Interactive Brokers vs XTB
Two different value props. XTB is genuinely free for stocks under €100k/mo monthly turnover (most retail users) and runs the polished xStation; IB is cheapest per-share once you exceed the threshold. Acceptance also splits them: IB takes residents of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, though not of Belarus, while XTB does not accept residents of Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus or Uzbekistan. Both belong to publicly listed groups. Our pick for €5k–€50k stock-focused retail under the €100k/mo threshold: XTB. For high-volume or multi-market traders, and for residents of the CIS countries XTB turns away: IB.
Editor: Kyrylo Vasyliev
Interactive Brokers (SEC/FCA, minimum deposit $0) and XTB (FCA/KNF, minimum deposit £0) are two regulated brokers competing for retail investors in the CIS and EU markets. This comparison is built from verified data on fees, available instruments, trading platforms and country access — so you can see exactly where each broker wins before you open an account.
Across 2 fee categories Interactive Brokers and XTB split wins roughly evenly — the cheaper option depends on your specific trading pattern (stocks vs ETFs, frequency, currency). Both brokers offer access to 6 instrument categories, so asset coverage is not a differentiator here.
Both brokers have similar entry requirements, so the decision comes down to fees and instruments. Interactive Brokers supports 3 trading platforms, XTB supports 2.
Trust dimensions side by side
Where it's safer
Five trust dimensions per our methodology. The further from the centre — the stronger. The dashed line is our fixed reference level, the same on every axis.
Interactive Brokers and XTB are tied — both score 100/100; our fixed reference line is 72.
Overview
Interactive Brokers leads with 3 out of 9 objective metrics. On fees specifically, wins 1 of 2 categories.
Fees & Commissions
Fee scenario
Approximate — based on verified fees only. Per-share commissions assume a $50 share price. Real costs depend on instrument, currency conversion and individual trade size.
Instruments & Markets
10k+ instruments · 6k+ instrumentsRegulators & investor protection
- SEC—United States
- FCA—United Kingdom
- CIRO—Canada
- SFC—Hong Kong
- ASIC—Australia
- CBI—Ireland (EU)
- MAS—Singapore
- FCA—United Kingdom
- KNF—Poland (EU)
- CySEC—Cyprus (EU)
- Additional licences on file: DFSA, FSC Belize.
Both brokers operate under Tier-1 jurisdictions, so regulatory oversight strength is comparable.
Account & Support
Interactive Brokers
XTB
Pros & Cons
Interactive Brokers
- Industry-cheapest per-share commission on US stocks (IBKR Pro Tiered $0.0035/sh, Fixed $0.005/sh)
- SIPC protection up to $500,000 per account ($250k cash) — strongest US-domiciled coverage
- 175+ markets from one account, including direct access to LSE / XETRA / HKEX / TSE
- Public NASDAQ-listed parent (IBKR) — financial transparency above industry norm
- Wide instrument selection (10k+)
- Trader Workstation (TWS) has a famously steep learning curve
- IBKR Lite (zero-commission plan) is US-residents-only
- Customer support thin relative to peers — chat queues commonly multi-hour
- Mobile app is functional but utilitarian — not a Robinhood-style experience
XTB
- Zero commission on real stocks & ETFs below €100,000 monthly turnover
- WSE-listed public company (XTB SA, ticker XTB) — quarterly financial disclosures
- xStation 5 proprietary platform — single-app for stocks + CFD + FX
- Licensed companies in Poland (KNF), the UK (FCA) and Cyprus (CySEC)
- Wide instrument selection (6k+)
- Above-threshold pricing aggressive: 0.2% commission with a 10 EUR minimum
- No options or futures — derivatives are CFD-only
- Demo expires after 30 days of inactivity
Who each broker is for
Verdict
Both Interactive Brokers and XTB are regulated brokers offering access to global financial markets. However, they differ significantly in fees, available instruments, and minimum deposit requirements. Below is our expert assessment to help you make an informed decision.
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want more account currencies.
Choose XTB if you want a stronger Trustpilot rating.
- Just starting outEither works
- Active tradingEither works
- Advanced / professionalInteractive Brokers· more exchanges
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your trading style, budget, and preferred instruments. We recommend using our Broker Quiz for a personalized recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this comparison and how to use it.