Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Markets.com, 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.
Founded in 2002, XTB is a well-regarded online broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96, indicating a highly trusted status. While not a bank, XTB stands out by being publicly traded, adding a layer of transparency. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, considered the highest level of regulatory trust, alongside two Tier-2 licenses, affirming its commitment to reliable service and client protection.
Markets.com, established in 1999, also maintains a strong reputation with a Trust Score of 93. Unlike XTB, Markets.com is not publicly listed, but it does claim an edge with three Tier-1 licenses, offering a reassuring degree of regulatory oversight. However, it only has one Tier-2 license. Both brokers offer a trusted platform for individuals looking to engage in online trading, but their differences in licensure and public transparency might influence some users' preferences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
For commissions and fees, ForexBrokers.com rates XTB at 4.5/5 stars (ranked #12 of 63) and Markets.com at 3.5/5 stars (ranked #51 of 63). That spread in ratings suggests XTB typically delivers more competitive pricing.
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account reserved for elected professionals in the U.K. and Europe; the Pro option is being phased out and is no longer broadly promoted. Using Q4 2023 data, XTB’s average EUR/USD spread was about 1.0 pip. Minimum deposit is 250 in your base currency (£/€/$). For smaller trade sizes the Standard account tends to be cheaper, while pricing becomes similar at higher volumes. Active traders can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group to receive spread rebates from 5% up to 30% when meeting monthly volume thresholds (roughly 20 to 1,000 lots).
Markets.com does not publish average spread data, which makes direct cost comparisons harder. Based on the star ratings and rankings from ForexBrokers.com, XTB appears more competitive on overall pricing. If you want published spread benchmarks and the option for volume-based rebates, XTB sets clearer expectations; with Markets.com, be mindful that average spread information isn’t available when estimating trading costs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB and Markets.com both support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, and both offer cryptocurrency through CFDs (not as actual coins). XTB provides a far larger catalog with 7,184 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, compared with Markets.com’s 2,179 symbols and 57 pairs. Another major difference: XTB lets you buy real exchange-traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges (think Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone in London), while Markets.com does not offer real shares, focusing instead on CFDs for stock exposure.
When it comes to extras, Markets.com offers copy trading, whereas XTB does not. For range of investments, ForexBrokers.com rates XTB at 5 stars (ranked #15 of 63) and Markets.com at 4 stars (ranked #30 of 63). If you want a wider selection and the ability to own real shares across U.S. and global markets, XTB has the edge. If copy trading matters more, Markets.com may be the better fit.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 57 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| 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.
If you’re choosing between XTB and Markets.com for trading platforms and tools, both brokers cover the basics: free demo (paper) accounts, their own proprietary platforms, downloadable Windows desktop software, and web-based platforms. XTB also lets you place trades directly from a chart, while Markets.com does not. The exact number of technical indicators and watch-list column options was not specified for either broker.
For extra features, Markets.com offers copy trading and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). XTB does not provide copy trading or MT4/MT5, yet it earns the stronger platform score: 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #9 ranking out of 63 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with Markets.com at 4 stars and #27. If you want MetaTrader access and copy trading, Markets.com could be the pick; if you prefer a higher-rated proprietary platform with chart-based order entry, XTB may be the better fit.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Markets.com both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts for stocks and forex. A key difference is watchlist syncing: Markets.com syncs watchlists between mobile and web, while XTB does not. In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, XTB earned 4.5 stars and ranked #8 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, whereas Markets.com earned 4 stars and ranked #34.
For charting on mobile, XTB includes 39 technical studies, lets you draw trendlines, and automatically saves your chart drawings. Markets.com supports drawing trendlines but does not auto-save drawings; the Markets.com app itself lacks built-in studies, relying instead on default options available in MT4. If you want deeper on-the-go chart tools, XTB is the stronger pick; if synced watchlists are a must, Markets.com has the advantage.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both XTB and Markets.com excel in providing daily market commentary and reliable forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, keeping traders informed of major financial events and developments. Each platform also offers a sentiment-based trading tool, which helps investors understand market positions on various currency pairs. Despite these commonalities, neither XTB nor Markets.com provides research tools from companies like Autochartist, Trading Central, or Acuity Trading, nor do they deliver market research from TipRanks, which might be a drawback for traders seeking these specific services.
When it comes to the overall quality of market research, XTB shines brighter with a 5-star rating compared to Markets.com's 4 stars. ForexBrokers.com ranks XTB as the 7th out of 63 brokers in the Research category, showcasing its commitment to insightful market analysis. In contrast, Markets.com holds the 17th position, still representing a strong choice but slightly lagging behind in comprehensive research offerings. Both brokers do provide robust economic calendars, helping traders stay aware of important global news events. However, XTB's higher ranking and rating suggest a slight edge in delivering superior research tools and resources to enable informed trading decisions.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| 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 Markets.com both make it easy for beginners to learn. Each broker runs monthly online webinars for clients and offers a large video library, including at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos. This setup helps new traders pick up the basics and then move into deeper topics at their own pace, whether they’re learning to trade forex or CFDs.
For overall quality, XTB takes the lead with a 5-star Education rating and a #11 rank out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Markets.com holds 4 stars and ranks #34. If top-tier education is your priority, XTB edges ahead; if you want a solid learning hub with regular webinars and plenty of videos, Markets.com remains a friendly choice for beginners.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Markets.com. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 93 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both XTB and Markets.com do not let you buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
Compared with Markets.com, online broker XTB does not support ACH or SEPA transfers but does offer deposits and withdrawals via PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire, whereas Markets.com also does not support ACH/SEPA and its availability for PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard cards, and bank wires was not specified.
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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 57 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 89 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill