Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Questrade, 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 it comes to choosing an online broker, both XTB and Questrade are noteworthy contenders, established in 2002 and 2000, respectively. Both brokers are not banks; however, XTB takes the edge by being publicly traded, while Questrade remains privately held. This distinction may appeal to investors seeking brokers with greater transparency and credibility. Evaluating their trustworthiness, XTB shines with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96, indicating it is highly trusted, whereas Questrade holds a respectable score of 86, categorizing it as trusted.
Looking at regulatory credentials, both XTB and Questrade are equipped with 2 Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. However, XTB distinguishes itself further by holding 2 additional Tier-2 licenses, while Questrade holds none. This could be a significant factor for those prioritizing strong regulatory oversight. Ultimately, both brokers offer a secure trading platform, but XTB’s higher rating and public trading status could make it a more attractive option for discerning investors.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2000 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing the fees and commissions of XTB and Questrade, XTB stands out as the more attractive option for traders. XTB provides two account types: a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, tailored for selected professionals in the UK and Europe. While XTB’s pricing aligns with the industry average, it doesn't lead the market among best brokers. The company is phasing out the Pro account, which is now mostly unavailable to new clients. With average forex spreads on the EUR/USD at 1 pip, the Standard account, with a starting deposit of 250 in your base currency, is often the preferred choice for retail forex traders.
Questrade, however, has targeted spreads on the EUR/USD at 1.9 pips, which is relatively steep when compared to industry standards. This higher cost of trading impacts its appeal to price-conscious investors. In terms of fee competitiveness, XTB offers rebates for active traders who meet certain volume thresholds, enabling discounts ranging from 5% to 30% through their Lower Spread Group program. This initiative makes it an enticing option for those trading extensively.
In terms of ratings and rankings, XTB receives 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, earning it an 11th place position out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, Questrade is rated 3 stars, placing it in the 58th spot in the same category, indicating that XTB is a more cost-effective choice for many traders.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $250 |
| 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 | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments available at XTB and Questrade, both platforms allow forex trading, offering it as either a CFD or a spot contract. XTB impresses with a staggering 7,184 tradeable symbols, significantly outnumbering Questrade's 641 options. However, Questrade takes the lead in forex pairs, providing access to 110 compared to XTB's offering of 71. Both brokers support trading in exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, letting investors buy popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone directly, not as CFDs.
In terms of cryptocurrency, neither XTB nor Questrade allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, but both offer investment in cryptocurrency derivatives. Neither platform offers copy trading. Despite differences in the number of symbols and forex pairs, both brokers have earned high praise for their range of investments, each receiving a five-star rating. When ranked among 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com, Questrade is positioned slightly higher at #11, with XTB following closely behind at #14.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 641 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 110 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by XTB and Questrade, both brokers offer excellent features catering to various trader needs. XTB and Questrade provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for newcomers to practice trading without financial risk. Both brokers have developed their proprietary platforms, available on Windows-based desktops as well as web browsers. However, neither broker supports MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, and copy trading is not offered. Questrade stands out by offering DupliTrade, a feature not available with XTB.
In terms of charting capabilities, XTB offers 32 drawing tools compared to Questrade's 20, presenting a more diverse set of options for technical analysis. Both platforms allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts. Regarding watch lists, Questrade offers a more comprehensive array with 52 columns compared to XTB's 8. When rated for trading platforms and tools, XTB earns 4.5 stars and is ranked 9th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its strong performance in this category. In contrast, Questrade is rated 4 stars and is ranked 34th, still offering solid features but with room for improvement compared to XTB.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 64 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 52 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XTB and Questrade provide iPhone and Android mobile apps for trading, ensuring accessibility for users across popular platforms. Each app includes features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, view different time frames, and auto-save chart drawings. Both brokers also allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. However, a standout difference is that Questrade offers watchlist symbol syncing, meaning any changes made on the mobile app or desktop sync seamlessly with the client's account—a feature not available with XTB.
When it comes to technical charting, Questrade surpasses XTB, offering 64 technical studies compared to XTB’s 39. Despite this, XTB holds a slightly higher rating for its mobile trading app at 4.5 stars versus Questrade's 4 stars. Additionally, XTB ranks notably higher in the ForexBrokers.com Mobile Trading Apps category, coming in at 8th place out of 63 brokers, whereas Questrade is positioned at 34th. These rankings may influence traders seeking a higher-rated experience for mobile trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 64 |
| 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 it comes to market research, XTB and Questrade both offer distinct advantages tailored to different types of investors. XTB stands out by providing daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-notch sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Additionally, XTB users benefit from a sentiment-based trading tool that showcases the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, helping traders gauge market sentiment effectively. XTB also provides an economic calendar, keeping traders informed about global news events. These features contribute to XTB's 5-star rating for research and its impressive #7 ranking out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Questrade offers a unique set of technical analysis tools. The broker provides access to Autochartist and Trading Central, making it ideal for traders interested in automated analysis and technical insights. Furthermore, Questrade incorporates market research from TipRanks, adding another layer of valuable information for investors. Like XTB, Questrade offers an economic calendar to track global economic events. However, Questrade's broader research capabilities are rated at 3.5 stars, placing it at #51 in ForexBrokers.com's ranking. While both platforms have strengths, XTB may better suit those seeking in-depth news coverage and market sentiment tools, whereas Questrade offers robust technical analysis options.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| 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 between XTB and Questrade, both online brokers offer a solid foundation in forex and CFDs education, with a minimum of ten educational pieces each. These resources include articles, videos, and archived webinars, catering to beginners looking to grasp the basics. However, XTB stands out with its commitment to ongoing learning by hosting monthly online webinars, which Questrade does not currently offer. Additionally, both brokers provide searchable archives for past webinars, allowing learners to catch up on missed content at their convenience.
For those eager to delve deeper into trading topics, XTB offers more advanced educational videos, making it a superior choice for traders aiming to expand their knowledge beyond the basics. Unfortunately, neither broker provides an extensive investor dictionary, which might leave beginners searching for clear definitions elsewhere. Overall, XTB earns a higher education rating of 5 stars compared to Questrade’s 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their respective rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where XTB is placed at #11, while Questrade is further down the list at #36.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Questrade. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32.
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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Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 |
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Both XTB and Questrade do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives instead.
While both XTB and Questrade support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing and withdrawing funds, XTB additionally offers PayPal and Skrill options, which are not available with Questrade, and neither platform supports 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 | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Questrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Questrade | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2000 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 641 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 110 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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). |
| Cost | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 52 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 64 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 64 | |
| 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 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Questrade Review |
| Overall | XTB | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Questrade Review |
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