Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs iFOREX, 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 iFOREX, key regulatory details set them apart. XTB, founded in 2002, is a highly trusted choice in the trading world with a Trust Score of 96 out of 99, as rated by ForexBrokers.com. Notably, XTB is publicly traded, adding a layer of transparency for investors. With two Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses, XTB reassures traders with its strong regulatory backing. While XTB is not a bank, its credentials suggest a reliable trading platform for users.
On the other hand, iFOREX, established earlier in 1996, holds a Trust Score of 75, indicating an average risk level. Unlike XTB, iFOREX is not publicly traded, which might influence investor confidence differently. It holds one Tier-1 license but lacks Tier-2 licenses, highlighting a difference in regulatory frameworks compared to its competitor. Though neither firm functions as a bank, these nuanced differences can play an essential role for traders when choosing a platform that aligns with their risk tolerance and trust preferences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1996 |
| 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 |
XTB and iFOREX are two online brokers that vary significantly in their commissions and fee structures. XTB offers both a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, although the latter is only available to clients classified as Professionals in the UK and Europe. The Standard account is generally favorable for retail traders due to its lower costs at smaller volumes, with pricing being competitive but not leading within the industry. As of Q4 2023, XTB's average forex spreads on EUR/USD stand at 1 pip. Notably, XTB also provides discounts for active traders through its Lower Spread Group program, offering rebates on spreads for high-volume traders. With these offerings, XTB earns a commendable 4.5-star rating and ranks 11th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com.
iFOREX, on the other hand, does not provide detailed information on its average spread data, which can be a critical factor for traders assessing overall costs. Due to this lack of transparency and potentially higher costs, iFOREX receives a more modest rating of 3 stars for commissions and fees. In terms of its industry standing, iFOREX ranks much lower than XTB, placing 61st out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com. This ranking suggests that iFOREX's fee structure may not be as competitive or favorable as those of other brokers, including XTB.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| 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 | No |
| 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.
Both XTB and iFOREX provide access to forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, although there are significant differences in their offerings. XTB boasts an impressive 7,184 tradable symbols, alongside 71 forex pairs. Meanwhile, iFOREX offers a more modest selection with 750 tradable symbols and 88 forex pairs. XTB stands out by also allowing investments in actual stocks on U.S. and international exchanges, offering investors the ability to directly engage with companies like Apple or Vodafone. In contrast, iFOREX does not offer direct stock purchases on any exchange.
When it comes to cryptocurrency trading, both XTB and iFOREX enable trading via derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. Neither platform offers copy trading, so users looking for social trading features may need to look elsewhere. In terms of investment variety, XTB is rated five stars and ranks 14th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its extensive range. On the other hand, iFOREX has a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 41st, suggesting it may suit those looking for a more basic offering.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 750 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 88 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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 comparing XTB and iFOREX in terms of trading platforms and tools, XTB stands out with its offerings. XTB provides a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice their trading strategies with simulated trading—a feature iFOREX does not offer. Both brokers have developed proprietary platforms, but unlike iFOREX, XTB offers a Windows-based desktop download trading platform, enhancing accessibility for desktop users. Both brokers offer web-based trading platforms, allowing clients to trade directly from their browsers. However, neither supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 and does not provide copy trading options.
In terms of charting tools, XTB leads with 32 drawing tools, compared to iFOREX's 25. Both brokers enable trading directly from stock charts, catering to active traders. XTB offers slightly fewer columns in watch lists with eight fields compared to iFOREX's nine. Remarkably, XTB garners a higher rating with 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, compared to iFOREX's 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB ranks impressively at #9 out of 63 brokers, while iFOREX falls behind at #54, illustrating XTB's superior standing in delivering user-friendly trading tools and platforms.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 57 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 25 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between XTB and iFOREX for your mobile trading needs, both offer iPhone and Android apps, catering to a wide range of users. However, XTB does provide a few more advanced features in its app compared to iFOREX. Notably, XTB offers stock and forex price alerts, while iFOREX does not. While neither broker syncs watchlist symbols across devices, XTB shines with its comprehensive offering of 39 technical studies for charting, as well as the ability to draw trendlines and view various time frames, such as daily or intraday charts. In addition, XTB conveniently saves any drawings you make on stock or forex charts automatically and lets you create watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing the trading experience.
In contrast, iFOREX does not provide these drawing capabilities or time frame options, and lacks real-time watchlist creations. These distinctions might influence your decision, as reflected in user ratings and rankings. XTB garners a commendable 4.5 stars for its mobile app, placing it 8th among 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's rankings. iFOREX, while still rated positively with 4 stars, is ranked 55th. These ratings highlight XTB's superior app offerings, making it a strong contender for traders prioritizing mobile functionality.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research offerings, both XTB and iFOREX provide daily market commentary to their users. However, XTB outshines iFOREX with its access to forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while iFOREX lacks this feature. Both platforms also offer a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, keeping traders informed of market trends. Moreover, each has an economic calendar showcasing global news events, aiding traders in making informed decisions. Yet, when it comes to specialized analysis tools, iFOREX takes the lead by providing research tools from Trading Central, whereas XTB does not offer this resource.
The differences in research capabilities are reflected in their ratings and rankings as well. XTB is highly rated with 5 stars for their research, ranking 7th out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, iFOREX carries a 3.5-star rating, placing it at 48th in the same category. Despite both platforms sharing some core features, XTB's edge in offering news and receiving higher ratings makes it a preferred choice for those prioritizing comprehensive market research in their trading activities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 resources available for beginners, XTB stands out as a top choice compared to iFOREX. XTB provides a comprehensive suite of over 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host regular online webinars each month, ensuring consistent educational support for users. Additionally, XTB maintains a searchable archive of recorded webinars, offering easy access to past sessions for further learning. With a dedicated collection of over 10 beginner-focused videos, they make trading more accessible for novices. Furthermore, XTB goes beyond just beginner content by offering advanced educational videos tailored for more experienced traders.
On the other hand, iFOREX offers a more limited selection of educational resources. While they do provide beginner educational videos, the absence of monthly webinars and a comprehensive library of forex and CFD materials may leave newcomers wanting more. They also lack a searchable archive of past webinars and advanced educational content for seasoned traders. This disparity is reflected in their educational ratings, with XTB receiving a commendable 5 stars, whereas iFOREX is rated at 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB ranks at an impressive 11th place out of 63 brokers in the education category, while iFOREX is ranked 53rd, highlighting a significant gap in educational quality and access between the two brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| 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 iFOREX. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
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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iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 75 |
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Both XTB and iFOREX provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing users to capitalize on market movements without owning the actual cryptocurrencies, as neither platform offers the option to purchase and hold real (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
Both XTB and iFOREX do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for funding accounts, but they do offer PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing and withdrawing funds.
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 | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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| Regulation | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1996 | |
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 750 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 88 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 57 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 25 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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