Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Markets.com vs XTB
Markets.com vs XTB: the differences
| Compare |  Markets.com |  XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100 | €0 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | €0 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | $10 | €10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread bettingCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), FCA, KNF |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4% | 77% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6% | 0.5%Lower |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | no deposit or withdrawal fees | Free deposits; free withdrawals above 100 EUR/USD |
| Platforms | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 | XStation 5, XStation Mobile |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers FSCA, ASIC.
- Regulators: only XTB offers KNF.
- Markets.com is licensed in 1 more country.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at XTB: 0.5% vs 0.6%.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers Bonds, Spread betting.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
- Platforms: only XTB offers XStation 5, XStation Mobile.
- Support channels: only Markets.com offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only XTB offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
XTB
XTB suits retail traders who want to hold stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs and crypto under one Cyprus-based account without a monthly charge. The account fee is €0, deposits cost nothing, and CySEC, FCA and KNF authorisations sit behind a legal entity founded in 2002.
Score breakdown
| Area | Markets.com | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. | 9.1Higher |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.9Higher | 9.6 |
Which one suits you
Pick Markets.com if offer, trust, and markets matter most.
Pick XTB if currency conversion fee matter most.
Feature by feature
| Markets | Markets.com | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Spread betting | Yes | No |
Also worth a look
Lightyear has currency conversion fee at 0.35%, against 0.6% for Markets.com and 0.5% for XTB.
Lightyear reviewSources behind this comparison
Markets.com
- markets.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wecomparebrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- commodity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investingreviews.co.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
XTB
- xtb.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- hello-brokers.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- eupersonalfinance.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- linkedin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Markets.com | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 40 of 490 | 3 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 16 of 147 | 2 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 14 of 145 | 2 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 13 of 122 | 2 of 122 |
| Brokers for beginners | 14 of 88 | 1 of 88 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Markets.com | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, CryptoCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners, ExperiencedCovers more | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Finalto Financial Services Limited | XTB Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Cyprus |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2002 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Markets.com | XTB | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail accounts that lose money | 72.4%above the median | 77%highest quarter | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.6%above the median | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 38 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
XTB
Pros
- Account fee of €0 on the standard account, and stock trades cost €0.
- Minimum deposit of €0, so the account opens without a funding floor.
- Regulated by CySEC, the FCA and KNF across Cyprus, the UK and Poland.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of €10 applies, unlike eToro, which has no such charge.
- Forex and CFD trading is not cost free: fx trading costs 0.5%.
- CFDs carry a high proportion of losing retail accounts, and XTB's own figure is 77%.
Who each suits
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
XTB
Who it suits
- Retail traders in the UK and Europe who want stocks, ETFs, forex, CFDs and crypto in one account
- Beginners who want a demo account and a mobile app before committing money
- Cost conscious traders who will not hold a balance large enough to trigger the inactivity fee
Who should look elsewhere
- Vantage, if a small minimum deposit of $5 suits a smaller starting balance better
- CFI, for traders who want forex and CFDs without paying an fx charge of 0.5%
- Anyone who plans to hold an idle balance for a long period, given the inactivity fee of €10
Questions about each
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
XTB
What does XTB charge to open and hold an account?+
The account fee is €0, so there is no monthly or annual cost to keeping the account open. A stock trade costs €0 on the same account. The only recurring charge to watch is an inactivity fee of €10 for traders whose balance sits idle.
Is there a minimum deposit at XTB?+
The minimum deposit is €0, which means the account can be opened and funded with a small amount. It is a lower floor than the $5 asked by Vantage, so it suits a trader testing the platform before scaling up.
Other options to compare
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