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Verified Apr 2026
IG vs Plus500 vs eToro Review
Last updated: January 2026
Comparison preview route for dummy broker-review related content.
IG vs Plus500 vs eToro
Est. Est. 1978
Safety Score
- SEC & CFTC Oversight
- SIPC Protected
- 150+ Markets
- 45+ Years Active
Pros
- Exceptionally low commissions and tight all-in trading costs
- Access to global stocks, options, futures, bonds, forex, and funds
- Professional-grade Trader Workstation, mobile, and web platforms
- Strong regulatory footprint with public-company transparency
- Deep research tools and portfolio analytics across asset classes
Cons
- Platform depth can feel overwhelming for complete beginners
- Some workflows are built for active traders rather than casual investors
- Support and onboarding can feel less hand-held than beginner-first brokers
Who Should Avoid This Broker
- You want a highly simplified beginner-first investing app
- You prefer a broker with fewer tools and a shorter learning curve
- You need hands-on advisory support rather than a self-directed platform
Quick Stats
- TypeComparison
Monitoring Status
Last checked2 hours ago
StatusActive
How This Broker Makes Money
- Spreads:~30%
- Trading commissions~20%
- Market making~30%
- Overnight fees:~10%
- Withdrawal fees:~10%
Fees may vary depending on account type, platform, and market conditions.
Safety & Regulation
Regulatory Status
IG vs Plus500 vs eToro is represented by SafeGate preview data and mapped to the currently available dummy review contract.
Client Fund Protection
Client funds are protected through multiple layers of regulatory safeguards and compensation schemes.
Segregated Accounts
Client assets are held under strict segregation and reserve rules designed to keep customer property separate from the firm's operating funds.
SIPC Coverage
Eligible US securities accounts benefit from SIPC protection, with additional protections varying by entity and jurisdiction.
Negative Balance Protection
Protections depend on entity, product, and region, but risk controls and margin monitoring are central to the platform's safety framework.
Audit & Compliance
As a publicly listed group, Interactive Brokers publishes financial disclosures and operates under ongoing regulatory supervision.
Company Background
Interactive Brokers is a publicly traded global brokerage business known for multi-asset market access, automation-friendly tooling, and an agency-focused execution model.
- Founded:
- 1978
- Headquarters:
- Greenwich, Connecticut, United States
- Company Status:
- Public (Nasdaq: IBKR)
- Core Strength:
- Global multi-asset access
- Execution Model:
- Agency-first / direct market access
Trading costs
Spreads & Commissions
Interactive Brokers offers some of the lowest trading costs in the industry, with tiered and fixed pricing models available across all asset classes.
EUR/USD
- Spread
- 0.1 pips
- Commission
- $2.00 per lot
GBP/USD
- Spread
- 0.3 pips
- Commission
- $2.00 per lot
USD/JPY
- Spread
- 0.2 pips
- Commission
- $2.00 per lot
Gold (XAU/USD)
- Spread
- 0.15 pips
- Commission
- $2.50 per lot
S&P 500 (CFD)
- Spread
- 0.4 pts
- Commission
- $0.005 per share
Bitcoin (BTC/USD)
- Spread
- $12.00
- Commission
- 0.12%
Apple (AAPL)
- Spread
- $0.01
- Commission
- $0.005 per share
EUR/GBP
- Spread
- 0.2 pips
- Commission
- $2.00 per lot
| Instrument | Spread | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.1 pips | $2.00 per lot |
| GBP/USD | 0.3 pips | $2.00 per lot |
| USD/JPY | 0.2 pips | $2.00 per lot |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 0.15 pips | $2.50 per lot |
| S&P 500 (CFD) | 0.4 pts | $0.005 per share |
| Bitcoin (BTC/USD) | $12.00 | 0.12% |
| Apple (AAPL) | $0.01 | $0.005 per share |
| EUR/GBP | 0.2 pips | $2.00 per lot |
Non-Trading Fees
Deposit Fees
All deposit methods are free of charge.
Withdrawal Fees
Bank wire: $25 | Credit card: Free | E-wallet: $5
Inactivity Fee
Charged after 12 months of no trading activity.
Currency Conversion
Applied when depositing or withdrawing in non-base currency.
Custody Fees
May apply for holding certain assets or long-term positions.
Account Fees
May apply depending on account type or specific services.
Account Types
Interactive Brokers offers a range of account types to suit individual traders, professional investors, and institutional clients.
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Trading experience
Trading Platforms
Interactive Brokers offers a deep trading stack across desktop, mobile, and web, with broad instrument coverage geared more toward active and globally diversified traders than ultra-simplified beginner flows.
MetaTrader 4
85/100 Platform ScoreAvailable on these devices
- Desktop
- Mobile
- Web
The world's most popular trading platform, offering a robust suite of tools for forex and CFD trading with automated strategy support.
MetaTrader 4 features
MetaTrader 5
88/100 Platform ScoreAvailable on these devices
- Desktop
- Mobile
- Web
The next-generation multi-asset trading platform with enhanced features for forex, stocks, and futures trading.
MetaTrader 5 features
Proprietary WebTrader
82/100 Platform ScoreAvailable on these devices
- Desktop
- Mobile
- Web
A fully browser-based platform requiring no download, with a customisable interface and integrated social trading features.
Proprietary WebTrader features
Available Instruments
Forex
65+
Currency pairs
Stocks/Equities
2,000+
Global shares
Indices
25+
Major indices
Commodities
18+
Metals, Energy, Soft Commodities
Crypto
35+
Cryptocurrencies
ETFs
150+
Exchange traded funds
Futures & Options
500+
Futures & Options
Bonds
40+
Government bonds
Execution & Order Types
Execution Model
- Market execution (no requotes)
- Average execution speed: 0.03s
- No dealing desk (NDD)
- Direct market access for stocks
Order Types
- Market orders
- Limit & Stop orders
- Trailing stops
- OCO (One Cancels Other)
- Good Till Cancelled (GTC)
Corrections & Updates Log
Commission structure updated
Updated tiered commission rates for US equities to reflect the new pricing effective March 2026. Fixed pricing tier remains unchanged.
ASIC licence number corrected
Corrected the ASIC licence number from 453555 to 453554 after verification with the ASIC register.
Crypto offering expanded
Added information about newly supported cryptocurrencies including SOL, AVAX, and DOT, available through the IBKR Crypto platform.
Mobile app rating revised
Re-evaluated the IBKR Mobile platform score following the v12.0 update, which introduced improved charting and a redesigned portfolio view.
Verified userreviews
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Compare This Broker
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Current Broker
IG vs Plus500 vs eToro
849/1000
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This broker scored 847/1000 in our comprehensive safety review.
We may earn commission if you sign up through our links. Commission earned: $45 per account. Last updated: Jan 2026.