XTB vs IQ Broker (2026)
We compared XTB and IQ Broker on 5 scored categories and more than 40 data points: costs, regulation, platforms, markets, account opening and the countries each broker accepts. XTB wins, but IQ Broker is ahead in ease of use.
By Broksal Team, investing in forex and CFD markets since 2017. Updated . How we test
Advertiser disclosure
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Commissions do not affect our rankings. The order reflects the editorial opinion of our authors, and the facts we publish about regulation, fees and country availability come from the brokers' own documents and independent sources.
Our verdict
XTB wins, 4–1 on categories
XTB takes this comparison with an overall score of 4.8 against 4.1. It is ahead on regulation & safety, trading costs, platforms & tools and range of markets. IQ Broker wins on ease of use. 46 countries can open an account with both.
Winner in each category
Safety & regulation
XTB
XTB scores 4.9 vs 3.6 for safety.
Cheaper EUR/USD trade
XTB
IQ Broker publishes only a minimum spread (from 0.8 pips).
Platforms & tools
XTB
XTB scores 4.9 vs 4.6.
Range of markets
XTB
XTB scores 4.6 vs 4.0.
Ease of use
IQ Broker
IQ Broker scores 4.9 vs 4.8.
Lower minimum deposit
XTB
XTB: No minimum. IQ Broker: $10.
Available in more countries
IQ Broker
XTB accepts 52 countries, IQ Broker 163.
Scorecard
Each category is scored out of 5; the overall score weights them by importance (methodology).
XTBIQ BrokerFees and trading costs
Published fees, checked 6 October 2026. Sources: BrokerChooser – XTB fees (Sept 2026); BrokerAnalysis – IQ Broker fees. A tick marks the better value.
| Feature | XTB | IQ Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Account compared | Standard | Standard |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.8 pipsaverage at peak hours✓ | from 0.8 pipsminimum only; average not published |
| Commission | None (in the spread) | None (in the spread) |
| Cost of 1 lot EUR/USDRound turn, spread + commission | $8.00✓ | — |
| Cost of 0.1 lot EUR/USD | $0.80✓ | — |
| Minimum deposit | No minimum✓ | $10 |
| Withdrawal | Free above €100; a fee applies to smaller withdrawals (EU price list) | First withdrawal each month free; bank wires carry a fee |
| Inactivity fee | €10/month after 12 months without a trade and no deposit in the last 90 days | €10/month after 90 days without logging in |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% on currency conversion | Not separately published |
XTB fees in brief
CFDs are priced through the spread on the Standard account. Real stocks and ETFs are commission-free up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% (minimum €10). Currency conversion and overnight swap costs apply.
IQ Broker fees in brief
CFD costs are built into the spread, with overnight funding on leveraged positions. An inactivity fee is charged after a period without trading.
Safety and regulation
Who regulates each broker and how its company is run. The safety score carries 30% of the overall score.
| Feature | XTB | IQ Broker |
|---|---|---|
| FoundedLonger track record wins | 2002✓ | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Warsaw, Poland | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Publicly listedListed companies publish audited results | Warsaw Stock Exchange (XTB)✓ | Private |
| Regulators | KNF (Poland), CySEC, FCA (UK), DFSA (Dubai)✓ | CySEC (licence 247/14) |
| Regulated entities | 5 | 2 |
| Offshore entity for some countriesOffshore clients get weaker protection | Yes | Yes |
| Retail CFD accounts losing moneyLowest figure the broker publishes; shown for transparency, not scored | 74% | Not published |
XTB: regulated entities
- XTB S.A.KNF (Poland)
- XTB Limited (Cyprus)CySEC
- XTB LimitedFCA (UK)
- XTB MENA LimitedDFSA (Dubai)
- XTB International LimitedOffshore entity
XTB S.A. is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and publishes audited results. EU clients are served by KNF or CySEC regulated entities with negative balance protection and ESMA leverage limits; UK clients by the FCA regulated XTB Limited.
IQ Broker: regulated entities
- IQ Option Europe LtdCySEC (licence 247/14)
- IQ Broker international entityOffshore entity
EEA clients trade with IQ Option Europe Ltd under CySEC supervision, with ESMA leverage limits and negative balance protection. Outside the EEA, clients are served by an offshore entity, so protection is weaker.
Platforms and apps
What you trade on. Click a screenshot to enlarge it.
| Feature | XTB | IQ Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | xStation 5 (web & desktop), XTB mobile app | IQ Broker web platform, Desktop app, Mobile app |
| MetaTrader 4 | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 | No | No |
| cTrader | No | No |
| TradingView | No | No |
| Own platform | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Platform score | 4.9✓ | 4.6 |
| Ease of use score | 4.8 | 4.9✓ |
XTB in pictures
XTB runs only its own platform, xStation 5, in the browser, as a desktop app and on mobile. Charts, a trade calculator, sentiment data, an economic calendar and news sit in one screen, which makes it one of the easier platforms to learn.
IQ Broker in pictures
IQ Broker's own platform is the main reason to choose it: clear charts, multi-chart layouts and quick order entry that a beginner can learn in minutes. It lacks MetaTrader, automated trading and in-depth research.
Markets you can trade
“Real asset” means you own the shares, ETFs or coins, or trade exchange-listed options and futures. “CFD” means you only trade the price.
| Feature | XTB | IQ Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Forex | CFD | CFD |
| Stock indices | CFD | CFD |
| Commodities | CFD | CFD |
| Stocks | Real & CFD | CFD |
| ETFs | Real & CFD | CFD |
| Crypto | CFD | CFD |
| Options | No | No |
| Futures | No | No |
| Bonds | No | No |
| Asset classes | 6 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| CFDs offered | Yes | Yes |
XTB lists: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stock & ETF CFDs, Real stocks & ETFs, Crypto CFDs (not for UK retail).
