XTB Alternative: Why Traders Switch to LHFX

XTB is a 20-year-old Warsaw-listed broker with the xStation 5 platform and 5,000+ instruments. But retail leverage is capped at 1:30, MT5 is not offered, and crypto funding is not supported.

LHFX runs MetaTrader 5 as a direct MetaQuotes licensee, offers up to 1:500 leverage on majors, opens accounts from $10, and typically pays out crypto withdrawals in under 20 minutes.

Quick Comparison

LHFX vs XTB at a glance.

LHFX vs XTB: commission, minimum deposit, spreads, leverage, platforms, instruments, execution, regulation, withdrawal speed and swap-free accounts
FeatureLHFXXTB
Commission$3 per sideZero on standard forex/indices/commodities, 0.2% on stocks above EUR 100k/month
Minimum Deposit$10$0 (some regions list $250 historically)
SpreadsFrom 0.0 pipsEUR/USD from around 0.5 pips (Standard)
LeverageUp to 1:500Up to 1:30 retail, 1:200 professional
PlatformsMetaTrader 5xStation 5 (proprietary), MT4 (legacy)
Instruments144 across forex, indices, commodities, crypto, stocks5,000+ including 1,600+ stocks, 80+ ETFs, 25 crypto CFDs, 35 indices
ExecutionSTP/ECNSTP/ECN/DMA
RegulationFSC Mauritius (GB23202204), FSCA South Africa (FSP 52816)FCA (522157), KNF (Poland), CySEC, BaFin, CNMV, IFSC Belize
Crypto Deposits and WithdrawalsBTC, ETH, USDT, typically under 20 minutesNot supported (CFD crypto trading only)
Islamic AccountYes, swap-free with holding fee after grace periodNot publicly disclosed

Where LHFX Wins

The areas where LHFX offers a clear advantage over XTB.

01

Up to 1:500 on Forex

LHFX offers up to 1:500 leverage on major forex pairs. XTB caps retail leverage at 1:30 under FCA, KNF, CySEC and BaFin rules, and 1:200 only for professional clients.

02

Built for Small Accounts

LHFX opens accounts from $10 with raw spreads from day one. XTB has historically required $250 and still leans toward larger account sizes in its onboarding.

03

Crypto Deposits and Withdrawals

LHFX accepts BTC, ETH and USDT for deposits and withdrawals, with payouts typically under 20 minutes. XTB offers 25 crypto CFDs as trading instruments but does not let you fund or withdraw in crypto.

04

MetaTrader 5 With Expert Advisors

LHFX is a direct MetaQuotes licensee and runs MT5 with full Expert Advisor and backtesting support. XTB is built around xStation 5, a strong proprietary platform but one that locks your automation work to a single vendor.

05

Built-In Swap-Free Option

LHFX offers swap-free Islamic accounts. XTB does not publicly advertise a dedicated Islamic account across its global entities.

Where XTB Wins

XTB has genuine strengths. Here is where they come out ahead.

5,000+ Instruments Including Real Shares

XTB offers 1,600+ stocks, 80+ ETFs, 25 crypto CFDs and 35 indices on xStation 5. In many EU regions it also offers commission-free real share investing alongside CFDs. LHFX focuses on 144 instruments and forex execution.

Top-Tier EU Regulator Stack

XTB is regulated by the FCA (522157), KNF (Poland), CySEC, BaFin and CNMV. LHFX is licensed by the FSC in Mauritius (GB23202204) and the FSCA in South Africa (FSP 52816).

20+ Years and Public Listing

XTB has been operating since 2002/2004 and is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange with audited financials. LHFX has a shorter operating history.

Real Share Investing in Many Regions

XTB offers commission-free real share and ETF investing up to EUR 100,000 in monthly turnover in many EU markets. LHFX is a CFD/forex broker and does not offer fractional real share investing.

Who Should Choose LHFX

  • Choose LHFX if you want up to 1:500 leverage on forex
  • Choose LHFX if you want MetaTrader 5 from a direct MetaQuotes licensee
  • Choose LHFX if you want to fund and withdraw in BTC, ETH or USDT
  • Choose LHFX if you want to start from $10 with raw spreads from day one
  • Choose LHFX if you want a built-in swap-free Islamic account
Open an LHFX Account

Who Should Stick with XTB

  • Choose XTB if you want commission-free real share and ETF investing in supported EU regions
  • Choose XTB if you want the xStation 5 proprietary platform
  • Choose XTB if you specifically need FCA, KNF or BaFin retail coverage
  • Choose XTB if you want 1,600+ stocks and 80+ ETFs in one account
  • Choose XTB if you prefer a publicly listed broker with 20+ years of history

Making the Switch

Moving from XTB to LHFX takes minutes, not days.

1

Open an LHFX Account

$10 minimum deposit. Registration takes about 2 minutes.

2

Verify Your Identity

Upload a government-issued ID. Most verifications complete within a few hours.

3

Fund and Start Trading

Deposit via crypto or card and place your first trade on MT5 or LHFX Trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LHFX cheaper than XTB?

For active forex traders, generally yes. LHFX charges $3 per side ($6 per round-turn lot) on raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EURUSD. XTB markets zero commission on forex, but its EURUSD spread starts around 0.5 pips, which on a standard lot works out to roughly $5 in cost, with no ability to access tighter raw spreads.

Does XTB offer MetaTrader 5?

No. XTB is built around its proprietary xStation 5 platform. MT4 is offered as a legacy option in some regions, but MT5 is not part of the lineup. LHFX is a direct MetaQuotes licensee and runs MT5 with full Expert Advisor, custom indicator and backtesting support.

Which broker has higher leverage?

LHFX offers up to 1:500 on major forex pairs. XTB caps retail leverage at 1:30 under FCA, KNF, CySEC and BaFin rules, with 1:200 available only to professional clients. If maximum leverage matters to your strategy, LHFX is the higher-leverage option.

Can I fund my XTB account with crypto?

No. XTB offers 25 crypto CFDs as trading instruments but does not accept BTC, ETH or stablecoin deposits and withdrawals. LHFX supports BTC, ETH, USDT and other major coins for both funding and payouts, with a typical withdrawal time of under 20 minutes.

Is LHFX as regulated as XTB?

XTB has a broader EU regulator stack including FCA (522157), KNF, CySEC and BaFin. LHFX is licensed by the FSC in Mauritius (GB23202204) and the FSCA in South Africa (FSP 52816). For purely EU retail traders, XTB has the deeper coverage. For global traders outside the EU, LHFX is fit for purpose.

Ready to Try LHFX?

$10 minimum deposit. $3 per side commission. Up to 1:500 leverage on MT5. Crypto withdrawals typically under 20 minutes.