InstaForex vs. Interactive brokers

Comparison: InstaForex vs. Interactive brokers – Which broker is better? A quick comparison based on the trading platform, fees, deposit or withdrawal options, and regulation in 2026.

Winner of this comparison: Interactive brokers with an overall rating of 50%

InstaForex vs. Interactive brokers
InstaForex
Interactive brokers

Basic information

Deposit
200 EUR/USD
10 EUR/USD
Spreads
1.3 EUR/USD
1 EUR/USD
Established
2007
1978
Currency Pairs (Total Forex pairs)
82
22
Country
Cyprus
UK
Regulation
Cysec
Authorised in the European Union (EU)
Trading app
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform
Number of CFD asset classes
6
5
Broker type
ECN, MM
ECN, STP
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Phone, Mail, Chat
Funding methods
* Some of the payment methods may not be available in your country. Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, Bank Wire
* Some of the payment methods may not be available in your country. Visa/Mastercard, Bank Wire
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Yes

*The value is indicative from the broker's website. The spread amount is variable.

Comparison Result

If you don’t want to read the full comparison, the winner of our review is Interactive brokers, which takes the lead with a rating of 50%, while InstaForex only reaches 48%. InstaForex requires a minimum deposit of 200 EUR/USD, while Interactive brokers sets it at 10 EUR/USD. Conversely, Interactive brokers scores with a lower minimum deposit. For InstaForex, the spread is 1.3 EUR/USD, while for Interactive brokers it is 1 EUR/USD. Lower spreads at Interactive brokers give it the edge. InstaForex offers 82 forex pairs, while Interactive brokers provides 22. A wider selection gives InstaForex the advantage. InstaForex was founded in 2007, while Interactive brokers has been operating since 1978. The older Interactive brokers has the upper hand in this regard. This advantage goes to Interactive brokers, while InstaForex lacks it. InstaForex is overseen by 1 regulatory bodies, while Interactive brokers has 1. In terms of regulation, both are equal. InstaForex supports 2 platforms, while Interactive brokers offers 2. In terms of platform count, both are on the same level.
48%
InstaForex
50%
Interactive brokers

Key Strengths

InstaForex
  • Wide range of instruments : InstaForex offers trading with more than 100 currency pairs, CFDs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
  • No minimum deposit : InstaForex has no minimum deposit requirement, allowing you to start trading with any amount.
  • Professional education and analysis : InstaForex provides comprehensive educational and analytical tools useful for both beginners and experienced traders.
  • Quick deposits : Various deposit methods, including Bitcoin and credit cards, allow for quick and easy account funding.
Interactive brokers
  • Extremely low fees
  • Wide range of products
  • Many great research tools
  • Low margin rates
  • No inactivity fee and no withdrawal fee

Comparison by Categories

  1. Investments 75 62
  2. Cost 60 80
  3. Trading app 29 29
  4. Trading Tools 100 100
  5. Research 67 83
  6. Education 83 100
  7. Forex 100 100
  8. Commodities 36 100
  9. Indicies 100 100
  10. Cryptocurrencies 40 0
  11. Regulations 17 17
  12. Support 100 100
  13. Overall 48 50

Comprehensive Comparison: InstaForex vs Interactive brokers

InstaForex
Interactive brokers

Investments

75 % 62 %
Currency Pairs (Total Forex pairs)
82
22
CFDs – Total Offered
2600+
100+
Options CFD
No
Yes
Share CFDs
Yes
No
Forex CFD
Yes
Yes
Commodities CFD
Yes
Yes
ETF CFD
Yes
Yes
Indicies CFD
Yes
Yes
Cryptocurrency traded as actual
No
No
Cryptocurrency traded as CFD
Yes
No
Winner
No
No

Cost

60 % 80 %
Average Spread EUR/USD *The value is indicative from the broker's website. The spread amount is variable.
1.3
1
Deposit from
200
10
Account fee
No
No
Inactivity fee
Yes
Yes
Active Trader or VIP Discounts
No
No
Withdrawal fees
Yes
No
Deposit fees
No
No
Winner
No
No

Trading app

29 % 29 %
Desktop Platform (Windows)
No
Yes
Web Platform
No
Yes
Social Trading / Copy-Trading
No
No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
Yes
No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Yes
No
Currenex
No
No
cTrader
No
No
Winner
No
No

Trading Tools

100 % 100 %
Financial leverage
Yes
Yes
Virtual Trading (Demo)
Yes
Yes
Alerts – Basic Fields
Yes
Yes
Charting – Indicators / Studies (Total)
Yes
Yes
Charting – Drawing Tools (Total)
Yes
Yes
Charting – Trade From Chart
Yes
Yes
Stop-Loss
Yes
Yes
Finacial Calendar
Yes
Yes
Daily financial news
Yes
Yes
Order Type – Trailing Stop
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Research

67 % 83 %
Daily Market Commentary
Yes
Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources)
Yes
Yes
Weekly Webinars
No
Yes
Social Sentiment – Currency Pairs
No
No
Economic Calendar
Yes
Yes
Research
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Education

83 % 100 %
Has Education – Forex
Yes
Yes
Has Education – CFDs
Yes
Yes
Client Webinars
Yes
Yes
Videos – Advanced Trading Videos
No
Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary)
Yes
Yes
Education
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Forex

100 % 100 %
GBP/USD
Yes
Yes
USD/JPY
Yes
Yes
EUR/USD
Yes
Yes
USD/CHF
Yes
Yes
USD/CAD
Yes
Yes
NZD/USD
Yes
Yes
AUD/USD
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Commodities

36 % 100 %
Gold
Yes
Yes
Silver
Yes
Yes
WIT Oil
Yes
Yes
Brent Oil
Yes
Yes
Coffee
No
Yes
Cocoa
No
Yes
Soybeans
No
Yes
Rice
No
Yes
Corn
No
Yes
Platinum
No
Yes
Palladium
No
Yes
Winner
No
No

Indicies

100 % 100 %
DAX 40
Yes
Yes
S&P 500
Yes
Yes
Nasdaq
Yes
Yes
Dow Jones
Yes
Yes
Nikkei
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Cryptocurrencies

40 % 0 %
Bitcoin
Yes
No
Litecoin
No
No
Ethereum
Yes
No
Ripple
Yes
No
Neo
No
No
Stellar
No
No
Cardano
Yes
No
Tron
No
No
Monero
No
No
EOS
No
No
Winner
No
No

Regulations

17 % 17 %
Cysec
Yes
No
ASIC (Australia)
No
No
FCA (UK)
No
No
Authorised in the European Union (EU)
No
Yes
CFTC Registered (USA)
No
No
FINMA (Switzerland)
No
No
Winner
No
No

Support

100 % 100 %
Chat
Yes
Yes
Phone
Yes
Yes
Mail
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Overall

48 % 50 %
Winner
No
No

Our Recommendations

Best for Interactive brokers

Thanks to comprehensive educational materials and a user-friendly platform, Interactive brokers is an ideal choice for new traders.

Best Platform

Both brokers offer excellent trading platforms with similar features and user-friendliness.

Lowest Costs Interactive brokers

offers competitive spreads and lower fees, making it ideal for active traders.

InstaForex Interactive brokers