FXTM and Interactive Brokers face off on regulation, stock access, and platform power. The tension centers on who best balances safety with breadth of global equity access.
Interactive Brokers edges FXTM on the editorial score, reflecting broader market access and stronger platform tools.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose FXTM if…
Choose FXTM if you value CySEC and FCA regulation and FXTM Invest copy trading.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you need broad market access and fractional shares.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Interactive Brokers offers the lowest commissions, especially for active stock traders.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 1.5 pips | 0.2 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $2/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FXTM | 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 | Pass | Pass |
Interactive Brokers is the stronger choice: it rates 4.8/5 versus 3.7/5 for FXTM, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
Interactive Brokers lists tighter spreads from 0.2, compared with FXTM's 1.5. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Neither FXTM nor Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both FXTM 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, FXTM 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.
FXTM 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 on commission-based accounts. Commission details for FXTM are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
FXTM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. FXTM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS) and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Interactive Brokers offers commission-free stock trading while FXTM 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.
FXTM 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 guided by multiple Tier 1 regulators, enhancing safety.
Interactive Brokers supports fractional shares and dividend reinvestment for long-term investing.
Interactive Brokers offers industry-leading low commissions and the Trader Workstation with DMA and API.
FXTM provides a zero-minimum deposit and copy trading options via FXTM Invest.
Interactive Brokers wins with access to 150 exchanges worldwide.
| N/A |
| 0.4 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | 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 FSCA CySEC FSC | FCA ASIC JFSA IIROC DFSA CNB CMVM CNV AMF SEC MFSA SFC SEBI CBI CMF NFA FSC FINRA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 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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