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 | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
XTB presents a competitive structure for commissions and fees with two main account types available. The Standard account operates on a spread-only basis with an average forex spread on the EUR/USD at 1 pip, while the Professional account, intended for qualified clients in the U.K. and Europe, used to offer commission-based trading, though it is currently being phased out. For most retail traders, the Standard account proves a more practical choice, particularly because it is easier to access and cheaper for lower trading volumes. Additionally, XTB provides rebates that can significantly reduce costs for active traders under its Lower Spread Group program. XTB receives a commendable rating of 4.5 stars in commissions and fees, ranking it 11th out of 62 brokers as assessed by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Markets.com lacks detailed information on average spreads, making direct comparisons difficult. However, with a 3.5-star rating for commissions and fees, it stands significantly behind XTB, positioned at 49th out of 62 brokers. This indicates that Markets.com's pricing structure may not be as competitive for traders concerned about minimizing commissions and fees.
Overall, XTB edges out Markets.com in terms of commissions and fees. It offers better value for both retail and active traders with its spread-based Standard account and rebate programs. This makes XTB a more appealing choice for individuals seeking to optimize trading costs effectively.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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.
When comparing XTB and Markets.com in terms of their available range of investments, it's clear that XTB provides a more extensive offering. XTB boasts an impressive array of 7,184 tradeable symbols, which includes 71 forex pairs and the option to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. On the other hand, Markets.com offers 2,179 tradeable symbols and 57 forex pairs but lacks the ability to invest directly in U.S. or international exchange-traded securities. Both platforms allow trading in forex as CFDs and offer cryptocurrency derivatives instead of actual cryptocurrencies. Interestingly, Markets.com supports copy trading, a feature absent in XTB.
In terms of rankings and ratings, XTB shines brighter with a 5-star rating for its range of investments and is ranked 14th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Markets.com, while still competitive, holds a 4-star rating and is positioned 29th on the same list. This disparity highlights XTB's broader array of investment opportunities compared to Markets.com, catering to investors looking for a more diverse portfolio. Whether you're interested in a wide variety of symbols or specific trading capabilities, XTB seems to outperform Markets.com in offering a comprehensive investment experience.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 57 |
| 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 choosing between XTB and Markets.com for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer features that cater to various trading needs. Both platforms provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. XTB and Markets.com also offer proprietary platforms developed in-house, as well as Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms. However, a major distinction is that Markets.com offers the widely-used MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with copy trading, which is not available with XTB.
Charting tools also differ between the two, with XTB offering a greater variety, featuring 32 drawing tools compared to Markets.com’s four. Additionally, XTB allows users to trade directly from a stock chart, which Markets.com does not. For watch lists, XTB provides more customization options with eight available columns versus Markets.com’s six. XTB is rated higher with 4.5 stars for trading platforms and tools and ranks #9 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas Markets.com earns 4 stars and holds the #27 spot. These differences may influence your choice depending on what tools and trading capabilities are most important to you.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Markets.com both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, making it convenient for traders to manage their portfolios on the go. Both platforms equip users with essential features like stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. XTB stands out by providing an impressive 39 technical studies for mobile charting, while Markets.com offers this feature only as part of its MT4 app, not on its own Markets app. Traders using XTB’s app can view multiple time frames on charts, whereas Markets.com does not offer this capability. Another edge for XTB is the auto-saving feature for chart drawings, which Markets.com lacks.
When it comes to watchlist functionality, Markets.com allows syncing between mobile devices and online accounts, which is a handy feature that XTB does not provide. Both apps let users create a watchlist with real-time quotes. Overall, XTB holds a stronger position with a 4.5-star rating for its mobile trading apps and ranks #8 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Markets.com receives 4 stars and ranks #33. These distinctions suggest traders seeking more comprehensive mobile features might lean towards XTB, whereas those who prioritize watchlist syncing may appreciate Markets.com's capabilities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and Markets.com both provide extensive market research features, making it easier for users to stay informed and make smarter trading decisions. Each platform offers daily market commentary and access to forex news from prominent sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, which helps traders keep up with the latest market developments. They also provide sentiment-based trading tools, showing users the ratio of long or short positions across different instruments, helping to gauge market sentiment. Moreover, both XTB and Markets.com offer an economic calendar to keep traders updated on significant global news events.
Though they share many similarities, there are key differences in their research offerings. XTB is rated 5 stars for research by ForexBrokers.com and is ranked as the 7th best among 62 brokers, highlighting its stronger focus on comprehensive research tools. In contrast, Markets.com receives a 4-star rating, holding the 17th position. While neither platform provides research tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, and both lack coverage from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, XTB's higher ranking suggests a slight edge in overall research quality and functionality.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 considering educational resources for beginners, XTB stands out in comparison to Markets.com. XTB offers a broad range of educational materials, including more than ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs. This is complemented by monthly online educational webinars with recordings available in a searchable archive, making past content easily accessible. For beginners seeking to delve into trading basics, XTB provides more than ten beginner-friendly videos and extends its resources to advanced traders with over ten advanced educational videos. In contrast, while Markets.com also offers regular webinars and a collection of more than ten beginner videos, it lacks the same variety of content focused on forex or CFDs and does not provide access to an archive of past webinars.
In terms of ratings, XTB excels with a perfect five-star rating for education, ranking 11th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its comprehensive offerings and commitment to trader education. Meanwhile, Markets.com receives a commendable four-star rating, placing it 34th in the same ranking. While both brokers have substantial resources and ongoing webinar offerings, XTB's extensive educational material and accessibility make it a more beneficial choice for those new to online trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 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 |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 93 |
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Both XTB and Markets.com do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers XTB and Markets.com, both brokers do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for account funding or withdrawals; however, XTB stands out by accepting PayPal, unlike Markets.com, while both brokers allow Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers as viable 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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Markets.com | |
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| 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 | 0 | 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) | 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 4 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XTB Review |
| Overall | XTB | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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