Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Tickmill, 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 stands out with its strong presence as a publicly traded entity. Despite not being a bank, XTB manages to inspire confidence with its two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 regulatory licenses, providing substantial security for traders. With a high Trust Score of 96 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, XTB is positioned as a highly trusted choice for those involved in the markets.
On the other hand, Tickmill, which began operations in 2014, is not publicly listed but also garners trust through its regulatory framework. Like XTB, Tickmill holds two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses, affirming its commitment to safely conducting business. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, Tickmill is a trusted broker, although slightly behind XTB in terms of perceived safety and reliability in the eyes of industry experts.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers XTB and Tickmill, there are notable differences in their offerings. XTB provides two account options: a spread-only Standard account and a Professional account designed for clients classified as elected Professionals in the U.K. and Europe. Although XTB’s pricing aligns with the industry average, it doesn’t quite measure up to the leading brokers. The Standard account, with an average forex spread of 1 pip for EUR/USD, is most suited for retail traders, especially as the Professional account is being phased out. XTB also offers an incentive program called the Lower Spread Group for active traders in the EU, allowing for rebate on spread costs, which might attract volume-driven traders.
In contrast, Tickmill impresses with its Classic and Raw accounts. The Classic account is commission-free but has higher average spreads of 1.76 pips. Meanwhile, the Raw account offers one of the industry’s most competitive structures, with average spreads for EUR/USD noted at 0.11 pips and an all-in cost of 0.71 pips after considering the $6 commission per standard lot. This setup makes Tickmill particularly favorable for active traders seeking low total trading costs. Even with a slight commission increase, the Raw account's low entry point of $100 and competitive spreads underline its appeal to many traders.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill outshines XTB in the Commissions and Fees category, with a 5-star rating and ranked 4th among 63 brokers. XTB follows with a commendable 4.5-star rating but ranks 11th, reflecting the differences in their fee structures and overall cost-effectiveness for active trading clients. The choice between these brokers will largely depend on whether a client prioritizes low spreads with slightly higher commission (Tickmill) or a simpler, spread-based approach (XTB) for smaller trade volumes.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.51 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.31 |
| 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.
When comparing XTB and Tickmill for their available investments, there are several notable differences to consider. XTB boasts an impressive array of 7184 tradable symbols, significantly outpacing Tickmill's 725. For forex traders, XTB offers 71 currency pairs, slightly more than Tickmill's 63. Additionally, XTB provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares in companies like Apple and Vodafone. In contrast, Tickmill does not offer exchange-traded securities, focusing instead on contracts for difference (CFDs) and forex trading.
Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither facilitates the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. While XTB does not offer copy trading, this feature is available with Tickmill, appealing to those interested in replicating successful strategies from other traders. In terms of ratings, XTB receives a higher mark with 5 stars for range of investments compared to Tickmill's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB ranks 14th out of 63 brokers for investment range, while Tickmill stands at 42nd, reflecting XTB's broader selection and flexibility in investment opportunities.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 725 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 63 |
| 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools of XTB and Tickmill, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, ensuring that traders can practice without risking real money. However, a key difference lies in their platform offerings; XTB presents a proprietary platform tailored to their users, while Tickmill relies on the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based access, allowing traders flexibility in their trading environments. XTB and Tickmill both support trading directly from stock charts, but when it comes to technical tools, XTB outshines with 32 drawing tools compared to Tickmill's 15.
For traders interested in social trading, Tickmill offers copy trading options, whereas XTB does not. Additionally, neither broker supports third-party platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. XTB offers a more detailed watchlist feature, with eight fields compared to Tickmill's seven. According to ForexBrokers.com, XTB is highly rated with 4.5 stars in trading platforms and tools, and ranks 9th out of 63 brokers, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and is ranked 32nd. These distinctions highlight XTB’s advanced so features and higher satisfaction among users in comparison to Tickmill.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XTB and Tickmill, both brokers provide strong offerings for traders on the go. XTB and Tickmill both offer apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, and each app includes essential features like stock and forex price alerts. However, neither platform offers watchlist symbol syncing, meaning users must manually update watchlists across their mobile and online accounts.
In terms of technical analysis tools, XTB users benefit from 39 technical studies and the ability to draw trendlines, while Tickmill offers 30 studies with similar drawing capabilities. Both brokers allow viewing charts in multiple time frames and auto-save any chart drawings. Furthermore, both support creating watchlists with real-time quotes. User ratings slightly favor XTB, with a rating of 4.5 stars compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. Additionally, XTB holds a higher ranking at #8 by ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill is ranked at #32 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading experiences.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| 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 comparing XTB and Tickmill in terms of market research, both brokers provide a strong base for traders seeking to stay informed. They both offer daily market commentary and access to forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. However, neither XTB nor Tickmill features technical analysis or fundamental research tools from companies like Autochartist or Trading Central. One unique advantage Tickmill holds is its partnership with Acuity Trading, providing additional research tools, while XTB does not offer this. Both brokers also provide sentiment-based trading tools and detailed economic calendars to help with informed trading decisions.
XTB and Tickmill have been rated and ranked by ForexBrokers.com for their research offerings, receiving 5 stars and 4 stars, respectively. This higher rating for XTB reflects its extensive research support that prioritizes trader needs. In the broader context of brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, XTB sits at an impressive 7th place in the Research category, while Tickmill holds the 22nd spot. Overall, while both brokers provide valuable market insights, XTB seems to offer a slightly more comprehensive package.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources tailored for beginner traders, both XTB and Tickmill provide comprehensive options. Each broker offers a wealth of information, including more than ten educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, ensuring that newcomers have plenty of resources to get started. Both platforms also conduct at least one online educational webinar per month, with access to a searchable archive of previous sessions. This feature allows beginners to learn at their own pace by revisiting past webinars anytime.
In terms of video content, both XTB and Tickmill provide over ten beginner trading videos, making them excellent choices for visual learners. While both brokers also cater to advanced traders with specialized videos, Tickmill takes it up a notch by offering an investor dictionary with definitions for at least 50 investing terms, a resource XTB lacks. However, XTB is rated slightly higher for education, receiving a 5-star rating compared to Tickmill's 4 stars. Additionally, XTB holds the 11th position in ForexBrokers.com's education ranking among 63 brokers, whereas Tickmill is ranked 15th, indicating XTB's slight edge in educational offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | 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 Tickmill. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 |
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Both XTB and Tickmill do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers XTB and Tickmill, both platforms do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they do offer PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire services for these transactions.
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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 725 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 63 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 0.51 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.31 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | XTB | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | Tickmill Review |
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