IG vs XTB
Since 1 Dec 2001, IG INDEX LIMITED has been authorised by the FCA, FRN 114059, and holds client money. Since 17 Jan 2011, XTB Limited has had authorisation from the FCA, FRN 522157. The firm holds client money.
IG and XTB side by side
Every figure comes from the broker, along with the date we read it. The sequence follows search order, not a preference.
| Fact | IG | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| UK firm | IG INDEX LIMITED | XTB Limited |
| FRN | 114059 | 522157 |
| Regulatory status | Authorised | Authorised |
| Authorised since | 1 Dec 2001 | 17 Jan 2011 |
| Clone firms on the register | 0 | 9 |
| Retail CFD accounts that lose money | 70%, read 2 Nov 2026 | 74%, read 2 Nov 2026 |
| EUR/USD spread as stated | 0.6 points (minimum, Spread betting) | Not stated |
| Smallest deposit | £250 | No minimum |
| Inactivity fee | Free (as stated on spread betting/CFD charges tab) | No account maintenance fee for any active client, whatever their balance |
| Withdrawal fee | free | free |
| Withdrawal time | Not stated | Processing takes no more than 3 working days; bank wires and card payments may take 3 working days to allocate. |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Spread betting | Yes | Not stated |
| Share dealing | Yes | Yes |
| Retail leverage | up to 30x leverage on selected markets | For retail clients, the maximum is 1:30 on major forex pairs |
| Platforms | You can use MT4 and MT5, TradingView, IG online trading platform, and the mobile app. L2 Dealer, ProRealTime and tastytrade platform for US options and futures are also included.) | XTB platform (xStation) |
| Demo account | Yes | Yes |
| Negative balance protection | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone app rating, UK App Store | 4.58 of 5 (34,180 ratings) | 4.66 of 5 (1,977 ratings) |
FCA status and withdrawal fee are the same for both firms. CFDs and share dealing are also the same. Their demo accounts match, as does negative balance protection.
ig.com/uk was read 2 Nov 2026; xtb.com/en was read 2 Nov 2026; ig.com/uk/charges was read 2 Nov 2026; xtb.com/en/forex was read 2 Nov 2026; ig.com/uk/about-us/international-offering was read 2 Nov 2026; xtb.com/en/account-and-fees was read 2 Nov 2026; ig.com/uk/spread-betting was read 2 Nov 2026; xtb.com/en/platform was read 2 Nov 2026.
How the two loss rates stand against the wider field
The full risk warning from each broker
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Trading spread bets and CFDs through this provider leads to money losses for 70% of retail investor accounts. Consider whether you understand the way spread bets and CFDs work. You should also consider whether you can afford to face a high risk of losing your money.
Read 2 Nov 2026, this is IG's own wording on ig.com.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. With this provider, trading CFDs leads to losses for 74% of retail investor accounts. Think about whether you understand how CFDs work. You should also consider whether the high risk of losing your money is one you can afford.
These are XTB's own words from xtb.com, with a reading date of 2 Nov 2026.