IQ Broker lists: Forex CFDs, Stock CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Index & ETF CFDs.
Opening an account, funding and support
How the first steps compare.
| Feature | XTB | IQ Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Opening an account | Fully online: an ID document, proof of address and a short questionnaire on your trading knowledge, which EU and UK rules require before you can trade CFDs. There is no minimum deposit. | Quick sign-up with email. You must verify your identity before your first withdrawal. The minimum deposit is $10 and the demo account is reloadable. |
| Deposits & withdrawals | Deposits by bank transfer, card and, depending on your country, e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller. XTB says withdrawals are processed the same or the next business day. Withdrawals above €100 are free on the EU price list; smaller ones carry a fee. | Cards, e-wallets and bank transfer depending on your region. Reports say the first withdrawal each month is free and bank wires carry a fee. |
| Customer support | Support by live chat, phone and email during the trading week, with local-language teams in the countries where XTB has offices. | In-app chat and email. |
Where each broker accepts clients
The best broker is one that will open an account for you. Counts are based on each broker's published country lists.
| Feature | XTB | IQ Broker |
|---|---|---|
| EU & EEA | 29 of 30✓ | 25 of 30 |
| United Kingdom | 1 of 1✓ | 0 of 1 |
| Gulf & Middle East | 6 of 14 | 13 of 14✓ |
| Rest of Europe | 4 of 15 | 9 of 15✓ |
| Africa | 4 of 49 | 42 of 49✓ |
| Asia | 5 of 39 | 30 of 39✓ |
| Americas | 3 of 35 | 31 of 35✓ |
| Oceania | 0 of 14 | 13 of 14✓ |
| All countries | 52 of 197 | 163 of 197✓ |
Only XTB (6)
🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Only IQ Broker (117)
🇩🇿 Algeria, 🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇧🇸 Bahamas, 🇧🇩 Bangladesh, 🇧🇧 Barbados, 🇧🇿 Belize, 🇧🇯 Benin, 🇧🇹 Bhutan, 🇧🇴 Bolivia, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇧🇼 Botswana, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso and 99 more
Both available in 46 countries. Find your country's ranking
Pros and cons
XTB
Pros
- Publicly listed in Warsaw with KNF, FCA and CySEC oversight
- No minimum deposit
- xStation 5 is fast, clean and has built-in market sentiment and calendars
- Real stocks and ETFs commission-free up to €100,000 monthly turnover
Cons
- No MetaTrader or cTrader
- Since March 2026 the international entity accepts residents of only a short list of countries
- Inactivity fee after 12 months without trading
IQ Broker
Pros
- $10 minimum deposit and a reloadable demo account
- Very easy proprietary platform on web, desktop and mobile
- CySEC regulated entity for EEA clients
Cons
- No MetaTrader, limited research tools
- Not available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and several EU countries
- Clients outside the EEA are served by a lightly regulated entity
Which one should you choose?
Choose XTB if…
- Best for: Beginners and active traders who want one app for CFDs and real stocks
- regulation & safety, trading costs, platforms & tools and range of markets matter most to you
- Publicly listed in Warsaw with KNF, FCA and CySEC oversight
- No minimum deposit
Skip XTB if…
- you want MetaTrader, cTrader or automated trading
- you live outside the EU, UK, Canada or XTB's short list of international countries
- you plan to leave a balance untouched for more than a year (inactivity fee)
Choose IQ Broker if…
- Best for: Beginners who want a very simple app and a small first deposit
- ease of use matters most to you
- $10 minimum deposit and a reloadable demo account
- Very easy proprietary platform on web, desktop and mobile
Skip IQ Broker if…
- you live in the UK, US, Canada, Australia or another excluded country
- you live outside the EEA and would be served by the offshore entity, which has regulator alerts in Malaysia, Singapore and India
- you want MetaTrader or detailed research
XTB vs IQ Broker: questions
Is XTB better than IQ Broker?
XTB wins our comparison with an overall score of 4.8 out of 5 against 4.1 for IQ Broker, and it comes out ahead in 4 of 5 categories (regulation & safety, trading costs, platforms & tools and range of markets). IQ Broker is still the better choice if ease of use matters most to you.
Which is cheaper, XTB or IQ Broker?
IQ Broker does not publish an average EUR/USD spread, so the costs cannot be compared on the same trade. Compare the fee summaries above instead.
Is XTB or IQ Broker safer?
XTB scores 4.9 and IQ Broker 3.6 for regulation and safety. XTB is regulated by KNF (Poland), CySEC, FCA (UK) and DFSA (Dubai); IQ Broker by CySEC (licence 247/14). XTB is publicly listed.
Which has the lower minimum deposit?
XTB: No minimum. IQ Broker: $10.
Can I open accounts with both XTB and IQ Broker?
Residents of 46 countries can open an account with both. 6 countries are served only by XTB and 117 only by IQ Broker. Your country's ranking shows which brokers accept you.
Do XTB and IQ Broker offer MetaTrader?
XTB: no (xStation 5 (web & desktop), XTB mobile app). IQ Broker: no (IQ Broker web platform, Desktop app, Mobile app).
More comparisons
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Each broker publishes its own current loss percentage on its website.