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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #30 · Editorial rating 8.7 / 10 · Founded 1977
HYCM is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering access to a broad range of currency pairs and other markets on MetaTrader platforms. It provides flexible account types, education and research resources,…
Read the HYCM review
Trust rank #7 · Founded 2002
XTB is a forex and CFD broker offering a proprietary platform, broad instrument coverage, and integrated research and education. It is regulated in multiple jurisdictions.
Read the XTB reviewHYCM (United Kingdom, founded 1977) holds 4 regulatory licences (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our medium-fee bracket. XTB (Poland, founded 2002) holds 5 regulatory licences (DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF), 1 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 41 countries; HYCM is available in 164 countries where XTB is not, and XTB in 7 where HYCM is not.
Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.
| Criteria | HYCM | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | 8.7 / 10 | Not verified |
| Trust rank | #30 | #7 |
| Founded | 1977 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Poland |
| Regulators | CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA | DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF |
| Broker type | Market Maker, STP | Market Maker |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 | Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices |
| Countries accepted | 205 countries | 48 countries |
| Fee level | Medium | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Professional Trading, Retail Trading |
Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.
Available at both (41): Angola, Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam and 1 more.
Only HYCM (164): Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon and 139 more.
Only XTB (7): Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Philippines, Portugal, Spain.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
XTB holds more regulatory licences: HYCM (CIMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA) versus XTB (DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF). Tier-1 licences: HYCM 1, XTB 1.
HYCM offers MT4, MT5; XTB offers Proprietary.
XTB is in the lower fee bracket (medium vs low) in our catalogue.
HYCM is the older of the two, founded in 1977; XTB was founded in 2002.
They overlap in 41 countries. HYCM is additionally available in 164 countries (Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina and 158 more) and XTB in 7 countries (Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Philippines, Portugal and 1 more).
Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.