IG vs XTB (UK)
Reviewed by Phillip Ashdown, Senior Forex Analyst · Last updated · How we review
This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Affiliate links may be present.
Quick Verdict
IG is the stronger all-round choice for most UK forex traders. It offers spread betting as well as CFDs, a tighter headline EUR/USD spread (from 0.6 pips against XTB's 0.8), seven platform options including MT4, MT5, ProRealTime and TradingView, and no inactivity fee. XTB suits beginners and cost-conscious CFD traders who want one modern platform, a structured Trading Academy and interest on uninvested GBP cash. The deciding question for many UK traders is spread betting: IG offers it, XTB does not.
Best for cost-sensitive traders: IG — IG's tighter headline spreads on the major pairs, no currency conversion layer on GBP spread bets and no inactivity fee make it cheaper for most active traders, although XTB's interest on cash can narrow the gap for traders holding large balances.
Best for beginners: XTB — XTB keeps things simple: one platform, no minimum deposit, microlots from 0.01 and a structured Trading Academy, which suits traders taking their first steps with CFDs.
Best overall: IG — Spread betting, seven platform options, guaranteed stops and direct market access give IG far more room to grow, which makes it the more versatile choice for most UK traders.
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IG and XTB are both FCA-regulated, publicly listed brokers with large UK client bases, but they are built for different traders. IG has operated since 1974 and offers spread betting and CFDs across seven platforms, including MetaTrader, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer for direct market access. XTB offers commission-free CFD trading on a single proprietary platform, xStation 5, with no minimum deposit, a structured Trading Academy and interest on uninvested cash. Whether you are comparing IG with XTB or XTB with IG, this guide sets out the key differences in costs, platforms, products, deposits and regulation so you can decide which suits the way you trade.
New to comparing? Start here: how to compare forex brokers.
IG vs XTB: At a Glance
| Feature | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| FCA Regulation | Yes (IG Markets FRN 195355; IG Index FRN 114059) | Yes (FRN 522157) |
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 |
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.6 pips | From 0.8 pips |
| FX Commission | None (standard account) | None (Standard account) |
| Spread Betting Available | Yes | No (CFDs only) |
| Platforms Offered | IG Platform, IG app, MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView | xStation 5 (web, desktop, mobile) |
| Guaranteed Stops | Yes (premium charged if triggered) | No |
| Inactivity Fee | None | €10/month after 12 months (conditions apply) |
| Interest on Uninvested Cash | No | Yes (variable, 4.00% on GBP at last check) |
| Forex Pairs | 80+ | 60+ |
| Public Listing | Yes (London Stock Exchange) | Yes (Warsaw Stock Exchange) |
| Best For | Spread bettors and traders who want platform choice | Beginners wanting one platform, structured education and interest on cash |
Spreads and Fees
Typical spreads by pair
IG prices forex on a spread-only basis on its standard account, with EUR/USD from 0.6 pips, GBP/USD from 0.9 pips and USD/JPY from 0.7 pips. There is no separate commission on forex. IG does not charge an inactivity fee. Overnight funding applies to positions held past the daily rollover.
Commission and account fees
XTB is also commission-free on forex, with EUR/USD from 0.8 pips on its Standard account. Its inactivity fee is €10 per month and applies only when an account has had no trades for 12 months and no deposit in the last 90 days, so a single deposit resets the clock. XTB pays variable interest on uninvested cash (4.00% on GBP balances at last check), which IG does not. The main cost to watch at XTB is currency conversion: profits and losses on non-GBP instruments are converted at a 0.5% fee on weekdays and 0.8% at weekends, on top of the margin in XTB's exchange rate.
Overnight financing and inactivity costs
On pure trading costs IG is tighter on the major pairs, and spread betting at IG can remove Capital Gains Tax on profits for UK residents. XTB can work out cheaper for traders who hold significant cash in their account between trades, because of the interest it pays. Occasional traders may prefer IG, which charges no inactivity fee, whereas XTB charges €10 a month only if no position has been opened or closed for 365 days and no deposit has been made in the last 90 days.
