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.
|
Interactive Brokers
|
Plus500US
|
|
|---|---|---|
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a top brokerage firm offering access to 150 markets in 33 countries and a range of investment services. With 40 years in the field, this company listed on Nasdaq strictly follows the rules set by authorities such as the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC. It's recognized as one of the most reliable brokers for global trading. | Plus500US, a reputable broker since 2021, is authorized by the CFTC and NFA. It offers futures trading on forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and interest rates. With a quick 10-minute signup, a $100 minimum deposit, and an easy-to-use web platform, Plus500 is enhancing its services for traders in the US. | |
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, CFDs Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies | Futures on Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Agriculture, Forex, Interest rates, Energy, Equity Index future contracts |
| Demo Account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Trading Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | WebTrader, App |
| Payment Methods | ACH Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, Cheque, Debit Card, TransferWise, Wire Transfer | ACH Transfer, Apple Pay, Debit Card, Google Wallet, Mastercard, Visa, Wire Transfer |
| Minimum Trade | $100 | Variable |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM | CFTC, NFA |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF | USD |
| Trust Rating | ||
| Assets & Markets Rating | ||
| Platforms Rating | ||
| Fees & Costs Rating | ||
| Customer Support Rating | ||
| Education Rating | ||
| Research Rating | ||
| Accounts & Banking Rating | ||
| 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. | |
| Android App Rating | ||
| iOS App Rating | ||
| Awards |
|
|
| Margin Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Margin Rate | 1.55 - 2.59% | |
| 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 | ✗ | ✗ |
CFD Trading | ||
Over 8,000 CFDs on various stocks, indices, forex, and commodities are offered. The TWS platform is ideal for experienced traders, providing a wide range of over 100 order types and algorithms, as well as premier market data from top sources like Reuters and Dow Jones. | ||
| Leverage | 1:50 | Variable |
| FTSE Spread | 0.005% (£1 Min) | |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | |
| Oil Spread | 0.25-0.85 | |
| Stocks Spread | 0.003 | |
Forex Trading | ||
IBKR offers more than 100 varieties of major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, exceeding the options provided by most competitors, except for CMC Markets. Forex trading happens across numerous platforms and features spreads from 0.1 pips, which are of institutional quality. It supports 20 types of complex orders like brackets, scale, and one-cancels-all (OCA) orders. | Plus500 US provides futures trading for 13 currencies, including well-known pairs such as EUR/USD and GBP/USD. Trading margins start at $40, which are competitive. The educational materials they offer effectively explain the fundamental aspects of forex futures for novice traders. | |
| GBPUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | |
| EURUSD Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | 0.75 |
| EURGBP Spread | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | |
| Assets | 100+ | 13 |
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. | Plus500's Micro-Bitcoin and Micro-Ethereum futures offer a basic introduction to crypto trading by allowing trades on the two most widely recognized digital assets. However, it's important to note that these derivative contracts don't permit direct crypto ownership, they simply allow for price speculation. | |
| Crypto Spread | 0.12%-0.18% | |
| Crypto Coins | BTC, LTC, ETH, XRP | MicroBitcoin, MicroEthereum |
| Crypto Lending | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Mining | ✗ | ✗ |
| Crypto Staking | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto Market Maker | ✗ | ✗ |