Choosing the right trading account is one of the first decisions you’ll make when opening an account with XTB. Fortunately, XTB keeps its account structure much simpler than many competing brokers. For most traders, the decision comes down to whether they need a live standard account, a demo account for practice, or professional client status if they meet the regulatory requirements.
In this article, we explain what kind of accounts XTB offers, what they are used for, and which one will be the best for your level of experience and trading needs. For a broader overview of the broker, see our XTB guide, and choosing the proper account at the beginning will help you avoid account switching in the future. Based on our TradingCritique review, XTB has received a TC Rating of 7.97/10.
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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 are XTB account types?
- In contrast to many brokers that provide a variety of live accounts, such as ECN, raw spread, micro, VIP, or cent accounts, XTB prefers to keep things simple.
- The most commonly used account by clients is the standard account, and the demo account is used for practicing without using real money. A professional account can be applied for by clients who qualify as professional clients.
- Swap-Free (Islamic) account available only through certain XTB entities and jurisdictions.
- In all types of accounts, traders will have access to the same xStation 5 trading platform and the markets such as Forex, Commodities, Stocks, ETFs, Indices, and Cryptocurrencies.
Overview of XTB trading accounts
XTB provides three types of accounts, each tailored to a specific category of traders. The table below will help you see the differences between these accounts to choose the one that suits your trading needs and experience.
Standard account
Professional account
Demo account
The minimum deposits can be different depending on the country where you are based and the particular XTB entity that serves your account.
XTB standard account explained
The standard account is the primary live XTB account and is appropriate for the majority of traders. If you have never traded in your life or have some experience in trading CFDs, the standard account allows you to trade all important markets without complications.
Who should select the standard account?
The standard account is suitable for:
- Beginners
- Intermediate traders
- Long-term investors
- Swing traders
- Position traders
- Most retail CFD traders
There is no mandatory minimum deposit needed to open this account in many jurisdictions, and traders may start trading using a starting deposit matching their financial situation.
Markets available for trading
Traders of the standard account may access a variety of financial instruments, including:
- Forex pairs
- CFD Shares
- CFD ETFs
- Commodities
- Indices
- Crypto CFDs
All instruments are available via the xStation 5 trading platform on desktop, web browser, and mobile versions.
Price structure
- One of the major advantages of XTB is that the broker uses a commission-free price structure for the majority of CFD products. It means that there are no extra trading commissions applied, but the spread incorporates the cost of trading.
- Thus, it becomes clearer for beginner traders to calculate their expenses. But commission-free does not mean free trading. The spread is the cost of the trade, and traders should always consider comparing the spreads of various brokers.
- Some Share and CFD Stock products may involve commissions after a certain monthly volume limit is reached.
Leverage
The level of retail leverage depends on the financial body that regulates your XTB trading account.
For most European retail traders, maximum leverage includes:
- Forex: up to 1:30
- Indices: Up to 20:1
- Commodities and Crypto: limited leverage depending on regulation
Increased leverage can be provided for certain professional clients.
Investor protection
Retail standard accounts usually enjoy several investor safety measures, such as:
- Negative balance protection
- Segregation of investor funds
- Investor compensation schemes, when appropriate
- Risk warning issued by financial authorities
These features are designed to mitigate financial risks associated with CFD trading.
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.
XTB demo account: Practice without risk
Before making actual investments, many traders decide to learn how to open an XTB demo account before moving to a live account. In the demo mode, users utilize virtual currency while having access to the same xStation 5 platform and market rates as the live accounts. The demo account is ideal for:
- Beginners
- Those who are learning xStation 5
- Strategy testing
- Platform testing
- Testing indicators and risk management
Since there is no real money involved, users get to understand how the market works without financial risk. For most beginners, investing a few weeks in a demo account before opening a live account is a more effective approach than making an immediate deposit.
Does XTB offer professional accounts?
Yes, XTB offers a professional account to its clients, provided they meet certain regulatory criteria for eligibility. Professional clients are usually those who have substantial experience in trading and hold sufficient market knowledge, along with other specific criteria. Depending on the regulatory jurisdiction, qualifications may consider factors such as:
- Prior trading experience
- Experience in the financial industry
- Size of investment portfolio
The primary benefit of using professional accounts is the high leverage they offer. However, traders should understand the trade-off before applying. Professional clients will not enjoy certain protection measures that retail traders have automatically. These protection measures include:
What you gain
The primary benefit of using professional accounts is the high leverage they offer.
What you give up
- Negative balance protection
- Some types of investor compensations
- Additional regulatory protections
High leverage leads to both higher profits and higher risks. Inexperienced traders usually think of nothing but the high leverage. Being a professional client is certainly not always the right choice for most retail traders. To learn more about regulation and investor protection, read our XTB safe and scam review.
Does XTB offer Islamic / swap-free accounts?
Yes, XTB provides Islamic (swap-free) accounts in certain regions. However, these types of accounts are not provided by all XTB entities. In case a client wants to open a Sharia-compliant trading account, it is better to find out about the availability of such a trading account prior to opening an XTB real account. In case a swap-free account is offered in a particular region, a client should normally expect the following:
- No overnight swap fees on eligible trades
- Some sort of application or permission procedure after the client opens their trading account
- Terms and conditions associated with the Islamic account offered by a particular XTB entity
- Certain restrictions on particular financial instruments/holding period.
