XTB vs IG: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between XTB and IG This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 16, 2025

XTB

IG

⚠️ We look for what’s best for you.

₿ Getting into crypto? With eToro you can start in minutes: buy/sell top coins, set recurring buys, track markets, and use Social/CopyTrader features.

👉 Start here and explore the crypto offer.

Available Countries

United States

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Yes

Canada

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Thinking about starting with crypto? This is for you.

In select regions, eToro offers a $10 welcome bonus when you open an account today.*

🎯 An account built to help you start with crypto—without the hassle.

➕ Buy and sell top cryptocurrencies in minutes

➕ Recurring buys, price alerts, and advanced charts

➕ Social/CopyTrader™ to follow experienced investors

➕ One of the largest and most trusted platforms worldwide

Limited-time promotion — still available.

*Offer subject to terms, eligibility and regional availability. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.

XTB is ideal if:

Beginners and hands-on learners will find XTB well-suited, thanks to its intuitive xStation platform and extensive educational tools designed to build confidence and trading skills.
Traders seeking a secure, transparent broker will appreciate that XTB is exchange-listed with strong regulation across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accountability and trust.
Active traders looking for diverse assets can benefit from access to thousands of CFDs plus real stocks and ETFs, all within a modern, customizable environment built for efficiency.

IG is ideal if:

Strong for serious traders – Offers a wide array of professional-grade platforms (like ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, and TradingView) that support advanced and even algorithmic strategies—great if you're tech-savvy and value sophistication.
Excellent for educational growth – Delivers rich learning resources, demo account options, and intuitive interfaces, making it appealing if you’re building foundational skills or seeking a smooth learning pathway.
Optimal amid market volatility – With deep market access and robust systems, IG stands out if you thrive in fast-moving markets and want reliable execution during turbulent trading sessions.

XTB isn’t ideal if:

You prefer passive investing or long-term mutual funds, as XTB focuses on active CFD and Forex trading—not traditional mutual funds or bonds.
You want to automate or mirror trades, since XTB lacks features like copy trading or social trading capabilities.
Advanced pro traders needing extreme platform customization (e.g. strategy backtesting or Level II data) might find xStation’s tooling a bit limited.

IG isn’t ideal if:

Platform limitations – If you rely on MT5 or cTrader, know that IG offers only its proprietary platform and MT4, so those alternatives aren’t available.
Limited account styles – No Islamic (swap-free), social/copy-trading, or fixed/spread-only accounts, which may restrict options for certain strategies or preferences.
Payment and inactivity restrictions – Fewer deposit/withdrawal methods and inactivity fees may frustrate infrequent traders or those needing flexible funding.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

XTB doesn’t use a traditional maker/taker pricing model or native token discounts—instead, typical spot instruments are offered as CFDs, with costs embedded in floating spreads and without separate maker/taker fees or token-based rebates.

IG does not use maker/taker pricing for spot crypto trading—instead, they apply a single flat percentage spread on all trades, with no discounts tied to volume or use of a native token.

Futures/Derivatives

Futures or derivatives—like CFDs on commodities, indices, or crypto—don’t follow a maker/taker structure

IG’s derivatives (CFDs and futures) are priced purely through the spread—there is no separate maker or taker fee, and funding costs for cash CFDs are embedded in the spread rather than added separately.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

On crypto CFDs like Bitcoin and Ethereum, spreads are competitive—starting around 0.22% of the market price on liquid pairs such as BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT—and vary dynamically with market liquidity.

While specific BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT spreads aren’t publicly listed, IG applies a flat spread of approximately 1.49% across all crypto trades, implying similarly consistent spreads for major pairs across the board.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Deposits via bank transfer, cards, and e-wallets (e.g. PayU, PayPal, Skrill) are generally free from XTB’s side; withdrawals above a certain amount are also free and processed quickly, while smaller withdrawals may incur a nominal fee.

You can fund and withdraw via bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets like PayPal; these methods typically carry no fees from IG and settle instantly for most deposits, with withdrawals usually completed within 1–3 business days.

On-chain Withdrawals

XTB doesn’t support direct on-chain cryptocurrency withdrawals—since trading is conducted via CFDs, there are no network-based crypto withdrawal fees (neither fixed nor variable).

IG does not support direct crypto wallet withdrawals—crypto is traded via CFDs only, so there are no on-chain withdrawal fees of any kind.

Hidden Costs

A modest currency conversion spread (around 0.5%) applies when trading in non-base currencies, and an inactivity fee may apply after prolonged dormancy, but there are no extra express KYC charges; overall, XTB emphasizes transparency in these miscellaneous costs.

IG’s fee structure is generally transparent; there are no hidden costs. Currency conversion fees may apply if your deposit isn’t in your account base currency, an inactivity fee kicks in only after prolonged dormancy, and enhanced KYC services—if any—are presented clearly.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

For a €500 crypto-CFD purchase, you’d pay the spread embedded in the execution price (around 0.22%), and if you subsequently withdraw below the threshold, you might pay a small withdrawal fee—but there’s no separate trading commission or network fee, making it straightforward and relatively transparent.

