XTB and eToro are two of the best-known brokers in Europe, each with its own strengths. This article compares them to help you choose the best platform for your needs.
Quick summary
- XTB: best for commission-free stocks and ETF investing;
- eToro: best for beginners and social trading.
Overview comparison table
| Highlights | XTB | eToro |
| Founded year | 2002 | 2007 |
| Regulatory entities | KNF, FCA, CySEC, DFSA and others | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSRA and others |
| Trading instruments | Stocks, ETFs, options and CFDs on stocks, forex, indices, commodities and cryptocurrenciesProduct availability depends on the XTB entity you open an account with. Options are only available in some countries. | Stocks, ETFs, crypto and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex, indices and cryptocurrencies |
| Minimum deposit | €/$/£0 | $50 in most countries (lower in some) |
| Trading platforms | xStation 5, xStation Mobile | eToro web platform, eToro app |
| Interest on cash | 4.00% (GBP); 3.45% (USD); 2.30% (EUR)Rates for UK clients as of January 2026. Rates vary by entity and can change. | Up to 3.55% (USD)For EU and UK clients: 2.75% up to $50,000 of total balance, 3.55% above that. |
| Stocks fees | Commission-freeUp to €100,000 of monthly volume; a 0.20% fee (minimum €10) applies above that amount. | $1 per trade$2 in some countries, such as Australia. |
| Social trading | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Demo account | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 for retail clients in the EU and UK (higher in some non-EU entities) | Up to 1:30 (retail), up to 1:400 (professional) |
Want a more in-depth comparison of eToro and XTB? Below, we compare them in terms of fees, safety, products and more.
You can also use our broker comparison tool for a side-by-side comparison of eToro and XTB.
XTB overview
Founded in 2002 and listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, XTB is a major European broker with more than 2 million clients. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the KNF in Poland and CySEC in Cyprus, among other regulators.
You can invest through xStation 5 and xStation Mobile in stocks, ETFs and CFDs on stocks, forex, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies, and in some countries also in options on US stocks and ETFs (the offer varies by country).
It offers 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 of monthly volume, fractional shares, ETF investment plans and interest on uninvested cash.
XTB pros and cons
Pros
- Free stocks trading (only applicable to some countries)
- Customizable trading platform (charts and workspace)
- Low Forex Spreads
- Demo account
- No minimum account deposit
- Valuable education materials
- Top-tier Regulators
Cons
- Complex trading platform for a beginner
- High Stock CFD spreads
- Limited product portfolio
- Withdrawal fees for transfers below $100
- Inactivity fee (€10/monthly after 1+ year with no activity plus no deposit in the last 90 days)
eToro overview
Founded in 2007 and listed on Nasdaq since May 2025, eToro is an international broker with around 40 million registered users. It gives access to thousands of assets across more than 20 exchanges, including stocks, ETFs, crypto and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex, indices and cryptocurrencies.
ETFs are traded commission-free, as whole or fractional shares (other fees apply). Stocks have a commission of $1 per trade in most countries.
eToro’s platform, available on the web and on mobile, is a social trading hub: investors can discuss markets with each other and automatically copy other investors’ portfolios through CopyTrader.
eToro pros and cons
Pros
- Low stock trading fees (from $0 per trade)
- Commission-free ETFs (other fees apply)
- Social trading and other innovative products
- Wide variety of financial products
- Slick, modern, and easy for anyone to use
- European users have access to three account currencies: EUR, USD and GBP
- Top tier regulators
Cons
- Limited disclosed financial information
- Withdraw and inactivity fees
- Spread, overnight, inactivity, and currency conversion fees higher than average
- Doesn’t offer bonds, futures, or options
Safety
| Safety indicators | XTB | eToro |
| Regulatory authorities | KNF, FCA, CySEC, DFSA and others | FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSRA and others |
| Investor protection | Up to €20,000 (EU clients); up to £85,000 (UK clients) | Up to €20,000 (EU clients); up to £85,000 (UK clients) |
| Private insurance | ❌ | ✔️ Up to €/£/A$1 million for eligible clients |
| Asset segregation | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Negative balance protection | ✔️ (retail clients) | ✔️ (retail clients) |
| Listed on exchange | ✔️ Warsaw Stock Exchange | ✔️ Nasdaq (since May 2025) |
Both XTB and eToro are regulated by reputable authorities and keep client funds segregated. Both are also publicly listed companies, XTB in Warsaw and eToro on Nasdaq, which means they publish audited financial statements and face public scrutiny. eToro adds a private insurance policy on top of the statutory investor protection for eligible clients.
