Head-to-head · 2026
Interactive Brokers vs FOREX.com
Interactive Brokers edges it overall with 4.7 versus 4.5, winning 4 of six categories. Interactive Brokers is cheaper to trade: its lowest-cost account works out at about $5.0 per round-turn lot of EUR/USD versus $7.0 at FOREX.com.
Interactive Brokers
Professional and multi-asset traders
4.7/5
Visit Interactive BrokersFull review| Feature | Interactive Brokers | FOREX.com |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| EUR/USD standard spread | No spread-only account | 1.4 pips |
| Raw account | 0.1 + $4 | 0.0 + $7 |
| Cheapest cost per lot | $5.0 | $7.0 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Tier-1 regulators | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, FCA, CBI, ASIC, CIRO, MAS | CFTC, NFA, FCA, CIRO, ASIC |
| All regulators | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, FCA, CBI, ASIC, CIRO, MAS, SFC | CFTC, NFA, FCA, CIRO, ASIC, CySEC, JFSA |
| Founded | 1978 | 2001 |
| Currency pairs | 100+ | 80+ |
| Max leverage | 1:50 majors (US) | 1:50 majors (US) |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, API | FOREX.com Web, FOREX.com App, MT4, MT5, TradingView, NinjaTrader |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Swap-free accounts | No | No |
| US clients | Yes | Yes |
Highlighted cells mark the better value where one is clearly better. Data checked October 2026.
Category by category
Costs: Interactive Brokers vs FOREX.com
Interactive Brokers is cheaper to trade: its lowest-cost account works out at about $5.0 per round-turn lot of EUR/USD versus $7.0 at FOREX.com. Interactive Brokers has no commission-free account; it charges a commission on interbank spreads. On its standard, commission-free account FOREX.com quotes around 1.4 pips on EUR/USD. Both offer raw-spread pricing: Interactive Brokers at $4 and FOREX.com at $7 per round-turn lot.
Regulation and safety
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, FCA, CBI, ASIC, CIRO, MAS, SFC. FOREX.com is regulated by CFTC, NFA, FCA, CIRO, ASIC, CySEC, JFSA. Interactive Brokers scores higher for trust in our methodology. Both are available in United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia and Most other countries. Only Interactive Brokers serves India.
Platforms
They share no common platforms. Interactive Brokers offers Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, API; FOREX.com offers FOREX.com Web, FOREX.com App, MT4, MT5, TradingView, NinjaTrader.
Which should you choose?
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
- interbank spreads with very low commissions
- trade forex alongside stocks, futures, options and bonds
- s&P 500 listed with the strongest regulatory profile
Choose FOREX.com if…
- owned by StoneX, a NASDAQ-listed financial services group
- wide platform choice including MT5 and TradingView
- rAW pricing account for active traders
Frequently asked questions
Is Interactive Brokers better than FOREX.com?
Interactive Brokers edges it overall with 4.7 versus 4.5, winning 4 of six categories. Interactive Brokers is cheaper to trade: its lowest-cost account works out at about $5.0 per round-turn lot of EUR/USD versus $7.0 at FOREX.com.
Which is safer, Interactive Brokers or FOREX.com?
Interactive Brokers scores higher for trust (5.0 vs 4.8), with tier-1 regulation from SEC, FINRA, CFTC, FCA, CBI, ASIC, CIRO, MAS.
Which has the lower minimum deposit?
Interactive Brokers has the lower minimum at $0, compared with $100.
Do Interactive Brokers and FOREX.com both offer MetaTrader?
Interactive Brokers: no MetaTrader. FOREX.com: MT4, MT5.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly. Between roughly 60% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs, depending on the provider. Consider whether you understand how they work and can afford to lose your money. Read the full risk warning.