For a detailed breakdown of how spreads affect trading costs, see our guide to forex spreads explained. To turn a spread into pounds on your trade size, use our pip value calculator, and to estimate what a trade would make or lose at either broker, try the forex profit calculator.
| Fee | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD min spread | 0.6 pips | 0.8 pips |
| GBP/USD min spread | 0.9 pips | 1.4 pips |
| USD/JPY min spread | 0.7 pips | 1.4 pips |
| AUD/USD min spread | 0.6 pips | 1.3 pips |
| FX commission | None | None (Standard account) |
| Currency conversion fee | Varies by account and product | 0.5% weekdays, 0.8% weekends |
| Minimum deposit | £0 | £0 |
| Inactivity fee | None | €10/month after 12 months (waived by a deposit in last 90 days) |
| Interest on uninvested cash | No | Yes (variable) |
Platforms
IG's platform lineup
IG offers one of the widest platform line-ups of any UK broker. Its proprietary web platform and mobile apps cover most traders' needs, with guaranteed stops, price alerts and in-ticket dealing specifications. MT4 and MT5 support Expert Advisors for automated trading, ProRealTime adds advanced charting and backtesting, TradingView is available for chart-led traders, and L2 Dealer provides direct market access for experienced traders.
XTB's platform lineup
XTB centres everything on xStation 5, its proprietary platform for web, desktop and mobile. It includes real-time charts and indicators, stop loss, take profit and trailing stop orders, pending orders and built-in market analysis. XTB does not currently offer MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView in the UK, so traders who rely on Expert Advisors or third-party indicators cannot use them at XTB.
If you want a single, modern platform and do not need automation, xStation 5 is a capable choice. If you want room to move between platforms, or need MetaTrader or direct market access, IG is the clear fit.
| Feature | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary platform | Yes (IG Platform) | Yes (xStation 5) |
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | No | No |
| TradingView integration | Yes | No |
| ProRealTime | Yes | No |
| Direct market access | Yes (L2 Dealer) | No |
| Guaranteed stops | Yes (premium if triggered) | No |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Structured education hub | Yes (IG Academy) | Yes (Trading Academy) |
Markets and Instruments
IG offers 80+ forex pairs, from majors through to Scandinavian and exotic crosses, as part of more than 15,000 markets across indices, shares, commodities, bonds and options. UK clients can trade them through spread bets or CFDs.
XTB offers 60+ forex pairs as CFDs, alongside indices, commodities, and share and ETF CFDs. XTB does not offer spread betting in the UK, so profits from trading at XTB are subject to Capital Gains Tax rather than being exempt as spread betting profits typically are. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and can change.
FCA Regulation and Safety
Regulatory status and client protections
Both brokers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. IG operates through IG Markets Ltd (FRN 195355) for CFDs and IG Index Ltd (FRN 114059) for spread betting. XTB operates through XTB Limited (FRN 522157), registered at One Canada Square, Canary Wharf. Client funds at both are held in segregated accounts, retail clients benefit from negative balance protection, and eligible clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 per person, per firm.
Company structure and history
IG Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has served UK traders since 1974. XTB was founded in 2002 and its parent, XTB S.A., is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Both apply the FCA's retail leverage limits, up to 1:30 on major currency pairs. Retail loss rates differ: 70% of retail investor accounts lose money with IG and 74% with XTB, figures each broker updates quarterly.
Verify each broker's authorisation on the FCA Register: IG on the FCA Register and XTB on the FCA Register.
For more on what FCA regulation means for traders, see our guide to FCA regulation explained.
Both brokers provide FSCS protection for eligible UK retail clients up to £85,000 per person, per firm.
Who Should Choose IG?
- UK traders who want spread betting alongside CFDs
- Traders who want a choice of platforms, including MT4, MT5, ProRealTime and TradingView
- Experienced traders who want direct market access through L2 Dealer
- Traders who want guaranteed stops to limit gap risk
- Occasional traders who want to avoid inactivity fees
Ready to open an account? Visit IG.
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs or Spread Bets with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Who Should Choose XTB?