If your particular XTB trading entity does not provide the Islamic account, the client will have to open a regular trading account or choose another broker offering dedicated Islamic/special swap-free accounts.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Most traders believe that professional accounts are more profitable due to their higher leverage levels. However, such high levels are always associated with additional risks and lower trade protection for a trader. XTB’s straightforward structure is therefore recommended for beginner traders who do not have to compare several accounts to find a better option.
XTB account fees and trading conditions
XTB uses a straightforward pricing structure in which almost all costs of trading are incorporated into the spread. The following are the main fees that should be considered before creating an account:
- Forex spreads: Starting from 0.8 pips on major currency pairs like (EUR/USD).
- CFD trading: 0% commission on most CFD instruments. The spread is the main cost for trading.
- Stocks and ETFs: 0% commission up to $100,000 monthly trading volume. After that, a 0.2% commission (minimum $11(≈ €10)) applies.
- Currency conversion fee: 0.5% when trading in a currency different from your account’s base currency.
- Overnight swap fees: Charged on leveraged positions held overnight.
- Inactivity fee: Charges an inactivity fee of $11 (≈ €10) per month after 365 days of no trades + 90 days of no deposit.
- Deposits: Free.
- Withdrawals: Withdrawals above $50 are free, while withdrawals below $50 incur a $30 fee.
In summary, XTB has competitive trading fees. Nevertheless, it is important not only to consider low spreads but also other fees like swaps, currency conversion, and inactivity.
For a complete breakdown of trading costs, see our fees and commissions guide.
Which XTB account is best for beginners?
The standard account suits everyone, but we recommend testing yourself with the XTB demo account first. Using virtual money enables you to gain experience before using your funds. The demo account will teach you how to:
- Make and control trades
- Manage risks and money
- Control position size
- Work with the xStation 5 platform
After you are ready, open a standard account and deposit the sum of money that you can afford. Don’t apply for a professional account because you do not have enough trading experience, and leverage means less protection for the investor.
How to open an XTB account step by step?
An account on XTB can be opened entirely online. It usually consists of the following steps:
- Go to the official website of XTB
- Select your country of residence
- Fill out the online application form
- Submit personal and financial details
- Upload your identification documents
- Upload proof of address
- Go through the suitability test mandated by the regulator
- Get your account verified
- Deposit funds into your account
- Start trading on xStation 5
Verification times vary depending on documentation quality and regulatory requirements. For more detailed instructions, follow our guide on how to open a trading account before completing the registration process.
Pros and cons of XTB account types
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple account structure | No ECN or raw spread account options |
| Standard account suits most traders | Professional accounts lose some retail protections |
| No minimum deposit | Islamic account availability may be region-restricted |
| Demo account available for practice | Higher leverage requires qualification |
| Commission-free pricing on most CFDs | Spread remains the primary trading cost |
| Same xStation 5 platform across all live accounts | Currency conversion fees may apply |
| Retail protections available | Inactivity fees may apply after extended periods |
Conclusion: Which XTB account should you open?
XTB makes the selection process easy for the trader because they offer few account choices. For most of the traders, the standard account should be their choice since they get global market access, competitive prices, and protection. Beginners should consider the demo account before they engage in real market activities with real funds.
The professional account is designed only for selected traders and therefore cannot be used by all traders. Even though it provides high leverage, it does not offer any retail investor protection. Therefore, it can be suitable for experienced traders only.
XTB earned 7.97/10 in TC rating because its account types are simple and easy to understand. Most traders can quickly choose the right account without getting confused by too many options.
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 opening a live account, compare your trading goals, risk tolerance, and preferred markets. If you’re unsure, spend time testing the platform with a demo account first. Choosing the right account from the beginning can save time and help you avoid unnecessary account changes later.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What account types does XTB offer?
XTB offers three main account types: Standard account, demo account, and professional account. Islamic (swap-free) accounts may be available only in some regions.
2. Which XTB account is best for beginners?
The demo account is best for beginners to practice with virtual funds. Once you’re confident, you can switch to the standard account for live trading.
3. Can I use a demo account before depositing money?
Yes, XTB’s demo account is free and doesn’t require a deposit. You can practice trading with virtual funds before opening a live account.
4. Does XTB charge fees on all account types?
No, demo accounts are free. Live accounts may include spreads, overnight swap fees, currency conversion fees, and inactivity fees. Most CFDs have no trading commission.
5. What is the difference between a demo and a real account?
A demo account uses virtual money with no financial risk. A real account uses your money, so any profits or losses are real.
6. Does XTB offer Islamic or swap-free accounts?
Yes, but availability depends on your country and the XTB entity serving your region. Check with XTB before opening an account.
7. How do I open an XTB trading account?
Visit XTB’s website, complete the online application, upload your ID and proof of address, and wait for verification. Once approved, fund your account and start trading.
8. How long does XTB account verification take?
Account verification usually takes 1 to 2 business days, provided all required documents are submitted correctly.
9. Can I switch account types later?
Yes, you can request to change your account type. However, switching to a professional account requires meeting XTB’s eligibility requirements.
More on XTB
Continue your research across the XTB review.
