XTB vs Lightyear: commission-free brokers compared (2026)
Updated 19 May 2026
Last verified: 2026-03-22
| Feature | XTB | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | €0 | €0 |
| Commission per trade (stocks) | 0% (up to €100,000/month turnover) | 0% |
| FX conversion fee | 0.50% | 0.35% |
| Minimum deposit | €0 | €1 |
| Products available | Stocks, ETFs, CFDs, Forex, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs |
| Free ETFs | 3,500+ | 3,000+ |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Regulated by | KNF (PL), FCA (UK), CySEC (CY), BaFin (DE) | FCA (UK), EFSA (EE) |
| Deposit protection | €20,000 (Polish ICF) | €20,000 (Estonian ICF) |
| Founded | 2002 | 2020 |
| Best for | Experienced traders who also want CFDs and forex | Beginners focused on simple stock and ETF investing |
Both XTB and Lightyear offer commission-free stock trading across Europe, but they take very different approaches. XTB is a publicly listed broker founded in 2002 with a broad product range including CFDs and forex. Lightyear, launched in 2020 by former Wise and Bolt executives, focuses on keeping things simple with stocks and ETFs only.
This comparison is aimed at European expats and investors who are choosing between these two commission-free platforms. Both are available in the Netherlands and across much of Europe, making them relevant options for anyone looking to invest without paying per-trade commissions. We will look at their fees, features, regulation, and product offerings so you can decide which may suit your situation.
All data in this article comes from the Capmap platform database. Where information is not available, we note it clearly. Fees and features can change, so always verify current details on each platform's official website before making decisions.
XTB is a Polish broker that has been operating since 2002, making it one of the more established names in European online trading. The company is publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is headquartered in Poland. XTB is regulated by multiple authorities: the KNF in Poland, the FCA in the United Kingdom, CySEC in Cyprus, and BaFin in Germany. This multi-regulator oversight reflects its broad European presence.
The platform offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs up to a monthly turnover of €100,000. Beyond that threshold, a 0.20% commission applies. XTB stands out for its product diversity: alongside stocks and ETFs, you can trade CFDs, forex, and crypto. This makes it appealing to more experienced traders who want access to leveraged products or currency markets from the same account.
XTB's proprietary trading platform, xStation 5, is available as both a web application and a mobile app. It includes built-in market analysis tools, educational content, and a demo account for practising without real money. The platform also offers savings plans and fractional shares, which are useful features for investors who want to build positions gradually.
With access to six major exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE, Euronext, XETRA, and WSE) and over 3,500 free ETFs, XTB provides a reasonably wide selection. The platform requires no minimum deposit and charges no annual account fee. Deposit protection is covered by the Polish Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000.
Lightyear is a newer European investment app founded in 2020, headquartered in Estonia. It was created by former executives from Wise and Bolt, and its mission centres on offering simple, transparent investing for everyday Europeans. The platform is regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and the EFSA in Estonia.
Lightyear charges 0% commission on all stock and ETF trades, with no monthly turnover cap. Its primary cost to investors is the FX conversion fee of 0.35% when buying assets in a different currency. This is notably lower than what many competitors charge for currency conversion, reflecting the founders' fintech background at Wise.
The platform focuses exclusively on stocks and ETFs, with access to over 3,000 free ETFs across five major exchanges: NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE, Euronext, and XETRA. There are no CFDs, no forex, and no crypto. This narrower product range is a deliberate design choice aimed at keeping the platform straightforward for investors who want to buy and hold.
Lightyear supports fractional shares, making it accessible for investors starting with small amounts. The minimum deposit is just €1. The platform offers both a mobile app and a web platform, and it supports multiple payment methods including bank transfer, credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. However, Lightyear does not offer a demo account or savings plans. Deposit protection is provided by the Estonian Investor Compensation Fund up to €20,000.
| Fee type | XTB | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual account fee | €0 | €0 |
| Stock commission | 0% (up to €100,000/month turnover) | 0% |
| ETF commission | 0% (up to €100,000/month turnover) | 0% |
| Commission above threshold | 0.20% per trade | No threshold |
| FX conversion fee | 0.50% | 0.35% |
| Minimum deposit | €0 | €1 |
| Deposit protection | €20,000 (Polish ICF) | €20,000 (Estonian ICF) |
| Inactivity fee | Information not available on Capmap | Information not available on Capmap |
Both platforms charge no annual fee and no commission on standard stock and ETF trades. The key fee difference lies in two areas. First, XTB imposes a €100,000 monthly turnover limit on commission-free trading. If you exceed that, trades cost 0.20%. Lightyear has no such cap, so all trades remain commission-free regardless of volume.
Second, and often more significant for European investors buying US or UK stocks, the FX conversion fee differs. XTB charges 0.50% on currency conversions, while Lightyear charges 0.35%. For an investor putting €10,000 into US-listed ETFs, this difference amounts to €15 in saved conversion costs with Lightyear. Over time, particularly for investors who regularly buy non-EUR assets, this gap adds up.
| Feature | XTB | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Web platform | Yes | Yes |
| Demo account | Yes | No |
| Savings plan | Yes | No |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| API access | No | No |
| Tax reporting | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs and forex | Yes | No |
| Crypto trading | Yes | No |
| Number of exchanges | 6 (incl. WSE) | 5 |
| Free ETFs | 3,500+ | 3,000+ |
| Payment methods | Bank transfer, credit card | Bank transfer, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Countries available | 22 | 17 |
XTB has a broader feature set overall. It offers a demo account where you can practise trading with virtual funds, which is helpful for beginners who want to explore the platform before committing real money. XTB also supports savings plans, allowing you to set up recurring investments automatically. Its product range extends well beyond stocks and ETFs to include CFDs, forex, and crypto.
