Interactive Brokers
A publicly listed global broker with direct market access and every asset class. Not a forex bucket shop, but a full-service broker.
- Top-tier regulation (SEC/FINRA/FCA/MAS/ASIC), publicly traded company
- Direct access to 150+ markets, near-interbank forex
- No minimum deposit for a cash account
- No MT4/MT5 — proprietary platforms only, with a steeper learning curve
- Geared toward multi-asset investors rather than classic forex
How the score breaks down
Platforms: Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Client Portal. Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds, funds — 150+ markets worldwide
Regulation: SEC/FINRA/SIPC (USA, SEC I.D. 8-47257), FCA (UK, 208159), MAS (Singapore, CMS100917), ASIC (Australia, AFSL 453554). Funds and securities are segregated under SEC/CFTC rules; US clients get SIPC coverage (up to $500k, including $250k in cash).
Min. deposit: no minimum ($0). Account types: Cash, Margin, Portfolio Margin, IBKR Lite, IBKR Pro.
Direct market access: quotes close to interbank + a separate commission; the effective spread is usually a fraction of a pip. Forex — a commission (roughly 0.08–0.20 bps of volume, with an order minimum), not a spread markup
Verifiable facts
Each value links to its primary source.
⚠️ Terms may change — verify on the broker's website. Regulation may be offshore and may not cover clients from every country. Trading carries a risk of capital loss. Not investment advice.