Buying and selling on XTB is straightforward using the xStation 5 web platform, desktop platform, or mobile app. Simply choose a financial instrument, select buy or sell, enter your trade size, and confirm your order. Before exploring individual trades, get a complete picture of the broker’s tools, costs, and capabilities with our XTB guide.
It is important to understand one key difference. Buying real stocks or ETFs gives you ownership of the asset. With CFDs, a buy order opens a long position if you expect prices to rise, while a sell order opens a short position if you expect prices to fall. Knowing this difference can help beginners avoid common trading mistakes.
Open your XTB account today
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% 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.
What does buying and selling mean on XTB?
Buying and selling on XTB works differently depending on the financial instrument you trade. When you buy a real stock or ETF, you own the underlying asset and can sell it later to close your investment.
With CFDs, however, a buy order opens a long position, while a sell order opens a short position that aims to profit if prices fall. You don’t own the underlying asset when trading CFDs. Although the trading process is similar across stocks, forex, commodities, and indices, it’s important to know whether you’re trading a real asset or a CFD before placing an order.
Buy order
Real stocks & ETFs: buy and own the asset.
CFDs: open a long position expecting prices to rise.
Market outlook: bullish.
Sell order
Real stocks & ETFs: sell an asset you already own.
CFDs: open a short position expecting prices to fall.
Market outlook: bearish.
First-hand industry insight
Based on years of analysing regulated brokers, one common beginner mistake is assuming sell simply means closing a trade. On CFDs, clicking sell can instead open a leveraged short position. Understanding this difference can help you avoid costly mistakes.
How to open an XTB trading account
Before you can buy or sell on XTB, you’ll need a verified trading account. The registration process includes creating an account, completing identity verification (KYC), and logging in to the xStation 5 platform. If you need detailed instructions, see our complete guide on how to open an XTB trading account.
How to deposit money before trading
After your account is verified, you’ll need to add funds before placing live trades. XTB supports several funding methods depending on your region and has no minimum deposit requirement. For supported payment methods, processing times, and step-by-step instructions, read our guide on depositing money into an XTB account.
How to buy an asset on XTB (step by step)
Buying an asset on XTB is simple once your account is set up. Whether you’re trading real stocks, ETFs, or CFDs, the process is similar across the xStation 5 platform.
Log in to xStation 5
Sign in to your XTB account using the xStation 5 web platform, desktop application, or mobile app.
Choose the asset
Search for the stock, ETF, forex pair, commodity, index, or CFD you want to trade using the market watch panel or search bar.
Open the order ticket
Double-click the instrument or select buy from the chart or market watch window to open the trading ticket.
Enter your trade size
Choose how much you want to trade by entering the number of shares or the position size (lot size for CFDs).
Set your risk controls
You can add stop loss and take profit levels before placing the trade to help manage potential losses and lock in profits automatically.
Review your order
Before confirming, review important information shown in the order ticket, including:
- Position size
- Spread
- Estimated costs or commission (where applicable)
- Margin requirement (for CFDs)
- Pip value and daily swap (for eligible CFD trades)
Click buy
Once you’re happy with your settings, click the buy button to open your position. After execution, your open trade will appear in the open positions section, where you can monitor or manage it.
Open your XTB account today
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% 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.
How to sell an asset on XTB
Selling on XTB works differently depending on whether you’re trading a real asset or a CFD. Understanding this difference can help beginners avoid placing the wrong type of trade.
Selling a real asset
If you own real stocks or ETFs in your portfolio, selling means closing your investment. Once the order is executed, you no longer own the asset, and any profit or loss is realised.
STEPS TO SELL A REAL ASSET- Log in to your XTB account.
- Open the portfolio or open positions section.
- Select the stock or ETF you want to sell.
- Choose close or sell.
- Review the order details.
- Confirm the transaction.
Selling a CFD (opening a short position)
With CFDs, clicking sell opens a short position instead of closing an investment. This means you’re expecting the market price to fall. If the market moves in your favour, you may make a profit. If it rises, you may incur a loss. Since CFDs use leverage, losses can increase quickly, and overnight financing charges may apply.
STEPS TO OPEN A SHORT CFD TRADE- Select the CFD instrument you want to trade.
- Open the order ticket.
- Enter your preferred position size.
- Optionally set a stop loss and take profit.