Lightyear, by contrast, keeps things deliberately minimal. There is no demo account and no savings plan functionality. The product range is limited to stocks and ETFs. However, Lightyear does offer more payment flexibility, accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay alongside bank transfers and credit cards. This can make depositing money faster and more convenient.
Both platforms provide tax reporting features, which is valuable for European investors dealing with cross-border tax obligations. Both offer fractional shares, meaning you can invest in expensive stocks like Amazon or ASML without needing to buy a full share. Neither platform currently offers API access for automated trading.
Both platforms carry a regulatory score of 7 out of 10 on Capmap. However, their regulatory profiles differ. XTB is regulated by four separate authorities: the KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority), the FCA (UK Financial Conduct Authority), CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), and BaFin (German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority). This multi-jurisdiction regulation reflects XTB's long operating history and geographic reach.
Lightyear is regulated by two authorities: the FCA in the United Kingdom and the EFSA (Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority). While this is fewer regulators than XTB, both the FCA and EFSA are respected authorities within the European regulatory framework.
Deposit protection is similar for both platforms at €20,000, though through different national compensation schemes. XTB's protection comes through the Polish Investor Compensation Fund, while Lightyear's is through the Estonian Investor Compensation Fund. It is worth noting that this protects against broker insolvency, not against investment losses.
If you primarily invest in stocks and ETFs denominated in euros, both platforms offer a similar commission-free experience. The choice may come down to secondary features and costs.
If you want access to CFDs, forex, or crypto trading alongside your stock investments, XTB is the only option of the two. XTB also offers a demo account and savings plans, making it suitable for traders who want a more feature-rich platform. Its longer track record (24 years) and four regulatory licences may also provide additional reassurance.
If you frequently buy US or UK-listed stocks and ETFs and want to minimise currency conversion costs, Lightyear charges 0.35% for FX conversion compared to XTB's 0.50%. For regular investors in non-EUR assets, this difference is meaningful over time. Lightyear's simpler interface and focus on stocks and ETFs may also appeal if you prefer a streamlined experience without the complexity of leveraged products.
If you are completely new to investing, XTB's demo account lets you practise without risking real money, which can be a valuable learning tool. On the other hand, Lightyear's simpler product range means there is less risk of accidentally trading complex instruments like CFDs.
For European expats specifically, both platforms are available in the Netherlands and most Western European countries. XTB covers 22 countries compared to Lightyear's 17, so availability in your specific country is worth checking. Both platforms provide tax reporting, which simplifies annual tax declarations across borders.
Both offer 0% commission on stocks and ETFs. The main cost difference is in FX conversion: Lightyear charges 0.35% while XTB charges 0.50%. For investors buying non-EUR assets regularly, Lightyear is slightly cheaper. XTB also has a monthly turnover cap of EUR 100,000 on commission-free trading, after which a 0.20% fee applies.
Yes. XTB is regulated by four authorities: KNF (Poland), FCA (United Kingdom), CySEC (Cyprus), and BaFin (Germany). It is publicly listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and has been operating since 2002. Deposit protection covers up to EUR 20,000 through the Polish Investor Compensation Fund.
No. As of March 2026, Lightyear does not offer an automated savings plan or recurring investment feature. If you want automated monthly investing, consider Trade Republic or Trading 212, both of which offer savings plans.
XTB offers crypto trading alongside stocks, ETFs, CFDs, and forex. Lightyear does not support crypto trading and focuses exclusively on stocks and ETFs.
Lightyear may suit beginners who want a simple, focused experience with just stocks and ETFs. XTB offers more features including a demo account for practising without real money, which can be helpful for those just starting out. Both platforms support fractional shares, letting you invest from as little as EUR 1.
Yes. Both platforms accept clients from the Netherlands. XTB is available in 22 European countries and Lightyear in 17. Both provide tax reporting features useful for Dutch and European tax declarations.
XTB and Lightyear are both strong commission-free brokers for European investors, but they serve different needs. XTB is the more versatile platform with a wider product range, more features, and broader regulatory coverage. Lightyear is the more focused option, offering lower FX fees and a simpler investing experience.
You can explore both platforms in detail on Capmap: XTB and Lightyear. For more investing platforms available in Europe, browse the full directory. Related comparisons: Trading 212 vs DEGIRO and eToro vs Trading 212.
This article is educational content, not financial advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. Fees and features may change, so verify current details on the platform's official website. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Capmap.eu is an independent comparison platform - we do not provide personal recommendations. Always verify current fees, rates, and regulations with the provider or a qualified adviser before making financial decisions. Information was accurate at the time of writing but may have changed.
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Compare Lightyear and XTBWritten by Capmap Editorial · Independent financial guides for expats in Europe.