If you invest €500 in BTC CFDs, the only cost would be the flat crypto spread—so you’d effectively receive the equivalent of €500 minus 1.49% as your notional position, with no separate commission or withdrawal fee applied.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

XTB offers just over 40 crypto CFDs—including 9 major coins like BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, BCH, and additional crosses—though only a handful (such as BTC/USD, ETH/USD) comprise the top-liquid 20 by trading volume.

IG now offers access to over 35 cryptocurrencies via its partnership with Uphold, spanning everything from major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum to more niche tokens—though specific rankings for the top 20 by trading volume aren’t publicly detailed.

Product Range

XTB specializes in CFD-based crypto trading with spot-like long/short positions and modest leverage; it does not offer real crypto spot, perpetuals, options, ETFs, staking, lending, copy trading, bot strategies, or automated DCA features.

IG mainly supports spot crypto investing and CFDs, but does not currently offer standalone margin, perpetual futures, options, crypto ETFs, staking, lending, copy-trading, grid bots, or automatic DCA tools.

Liquidity

While specific figures aren’t published, XTB provides competitive liquidity on its BTC and ETH CFDs—figures implied by tight, dynamic spreads and real-time execution suggest good 24-hour volume and depth, comparable with leading CFD brokers.

IG leverages Uphold’s infrastructure for liquidity, ensuring reasonable access and execution—but public figures for 24-hour volume or order-book depth on BTC and ETH aren’t shared directly on its platforms.

Tools

XTB’s xStation platform includes limit, stop-loss, OCO, and take-profit automation; custom alerts; rich charting with technical indicators; but no public API or native TradingView integration, in line with its updated platform focus.

IG’s platform offers basic order types like market, limit, and stop-loss; price alerts and interactive charts are included, though advanced conditional orders, APIs/WebSocket access, and native TradingView integration are not part of the current crypto toolkit.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Depending on jurisdiction, some instrument types (like crypto CFDs or leveraged products) may be restricted—for instance, XTB may disable crypto trading in regions where regulations don’t permit such derivatives.

Crypto investing through IG is currently limited to eligible regions—such as the UK rollout for retail clients—with some derivatives offerings either restricted or unavailable depending on local regulatory constraints.

Innovation

XTB does not feature crypto-native innovations like launchpads or launchpools, nor does it offer staking or earn products of any kind—its crypto offerings remain purely CFD-based with no yield-generating or token launch services.

IG’s latest crypto launch focuses on streamlined access and integrates directly into its platform, but it doesn’t offer token launchpads, yield farming, staking pools, or flexible vs locked “earn” product structures at this time.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

XTB is operated by XTB S.A., a publicly listed Polish joint-stock company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Warsaw, serving global clients across multiple licensed subsidiaries.

Crypto trading via IG is provided through its partnership with Uphold—a U.S.-based platform—while IG Group Holdings plc (founded in 1974) remains the UK-listed parent company headquartered in London, though the crypto offering technically operates under Uphold’s custody infrastructure.

Licenses/Registration

It holds regulatory licenses from key authorities including Poland’s KNF, the UK’s FCA, and Cyprus’s CySEC, ensuring compliance across Europe, though it is not registered as a crypto-specific VASP (virtual asset service provider).

IG itself offers crypto access in the UK via Uphold, which is regulated as a crypto platform in both the U.S. and U.K.; IG Group operates under its existing FCA and Bermuda Monetary Authority permissions, but crypto-specific licenses like MiCA or VASP registrations in the EU are not publicized for IG directly.

Custody

As a CFD broker, XTB does not hold or custody real cryptocurrencies—instead, all client trading is synthetic, so there’s no need for cold storage, external custodian, or proof-of-reserves protocols.

Crypto assets bought through IG are held by Uphold under a third-party custody model; IG does not manage wallets itself, and there’s no public evidence of proof-of-reserves, independent audits, or data on the percentage held in cold storage.

Insurance & Protection Funds

Client funds are safeguarded through strict segregation and, in certain regions like the UK, fall under compensation schemes, but there’s no direct insurance policy specifically for crypto assets.

Cryptocurrency holdings via IG (through Uphold) are not covered by the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and there’s no mention of alternative insurance or protective reserve mechanisms designed for crypto assets.

Incident History

XTB has experienced regulatory scrutiny (e.g., fines for pricing practices) but no major hack or crypto breach; a recent allegation of unauthorized client trading prompted immediate tightening of security controls.

While IG Group has experienced system outages, refund errors, and a past regulatory fine in France, no reported crypto-specific hacks or custody breaches have occurred in connection with the new crypto service to date.

Risk Controls

The platform supports robust risk measures including encrypted connections, mandatory two-factor authentication (2FA), multi-contact verification, and cybersecurity monitoring—though API whitelists or sub-accounts aren’t broadly offered.

Basic security best practices are encouraged—such as secure device use and phishing awareness—but features like mandatory two-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelists, sub-accounts, or granular API permissioning tied specifically to crypto use are not currently highlighted in IG’s offering.

Transparency

As a publicly traded entity, XTB publishes regular financial updates and reports; while there’s no public crypto wallet tracking or service-level-agreement metrics, overall operational transparency is solid.