Investment products
| Financial products | XTB | eToro |
| Stocks | ✔️ Thousands of real stocks and stock CFDs | ✔️ Thousands of real stocks and stock CFDs |
| ETFs | ✔️ Real ETFs and ETF CFDs, plus ETF investment plans | ✔️ Real ETFs and ETF CFDs |
| Cryptocurrencies | ✔️ CFDs only | ✔️ Real crypto and CFDs |
| Forex | ✔️ 50+ currency pairs (CFDs) | ✔️ 50+ currency pairs (CFDs) |
| Indices | ✔️ CFDs | ✔️ CFDs |
| Commodities | ✔️ CFDs | ✔️ CFDs |
| Options | ✔️ Options on US stocks and ETFs, in some countries | ❌ Not available outside the US |
| Bonds | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
Both brokers cover the major markets (US, Europe and the UK) with thousands of stocks and ETFs. In total, XTB offers more than 9,500 instruments, depending on the country.
eToro is the better choice for investors who want to own real cryptocurrencies, since XTB only offers crypto through CFDs (a derivative). XTB, on the other hand, offers options in some countries and ETF investment plans to automate your investments.
Trading platforms
| Features | XTB | eToro |
| Trading platforms | xStation 5, xStation Mobile | eToro web platform, eToro app |
| Ease of use | User-friendly, customisable | Very user-friendly, ideal for beginners |
| Tools | Technical indicators, stock screener and market sentiment | Technical indicators and copy trading |
| Mobile trading | xStation Mobile app | eToro app |
| Charting | Advanced, multiple timeframes | Solid, though less advanced than xStation 5 |
XTB’s xStation 5 is more advanced, with better charting tools, while eToro offers a unique social trading experience, which makes it ideal for beginners and those who want to copy other investors.
Fees & commissions
| Fee type | XTB | eToro |
| Stocks (US, EU and UK) | Commission-freeUp to €100,000 of monthly volume; a 0.20% fee (minimum €10) applies above that amount. | $1 per trade$2 in some countries, such as Australia. |
| ETFs | Commission-freeUp to €100,000 of monthly volume; a 0.20% fee (minimum €10) applies above that amount. | Commission-free (other fees apply) |
| Crypto | Spread only (CFDs) | 1% (real crypto) |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.50% | From 0.75% (varies by currency) |
| Spreads | From 0.1 pips (forex) | From 1.0 pips (forex) |
| Social trading | Not applicable | No extra fees |
| Withdrawal fees | Free over €/$/£100 | $5 per withdrawal (USD accounts) |
| Inactivity fee | €/$/£10 a month after 12 months of inactivity | $10 a month after 12 months without logging in |
XTB has lower overall costs for investors in stocks and ETFs, thanks to its commission-free trading and lower currency conversion fee. eToro’s fee structure is simple, but it charges a commission on stocks, higher conversion fees and a withdrawal fee on USD accounts.
Customer support
XTB
- 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, phone and email;
- Comprehensive help centre and educational resources;
- Account managers for clients.
eToro
- Support via live chat and a ticket system, with no phone line;
- Detailed help centre and FAQ;
- In our experience, response times are slower than XTB’s.
How to invest in the S&P 500 on XTB and eToro
Want to learn how to invest in the S&P 500 on both platforms?
Watch our step-by-step videos, where we show you how to place your order in both apps. It’s a good way to get a feel for both brokers before choosing one.
Bottom line
All in all, choose XTB if you want a more professional trading environment, lower costs on stocks and ETFs, and excellent customer service.
Choose eToro if you’re interested in social trading or want a beginner-friendly experience with real cryptocurrencies.
Ultimately, the “best” platform depends on your trading style, experience and preference for social trading or advanced trading tools.
Want to learn more about other brokers? Check out our in-depth broker reviews, our comparison table (or dedicated comparison pages, such as the one between XTB and Interactive Brokers) and our BrokerMatch tool to find the best option for you.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
