xStation is the proprietary trading platform offered by online broker XTB as an alternative to MetaTrader 4. The xStation 5 platform has a number of features and supports many different asset classes. This review will cover all angles of the two versions of the XTB platform: xStation 5 and xStation mobile app.
Company data
XTB Online Trading has been around since 2009 and is one of the largest CFD brokers in the world. The company has offices in 11 countries, including the UK and Germany, and has secured high-profile brand ambassadors such as Hollywood actor Mads Mikkelsen and soccer coach Jose Mourinho.
The firm accepts clients from many countries around the world, including most of Europe and Latam (Latin America), but with notable exceptions, Belgium, the United States and Australia, among others.
xStation is the award-winning trading platform offered by the broker and is available on the web or as a mobile or desktop app. Windows xstation 5 login tutorial and full review
Features and usability xStation 5
One of the main selling points of the xStation platform is its functionality and ease of use.
The interface layout is immediately navigable for anyone who is familiar with similar trading platforms, while beginners can get familiar with the main functions in just a few minutes.
There are over 2,000 instruments available on xStation, including Forex, Indices, Commodities like Gold, Stock CFDs and ETF CFDs. Traders from outside the UK can also trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
It may seem like a daunting task to navigate through them, but by making this list fully customizable by instrument and asset class, the “Market Watch” feature allows users to navigate through instruments easily.
The various asset classes are also divided into convenient subcategories. For example, currency pairs are divided into major currency pairs, minor pairs, and EM (emerging market) pairs, and stocks can be separated by country.
XTB allows traders to use leverage when trading on xStation. Margin levels are displayed in the lower right corner of the screen.
Type of order
xStation offers three main order types, with the option to add “take profit” and/or “stop-loss” orders. Traders can also add a trailing stop loss before or after trade execution.
Market : a trade applies to the prevailing market rate. The simple type of order.
Limit – Depending on whether it is a buy or sell order, a limit order is executed at a predetermined point above or below the prevailing market rate. A merchant can also select the expiration time for this order.
Stop – A stop command is also a stop command.
Mobile app
The xStation mobile app includes almost all of the same features as the web-based platform. Some notable omissions include the ability to set price alerts, a watchlist that syncs with the web platform, and over 20 indicators available on the web and desktop platforms.
Other than this, the app is streamlined and very well designed. Important features like real-time news, pre-built watchlists, economic calendar, latest data and customer sentiment are preserved.
Various educational videos are also integrated into the mobile app and accessible at any time. Chart creation is also a seamless process in the app, with auto-saved layouts and trendlines and a responsive zoom function.
xStation Mobile Trading Platform
You can open a free xStation demo account loaded with virtual funds of $100,000. You can use this account for up to four weeks to practice risk-free trading and get to know the platform.
The demo account also allows you to access the “Premium” level education courses.
How to make a transaction on xStation
There are three ways to transact on xStation:
Market Watch – Use the Market Watch window to find a market where you want to open a position. Click on the name of this market and an order window will appear.
Here you can choose the trading volume and whether to apply a stop loss or take profit command level. The Commands window will also display the spread in pips and currency value, commission, pip value and daily trading points.
Once you have selected your volume, select the direction you wish to trade. If you want to buy or go long, press the green button. If you want to sell or go short, press the red button. After this, your order will be placed.
The Chart Trade Ticket: You can also make a trade from the chart window.
Once you have finished analyzing a market and want to make a trade, you will find the same red and green buttons at the top left of the screen. You will be able to adjust your trading volume from this window.
Three-Click Chart Trading – You can trade directly on the chart using xStation's three-click trading feature. At the top of the chart of the market you want to trade, click on the “Place a pending order on the chart” icon. This will enable the feature in three clicks.
Then click where you want to trade, use the second click to indicate where you want to place your stop loss and the third click where your profit target is.
You will be presented with a new order ticket based on what you have clicked. Click buy or sell to complete the order.
Educational and analytical functions
xStation offers clients a portfolio breakdown to help you keep track of all your transactions.
Statistics are broken down into overall profit/loss, specific instruments, percentage accuracy (all/buy/sell only), average trade duration, average/maximum consecutive win/loss, and average/maximum win/loss on winning trades. /losers. .
