Comparison of eToro and Interactive Brokers
| Feature | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1977 |
| Broker Type | MM, Social | DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | A-book |
| Execution | Instant | Market |
| Regulation | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
| Platforms | eToro | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader |
| Spread | ⬈ High | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:50 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✔ |
| Withdrawal Fee | $5 | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 |
| Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | SIPC, FSCS, ICS |
| Protection Size | €20 000 | $500 000 / £85 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✔ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✖ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✖ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, CFDs |
| Review | eToro Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
About eToro
eToro is a globally renowned social trading platform, offering a unique approach to forex and CFD trading through its innovative copy trading feature. Established in 2007 and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, eToro has become a popular choice for traders of all experience levels. The platform allows users to follow and copy successful traders, making it particularly appealing to beginners seeking to learn and profit from experienced professionals. Beyond social trading, eToro offers a diverse range of instruments, including forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile platform for portfolio diversification. Its proprietary platform is user-friendly and comes with robust analytical tools, catering to both novice and seasoned traders. However, while eToro's zero-commission stock trading is a standout feature, its relatively high spreads and inactivity fees may deter cost-conscious traders.
Pros
- Unique copy trading feature for following successful traders
- Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, etc.)
- Offers a wide range of instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks
- User-friendly proprietary platform with robust analytical tools
- Zero-commission stock trading for non-leveraged positions
- Integrated social features for sharing insights and strategies
Cons
- Relatively high spreads compared to other brokers
- Inactivity fees applied after 12 months of non-use
- Limited options for advanced trading platforms like MT4 or MT5
- Withdrawal fees for certain transactions
- Customer support may have delayed response times during peak periods
About Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global multi-asset broker founded in 1977. Regulated on four continents, IBKR offers direct market access to 150+ exchanges in 33 countries, tight pricing on FX, and some of the lowest commissions in the industry. Clients trade via the powerful Trader Workstation, streamlined Client Portal, or mobile apps, choose from 20+ base currencies, and benefit from SIPC/FSCS investor protection and ESMA-mandated negative balance protection for CFDs.
Pros
- Tier-1 regulation in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia
- Access to 150+ markets across 33 countries and 26 currencies
- Ultra-low spreads and volume-based commissions
- Advanced Trader Workstation plus simple mobile & web platforms
- No minimum deposit for cash accounts and no inactivity fee
- Negative balance protection for EU retail CFD traders
Cons
- Minimum FX order size ~ 20 000 units limits small accounts
- Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
- No credit/debit-card funding options
- Customer support is not 24/7
eToro & Interactive Brokers Regulation
| Feature | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Companies | eToro (Seychelles) Limited, eToro (UK) Ltd, Etoro (Europe) Ltd, eToro AUS Capital Limited, eToro USA Securities Inc. | Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd |
Countries | Seychelles, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Australia, United States | United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia |
Regulators | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | SIPC, FSCS, ICS |
Investor Protection Size | €20 000 | $500 000 / £85 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Companies
eToro
eToro (Seychelles) Limited, eToro (UK) Ltd, Etoro (Europe) Ltd, eToro AUS Capital Limited, eToro USA Securities Inc.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd
Countries
eToro
Seychelles, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Australia, United States
Interactive Brokers
United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia
Regulators
eToro
SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC
Interactive Brokers
SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
Investor Protection
eToro
Investor Compensation Fund (ICF)
Interactive Brokers
SIPC, FSCS, ICS
Investor Protection Size
eToro
€20 000
Interactive Brokers
$500 000 / £85 000
Publicly Traded
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Segregated Accounts
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Guaranteed Stop Loss
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Negative Balance Protection
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Account Types
| Account | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | eToro | — |
| Min Deposit | $200 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Instant | — |
| Min Spread | 1 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | — | IBKR Pro |
| Min Deposit | — | $0 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.1 |
| Fee | — | $4 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:50 |
| Stop Out | — | 50% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Market Maker Account
Account Name
eToro
eToro
Interactive Brokers
—
Min Deposit
eToro
$200
Interactive Brokers
—
Lot Size
eToro
0.01
Interactive Brokers
—
Spread Type
eToro
Floating
Interactive Brokers
—
Execution
eToro
Instant
Interactive Brokers
—
Min Spread
eToro
1
Interactive Brokers
—
Fee
eToro
No
Interactive Brokers
—
Max Leverage
eToro
1:30
Interactive Brokers
—
Stop Out
eToro
50%
Interactive Brokers
—
Margin Call
eToro
100%
Interactive Brokers
—
DMA Account
Account Name
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
IBKR Pro
Min Deposit
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
$0
Lot Size
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
0.01
Spread Type
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
Floating
Execution
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
Market
Min Spread
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
0.1
Fee
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
$4 per 1 lot
Max Leverage
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
1:50
Stop Out
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
50%
Margin Call
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
100%
Additional Features
Demo Account
eToro
Interactive Brokers
VIP Account
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Swap-Free Account
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Copy Trading
eToro
Interactive Brokers
VPS
eToro
Interactive Brokers
PAMM/MAM Accounts
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Funding and Fees
| Feature | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | $5 | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 |
Base currencies
eToro
USD
Interactive Brokers
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD
Deposit and withdrawal methods
eToro
Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly
Interactive Brokers
Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay
Inactivity fee
eToro
$10 per month after 12 months
Interactive Brokers
Interest on margin
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Withdrawal fee
eToro
$5
Interactive Brokers
First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | eToro | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 4 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | high | low |
Trading Platforms
eToro
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader
Execution Speed
eToro
0 ms
Interactive Brokers
4 ms
Scalping
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Expert Advisors (EAs)
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Depth of Market (DOM)
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Spread
eToro
high
Interactive Brokers
low
Trading Assets
| Asset | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 47 | 87 |
Indices | 13 | 23 |
Stocks | 2500 | 8139 |
Cryptocurrencies | 112 | 11 |
Bonds | 0 | 87 |
Metals | 7 | 4 |
Energies | 2 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 4 | 15 |
ETFs | 250 | 532 |
Currencies
eToro
47
Interactive Brokers
87
Indices
eToro
13
Interactive Brokers
23
Stocks
eToro
2500
Interactive Brokers
8139
Cryptocurrencies
eToro
112
Interactive Brokers
11
Bonds
eToro
0
Interactive Brokers
87
Metals
eToro
7
Interactive Brokers
4
Energies
eToro
2
Interactive Brokers
10
Soft Commodities
eToro
4
Interactive Brokers
15
ETFs
eToro
250
Interactive Brokers
532
Education and Analytics
| Feature | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Economic Calendar
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Indicators
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Robots
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Signals
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Autochartist
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Expert Analytics
eToro
Interactive Brokers
News Feed
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Education Articles
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Webinars
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Seminars
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Customer Support
| Contact | eToro | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Email | customerservice@etoro.com | help@interactivebrokers.com |
Phone | +1800778439 | +18774422757 |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Email
Interactive Brokers
Phone
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Facebook
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
Instagram
eToro
—
Interactive Brokers
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing eToro and Interactive Brokers, eToro comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.