Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB vs Bestinvest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, XTB offers better pricing than Bestinvest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £144.75 per year.
12 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £119.40 - £179.40 per year.
36 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £238.20 - £357.60 per year.
120 trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £654 - £714 per year.
3 fund trades per year - XTB would cost £0 per year, while Bestinvest would cost £50 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing XTB and Bestinvest for investment options, UK investors will find both brokers offer share trading and the ability to trade ETFs. However, XTB also provides CFD trading, which might attract those interested in leveraging potential returns through derivatives. In contrast, Bestinvest does not offer CFDs but includes fund trading and investment trusts, appealing to those seeking diversified and managed investment solutions. Neither broker provides crypto trading, spread betting, or bond trading options, keeping their focus more aligned with traditional investment types.
Additionally, while both XTB and Bestinvest earn a commendable 4.5-star rating for investment choices from UK.StockBrokers.com, their offerings vary in rank, with Bestinvest coming in at 10th place and XTB at 13th out of 21 brokers. Bestinvest further distinguishes itself with advisor services for investors who value expert guidance. The selection between these platforms ultimately depends on whether you prefer a broader managed portfolio with advisory assistance available, as offered by Bestinvest, or lean toward the self-directed trading opportunities found with XTB.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When it comes to trading tools, XTB stands out with its ability to display corporate events like earnings, splits, and dividends directly on charts—a feature not available with Bestinvest. For those who enjoy charting, XTB offers 20 drawing tools compared to Bestinvest's 9, and provides 39 technical indicators opposed to Bestinvest's 36. Both platforms allow users to add notes to charts, enhancing your ability to track your trading strategies and insights over time. However, neither platform supports adding index overlays, though Bestinvest does have the option for stock overlays.
Both XTB and Bestinvest offer browser-based trading platforms and support the creation of alerts to keep you updated on stock price changes, ensuring you never miss crucial market movements. Yet, when it comes to accessing real-time market data, XTB has the edge over Bestinvest, catering to those who prioritize up-to-the-minute information for making informed decisions. Overall, while both brokers offer a solid range of tools for traders, XTB may appeal more to those looking for advanced charting capabilities and real-time data.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 36 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 9 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
When comparing online brokers XTB and Bestinvest for UK investors, it's essential to examine their retirement account options. Both brokers offer Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), providing a tax-efficient way to invest. However, when it comes to Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), a popular choice for retirement savings, the options differ. Bestinvest supports SIPP accounts, making it a versatile choice for those looking to manage their retirement savings, while XTB does not currently offer SIPPs. This difference is crucial for investors focused on building a retirement portfolio through a SIPP.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking insights into mobile trading platforms, both XTB and Bestinvest offer applications compatible with iPhone and Android devices. XTB's mobile app has earned a commendable 4.5-star rating from UK.StockBrokers.com, positioning it as the 6th best among 21 brokers in the category. In contrast, Bestinvest's app is rated at 3.5 stars, placing it 16th on the same list. When comparing mobile trading experiences, XTB's app appears to deliver a more highly regarded performance, suggesting a potentially smoother and more efficient user experience.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When comparing beginner investor educational resources between XTB and Bestinvest, UK readers will find that Bestinvest has a more comprehensive offering. Bestinvest holds educational webinars and archives them for on-demand viewing, while XTB does not provide these resources. Both brokers offer training on share trading, but only Bestinvest extends its educational content to encompass topics such as funds and retirement planning. In terms of ratings and rankings, UK.StockBrokers.com rates Bestinvest with a perfect 5 stars and places it at 6th out of 21 brokers for beginner education, whereas XTB receives a commendable 4.5 stars but ranks lower at 9th place. Beginner investors looking for an all-encompassing educational experience may therefore lean towards Bestinvest.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes |
| Education |
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Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When comparing the market research features of XTB and Bestinvest, there are several key differences and similarities to consider. Both XTB and Bestinvest provide insights into portfolio allocation by asset class and offer research on shares and ETFs, catering to investors looking to diversify their portfolios. However, while XTB excels in offering research for CFDs, Bestinvest stands out by providing in-depth reports for funds—a service not available through XTB. On the other hand, neither platform offers research on bonds, which may be a drawback for investors interested in fixed income securities. Ultimately, the choice between XTB and Bestinvest may depend on specific research needs, particularly whether one prioritizes funds or CFDs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
Bestinvest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
Which broker is better overall, XTB or Bestinvest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found XTB to be a better trading platform overall.
XTB has set itself up as a strong competitor in commission-free share trading. Its low fees and solid educational content will make XTB particularly attractive to newer investors. It does not, however, offer an ISA or SIPP.
| Feature |
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Bestinvest
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Both XTB and Bestinvest do not offer cryptocurrency trading options, making them similar in terms of crypto investment opportunities for traders looking to trade digital assets.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | XTB | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | XTB Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | XTB | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | No | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | No | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | Yes |
| Trading Fees | XTB | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £50 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 - £4.95 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £144.75 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £119.40 - £179.40 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £238.20 - £357.60 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £654 - £714 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £60 or £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | 0 | Up to £500 or £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | 0 | £500 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | 0 | £100 - £1,000 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | 0 | £0 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 | £4.95 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | N/A | £4.95 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | N/A | £30 |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | XTB | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 36 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 20 | 9 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | XTB | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | No | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | Bestinvest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Overall Summary | XTB | Bestinvest | |
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| Review | XTB Review | Bestinvest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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