AvaTradevs
Interactive BrokersForex Broker Comparison
AvaTrade and Interactive Brokers face off on regulation, pricing, and platforms. The tension centers on platform access and cost structures across global markets.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.2 pts
AvaTrade and Interactive Brokers are closely matched overall, with AvaTrade uniquely offering MT4/MT5 while Interactive Brokers does not.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1AvaTrade provides MT4/MT5; Interactive Brokers does not.
- 2AvaTrade charges inactivity fees; Interactive Brokers imposes none.
- 3Interactive Brokers offers investor compensation; AvaTrade does not.
Who should choose AvaTrade vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose AvaTrade if…
Choose AvaTrade if MT4/MT5 access matters and you value strong regulation, though an inactivity fee applies and investor compensation is not offered.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want raw spreads and investor compensation, but you accept no MT4/MT5 support and no 24/5 live chat.
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 0.20 pips vs 0.90 pips for AvaTrade, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
AvaTrade vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.4/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
AvaTrade vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Heavily regulated across 6+ jurisdictions
AvaOptions platform for vanilla options trading
Strong educational content and structured courses
Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5 and proprietary AvaTradeGo
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
AvaTrade vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
AvaTrade
criteria wins
3
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | AvaTrade | 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) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
AvaTrade vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 4.4/5 and Interactive Brokers rates 4.6/5. Interactive Brokers has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Interactive Brokers starts from 0.2 pips, tighter than AvaTrade's 0.9 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, while AvaTrade requires at least $100. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both AvaTrade and Interactive Brokers hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 50:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for AvaTrade are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