Advanced users may prefer a platform that provides a more detailed breakdown, but this should be enough information for any beginner or intermediate trader.
economic calendar
The xStation economic calendar is very easy to learn and can give you an edge when trading stocks and other foreign exchange markets. It is a good idea to be aware of periods of high liquidity and the calendar will provide announcements for each country, time and currency. As well as the forecast, past numbers and actual numbers shown.
best performance
The Top movers feature gives you the ability to see which instruments have had the highest percentage of moves over the last week or month. This is a useful way to identify potential trades by watching for increased volatility.
inventory analyzer
This allows you to track the stocks you choose and filter what you see by market cap, EPS, P/E values, dividends, ROE and BETA. The xStation Heat Map is essentially the same as the Stock Scanner, but in a different color chart format.
investment basket
A tool exclusive to the xStation platform is the “Investment Basket”. This allows traders to group various instruments by theme.
You can then open a position on all instruments simultaneously with just one click. Baskets can contain both long and short positions, which makes them useful for some advanced trading strategies.
There is also a small selection of educational videos and tutorials available on the xStation platform, as well as a YouTube channel with guides, updates, tips and tricks. You can view your trading history by clicking on the “History” tab.
All data can be exported as Excel/CSV file for easy tax reporting.
XTB XStation vs. MetaTrader 4
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is a popular trading platform offered by many brokers. XTB users can choose to trade on xStation or MT4, but the option to trade on MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is not offered.
Here is a list of the main differences and similarities between xStation and MetaTrader 4:
- The spreads are wider on MT4. If you trade with XTB, you will find that xStation offers tighter spreads.
- xStation does not allow automated trading, but MT4 does support the use of Expert Advisors (EAs) to automate trades.
- XTB offers our backtesting applications (backtesting evaluates the performance of a given stratum using historical data). MT4 users can create their own.
- There is an official API for xStation 5 where users can open transactions to retrieve data in real time using JSON. Note that although the Python API for xStation exists, it is not official.
- MT4 users have access to 24 analysis tools and up to 30 built-in technical indicators and chart types such as lines, bars and candles. All tradable assets can be displayed in nine time periods.
- xStation 5 customers can use 29 drawing tools and 37 technical indicators.
- MT4 users cannot trade CFDs on cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. XStation customers have access to the full range of XTB products. Please note that UK users will not be able to trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
- Users can run reports directly from the xStation platform, but those using MT4 will need to log into their XTB desktop client to do so.
Advantages
- Full range of products including crypto CFDs
- Wide range of technical characteristics
- Business functionality in three clicks
- functional your way
- investment baskets
- customizable
- tight spreads
- API support
Disadvantages
- Automated trading step
- No post test apps
- Limited details of portfolio distribution
However, the xStation platform has a wide range of features that should meet the needs of most merchants, retailers or professionals. Its sleek and user-friendly design means it offers stiff competition to industry favorites like MetaTrader 4.
You have the ability to create investment baskets. . However, the platform lacks post-testing and automation capabilities. In the end, unless you use heavy strategies with algorithms, this platform is highly recommended.
Frequent questions
Is XStation a good trading platform?
xStation is RTB's proprietary trading platform. It is popular for its functionality and friendliness. The platform has 29 drawing tools and 37 technical indicators. When trading XTB, xStation has access to tighter spreads and more instruments than the MT4 platform.
What is the difference between xStation and MetaTrader 4 (MT4)?
XTB offers two trading platforms to its clients: xStation and MT4. xStation, its proprietary software, has a wide range of functions and a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface. However, its competitor, MT4, is more suitable for traders algorithms or EAs because it allows for post-testing and automation.
Where can I download xStation?
xStation 5 is available on the website as a mobile office. To download the app, you will need to create an account on the XTB website. The mobile app is available on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
How can I trade on xStation?
There are three ways to trade on xStation: Market Watch, Charting Deal Ticket and Charts Trading with three clicks. All three trading methods are intuitive and fully customizable. Read our guide below to learn more about making a transaction on xStation.
Can I open a demo for the xStation 5 platform?
Yes, you can open a free xStation demo box to use to discover the platform. It will be active for four weeks and will automatically collect $100,000 in virtual funds.