Welcome to our professional review of the online trading broker, XTB, for traders and investors in the UAE. This XTB review 2025 takes a detailed look at one of the UAE’s top brokers, comparing them with other competitors in the region. We look at specific aspects like XTB’s platform, regulations and features, and how these points impact traders in the UAE.
Written by Sam Reid
Fact checked by Freddie Ricks
Last updated 1 day ago
XTB, originally established as X-Trade in 2002 and later merging into the XTB Group in 2004, stands as a prominent Forex and CFD broker. With a strong presence across 13+ countries, including Poland, the UK, the UAE, France, Spain, and Germany, XTB holds a notable position in the industry, also listed as a public company on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
It excels in stock trading and investing, offering fast execution that ensures swift and reliable trading, transparent transactions and no requotes. XTB is regulated by esteemed entities like the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
Min Deposit
$0
Used By
1.6+ million traders
Spreads
From 0.09 pips
Commissions
0% commission
Founded
2004
Acc Currency
USD
Leverage
1:30
Copy Trading
❌ No
Instruments
Forex & CFDs on stocks, indices, ETFs and commodities + physical stock/ETF investing
XTB’s product offerings vary by region, showcasing versatility across different areas. Their offering includes a choice of 7,000+ financial instruments spanning diverse asset classes. Notably, some European clients can engage in non-leveraged trading of stocks and ETFs without commission charges, excluding specific regions like the UK, Cyprus, Hungary, and other international locations where offerings are more restricted in these categories. For global traders, stock and ETF CFDs feature 0% commission. In the UAE, traders enjoy access to an extensive range of trading options:
1. Forex: More than 50 currency pairs
2. CFD Indices: Over 20 global indices
3. CFD Commodities: A selection of 20+ commodities and precious metals
5. Real Shares: 2000+ shares from global exchanges
6. Real ETFs: 300+ Exchange-Traded Funds
XTB MENA also offers Investment Plans, a user-friendly solution for passive investing, allowing clients to build personalized portfolios of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) starting from as little as $15.
Key Features:
These features make XTB MENA’s Investment Plans a compelling choice for individuals seeking a straightforward and cost-effective approach to long-term investing.
XTB offers competitive trading fees and average non-trading fees to its UAE-based clients. The trading fees for popular instruments like S&P 500 CFD, Europe 50 CFD, and EURUSD are built into the spread, with costs ranging from 0.6 pips to over 1 pip during peak trading hours.
Notably, XTB introduced 0% commission trading for Standard account holders in February 2022, with fees incorporated into the spread. However, Pro account trades do incur commission charges that vary by base currency. Margin trades might also entail overnight swap charges based on overall exposure. XTB also offers real stock and ETF trading for clients in the UAE, charging zero commission.
XTB imposes an inactivity fee of €10 per month after one year of trading inactivity, provided no deposit was made in the last 90 days. However, setting up accounts is free, and no minimum deposit is required.
Currency conversion incurs a 0.5% fee on trades involving different account and instrument currencies. The account base currency is essential, as choosing the same currency as the bank account avoids conversion fees.
Deposits are free of charge for XTB, however you should consider that certain deposit methods made incur fees from the payment provider’s side. Deposit options encompass PayPal, credit and debit cards, and bank transfers. For withdrawals, XTB charges no fees if the amount exceeds $50. Withdrawals via bank transfers can take up to 2 working days, with those made before 1:00 pm arriving on the same day.
For deposits and withdrawals with XTB, there are a few key points to consider. When it comes to depositing funds, MENA traders can choose between debit card or initiating a bank transfer. It’s important to note that while some of these methods are free of charge, XTB does not cover any exchange rate charges that might arise if you deposit funds in a currency that differs from that of your bank.
Both bank transfers and debit cards are viable options for both depositing and withdrawing funds. For clients based in the UAE, it’s worth noting that USD is the only available base currency. On the withdrawal side, the standard processing time for a withdrawal request is set at 1 business day. This structured approach to handling deposits and withdrawals ensures transparency and clarity for XTB’s clients.
xStation 5 is XTB’s proprietary trading platform, designed to provide traders with a comprehensive and user-friendly trading experience. Based on our performance review of the platform, we rate it very highly.
XTB’s xStation 5 trading platform offers cutting-edge features and fast processing. It has a clean and minimalist design, yet it’s equipped with powerful and comprehensive tools. When compared to platform giants like CMC Markets, IG, and FXCM, xStation 5 stands out as the clear winner. It provides an excellent user experience across various devices including web, mobile, tablet, as well as iOS and Android smartwatches.
Here are some key features and aspects of the xStation 5 platform:
User-Friendly Interface: xStation 5 is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface. It is designed to cater to traders of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced traders.
Advanced Charting: The platform offers advanced charting tools and technical indicators that allow traders to analyze market trends and make informed trading decisions. The charts can be customized to suit individual preferences.
Market Analysis: The platform provides real-time market news, economic calendars, and analysis tools to help traders stay informed about market events and trends that could impact their trading decisions.
Multi-Asset Trading: Traders using xStation 5 can access a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more.
Mobile and Web Versions: xStation 5 is available as both a desktop application and a web-based platform. Additionally, there are mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing traders to manage their positions and monitor markets on the go.
Trading Analytics: The platform provides detailed trading analytics, performance statistics, and trading history to help traders assess their trading strategies and make improvements over time.
On its website, XTB only mentions one Standard account for CFD trading and real stock/ETF investing. Trading conditions vary only depending on whether you’re trading CFDs or investing in physical stocks
The Standard account for CFD trading covers a wide range of instruments including forex, indices, commodities, and CFDs on equities and ETFs. XTB does not charge commission on most CFD instruments, except for equity and ETF CFDs, where additional fees may apply. Instead, trading costs are built into the spread, which is typically slightly wider than what you’d see on commission-based accounts.
