Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs GBE brokers, 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 XTB and GBE brokers, it's clear that both companies have established themselves in the trading industry in different ways. XTB, founded in 2002, boasts a higher level of transparency by being publicly traded. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its strong regulatory standing, and two Tier-2 licenses, adding to its credibility. With a Trust Score of 96 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, XTB is considered highly trustworthy, giving traders peace of mind.
In contrast, GBE brokers, established in 2013, remains a privately held company. It holds one Tier-1 license and does not have any Tier-2 licenses. This results in a Trust Score of 71 out of 99, placing it in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. While GBE brokers may still be a viable option for some traders, those prioritizing stricter regulation and trust might prefer XTB for its higher rating and additional licenses.
| Feature |
XTB
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing XTB and GBE brokers for their commissions and fees, XTB offers two distinct account types: a Standard account with spread-only pricing and a Professional account, which is commission-based but limited to those who qualify as elected professionals in the U.K. and Europe. XTB's pricing aligns with the industry's average standards, although it falls short compared to the leading brokers in this field. Their average forex spreads on EUR/USD were recorded at 1 pip in the fourth quarter of 2023, with the Professional account being phased out in favor of the Standard account, especially since it is no longer available in most regions. For retail forex traders, the Standard account is often the more economical option, with a starting minimum deposit of 250 base currency units. Moreover, XTB rewards active traders with a rebate program called the Lower Spread Group, which can return between 5% to 30% of the spread based on trading volumes.
GBE brokers, on the other hand, do not provide average spread data, making a direct comparison of specific costs more challenging. However, based on overall evaluation, GBE brokers receive a noted rating for their commissions and fees, but they rank lower compared to XTB. While XTB rates 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, GBE brokers come in marginally lower with a 4-star rating. This difference in rating and transparency may influence traders seeking detailed cost efficiency when choosing their platform.
In terms of industry rankings, XTB holds a notable position at #11 out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com, reflecting their competitive offering in the market. Meanwhile, GBE brokers are ranked at #37, indicating a weaker standing in comparison to XTB. These ratings suggest that while both brokers offer valuable services, XTB presents a more compelling proposition for traders focused on cost-effectiveness and active trading benefits.
| Feature |
XTB
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing XTB and GBE Brokers in terms of their investment offerings, XTB stands out with a significantly larger variety of tradeable instruments. With a staggering 7,184 symbols available, XTB caters to investors looking for diversity. They provide access to 71 forex pairs, exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, and a range of cryptocurrency derivatives. Meanwhile, GBE Brokers offers a more streamlined selection with 500 tradeable symbols, including the same 71 forex pairs but without the option to trade actual exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets.
While both brokers support forex trading as CFDs and provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, their approaches vary. GBE Brokers appeals to those interested in copy trading, a feature absent from XTB. In terms of investment variety ratings, XTB earned a solid 5 stars and is ranked 14th among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for range of investments, whereas GBE Brokers received 3.5 stars, placing it at 44th. This highlights XTB's broader range of options for those seeking a wide-reaching investment platform.
| Feature |
XTB
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 71 |
| 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, XTB and GBE brokers both provide traders with essential and diverse functionalities. XTB shines with its proprietary platform developed in-house, featuring a seamless trading experience across a Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based trading option. This broker provides users with a free virtual demo account, assisting beginners and experienced traders alike in familiarizing themselves with the platform. Notably, XTB offers an impressive array of drawing tools with 32 options and the capability to trade directly from stock charts, which enhances technical analysis and real-time decision-making. Their watch list can be personalized across eight columns, earning them a high rating of 4.5 stars for trading platforms and tools. Consequently, XTB is ranked 9th out of 63 brokers in this category by ForexBrokers.com.
Conversely, GBE brokers, while offering a similar set of core trading functionalities such as free virtual demo accounts and both Windows and web-based platforms, lacks a proprietary platform. However, GBE brokers make up for this with support for popular trading platforms MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which provides a familiar environment for many traders seeking advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Their platform also supports copy trading, a feature absent in XTB, which might appeal to those interested in mirroring the strategies of experienced traders. GBE brokers allow trading directly from stock charts and provide 15 drawing tools with a watch list customizable in seven columns. Despite these features, they have a slightly lower rating of 4 stars and rank 57th in the ForexBrokers.com comparison, indicating a solid, though less distinguished, offering in trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
XTB
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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.
When choosing between the mobile trading apps of online brokers XTB and GBE Brokers, both provide solid offerings for traders on the go. XTB and GBE Brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, and both enable stock and forex price alerts. Traders can create watchlists with real-time quotes, though neither broker allows for watchlist syncing with clients' online accounts. Both platforms support drawing trendlines on charts and automatically save these drawings. However, XTB edges ahead with 39 available technical studies for charting, compared to GBE Brokers' 30. Additionally, users of both platforms can view charts in multiple time frames.
In terms of ratings, XTB's mobile app is slightly more favored with a 4.5-star rating, compared to GBE Brokers' 4-star rating. This preference is reflected in their respective rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where XTB is rated #8, while GBE Brokers sits at #57 among 63 brokers. While both apps meet essential trading needs, XTB's higher ratings and range of technical studies might make it the more appealing choice for traders seeking a slightly more advanced mobile platform.
| Feature |
XTB
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 considering market research options, both XTB and GBE Brokers provide daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed about current trends. However, XTB takes an edge by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, whereas GBE Brokers doesn't provide such high-profile news feeds. Both brokers do not rely on Autochartist or Trading Central for technical or fundamental research tools, but they equally offer a sentiment-based trading tool that illustrates the ratio of long and short positions across various currencies.
Though neither XTB nor GBE Brokers provides market research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, they both feature an economic calendar with key global news events. Despite the similarities, XTB's research capabilities earn it a robust five-star rating and a rank of #7 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, significantly outperforming GBE Brokers, which receives a three-star rating and ranks at #62. This distinction clearly shows XTB's superior position in offering comprehensive and premium research services.
| Feature |
XTB
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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 the educational offerings of XTB and GBE Brokers for beginners, XTB emerges as a standout choice. XTB provides a wealth of resources, including a selection of educational content focused on forex and CFDs, with over ten pieces including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Beginners benefit from regular monthly webinars, which are not only live but also accessible afterwards through a searchable archive—a feature notably absent from GBE Brokers. XTB's commitment to beginner traders is further evident through their collection of over ten beginner-focused trading videos, supplemented by advanced resources for more seasoned traders.
In contrast, GBE Brokers falls short in its educational support for novices. It does not meet the criteria of offering a minimum of ten educational pieces on forex or CFDs and lacks any monthly webinars or archives of past sessions. Additionally, it misses the mark on providing an array of beginner-oriented trading videos. Both platforms do not offer an investor dictionary, but the comprehensive educational approach of XTB, reflected in its 5-star rating and top-tier ranking by ForexBrokers.com, makes it a far superior option over GBE Brokers, which carries a 3-star rating and ranks lowest in educational offerings among 63 reviewed brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
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 GBE brokers. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #57.
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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GBE brokers
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 71 |
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Both XTB and GBE Brokers do not provide the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency but do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and GBE Brokers, both provide multiple options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, including PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but only GBE Brokers 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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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| Regulation | XTB | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2013 | |
| 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 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 71 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | XTB | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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