- Beginners who want one modern platform and structured education through the Trading Academy
- CFD traders who do not need spread betting or MetaTrader
- Traders who keep uninvested GBP cash in their account and want interest paid on it
- Traders starting small, with no minimum deposit and microlots from 0.01
- Traders who mainly trade GBP-denominated markets and so avoid most currency conversion fees
Ready to open an account? Visit XTB.
74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Final Verdict
IG is the more versatile broker for most UK traders. Spread betting, seven platform options including MetaTrader and ProRealTime, guaranteed stops and tighter headline spreads on the major pairs give it an edge for active and growing traders, and the absence of an inactivity fee suits those who trade occasionally. XTB is a well-designed alternative for CFD traders who want one modern platform, a structured Trading Academy, no minimum deposit and interest on uninvested cash. The biggest dividing line is product choice: if you want to spread bet, XTB is not an option; if you only trade CFDs and value simplicity and education, XTB is worth a close look.
Read our full individual reviews for more detail: View IG Review and View XTB Review. You can also compare both brokers against the wider market on our best forex brokers UK page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG or XTB cheaper for UK forex traders?
IG quotes tighter headline spreads on the major pairs, with EUR/USD from 0.6 pips against XTB's 0.8 pips, and neither charges a separate commission on standard forex trades. XTB can close the gap for traders who hold uninvested cash, because it pays variable interest on GBP balances (4.00% at last check) and IG does not. XTB also charges a 0.5% conversion fee on profits and losses from non-GBP instruments, so overall cost depends on what you trade and how much cash you leave idle.
Does XTB offer spread betting like IG?
No. XTB offers CFDs only in the UK, while IG offers both spread betting and CFDs. For UK residents, spread betting profits are typically exempt from Capital Gains Tax, whereas CFD profits are not. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and can change. If spread betting matters to you, IG is the option of the two.
Can I use MetaTrader with IG or XTB?
IG supports both MT4 and MT5, as well as ProRealTime, TradingView and its own web platform and apps. XTB does not currently offer MetaTrader in the UK; all trading runs through its proprietary xStation 5 platform. Traders who rely on Expert Advisors or MQL indicators will need IG.
Which is better for beginners, IG or XTB?
Both suit beginners, in different ways. XTB keeps things simple with a single platform, no minimum deposit, microlots from 0.01 and a structured Trading Academy. IG also has no minimum deposit and offers extensive education through IG Academy, plus far more platform choice to grow into. Beginners who want the simplest start may prefer XTB; those who expect to try spread betting or MetaTrader later may prefer IG.
What inactivity fees do IG and XTB charge?
IG does not charge an inactivity fee. XTB charges €10 per month if an account has had no trades for 12 months and no deposit in the last 90 days, and the fee does not apply to ISA accounts. Making a deposit at XTB resets its inactivity counter.
Is XTB safe and legitimate?
Yes, XTB is a regulated UK broker. XTB Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 522157) and registered at One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, and its parent, XTB S.A., has operated since 2002 and is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Retail client money is held in segregated accounts, negative balance protection applies, and eligible clients are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000. Regulation does not remove trading risk: 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with XTB.
Is IG a good broker?
IG is one of the UK's longest-established brokers, operating since 1974 and listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is regulated by the FCA through IG Markets Ltd (FRN 195355) for CFDs and IG Index Ltd (FRN 114059) for spread betting, offers 80+ forex pairs across seven platforms, and provides free education through IG Academy. Whether it suits you depends on what and how you trade, and 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with IG.
What is the minimum deposit at IG and XTB?
XTB has no minimum deposit. IG has no minimum for bank transfers, and card deposits start from £1. In practice, fund an account with enough to cover the position sizes you plan to trade and normal market movement.
Do IG and XTB charge withdrawal fees?
Neither broker charges its own withdrawal fee, although your bank may. IG processes card withdrawals requested before 8pm on a weekday the same day, with funds taking up to five working days to arrive; bank transfers over £100 go by Faster Payments, and the minimum withdrawal is £100 unless your balance is lower. XTB processes withdrawals requested before 1pm on the same business day, and funds usually arrive within three business days.
Risk Warning: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with IG. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with XTB. You should consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Full Risk Disclosures
IG: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.