Two heavyweight brokers clash over cost, access, and long-term features. The tension hinges on broad market reach versus a simpler, regulated equity exposure path.
Interactive Brokers edges Axi on overall editorial score and breadth of market access. Axi remains strong for regulated equity CFDs within a multi-asset setup but lacks IPO access and extensive exchanges.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Axi if…
Choose Axi if you value zero minimum deposit.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want broad global access and commission-free US stock trading via IBKR Lite.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Interactive Brokers offers commission-free US stock trading through IBKR Lite, reducing costs for active traders.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $2/lot▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Axi | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Pass |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
Interactive Brokers is the stronger choice: it rates 4.8/5 versus 3.7/5 for Axi, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
Axi lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Interactive Brokers's 0.2. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Neither Axi nor Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both Axi 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, Axi provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Axi lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 1:4. 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 trade, lower than Axi's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
Axi supports DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. Axi has exclusive access to DXtrade and MetaTrader 4. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS) and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Interactive Brokers offers commission-free stock trading while Axi does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Axi scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC and FINRA among tier-1 bodies, providing strong oversight.
Interactive Brokers supports fractional shares and dividend reinvestment, aiding long-term accumulation.
Interactive Brokers offers industry-leading low commissions and the powerful Trader Workstation.
Axi offers MT4 and a zero minimum deposit with copy strategies via AxiSelect.
Interactive Brokers provides access to 150 exchanges across 33+ countries.
| 0.7 pips |
| 0.4 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | First withdrawal/month free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | Yes |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA | FCA ASIC JFSA IIROC DFSA CNB CMVM CNV AMF SEC MFSA SFC SEBI CBI CMF NFA FSC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | DXtrade MetaTrader 4 | Trader Workstation (TWS) Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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