Compare Brokers
We help you pick the best broker for your needs with our broker comparison tool. Select 2 brokers and see exactly what makes them different.
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Interactive Brokers
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Firstrade
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Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a leading brokerage offering access to over 170 markets in 40 countries and a range of investment services. With 40+ years in the industry, this Nasdaq-listed company follows strict regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, making it a trusted global trading broker. | Firstrade is a US-based discount broker-dealer authorized by the SEC and a member of FINRA/SIPC. It offers welcome bonuses, advanced tools and apps, and commission-free trading. Firstrade Securities is a popular top online brokerage, and opening a new account is fast and simple. | |
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Fixed |
| Demo Account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Trading Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | Firstrade Invest 3.0, TradingCentral |
| Payment Methods | ACH Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, Cheque, TransferWise, Wire Transfer | ACH Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, Cheque, Wire Transfer |
| Minimum Trade | $100 | $1 |
| Regulator | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS | SEC, FINRA |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF | USD |
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| Mobile Apps | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| App Review | The IBKR Mobile app for iOS and Android allows you to access your IBKR accounts, monitor portfolios, execute trades, and view real-time quotes and charts. Its user-friendly design is ideal for new traders, offering a simpler experience compared to the more complex TWS platform. | |
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| Margin Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Margin Rate | 0.50% – 1.50% (IBKR Pro markup), 2.50% (IBKR Lite markup) | 8% – 12% |
| Account Types | STP, DMA, MAM, Demat | |
| AI / Machine Learning | ✓ | ✗ |
| Robo Advisor | ✓ | ✗ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Market Maker | ✗ | ✓ |
| P2P Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Spot Trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto Trading | Capitalise.ai, TWS API | |
| Copy Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Social Trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS Hosting | ✗ | ✗ |
| Tournaments | ✗ | ✗ |
| Demo Competitions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ethical Investing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custodial Account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✗ | ✗ |
| Inactivity Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Islamic Account | ✗ | ✗ |
Forex Trading | ||
IBKR offers more than 100 major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, more than almost any other option except CMC Markets. Forex trading is available on multiple platforms with institutional-grade spreads starting from 0.1 pips and over 100 complex order types, like brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders. | ||
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | |
| EURUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | |
| EURGBP Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | |
| Assets | 100+ | |
Cryptocurrency Trading | ||
IBKR allows you to buy and retain Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Litecoin with low commission fees and no need for a crypto wallet. You can also explore additional assets such as crypto indices, including the NYSE Bitcoin Index, and futures contracts like the BAKKT Bitcoin Futures. | Trade a wide range of top cryptocurrencies with low fees available 24/7. Traders only need $1 to start trading popular tokens like Bitcoin. Clients can also purchase cryptos instantly with a few easy steps. | |
| Crypto Spread | 0.12%-0.18% | Variable |
| Crypto Coins | BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP | ALGO, AVAX, BAT, BTC, BCH, ADA, LINK, ATOM, CRO, CRV, MANA, DOGE, ETH, ETC, FTM, LTC, LRC, MATIC, REN, SHIB, SOL, XLM, SUSHI, GRT, UNI, YFI |
| Crypto Lending | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Mining | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Staking | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto Market Maker | ✗ | ✗ |