Interactive Brokersvs
Markets.comForex Broker Comparison
This comparison pits Interactive Brokers against Markets.com across regulation, costs, and platforms. The tension centers on who best balances trust and reach versus price and tools.
Who should choose Interactive Brokers vs Markets.com?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Interactive Brokers for the widest instrument access (17,000) and raw spreads. You also benefit from a zero minimum deposit and strong multi jurisdiction regulation.
Choose if…
Choose Markets.com for MT4/MT5 compatibility and a low $25 minimum deposit. You also get four-jurisdiction regulation with FSCS and ICF protections.
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 vs Markets.com: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.6/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Interactive Brokers vs Markets.com Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
Interactive Brokers vs Markets.com: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Interactive Brokers
criteria win
2
Markets.com
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Interactive Brokers vs Markets.com: Frequently Asked Questions
Interactive Brokers rates 4.6/5 versus 4/5 for Markets.com. Interactive Brokers edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Interactive Brokers starts from 0.2 pips, tighter than Markets.com's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, while Markets.com requires at least $25. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Interactive Brokers and Markets.com 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.
Interactive Brokers lists maximum leverage of 50:1, while Markets.com lists up to 30:1. 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 Markets.com are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Markets.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS). Markets.com has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
