Interactive Brokersvs
Plus500Forex Broker Comparison
This comparison pits a global, regulation-heavy broker against a streamlined, low-cost platform. The tension centers on trust, fees, and execution across platforms and markets.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsClear Winner
Interactive Brokers edges Plus500 on the editorial score due to higher Trust & Regulation and broader instrument access.
Interactive Brokers
4.6/5
Plus500
4.0/5
Key Differences
- 1Interactive Brokers offers 17,000 instruments vs Plus500's 2,000.
- 2Interactive Brokers provides advanced charting tools; Plus500 lacks them.
- 3Interactive Brokers supports raw spreads with $2/lot commission; Plus500 has no raw spreads.
Who should choose Interactive Brokers vs Plus500?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers for extensive instrument coverage and advanced charting.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 for zero commissions and a simple, intuitive platform.
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 0.60 pips for Plus500, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Interactive Brokers vs Plus500: 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▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Interactive Brokers vs Plus500 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 Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
1
Plus500
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Interactive Brokers vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
Interactive Brokers rates 4.6/5 versus 4/5 for Plus500. 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 Plus500'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 Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Interactive Brokers and Plus500 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 Plus500 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 Plus500 are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
