XTB is different from the purely ECN brokers in this hub: it's an exchange-listed company (in Poland), with a strong European presence, an award-winning proprietary platform and a clear differentiator — 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs (up to a monthly volume). But it has one feature that may be decisive for you: it doesn't use MetaTrader.
01Regulation and trust
XTB is regulated by top-tier regulators, including the FCA (United Kingdom) and CySEC (Cyprus), plus the KNF (Poland). Being a publicly traded company adds a layer of transparency (public filings, market scrutiny) that private brokers don't have. It's one of its strongest points.
02xStation 5 (and the absence of MetaTrader)
XTB bets on its own platform, xStation 5, awarded for execution speed and usability. The problem for many people: XTB no longer supports MetaTrader 4, and the focus is on xStation. That means if your automation strategy depends on MT5 + Python or MQL5 EAs, XTB isn't the choice. Hence the low automation score in our scorecard.
A clear decision here: if you want to automate with MetaTrader (our focus for bots), XTB won't do — go with IC Markets, FP Markets or Exness. XTB makes sense for those who trade manually, value education and want to invest in stocks with 0% commission.
03Costs
In Forex, XTB works with a no-commission spread on the standard account, with a competitive average of about 0.7-0.8 pip on EUR/USD. The big draw is 0% commission on real stocks and ETFs up to a monthly volume — attractive for those who mix trading with long-term investing.
04Education (the strongest point)
XTB has some of the best educational content among brokers: the Trading Academy, a mentoring program, frequent market commentary and responsive support. For a beginner who values learning inside the platform, it's a real differentiator.
Pros
- Exchange-listed company (transparency)
- FCA + CySEC regulation (tier-1)
- 0% commission on real stocks/ETFs
- Award-winning xStation 5
- First-class education
Cons
- Doesn't support MetaTrader (bad for automation)
- Only one live account (less flexible)
- Retail accounts in many regions are offshore (no local compensation scheme)
Get to know XTB
Good for those who trade manually and value education. Test the demo first.
Visit the official site →05Frequently asked questions
Is XTB trustworthy?
It's an exchange-listed broker (Poland), regulated by the FCA (UK) and CySEC, with over 1,500 instruments and a strong educational focus. Being publicly traded adds transparency. Well regulated.
Which platform does XTB use?
Mainly its own xStation 5, awarded for speed and usability. It no longer supports MetaTrader 4 — anyone who depends on MT4/MT5 should consider another broker.
Does XTB charge commission?
0% on real stocks and ETFs up to a certain monthly volume; in Forex, a no-commission spread on the standard account, with a competitive average on EUR/USD.
Is XTB good for automating a bot?
Not the ideal — it doesn't use MetaTrader, which is the automation standard. For bots with MT5/Python, prefer IC Markets, FP Markets or Exness. XTB shines in manual trading and education.