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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #15 · Founded 1974
IG is a well-regarded forex broker that provides broad access to currency pairs, multiple trading platforms, and extensive research and education within a regulated framework. It emphasizes transparent pricing, diverse order types,…
Read the IG 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 reviewIG (United Kingdom, founded 1974) holds 13 regulatory licences (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank…), 9 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime and sits in our low-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 47 countries; IG is available in 183 countries where XTB is not, and XTB in 1 where IG 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 | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Trust rank | #15 | #7 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Poland |
| Regulators | ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA | DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF |
| Broker type | Market Maker | Market Maker |
| Platforms | MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime | Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices |
| Countries accepted | 230 countries | 48 countries |
| Fee level | Low | 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 (47): Angola, Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and 7 more.
Only IG (183): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei and 158 more.
Only XTB (1): Belgium.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
IG holds more regulatory licences: IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA) versus XTB (DFSA, FCA, FSCA, IFSC, KNF). Tier-1 licences: IG 9, XTB 1.
IG offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime; XTB offers Proprietary.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; XTB was founded in 2002.
They overlap in 47 countries. IG is additionally available in 183 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla and 177 more) and XTB in 1 countries (Belgium).
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.