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.
Comparing online brokers XTB vs Questrade for safety and regulation: XTB was founded in 2002 and is publicly traded, while Questrade was founded in 2000 and is privately held; neither company is a bank. According to the ForexBrokers.com Trust Score (0–99), 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 should not be trusted. XTB scores 96 (highly trusted), while Questrade scores 85 (trusted).
On licensing, XTB holds 2 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). Questrade holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. In plain terms, XTB has broader top-tier regulatory coverage, while Questrade meets strong standards but with fewer regulatory approvals.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2000 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
XTB and Questrade take very different approaches to trading costs, but XTB comes out ahead on price. XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account for eligible clients in the U.K. and Europe, with pricing that is generally close to the industry average and better suited to retail traders on the Standard account. Its average EUR/USD spread was 1 pip in Q4 2023, and active traders may qualify for XTB’s Lower Spread Group, which can rebate 5% to 30% of the spread at higher volume levels. XTB is rated 4.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #13 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Questrade Global also uses a spread-based model, meaning trading costs are built into the price rather than charged as a separate commission for forex. Questrade says spreads can start at 0.8 pips under normal market conditions, but real-world average spreads for major pairs were closer to 2.1 to 2.5 pips, which can make trades more expensive. For CFDs, Questrade adds a $9.95 USD trading fee per unit on top of the spread, and overnight financing can increase costs further. Questrade is rated 3.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #35 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In simple terms, XTB offers the lower-cost setup overall, especially for forex traders who want straightforward spread pricing and possible active-trader discounts. Questrade can be more expensive, particularly for CFD trading, where the extra fee structure can add up quickly. If commissions and fees are a top priority, XTB is the stronger choice of the two.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 0.8 or higher |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | N/A | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB and Questrade both support forex trading, but their investment menus look different. XTB stands out for variety, with 10,521 tradeable symbols compared with Questrade’s 675. It also offers 71 forex pairs, plus access to exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international exchanges, so clients can buy real shares such as Apple or Vodafone. XTB also lets traders buy actual cryptocurrency and crypto CFDs, giving it more choice across markets.
Questrade offers a larger selection of forex pairs, with 110 available, but its overall range of investments is narrower. It does not offer direct access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, and it does not provide actual cryptocurrency or crypto CFDs. Both brokers are rated 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments, though ForexBrokers.com ranks Questrade slightly higher at #12 versus XTB at #15.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 675 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 110 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | No |
| 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.
XTB and Questrade both give traders a good mix of platform choices and practice features, including free demo accounts, web-based trading, and their own in-house platforms. Each also lets users place trades directly from charts, which can make it easier to act on market moves without switching screens. Neither broker offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or copy trading, so both focus more on their own trading systems than on third-party tools.
The main difference is that Questrade also offers a Windows desktop trading platform, while XTB does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, XTB scores higher at 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers, compared with Questrade’s 4 out of 5 stars and #30 ranking. For traders looking for a stronger platform-and-tools setup overall, XTB has the edge, while Questrade may appeal to those who want a desktop download option alongside its web platform and demo trading.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 92 | 64 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and Questrade both make it easy to trade on the go, since each offers iPhone and Android apps, plus useful features like stock and forex price alerts and watchlist syncing between mobile and web. Both apps also let users draw trendlines on charts and automatically save those drawings, which helps keep chart work consistent across devices.
Where XTB stands out is in charting depth and overall mobile app quality. Its app includes 104 technical studies, compared with 64 at Questrade, and it carries a higher mobile trading app rating of 4.5 stars versus Questrade’s 3.5 stars. That stronger user rating is reflected in ForexBrokers.com’s mobile app ranking as well, where XTB places #8 out of 36 brokers, while Questrade ranks #30.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 64 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB has a clear edge over Questrade for market research. It offers daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows the balance of long and short positions, and an economic calendar with current and upcoming global events. XTB also earns a higher Research rating, with 5 stars and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with Questrade’s 3.5 stars and #36 ranking.
Questrade does have some useful research extras that XTB does not, including Autochartist, Trading Central, and TipRanks. However, it does not offer daily market commentary, a sentiment tool, or an economic calendar. Neither broker provides forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and neither offers Acuity Trading tools.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for learning support, XTB comes out ahead of Questrade in education. XTB offers forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus online client webinars at least once a month. It also provides 10 or more beginner videos and 10 or more advanced videos, giving new traders and more experienced users plenty of material to build on. That stronger content library is reflected in its 5-star Education rating and #11 ranking out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
Questrade, by comparison, has fewer learning resources aimed at beginners. Based on the information provided, it does not meet the same level for forex or CFD education, monthly webinars, or the minimum number of beginner and advanced trading videos. Its Education score is 3.5 stars, and it ranks #30 out of 36 brokers. For someone who wants more guided, easy-to-follow trading education, XTB is the better choice.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 #29.
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 offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 85 |
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XTB offers greater crypto flexibility than Questrade, allowing clients to buy both actual, delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency CFDs, while Questrade does not currently offer either option.
Comparing XTB vs Questrade funding options: both lack ACH/SEPA but support bank wires; XTB additionally accepts PayPal and Skrill while Questrade does not, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Questrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Questrade | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 85 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 675 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 110 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| 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) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 0.8 or higher | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | N/A | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 92 | 64 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 64 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Education | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XTB Review | Questrade Review |
| Overall | XTB | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Questrade Review |
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