Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs XTB
CapTrader
XTB
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | CapTraderReviewVisitVisit | XTBReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | €0 |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | €0 |
| Account fee | $0 | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | €10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Free deposits; free withdrawals above 100 EUR/USD |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | XStation 5, XStation Mobile |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), FCA, KNF |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 77% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 |
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Key differences
- XTB scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Options, Futures, Bonds.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only XTB offers XStation 5, XStation Mobile.
- Support channels: only CapTrader offers Help centre.
- Support channels: only XTB offers Email, Chat, Phone.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only XTB offers Crypto.
- Pricing model: only XTB offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader charges $0 to hold an account and $0 for inactivity, so it suits active traders who want a wide market list. The catch is the $2,000 minimum deposit, which puts it beyond casual starters working with a small pot.
XTB
XTB suits beginners who want an account for shares, forex, CFDs and crypto without a monthly charge, and the cost side is thin: the account fee is €0 and the stock trade fee is €0. The catch is the inactivity fee of €10 and a currency conversion fee of 0.5%.
Score breakdown
| Area | CapTrader | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7The $0 account fee and $0 inactivity charge are clean, but the $2,000 minimum deposit and $2 stock trade fee pull the score back. | 9.2HigherAccount fee of €0 and stock trade fee of €0 lead, with an inactivity fee of €10 the offset. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.2 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.5 |
What each covers
| Markets | CapTrader | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | CapTrader | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) MiCA CASP 259400HM2TR4U3LF5D43 |
| Poland | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
What we checked
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
XTB
- xtb.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- hello-brokers.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- esma.europa.eu: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- eupersonalfinance.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- linkedin.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | CapTrader | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 36 of 654 | 3 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 24 of 358 | 2 of 358 |
| Trading platforms | 18 of 24 | 2 of 24 |
| Forex brokers | 12 of 147 | 2 of 147 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | XTB Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Cyprus |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2002 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone |
Crypto exchanges
| Fact | CapTrader | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Coins listed | Not confirmed | 45 |
| Fiat deposit methods | Not confirmed | Bank |
| Maker fee | Not confirmed | 0% |
| Withdrawal fee | Not confirmed | Free above 100 USD/EUR |
| Derivatives | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Exchange type | Not confirmed | Cex |
Savings
| Fact | CapTrader | XTB |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Not confirmed | 4% |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Variable |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | Interest on uninvested funds, calculated daily and paid monthly within five days of month end, no minimum or maximum balance, withdraw any amount to your bank account |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | XTB | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 77%highest quarter | 72.21% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 77 listed providers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- The account fee is $0 and the inactivity charge is $0, so holding an account costs nothing.
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, from shares and ETFs through to forex, crypto and funds.
- A demo account, fractional shares and a mobile app come as standard under demo account, mobile app and fractional shares.
Cons
- The $2,000 minimum deposit sits at 201 of 218 brands, which puts it out of reach for small pots.
- Trading costs bite on every order: $2 a stock trade and €2 an option.
- Support runs on help centre only, so quick questions wait for an article.
XTB
Pros
- The account fee is €0 and the stock trade fee is €0, which places XTB at 1 of 166 brands on the share dealing charge.
- The minimum deposit is €0, putting XTB at 1 of 218 brands on the amount needed to start.
- Deposit protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000 and investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, both stated with figures rather than vague wording.
Cons
- The inactivity fee is €10, and at 39 of 56 brands on that measure XTB sits well outside the free group.
- A currency conversion fee of 0.5% applies even though the stock trade fee is €0, which bites on any US share held in a euro or sterling account.
- Retail leverage runs to 1:30 and 77% of retail accounts lose money, so free dealing does not mean free from risk.
Who each suits
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders with a large pot who want stocks, etfs and forex under the same account.
- Desktop users who like a proper workstation, since Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers every session.
- Beginners who want to rehearse on the demo account and buy in fractions (demo account, mobile app and fractional shares).
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone starting with a small sum: CFI lists a $0 minimum deposit against CapTrader's $2,000.
- Readers who want the cheapest stock dealing, since eToro charges $0 on stock trades against CapTrader's $2.
XTB
Who it suits
- Beginners new to investing, since the audience XTB is built for is beginners and the minimum deposit is €0.
- UK and EU customers who want stocks, etfs and forex behind a single login and who read FSCS up to GBP 85,000 before funding.
- People who want the same platform on desktop and phone, with xStation 5 and xStation Mobile both carrying the account.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not bunq, which asks for a minimum deposit of €10 where XTB opens at €0.
- Not CFI if the opening amount is your only guide, since its minimum deposit is also $0 and the real difference is markets and protection.
- Not Fiesta Credito MX, listed under CONDUSEF for credit rather than for trading stocks, etfs and forex.
Questions about each
CapTrader
What does it cost to keep an account open?+
CapTrader charges an account fee of $0 and an inactivity charge of $0, so a dormant account costs nothing. That is the cheap part of running it. The money you actually pay for is trading, at $2 per stock trade and €2 per option.
How much do I need to put in before I can start?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which places CapTrader at 201 of 218 brands tracked on the site. That sits well above many rivals and rules out small monthly savers. Someone starting small would find $0 at CFI easier to reach.
XTB
What does it cost to hold an XTB account?+
The account fee is €0 and the monthly fee is £0, so there is no standing charge for keeping the account open. The recurring cost to watch is the inactivity fee of €10, which applies when an account is left unused. If you hold uninvested funds you also earn interest, calculated daily and paid monthly, with no minimum or maximum balance.
How much does it cost to buy shares on XTB?+
The stock trade fee is €0 and the account runs on a commission free and low fees model, so a share trade carries no commission. The charges that remain are the currency conversion fee of 0.5% when the trade currency and your account currency differ, and any spread built into the price. For an account holding US shares, that conversion fee is what turns a trade with a stock trade fee of €0 into a cost.
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