eTorovs
Interactive BrokersForex Broker Comparison
Two regulation-heavy brokers collide in a head-to-head on regulation, costs, and platform strength. The tension lies in instrument breadth versus social trading features.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.4 pts
Interactive Brokers edges out eToro on the editorial score, driven by broader instrument access and raw spreads.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Instruments: IB offers 17,000 instruments vs 3,000 at eToro.
- 2Raw spreads: available on IB, not on eToro.
- 3Min deposit: 0 for IB vs 50 for eToro.
Who should choose eToro vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose eToro if…
Choose eToro if you value social trading and a low minimum deposit. You also get 24/5 live chat and strong regulation, but there is no raw spread option.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want access to 17000 markets and raw spreads. You also get phone support and no inactivity fee, but the platform has a steeper learning curve.
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 1.00 pips for eToro, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
eToro 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▲ |
eToro vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Social and copy trading leader
Multi-asset (stocks, crypto, FX)
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
eToro vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
eToro
criteria win
5
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | eToro | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
eToro vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: eToro rates 4.2/5 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 eToro's 1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, while eToro requires at least $50. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both eToro 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.
eToro lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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 eToro are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
