ATFX vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ATFX and Interactive Brokers across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FCA and CySEC-regulated broker with a fast-growing global footprint, 300+ instruments on MT4, and a strong presence in the UAE and Asian markets - built on institutional backing and multi-regional regulation.
VS
Score 4.6 / 5
2 bonusesListed broker with global market access, lowest financing rates we benchmark, and the powerful TWS workstation.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.4 pts
Interactive Brokers edges ahead with a score of 4.6/5 vs ATFX's 4.2/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Interactive Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.2 pips vs 1.8 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for active traders
Recommended
Interactive Brokers has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.2 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Interactive Brokers offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS), a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
Interactive Brokers edges out ATFX with a higher editorial score (4.6/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
ATFX vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2017 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Greenwich, United States |
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 1.8 pips | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $2/lot |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 50:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | First withdrawal/month free |
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC | SEC FCA CMF ASIC JFSA SEBI AMF SFC FINRA DFSA CMVM NFA IIROC CNV FSC CBI CNB MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile Trader Workstation (TWS) |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ATFX | Visit Interactive Brokers |
ATFX vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), and FSCA (SA) licensing
300+ instruments including ETF CFDs and bond CFDs
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
No minimum deposit, no inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Available to US residents
Lowest margin rates in industry
150+ global markets
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
MT4 only - no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary platform
Standard spreads from 1.8 pips are not ECN-competitive
Relatively young broker - founded 2017
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
Cons
Steeper learning curve on TWS
No MT4 / MT5
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
ATFX vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
ATFX
criteria wins
3
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ATFX | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
ATFX vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Interactive Brokers ranks higher with a score of 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5 for ATFX. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ATFX and Interactive Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Interactive Brokers offers tighter spreads starting from 0.2 pips, compared to ATFX's spreads from 1.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither ATFX nor Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ATFX and Interactive Brokers hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
ATFX offers maximum leverage of 400:1, while Interactive Brokers offers up to 50:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ATFX supports MetaTrader 4 and Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS); ATFX exclusively offers MetaTrader 4; Interactive Brokers exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS).
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Score 4.2 / 5
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