Skip to main content

XTB vs eToro 2026 – Which is best? We tested both!

Author
Author Avatar
Franklin Silva
Co-Founder & Fintech Analyst
Fact checked by
Author Avatar
Pedro Braz
Co-Founder, Forbes 30 under 30
Fact checked by: Pedro BrazUpdated on Oct 9, 2026

XTB and eToro are two of the best-known brokers in Europe, each with its own strengths. In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse XTB vs eToro on the features that matter most: fees, products, platforms, interest on cash, safety and more, so you can make a better-informed decision.

Below, you’ll find a quick verdict, a comparison table, worked fee examples and the pros and cons of each broker.

XTB vs eToro: quick take

  1. XTB is best for commission-free stocks and ETFs (up to €100,000 of monthly turnover) and a more advanced trading platform
  2. eToro is best for beginners, social trading and owning real cryptocurrencies

XTB vs eToro in a nutshell

Category XTB eToro
Founded 2004 (Poland) 2007 (Israel)
Clients 2.9M+ clients 4.28M funded accounts, 40M registered users
Minimum deposit €0 $50 in most countries
Stock fees 0% up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min. €10) $1 per trade on most exchanges, $2 on some (charged on opening and closing)
ETF fees 0% up to €100,000 of monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min. €10) $0
Currency conversion 0.5% Varies by currency and Club level
Real crypto No (CFDs only) Yes (1% fee)
Social trading No Yes (CopyTrader)
Interest on cash Varies by country (in Portugal, EUR 2.60% for 90 days, then 1.10%) USD balance: 3% up to $50,000, 3.80% above (EU and UK)
Inactivity fee €10 a month after 12 months without trading and no deposit in 90 days None
Regulators KNF, FCA, CySEC, DFSA, FSC (Belize) and others CySEC, FCA, ASIC, FSRA and others
Listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange (XTB) Nasdaq (ETOR), since May 2025

As of 9 October 2026, taken from each broker’s website.

You can also use our broker comparison tool for a side-by-side comparison of eToro and XTB.

1. Overview

About XTB

Founded in 2004 as X-Trade Brokers, XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and serves more than 2.9 million clients. It joined the STOXX Europe 600 index in September 2026 and is regulated by Poland’s Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), among others.

XTB offers real stocks and ETFs with 0% commission up to €100,000 of monthly turnover (then 0.2%, minimum €10), fractional shares, ETF Investment Plans and interest on uninvested cash. It also offers CFDs (contracts for difference) on stocks, indices, commodities, forex and crypto.

xStation 5 - my account screenshot

About eToro

Founded in 2007 and listed on Nasdaq since May 2025, eToro has 4.28 million funded accounts (June 2026) and around 40 million registered users. It gives access to stocks, ETFs, real cryptocurrencies and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex, indices and cryptocurrencies.

eToro’s platform is a social trading hub: investors can discuss markets with each other and automatically copy other investors’ portfolios through CopyTrader, or invest in thematic Smart Portfolios. ETFs are commission-free, while stocks carry a $1 commission per trade on most exchanges.

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

eToro "Explore" tab - my account screenshot

2. Products and market access

Financial products XTB eToro
Stocks ✔️ Real stocks and stock CFDs ✔️ 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, indices, commodities ✔️ CFDs ✔️ CFDs
Options ✔️ Options on US stocks and ETFs, in seven EU countries ❌
Bonds ❌ ❌
Copy trading ❌ ✔️ CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios

Product availability depends on your country of residence. As of 9 October 2026, taken from each broker’s website.

Both brokers cover the major markets (US, Europe and the UK) with thousands of stocks and ETFs. eToro is the better choice for investors who want to own real cryptocurrencies or copy other investors, since XTB only offers crypto through CFDs. XTB, on the other hand, offers options in some countries and ETF Investment Plans to automate your investments. CFDs are complex, leveraged instruments and most retail accounts lose money trading them.

3. Trading platforms

XTB has two platforms: xStation 5 on the web and desktop, and xStation Mobile for iOS and Android. Both are intuitive, with fast order placement, a stock and ETF screener, market sentiment data and advanced charting with multiple timeframes.

eToro offers its web platform and mobile app, built around a social feed. Charting is solid, though less advanced than xStation 5, and the copy trading features are unique. For complete beginners, eToro’s interface is the simplest of the two, and both brokers offer a free demo account ($100,000 in virtual funds at eToro).

4. Interest on uninvested cash

XTB pays a variable rate set by country and reviewed weekly. New clients get a higher rate for the first 90 days on up to €100,000. In Portugal, for example, XTB pays 2.60% on euros for the first 90 days and 1.10% after that (as of 5 October 2026). Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.

eToro pays interest only on the available USD balance. For residents of the EU and the UK, the rate is 3% on a total balance up to $50,000 and 3.80% above that (as of September 2026). Interest accrues daily, is paid monthly and you need to opt in.