IG does not appear to provide public wallets, proof-of-reserve transparency, or specific service-level agreements tied to crypto custody, nor are there dedicated monthly crypto custody reports available for clients.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

XTB supports deposits via bank transfer, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller (depending on your region); there’s no fixed minimum deposit set by the broker, card and e-wallet deposits are usually instant, while bank transfers can take from same day up to 2–5 business days depending on origin.

IG supports bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and PayPal or other local e-wallets depending on your region; deposits are usually instant for cards and e-wallets, and 1–3 business days for transfers, with minimums varying by region (e.g. ~£10 for crypto funding) and upper limits often governed by your provider’s terms.

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

XTB requires full KYC completion—identity and bank verification—for live accounts; there’s no tiered “basic” or “advanced” structure openly published—all clients must verify identity to deposit or withdraw, with no anonymous access.

IG requires identity verification before enabling withdrawals; while they don’t label tiers publicly, a basic verified account grants full functionality, and advanced documentation may be needed for higher-volume transfers, though explicit tier definitions aren’t displayed.

Withdrawals

Withdrawals go only to your verified bank account, and are free above thresholds like €50–100 depending on the entity; requests before local cut-off (~1 pm) are usually processed same-day (or next-day depending on entity), with processing time typically within 1 business day.

Withdrawals are processed via the same method used to fund (card, bank, PayPal); limits include daily card maximums (e.g. £ or $25,000) and no set caps on bank transfers, with processing ranging from instant (PayPal) to 1–5 business days depending on method; IG does not support on-chain crypto withdrawals via any network.

Customer Support

XTB offers 24/5 live chat, email support, and an extensive self-service help center via its Client Office; response times are typically efficient, backed by a well-organized knowledge base for common queries.

IG offers robust customer service through live chat, email, and phone across many regions, with prompt response times and a comprehensive help center covering deposits, withdrawals, platform use, and troubleshooting.

Languages & Localization

The platform is fully localized in Spanish, with fees and balances shown in Europe-centric currencies (€, £, $) depending on your region, and adheres to local regulatory frameworks across its European branches.

IG provides multilingual support including Spanish; clients in euro zones can see pricing in euros, and services are adapted under local regulators like the FCA (UK) or BMA, ensuring localized compliance and presentation.

App Quality & Stability

The xStation mobile app is stable and regularly updated across Android and iOS, offering dark mode, push alerts, Apple Watch support, and smooth performance with rare crashes—designed for reliable trading on the go.

IG’s mobile and web platforms are known for their stability and regular updates, resulting in smooth user experience with minimal crashes—specific crash-rate data isn’t published, but continuous enhancements and high availability are emphasized.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The xStation platform is praised for its intuitive design and fully customizable layout, enabling users to quickly personalize their workspace with different chart layouts and toolbars—though there’s no explicit “Lite” or “Pro” mode toggle; instead, functionality scales naturally as you explore deeper features.

While IG doesn’t label modes as “Lite” or “Pro,” its platform balances clean design with professional depth—new users often find the interface intuitive to navigate, while more advanced traders can adopt MT4 or ProRealTime for a deeper feature set.

Performance

Execution is generally fast and stable, with xStation optimized for smooth performance even during active market conditions—though, as with any platform, extreme volumes may slow onboarding slightly, but no widespread order delays or KYC bottlenecks have been reported recently.

IG’s platform is generally responsive with fast order execution, though like many brokers, it may face brief slowdowns during extreme volatility; KYC processing is uninterrupted but may take longer during surges in new account demand.

Education

XTB excels in educational offerings with a robust Trading Academy featuring video courses and tiered modules (beginner/intermediate/advanced), a fully functional unlimited demo environment to practice with virtual funds, and frequent webinars; while much is available in English, key materials are also localized in Spanish.

IG offers an extensive educational ecosystem—including IG Academy, live webinars, and a robust demo account—many of which are available in Spanish, supporting both novices and more advanced learners.

Community

XTB does not appear to host official Discord or Telegram communities, and while it maintains a trading referral program, its community engagement centers more on its webinars, market articles, and internal support channels rather than external forums or social chat groups.

While IG has an active support community with forums and a rich help center, it does not currently maintain dedicated Discord or Telegram groups, nor does it focus on referral incentives for crypto users.

Integrations

The platform does not natively integrate with TradingView or external bots, nor does it offer built-in tax or accounting tools—traders must rely on external services if they need direct charting or bookkeeping support.

IG supports integration with charting platforms like TradingView (via third-party platforms), but does not offer native trading bots, tax reporting tools, or built-in accounting integrations within its crypto offering.

Who Each One Is Best For

XTB works best for traders who value a sleek, beginner-friendly interface with strong educational backing, want a self-guided experience without external bots or social trading distractions, and prefer a platform where everything—from analytics to execution—is centralized and streamlined.

IG is particularly well-suited for multi-asset investors who value trading under a regulated, centralized broker that combines stocks, forex, and crypto in one platform—but may not suit those seeking self-custody, deep customization, or community-driven features.