Bitpanda vs XTB Comparison

Bitpanda is a Vienna-based broker for crypto assets, stocks, ETFs and precious metals and reports more than 7 million users. Its crypto services in the EU now run under MiCA: the ESMA register lists three authorised Bitpanda companies, Bitpanda GmbH via the Austrian FMA since April 2025, Bitpanda Asset Management GmbH via BaFin in Germany since January 2025 and BP23 CA Limited via the Maltese MFSA. In August 2026 the FMA published a fine of €70,000 against Bitpanda GmbH: a crypto white paper reached the regulator too late and was advertised before it was published. Our analysis of the MiCA penalty explains what it means for investors.

Bitpanda does not win on costs. Bitcoin costs 0.99 per cent per buy or sell, most altcoins 1.49 per cent and small caps 2.49 per cent. Frequent traders pay noticeably more with percentage fees at this level than on an exchange with an order book; our crypto exchange comparison puts the cost per €1,000 side by side. In return, Bitpanda bundles savings plans, staking, crypto indices, stocks and ETFs at €1 per trade and physical precious metals in one app, and the account, custody and fiat deposits and withdrawals cost nothing.

User reviews draw the same picture: the app is praised as clear and easy to use, and costs are the most common complaint. Bitpanda suits investors who want to build up crypto and other asset classes over time in a regulated EU account. If the lowest trading fee is your priority, the comparison will point you to a better fit.

XTB stands out as an established, publicly listed multi-asset broker with more than 20 years of market experience and over 2.5 million clients. Its main strengths are a clear, easy-to-use interface and an unusually broad offering of more than 12,300 instruments - including 39 crypto Contracts for Differences alongside real stocks, ETFs, forex and commodities. The 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 in monthly volume, the XTB card and payment account, locally regulated European branches with support in the local language, and the depth of educational material all add to its appeal.

The key thing to understand is how XTB offers crypto: as Contract for Differences rather than as actual coins. That's a deliberate product design, not a defect - Contracts for Differences let you go long or short with leverage and built-in risk controls. But it does mean you never own the underlying crypto and can't move it to a personal wallet. If your goal is self-custody or long-term holding of real coins, a dedicated crypto platform fits better; if you want regulated, flexible price exposure within a single multi-asset account, XTB's approach is a sensible match. Some users also note room for improvement in support responsiveness and app stability.

Overall, XTB is best suited to investors who want a regulated, broadly positioned broker with locally supervised European branches, strong stock and ETF conditions, and integrated crypto Contracts for Differences trading - and who value a simple, clear and intuitive interface over direct crypto ownership.

**Contracts for Differences are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading Contract for Differences with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how Contracts for Differences work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.