Retail clients are offered leverage of up to 1:400. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots, and spreads can go as low as 0.09 pips depending on the instrument. Negative balance protection is provided and client funds are held in segregated accounts, ensuring higher safety for clients.
XTB also offers swap-free accounts, but they are limited in scope and available only for certain instruments and for a restricted period. This makes them suitable for traders seeking interest-free conditions, but not as robust as a full Islamic account offering.
XTB’s account also accommodates investing in real stocks and ETFs. XTB offers 0% commission on monthly turnover up to €100,000. After that, a 0.2% commission applies, with a minimum fee of €10 per trade. This makes it cost-effective for casual and moderate investors, but potentially more expensive for high-volume traders.
There’s a minimum investment of $10 and a 0.5% currency conversion fee applies when investing in products denominated in a different currency than your account base. Account maintenance and deposits are free for active clients, though some payment providers may charge separate processing fees.
XTB offers an array of research tools accessible through two main channels: the xStation 5 trading platform and the ‘Market Analysis’ section on the XTB website. These resources are available in multiple languages, catering to a global clientele.
Within the news flow, XTB provides trading ideas primarily rooted in short-term strategies based on technical analysis. These ideas, however, lack a clear structure, often leading to information overload when searching for specific assets. While trading ideas are available, their organization could be improved for easier access and navigation.
Clients have the option to subscribe to mobile trade alerts, delivered in real-time via WhatsApp. These alerts, initially complimentary for seven days, provide breaking news and updates on key technical levels. After the trial period, a fee is applicable.
XTB stands out for its top-tier research tools selection, offering a user-friendly experience and multiple methods for selecting tradable instruments. Notably, it excels in delivering quality analysis from both in-house experts and third-party providers.
Among the research tools offered by XTB, the following stand out:
1. Market Sentiments: This feature tracks the percentage of XTB clients holding short and long positions in the market.
2. Heatmaps: Visual representations of market winners and losers.
3. Stock Screeners: A tool that uses 14 factors to filter and sort over 1,700 tradable single-stock CFDs and cash equities.
4. ETF Scanners: Similar to stock screeners, focusing on Exchange-Traded Funds.
XTB offers a Knowledge Base that includes educational articles and regularly updated market analysis. While the analysis section is informative and timely, we found the overall educational offering to be somewhat limited when compared to brokers that provide full trading academies with courses and videos.
We noticed there is no clear segmentation between beginner, intermediate, and advanced content, which can make it harder for new traders to navigate or build a structured learning path. If you’re just starting out and looking for a more comprehensive, beginner-friendly educational suite directly from your broker, you may want to explore other options.
Founded in 2004, XTB boasts a strong track record in the trading industry and has garnered a reputation for its commitment to safety and providing an effective trading experience. When examining XTB, the focus on platform credibility and security takes center stage. As a plus for traders and investors located in the UAE, XTB MENA is regulated locally by the DFSA.
With nearly two decades of operational experience, XTB has evolved into a significant player in the field, serving a substantial clientele of over 650,000 worldwide. An important indicator of its credibility is its position as a publicly traded entity on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
XTB’s global presence is supported by its subsidiaries, each regulated by distinct financial authorities:
XTB employs robust measures to safeguard client funds:
1. Segregated Accounts: Client funds are maintained in separate accounts, distinct from the company’s operational funds.
2. Compensation Scheme Protection: The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) covers traders’ funds up to £85,000 in case of insolvency, offering an added layer of security. However, this is only for XTB’s FCA clients.
When it comes to customer support at XTB, the experience is a mix of positives and areas for improvement. Their phone service has received high praise for its responsiveness and the quality of assistance provided.
Similarly, the live chat option proves to be efficient and fast. On the other hand, email support may require some patience due to response times, but the information provided is generally accurate and helpful.
Reaching out to XTB is possible through different avenues, including live chat, phone, and email. Based on our own testing, we found that XTB’s live chat performed admirably across different languages and regions, delivering quick and practical responses. The phone support aspect stands out as well, providing prompt answers that offer valuable insights.
Even with email responses taking more time, XTB showed dedication by replying within hours and taking the time to address inquiries comprehensively during phone conversations.
For UAE clients, XTB offers the following specific support channels.
In conclusion, our comprehensive review of XTB for UAE traders reveals a broker with a substantial industry presence and a focus on delivering a versatile trading experience. With a robust platform and a range of trading instruments including forex, indices, commodities, real shares and ETFs, XTB caters to diverse trading preferences. However, we find its probably a better choice for more advanced traders due to the absense of extensive educational trading materials.
Their xStation 5 platform stands out as a user-friendly powerhouse, while regulatory compliance and client fund security are bolstered by notable oversight from esteemed authorities. Moreover, XTB’s customer support, while not available 24/7, offers efficient assistance through live chat and phone channels, ensuring that traders have access to timely solutions. Overall, XTB presents a competitive option for traders in the UAE, combining advanced technology, regulatory diligence, and responsive customer service.
With a good trading strategy, it’s possible to become a profitable trader with XTB. But you should also remember that trading comes with risk, becoming profitable in the markets can time time and lots of practice.
Yes, XTB is completely legal in the UAE and is even regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority in the UAE.
Yes, we rate XTB as a safe and secure broker since it is regulated by several top tier regulators and has a long-standing positive reputation in the industry.
Yes, XTB is a legit and trusted broker, with multiple regulations around the world, including the UAE.
