eToro vs Interactive Brokers Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of eToro and Interactive Brokers across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
eToro's zero-commission real stocks and fractional share offering make it accessible for beginners, though its USD-denominated accounts mean non-US investors face FX conversion costs on every transaction.
Interactive Brokers offers unrivalled market access and the lowest commissions in the industry for active stock traders. The TWS platform is extremely powerful but has a steep learning curve for beginners.
Interactive Brokers comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.8/5 compared to eToro's 4.1/5.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Both eToro and Interactive Brokers offer commission-free stock trading, making them equally cost-effective on this metric.
eToro has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Interactive Brokers is better suited for long-term investing: fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access.
Interactive Brokers has the edge for active traders: commission-free trading, more platform options, advanced charting.
Interactive Brokers edges out eToro with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
eToro vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | No minimum |
| Commission-free | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes |
| Dividend reinvestment | No | Yes |
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
| IPO access | No | Yes |
| Short selling | No | Yes |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC AMF CySEC FSRA CMVM Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet ASF FSC CNB MNB KNF Finanstilsynet HCMC MFSA CMA FSA Seychelles | SEC FCA CMF ASIC JFSA SEBI AMF SFC FINRA DFSA CMVM NFA IIROC CNV FSC CBI CNB MFSA |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile Trader Workstation (TWS) |
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
| Visit broker | Visit eToro | Visit Interactive Brokers |
eToro vs Interactive Brokers Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- Commission-free real stock trading
- Fractional shares from $10
- Strong social and copy-trading community
- Regulated by FCA, CySEC, and ASIC
- Clean, beginner-friendly interface
- USD-only accounts mean FX conversion costs for non-US investors
- Withdrawal fee of $5 per transaction
- Limited research tools compared to professional brokers
- $5 inactivity fee after 12 months
- Access to 150+ global markets across 33+ countries
- Industry-leading low commissions for active traders
- IBKR Lite tier offers commission-free US stock trading
- Powerful TWS platform with DMA, options, and API access
- Regulated by SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC and other Tier 1 bodies
- IPO access available through IBKR IPO platform
- TWS platform has a very steep learning curve
- IBKR Pro's tiered commission structure is complex
- Customer service can be slow for account-level queries
- Minimum activity fees may apply on smaller accounts
eToro vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Pass | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Pass |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
eToro vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Interactive Brokers ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 4.1/5 for eToro. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Yes, both eToro and Interactive Brokers offer commission-free stock trading according to our data. Keep in mind that "commission-free" brokers may still charge spread costs, foreign exchange fees, or platform fees — always check the full fee schedule on each broker's website.
Yes, both eToro and Interactive Brokers offer fractional share investing. This makes it easier to invest in high-priced stocks with smaller amounts of capital, which is particularly useful for long-term portfolio building. Check each broker for the specific stocks eligible for fractional purchases.
eToro scores higher on our regulatory safety criteria, with top-tier regulatory oversight, segregated client funds, compensation scheme coverage. For stock investors, regulatory safety is critical — always confirm a broker's specific licences and investor protections before depositing funds.
Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while eToro requires at least $50. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
eToro supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS). Platform availability affects the tools, charting, and order types available to you. If you rely on a specific platform like MetaTrader or a proprietary web app, confirm compatibility before opening an account.
For beginners: Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum); eToro offers negative balance protection; Interactive Brokers has a higher overall editorial score. Also compare educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of each broker's platform before deciding.
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