both sit around the industry average overall, but BlackBull Markets has the edge on pricing for active and lower-spread trading.
At XTB, costs depend on the account type. The Standard account is spread-only, while the Professional account is commission-based but is limited to certain eligible clients in the U.K. and Europe and is being phased out in many regions. Using Q4 2023 data, XTB’s average EUR/USD spread was 1 pip. For most retail traders, the Standard account is usually the better fit, especially since it is generally cheaper for smaller trade sizes. XTB also offers the Lower Spread Group, which gives active traders spread rebates of 5% to 30% once monthly trading volume reaches set targets.
BlackBull Markets also offers different pricing depending on the account you choose. Its Standard account has no minimum deposit and no commission, but the spreads are wider. The Prime account is often the best value, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 and an all-in cost of about 0.76 after commission, though it requires a $2,000 minimum deposit and charges $3 per side. For larger traders, the ECN Institutional account offers even lower commissions, but it requires at least $20,000 to open.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 1.16 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB and BlackBull Markets both give traders access to forex, stock investing, and crypto CFDs, so each broker covers the core markets many people look for. They also both offer real shares on U.S. and international exchanges, which means you can buy and own listed companies directly rather than only trading contracts. Neither broker lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, but both do allow crypto CFD trading.
When it comes to the size of the market offering, BlackBull Markets has the edge with about 26,000 tradeable symbols and 72 forex pairs, compared with XTB’s 10,900 symbols and 71 forex pairs. BlackBull Markets also includes copy trading, which XTB does not. Even so, both brokers earn 5 out of 5 stars for range of investments, though BlackBull Markets ranks higher overall in this category at #7 out of 36 brokers, while XTB is ranked #14.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10900 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 72 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
XTB and BlackBull Markets both give traders plenty of ways to get started, including free demo accounts, web-based platforms, and Windows desktop downloads. Each also lets users place trades directly from a chart, which can make active trading more convenient. XTB stands out for its own in-house platform, while BlackBull Markets does not offer a proprietary platform and instead focuses on well-known third-party options.
When it comes to platform choice, BlackBull Markets has an edge for traders who want copy trading plus MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, all of which XTB does not provide. XTB, however, scores higher overall in Trading Platforms and Tools, with a 4.5-star rating and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with BlackBull Markets’ 4-star rating and #25 ranking. For traders comparing online brokers, XTB may appeal to those who want a simpler platform lineup and higher overall platform scores, while BlackBull Markets may suit those who prefer MT4, MT5, and copy trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 109 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and BlackBull Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, trendline drawing, and automatic saving of chart drawings. XTB stands out for charting depth, with 39 technical studies in its mobile app compared with 30 at BlackBull Markets. It also earns a higher Mobile Trading Apps rating from ForexBrokers.com, at 4.5 out of 5 stars versus BlackBull Markets’ 4 stars.
One key difference is watchlist syncing. BlackBull Markets lets your mobile watchlists sync with your online account, so changes carry over between devices, while XTB does not offer this feature. In ForexBrokers.com’s ranking of 36 brokers for mobile trading apps, XTB places higher at #8, while BlackBull Markets ranks #27. For traders who want stronger app ratings and more chart studies, XTB has the edge; for those who value watchlist sync, BlackBull Markets may be the better fit.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and BlackBull Markets both give traders useful market research tools, including daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows the balance of long and short positions, and an economic calendar for tracking global events. Both brokers also leave out some third-party research names such as Trading Central, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading.
Where XTB stands out is its access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, which BlackBull Markets does not provide. BlackBull Markets does offer Autochartist, which XTB does not. Overall, XTB has a slightly stronger research setup, reflected in its 5-star Research rating and #9 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with BlackBull Markets’ 4.5-star rating and #17 ranking.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XTB and BlackBull Markets both give beginners plenty of ways to learn, including forex and CFD education, monthly live webinars, and a strong library of beginner and advanced trading videos. That means each broker offers more than 10 educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, along with helpful content for new traders who want to build confidence step by step.
That said, XTB has the edge overall for education. It earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #11 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets holds a 4.5-star rating and ranks #24. For beginners comparing online brokers, XTB looks like the stronger choice for learning resources, though BlackBull Markets still provides a solid range of educational material.
| Feature |
XTB
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 #22.
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
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 77 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Comparing XTB vs BlackBull Markets for crypto trading: neither broker supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs.
For deposits and withdrawals, XTB supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not ACH/SEPA, while BlackBull Markets supports ACH/SEPA, Skrill, and bank wire transfers but not PayPal (Visa/Mastercard availability not specified for either broker).
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 77 | |
| 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 (FSA 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, FSRA, or CMA 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) | 10900 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 0.92 | 1.16 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 109 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | XTB | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill