My review of the XTB broker (April 2025)

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XTB, founded in 2002 in Warsaw, is a listed multi-asset broker present in 13 countries. With a rating of 3.7 on Trustpilot for over 1,589 reviews, the platform enjoys a solid reputation with retail investors, particularly in South Africa where it appeals with its commission-free model on stocks and ETFs, and the quality of its proprietary xStation platform.

I’ve spent the last 6 months signing up for, testing, and thoroughly analysing XTB, and I’ve sought to compare the platform with other regulated and popular online brokers in South Africa.

In short, I was trying to answer questions like: can we trust XTB? Is the platform easy to pick up and intuitive for beginners? How much does it cost to trade with XTB, and can you build a diversified portfolio of assets? What features does the trader offer vs. other online brokers?

So, I scrutinised everything: account opening process, management and trading fees, available financial instruments, features, simplicity of the platform (desktop and mobile) and trading tools, etc. Below, I present my in-depth analysis of the XTB broker (compared to other platforms tested).

What to think of XTB?

My overall opinion on XTB

After several months of testing, I can say that XTB is a platform that has truly convinced me with its balance between accessibility and performance. I appreciated the richness of the offer, which gives access to more than 5,900 CFDs on stocks, indices, commodities, currencies, ETFs and cryptos, but also to stocks and ETFs in cash without commission (up to a limit of R 1,649,162.67 traded per month). It's rare enough to be highlighted, especially for long-term investors.

The xStation 5 platform positively surprised me. Fluid, clear, and equipped with numerous tools, it allows you to track your positions, analyze the markets with around thirty technical indicators, and even filter assets via an integrated screener. Everything is done from a single interface, accessible in both desktop and mobile versions. For those who have never used MetaTrader, the xStation experience is frankly pleasant and more intuitive.

Regarding fees, I observed competitive spreads, especially on major pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/USD. The absence of deposit, withdrawal, or custody fees on stocks is also a real strength. However, as is often the case, one must remain vigilant about overnight CFD fees, as well as the R10 charged after 12 months of inactivity.

Finally, regarding security, there's nothing to complain about. XTB is a publicly traded broker, regulated in South Africa by the FSCA and in Poland by the KNF. Funds are segregated, and clients benefit from negative balance protection. It's a trustworthy environment where I felt secure testing various strategies, both short-term and long-term.

To which trader profiles does XTB appeal in South Africa?

=> For beginner traders, XTB is an excellent starting point. The interface is clear, uncluttered, and the educational tools are plentiful: video tutorials, live webinars, daily market analysis. In just a few days, I was able to get to grips with the platform without difficulty. The free demo account is also a good way to take your first steps without risk.

=> For long-term investors, access to stocks and ETFs with no commission is a real asset. I was able to build a diversified portfolio without worrying about custody or brokerage fees. This is a relevant choice for those who want to invest passively or schedule regular orders.

=> For active CFD traders, XTB offers good market depth, with more than 5,900 instruments available, leverage up to 1:30 for retail clients, and fast execution. The xStation charting tools are sufficient for daily technical analysis, and the responsiveness of the support is reassuring when you multiply orders.

On the other hand, XTB will be less suitable for traders specializing in copy trading or algorithmic trading. There is no integrated functionality to automatically follow other traders, nor direct access to MetaTrader or an open API to automate complex strategies.

XTB in a few seconds, it's:

My review of the security and reliability of the broker XTB

XTB is, from my point of view, a very reliable broker for South African investors. It is a well-established player, present in the markets for over 20 years, regulated by solid authorities and registered with the FSCA. I have never had the slightest doubt about the security of my deposits or the integrity of the platform. The proposed environment is reassuring, especially for traders who want to invest with discipline and seriousness.

My opinion on the fees, spreads and commissions applied on XTB

What I immediately noticed about XTB is the simplicity of their fee structure. There's no choice between several accounts: just one type of real account with identical fees for everyone, whether you're trading spot shares or leveraged CFDs. I was able to test different types of assets without ever having to worry about changing conditions depending on the profile or the size of my orders.

For spot equities and ETFs, there's 0 commission as long as you stay under R 1,700,000 traded per month. Beyond that, it's 0.2%, which is still quite reasonable. In the CFD market, spreads are competitive — I observed an average of 0.6 pips on EUR/USD and transparent fees on cryptos. However, be aware of inactivity fees of R 170 monthly after a year without trading.

Let's now look in detail at the broker's fee schedule.

What are the account fees?

I found XTB's fee structure to be quite balanced. The fact that you don’t have to pay account opening or management fees allows you to focus on your trades. Inactivity is the only line to watch out for, but it only applies after a long period of inactivity. The 0.5% conversion fees are standard, but can accumulate if you trade a lot of assets outside the Rand zone.

The minimum deposit is R0, which is very rare among regulated brokers. This allows you to test the platform in real conditions without constraint, even with a small amount, and gradually increase your exposure.

Trader Tip

To avoid conversion fees, I recommend using a service like Wise or Revolut to send your funds in the currency of the asset you plan to trade. And if you are not very active, schedule an alert every 11 months to place a symbolic order and avoid inactivity fees.

What are the fees on stocks and ETFs?

In my opinion, XTB offers one of the most interesting models for investing directly in stocks and ETFs, without going through CFDs.

I particularly appreciated the fact that there are no commissions up to R 1,700,000 per month, which allows you to invest regularly without cutting into profitability. No hidden fees, no custody or holding fees, which makes the platform very competitive for the long term.

What are the fees on cryptocurrencies?

XTB allows trading in about fifty crypto-assets only via CFDs. The fees are integrated into the spread, and I found the levels quite reasonable on major cryptos like BTC and ETH.

However, this is less competitive than platforms like Binance for active traders or those looking to stake. But for simple exposure without asset conversion, XTB remains a good integrated solution.

What are the fees on CFDs?

I found the spreads at XTB to be very competitive for the majority of CFD underlyings, especially on Forex and indices. On EUR/USD, I was able to trade around 0.6 pip without commission, which remains among the best of the regulated brokers.

On stock CFDs, the fees are clear (from 0.08%) and clearly visible before each order. However, as is often the case, overnight fees accumulate if you keep a position for too long, especially on cryptos.

Trader tip

If you trade indices or Forex, favour intraday or short-term strategies. This avoids overnight fees, which can quickly eat into your profits if you keep positions for several days.

My opinion on the assets & markets available on XTB

What I appreciated about XTB was the balance between real investment and active trading. You can build a long-term portfolio of stocks or ETFs without fees, while having access to hundreds of CFDs on all major global markets. I was able to easily switch between spot purchases and leveraged strategies, all on a single platform.

The range of indices is particularly extensive (more than 40 available), allowing you to diversify your strategies with geographical and sector-specific indices. On the crypto side, you are limited to around fifty assets and only via CFDs, which is sufficient for classic exposure, but not for staking or physical portfolio usage.

Overall, the depth of XTB's offering allowed me to test different approaches, from swing trading to DCA on stocks, without ever feeling limited.

My opinion on the platform

As a trader, I really appreciated the user experience on the xStation 5 platform. It's a very successful proprietary interface, fluid, ergonomic, with all the essential features integrated directly. I didn't feel any lack, even coming from universes like MetaTrader or TradingView, because the tools are there: indicators, interactive charts, screener, statistics on your performance, etc.

What I found particularly useful was the ability to manage everything from a single interface, whether on desktop or mobile. Even when monitoring my orders on the go, I was never frustrated. The only drawback is the absence of native automation or copy trading. For very technical or algo-oriented profiles, you will have to turn to the API, which requires a certain level of expertise.

Trader Tip

Take the time to configure your workspace on xStation 5 with your favorite assets, filters, and chart types. Once everything is set up, you save valuable time with each trading session and avoid execution errors due to haste.

Client Reviews: What Users Think of XTB

XTB has an average rating of 3.7/5 on Trustpilot, based on 1,589 reviews at the time of analysis. The feedback is mainly positive, although some users express specific criticisms. Overall, the level of satisfaction remains good, particularly regarding the educational aspects and ease of use of the platform.

The most frequently cited positive points by users are the simplicity of the interface, the quality of customer service, and the effectiveness of the educational tools offered (videos, webinars, analyses). Many also appreciate the free access to stocks and ETFs, the speed of account opening, as well as the fluidity of the mobile application.

On the other hand, some comments raise concerns about customer service, particularly longer-than-expected response times. Some users also mention a certain complexity in placing CFD orders, or the lack of advanced tools for technical analysis compared to other platforms like TradingView or MetaTrader.

Examples of customer reviews:

• SCHULLI (16 February 2025): "The platform is ergonomic, easy to use, and the tools are numerous. Execution is fast, and customer service is dynamic. I give it 5 stars."
• Ouassini Bekaddour (25 February 2025): "For me, it's the best broker, by far. Top-notch customer service, excellent platform, no problems for years."
• Anonymous Client (23 February 2025): "On XTB for 6 years, never had a withdrawal problem. Lots of training videos, and an advisor always available without abusive follow-up."

Opening an account, deposits and withdrawals on XTB

Opening an account

From my experience, opening an account with XTB was one of the fastest on the market. I completed my registration in less than 10 minutes, and my account was validated within hours. Here are the main steps:

• Complete the online form with your personal and tax information.
• Answer a financial knowledge questionnaire to validate your investor profile.
• Upload your identification document (card or passport) and proof of address (bill, receipt, bank statement).
• Wait for validation (usually within 24 hours).
• Immediately access the client area with the possibility to test the platform in demo mode or make a first deposit.

✅ Good to know

The XTB demo account is unlimited in time and can be reloaded at will, which is perfect for testing xStation 5 in depth without pressure.

XTB Deposits and Withdrawals

I found the deposit and withdrawal system at XTB to be very clear and secure. Bank transfer remains the primary method, with execution within 1 to 3 business days. I tested a deposit by card: it was credited instantly. Withdrawals are also easy to make from the client area, and always sent to an account in your name.

Trader Tip

If you usually make partial withdrawals, remember to always withdraw at least R1,600, otherwise a fixed fee of R160 will apply. To avoid this cost, group your withdrawals or wait until you have reached this minimum threshold.

Account Types Available on XTB

XTB offers a very simple and transparent account structure. Unlike other brokers that offer multiple account types depending on spreads or commissions, here everything goes through a single account, whether you are a beginner or a more active trader. I appreciated this approach: no surprises, no differentiation based on the client, the same conditions apply to everyone. There is still a distinction between access to the real account, the demo account, and the instruments available (spot or CFD).

Good to know

A real account at XTB gives you access to all available instruments: CFDs, equities and spot ETFs, from a single platform (xStation 5), with a single login. It's convenient and uncomplicated.

Conclusion: should you invest with XTB?

After several months of testing XTB daily, I can say that it's a platform I readily recommend, especially if you are looking for a reliable, transparent, and accessible broker. I liked its ease of use, the efficiency of the xStation 5 platform, and especially its commission-free model for investing in stocks or ETFs (up to R1,600,000 per month).

The absence of a minimum deposit is also a real plus for smaller portfolios. And in terms of CFDs, the spreads are competitive, the instruments numerous, and the security impeccable thanks to comprehensive regulation in South Africa.

In short, whether you are a long-term investor or an active trader, XTB is a serious, well-designed, and complete enough platform to cover all trading styles.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.