- Review the margin requirement and trading costs.
- Click the sell button to open the short position.
Difference between buy and sell orders
Understanding the difference between buy and sell orders can help you place trades more confidently.
| Feature | Buy order | Sell order |
|---|---|---|
| Real stocks & ETFs | Buy and own the asset | Sell an asset you already own |
| CFDs | Open a long position expecting prices to rise | Open a short position expecting prices to fall |
| Market outlook | Bullish | Bearish |
| Ownership | You own real stocks/ETFs | You do not own the underlying asset |
Market order vs limit order
Besides choosing buy or sell, you also need to choose how your order will be executed.
| Order type | How it works | Best used when |
|---|---|---|
| Market order | Executes immediately at the best available market price. | When you want to enter or exit a trade straight away. |
| Limit order | Executes only when your chosen price is reached. | When you want to trade at a specific price. |
Market orders prioritise speed, while limit orders prioritise price. Choose the order type that best suits your trading strategy.
How to use stop loss and take profit
Stop loss and take profit on XTB are built-in risk management tools that help you limit potential losses and automatically secure profits when your target price is reached. They can be added when opening a trade or edited later from your open positions. To learn more, read our guide on stop loss and take profit on XTB.
XTB mobile app: Buying and selling on the go
The XTB mobile app lets you buy and sell financial instruments anytime, anywhere. You can search for markets, place buy or sell orders, monitor your portfolio, manage stop loss and take profit levels, and close trades directly from your smartphone.
The trading experience is similar to the xStation 5 web and desktop platforms, making it easy to switch between devices. For a detailed look at its features and performance, read our XTB mobile app review.
Is XTB good for beginner traders?
Yes, XTB is beginner-friendly because of its intuitive xStation 5 platform, free demo account, educational resources, and no minimum deposit requirement. New traders can practise with virtual funds, learn how different order types work, and build confidence before trading with real money.
While XTB is easy to use, trading still involves risk. If you trade CFDs, leverage can increase both potential profits and losses, and most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Before placing your first trade, make sure you understand the difference between buying real stocks or ETFs and opening long or short CFD positions, and check whether XTB is safe or a scam before getting started.
Conclusion
Buying and selling on XTB becomes much easier once you understand the difference between trading real assets and CFDs. The xStation 5 platform provides a straightforward way to place trades, monitor positions, and manage risk from your web browser, desktop, or mobile device.
Overall, TradingCritique gives XTB a TC Rating of 7.97/10 for its intuitive platform, simple order execution, and beginner-friendly experience. If you’re new to trading, start with an XTB demo account to practise using different order types and risk management tools before trading with real funds.
Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% 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.
Pro Tip
Before clicking buy or sell, review your trade size, costs, and risk settings. Taking a few extra seconds can help you avoid costly trading mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I buy and sell on XTB?
Log in to your XTB account, select a financial instrument, open the order ticket, choose buy or sell, enter your trade size, review the details, and confirm your order.
2. Is XTB good for beginners?
Yes, XTB offers an intuitive platform, a free demo account, educational resources, and no minimum deposit requirement, making it suitable for beginners.
3. Can I trade stocks and forex on XTB?
Yes, XTB offers access to real stocks, ETFs, forex, indices, commodities, and CFD markets, depending on your region.
4. How do I close a trade on XTB?
Open the open positions or portfolio section, select the trade, click close, review the details, and confirm the transaction.
5. Can I trade using the XTB mobile app?
Yes, the XTB mobile app lets you place trades, monitor positions, manage stop loss and take profit, and close trades on the go.
6. What is the difference between buy and sell orders on XTB?
For real stocks and ETFs, buy purchases an asset and sell closes your investment. For CFDs, buy opens a long position, while sell opens a short position.
7. Is it safe to trade on XTB?
XTB is regulated by several financial authorities, but trading always carries market risk, especially when using leveraged CFDs. To learn more about its regulation and security, read our XTB broker safe or scam review.
8. How can beginners reduce trading risk on XTB?
Start with a demo account, use stop loss orders, trade smaller position sizes, understand leverage, and only risk money you can afford to lose.
9. Does XTB offer demo trading?
Yes, XTB provides a free demo account with virtual funds so you can practise trading before using real money.
More on XTB
Continue your research across the XTB review.
