XTB vs Interactive Brokers (IBKR): 2026 Comparison

Are you trying to decide between XTB and Interactive Brokers for your investing needs?

In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Interactive Brokers (IBKR) vs XTB 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. Let’s get into it.

IBKR vs XTB: quick take

1. Interactive Brokers is our recommended choice overall, thanks to its huge market access, 0.002% currency conversion and low commissions
2. XTB is best for commission-free stocks and ETFs (up to €100,000 of monthly turnover) and an easy-to-use app

IBKR vs XTB in a nutshell

1. Overview

About Interactive Brokers

Founded in 1978 and listed on Nasdaq (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers is one of the largest online brokers in the world, with more than 5.5 million client accounts. It joined the S&P 500 in August 2025 and has come through every major market crisis of the last decades with a rigorous risk management process.

It gives access to stocks, options, futures, bonds, ETFs, funds and currencies across 170 markets in 40 countries, with Smart Routing technology to search for the best available price. The learning curve on the main platforms is steep, which is why IBKR also offers IBKR GlobalTrader, a simpler mobile app for stocks, ETFs and options.

About XTB

Founded in 2004 as X-Trade Brokers, XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ticker: XTB) 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 and Investment Plans for recurring investing. It also offers CFDs (contracts for difference) on stocks, indices, commodities, forex and crypto. CFDs are complex, leveraged instruments and most retail accounts lose money trading them.

2. Products and market access

Interactive Brokers is stronger on:

• Market breadth: 170 markets in 40 countries, including smaller Asian, Latin American and Eastern European exchanges.
• Asset classes: futures, bonds, mutual funds and a full options offering, none of which XTB matches.
• Securities lending: the Stock Yield Enhancement Program lets you earn income by lending your fully paid shares.

XTB is stronger on:

• Simplicity: around 7,000 stocks and more than 2,200 ETFs, enough for most long-term portfolios, in one easy app.
• Investment Plans: automated recurring investing into a basket of ETFs or stocks, with fractional amounts.
• CFDs: a wide CFD range on indices, commodities, forex and crypto for traders who want leverage.

XTB also offers vanilla options on US stocks and ETFs in seven EU countries (buy only), but no cash bonds, mutual funds or futures. Both brokers are subject to the EU’s PRIIPs (Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products) rules, so European retail clients cannot buy US-domiciled ETFs, but UCITS equivalents are available on both.

3. Trading platforms

Interactive Brokers offers Trader Workstation (TWS), its powerful desktop platform for active traders, the newer IBKR Desktop, the web-based Client Portal, the IBKR Mobile app and IBKR GlobalTrader for newer investors. The range is impressive, but the main platforms take time to learn.

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 and a wide set of charting tools and indicators. For most beginners, XTB’s app is easier to get started with.

4. Interest on uninvested cash

Interactive Brokers pays interest at its benchmark rate minus 0.5% on IBKR Pro accounts. As of 9 October 2026, that is 1.979% on EUR, 3.380% on USD and 3.196% on GBP. There is no interest on the first 10,000 (£8,000 for GBP), and the full rate only applies to accounts with a net asset value above $100,000. Smaller accounts get a proportionally lower rate.

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.

For a small account, XTB usually pays more, since IBKR pays nothing on the first 10,000. For larger balances, IBKR’s rate is higher than XTB’s standard rate.

5. Account types

Interactive Brokers offers individual, joint, trust, retirement (in the US) and business accounts, each available as a cash or margin account. IBKR Lite, with $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs, is only available to US clients, so international investors use IBKR Pro.

XTB focuses on individual accounts. In the UK it also offers a Stocks and Shares ISA and a Flexible Cash ISA.

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. XTB accounts are often approved within a day, while IBKR can take a few business days.

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.

Buying €10,000 of a European ETF

On XTB, the trade costs €0, as long as your monthly turnover stays below €100,000. On Interactive Brokers, 0.05% of €10,000 is €5.00 under the tiered plan. For buy-and-hold investors in euro-listed ETFs, XTB is cheaper.

Buying $5,000 of US stocks from a euro account

On Interactive Brokers, buying 50 shares of a $100 stock costs $0.35 in commission, and converting the euros costs the $2 minimum. On XTB, the commission is €0, but the 0.5% currency conversion costs about $25. If you regularly buy US-listed stocks, IBKR ends up cheaper, unless you hold a USD account at XTB.

Trading above €100,000 a month

Once your monthly turnover at XTB passes €100,000, each trade costs 0.2% with a €10 minimum. A €10,000 order then costs €20 at XTB against €5 at IBKR, so active traders with large volumes are better served by IBKR.

8. Safety and regulation

Both brokers are listed, regulated companies that keep client assets segregated from their own.

Interactive Brokers files quarterly reports with the SEC, is part of the S&P 500 and is well capitalised above regulatory minimums. It operates through regulated entities in the US (SEC, FINRA, CFTC), Ireland (Central Bank of Ireland, for EU clients), the UK (FCA), Canada (CIRO), Australia (ASIC), Hong Kong (SFC), India (SEBI), Singapore (MAS) and Hungary (MNB).

XTB is supervised by the KNF in Poland, where its EU branches are based, and by the FCA, CySEC, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and Belize’s Financial Services Commission (FSC), among others. As a listed company, it publishes audited financial statements.

Investor protection

• Interactive Brokers: EU clients of Interactive Brokers Ireland fall under the Irish Investor Compensation Scheme, which covers 90% of losses up to €20,000. UK clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000, and US clients by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) up to $500,000.
• XTB: EU clients of XTB S.A. are covered by the Polish investor compensation scheme run by KDPW, up to the equivalent of €22,000 (100% up to €3,000 and 90% above). UK clients are covered by the FSCS up to £85,000.

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

9. Customer support

XTB is known for responsive support by phone, email and live chat, often in the local language of each country it serves. Interactive Brokers has extensive self-service resources and the IBKR Campus education platform, but users often find its support slower and harder to navigate.

10. Interactive Brokers pros and cons

11. XTB pros and cons

How to invest in the S&P 500 on XTB and IBKR

Want to learn how to invest in the S&P 500 on XTB and IBKR, and get a quick look into both apps? Check our step-by-step videos below:

XTB vs IBKR: our verdict

For investors who want the widest choice of markets and assets, low commissions on large trades and the cheapest currency conversion, Interactive Brokers is our recommended choice. It is the better fit if you buy US-listed stocks often, trade more than €100,000 a month or want futures, bonds and options.

XTB makes sense if you mainly buy European stocks and ETFs, invest regular amounts through Investment Plans and value a simple app with commission-free trading up to €100,000 a month. Watch the 0.5% currency conversion fee if you buy assets in other currencies.

Ultimately, the best online broker for you will depend on your profile, preferences and objectives. Want to know more? Explore our in-depth broker reviews, comparison table and BrokerMatch tool, or our comparisons of XTB vs DEGIRO and Interactive Brokers vs Trade Republic.