A head-to-head comparison of FXOpen and Interactive Brokers across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Triple-regulated ECN specialist (FCA, CySEC, ASIC) and early cTrader adopter with one of the lowest commission structures in retail ECN - $1.5 per side per lot - making it highly cost-effective for active traders.
Listed broker with global market access, lowest financing rates we benchmark, and the powerful TWS workstation.
Interactive Brokers edges ahead with a score of 4.6/5 vs FXOpen's 4.2/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FXOpen offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.2 pips for Interactive Brokers, reducing trading costs.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Both brokers offer equivalent trading costs across spreads, commissions, and account types.
Interactive Brokers offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS), a proprietary platform.
Interactive Brokers edges out FXOpen with a higher editorial score (4.6/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.6 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2003 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Greenwich, United States |
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | $3/lot | $2/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 50:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | First withdrawal/month free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC | SEC FINRA FCA CMF SEBI ASIC JFSA CMVM AMF SFC DFSA NFA IIROC CNV FSC CBI CNB MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader | Proprietary Web/Mobile Trader Workstation (TWS) |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FXOpen | Visit Interactive Brokers |
Pros
FCA, CySEC, and ASIC triple regulation
$3 round-turn ECN commission - one of the lowest in retail forex
Early cTrader adopter with mature integration
MT4, MT5, and cTrader all available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
$100 minimum deposit on ECN accounts
Less brand recognition than larger competitors
Customer support coverage narrower than global tier-1 brokers
No proprietary platform
No phone support
Cons
Steeper learning curve on TWS
No MT4 / MT5
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXOpen | 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 | Pass | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Interactive Brokers ranks higher with a score of 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5 for FXOpen. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FXOpen and Interactive Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
FXOpen offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Interactive Brokers's spreads from 0.2 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while FXOpen requires at least $100. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXOpen 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: Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
FXOpen offers maximum leverage of 500:1, 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, lower than FXOpen's $3 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
FXOpen supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS); FXOpen exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader; Interactive Brokers exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS).
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