If you hold euros, XTB pays interest on your euro cash, while eToro only pays on dollars. If you keep cash in dollars, eToro’s rate is the more attractive.

5. Account types

XTB focuses on individual accounts, with a Stocks and Shares ISA and a Flexible Cash ISA for UK clients.

eToro offers individual and corporate accounts, plus a professional status for experienced traders, and a Club programme (from Bronze to Diamond) that gives discounts on currency conversion and crypto fees as your balance grows.

6. Account opening

Both brokers have a fully digital account opening process. You will need a valid ID, proof of address and your tax identification number, and you will answer questions about your experience and finances. Accounts are usually approved within a day. eToro requires a minimum first deposit of $50 in most countries, while XTB has no minimum.

7. Pricing

Headline commissions only tell part of the story, so below you’ll find the trading and non-trading fees side by side, followed by worked examples.

Trading fees XTB eToro
Stocks 0% up to €100,000 monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min. €10) $1 per trade on most exchanges, $2 on some, on opening and closing
ETFs 0% up to €100,000 monthly turnover, then 0.2% (min. €10) $0
Crypto Spread only (CFDs) 1% (Bronze to Gold Club levels, lower above)
Currency conversion 0.5% Varies by currency and Club level (50% off for Platinum, none for Diamond)
Forex spread (EUR/USD) From 0.8 pips From 1 pip

Trading fees. As of 9 October 2026, taken from each broker’s website.

Non-trading fees XTB eToro
Minimum deposit €0 $50 in most countries
Deposit fee None for bank transfers None
Withdrawal fee None None from EUR or GBP accounts, $5 from USD accounts (min. withdrawal $30)
Inactivity fee €10 a month after 12 months without trading and no deposit in 90 days None

Non-trading fees. As of 9 October 2026, taken from each broker’s website.

Buying and selling €1,000 of a US stock from a euro account

On XTB, the commission is €0 within the €100,000 monthly limit, but converting your euros costs 0.5%, about €5 on the way in and again on the way out. On eToro, you pay $1 on opening and $1 on closing the position, plus a currency conversion fee that depends on your Club level. For small, frequent trades the fixed $1 commission weighs more, while for larger amounts XTB’s percentage conversion fee becomes the bigger cost.

Buying a European ETF

Both brokers charge no commission on ETFs, so a €1,000 purchase of a euro-listed ETF costs €0 on either platform, provided your account currency matches the ETF’s currency.

Trading above €100,000 a month

Once your monthly turnover at XTB passes €100,000, each stock or ETF trade costs 0.2% with a €10 minimum, so a €10,000 order costs €20. On eToro, the same stock order still costs $1 and an ETF order $0, so very active investors pay less in commission at eToro.

See eToro’s fee page for the full list of charges.

8. Safety and regulation

Both brokers are listed, regulated companies that keep client assets segregated from their own and publish audited financial statements.

Safety indicators XTB eToro
Regulators KNF, FCA, CySEC, DFSA and others CySEC, FCA, ASIC, FSRA and others
Investor protection (EU) Up to €22,000 (Polish KDPW scheme, for clients of XTB S.A.) Up to €20,000 (Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund)
Investor protection (UK) Up to £85,000 (FSCS) Up to £85,000 (FSCS)
Private insurance ❌ ✔️ For Platinum, Platinum+ and Diamond clients, covering losses above €20,000 up to €1 million (real crypto excluded)
Negative balance protection ✔️ (retail clients) ✔️ (retail clients)
Listed on exchange ✔️ Warsaw Stock Exchange ✔️ Nasdaq

As of 9 October 2026, taken from each broker’s website.

These schemes protect against the failure of the firm, not against investment losses.

9. Customer support

XTB offers multilingual support by live chat, phone and email, often in the local language of each country it serves, plus a comprehensive help centre and educational resources.

eToro offers support through live chat and a ticket system, with no phone line, and a detailed help centre. In our experience, response times are slower than XTB’s.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 69-80% of 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.CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 55% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. 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.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

10. 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)

11. 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

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:

XTB vs eToro: our verdict

  1. XTB
    Best for commission-free stocks and ETF investing
  2. eToro
    Best for beginners and social trading

Choose XTB if you want a more advanced trading platform, commission-free stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 a month, interest on your euro cash and responsive customer service. Watch the 0.5% currency conversion fee if you buy assets in other currencies.

Choose eToro if you are interested in social trading, want to own real cryptocurrencies or prefer the simplest possible interface. Keep in mind the $1 commission on stocks and that interest is only paid on dollar balances.

Ultimately, the best platform depends on your trading style, experience and preference for social trading or advanced tools. Want to know more? Check out our in-depth broker reviews, our comparison table, our comparison between XTB and Interactive Brokers and our BrokerMatch tool.

Share this article
On this page
Share this article
About the author
Author Avatar
Franklin Silva
Co-Founder & Fintech Analyst

Franklin has three years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst, has passed the CFA level II, and is the host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube channel.

Don't miss these