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Interactive Brokers
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Plus500

Interactive Brokers vs Plus500: which broker is better in 2026?

We compare Interactive Brokers and Plus500 — two forex & CFD brokers — side by side across regulation, fees, platforms, minimum deposit, and our editorial scores. Based on our overall editorial score, Interactive Brokers edges ahead (4.3/5), but the right choice depends on what matters most to you — check the breakdown below.

Side-by-side comparison

CriteriaInteractive BrokersPlus500
Overall score 4.3 3.8
Regulation & safety 4.5 4.0
Fees & deposit 4.5 3.5
Platform & assets 4.5 4.0
User support 3.5 3.5
Trust score87/10076/100
Minimum depositVaries by account type — check the official siteVaries by account type — check the official site
Demo accountAvailableAvailable
PlatformsTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, Client Portal (web), IBKR Mobile, API (TWS/Web)Proprietary web platform, iOS/Android mobile app
Fee modelKnown for very low costs (tiered/fixed) — among the cheapest in the industry for stocks/futures/forex; structure varies per product/regionSpread model (no separate commission) — exact spreads not yet verified in detail

Pros & cons

Interactive Brokers
  • Top-tier regulation & transparency — a US public company (Nasdaq: IBKR) supervised by SEC/FINRA/CFTC + many global regulators
  • Among the cheapest costs in the industry; very broad global market access
  • Very powerful TWS platform & API for professional/algorithmic traders
  • The TWS platform has a steep learning curve — less beginner-friendly
  • Customer support is more self-service (not hand-holding), suited to technical users
  • Interface & account structure can feel complex at first
Plus500
  • Public company (LSE FTSE 250) with layered regulation (FCA UK, MAS Singapore)
  • Simple, beginner-friendly proprietary platform, no separate commission (spread model)
  • Broad instrument coverage: share/forex/commodity/index CFDs + futures & share dealing
  • Historical note: £205,128 FCA fine (2012) for inaccurate transaction reporting + a past dispute with the Belgian regulator (FSMA)
  • Own platform only — no MT4/MT5/cTrader for advanced traders
  • Leveraged CFD model is high-risk (most retail accounts lose money — standard industry warning)

Regulation at a glance

Interactive Brokers

A US public company (Nasdaq: IBKR) with entities regulated by SEC/FINRA/CFTC (US), FCA (UK), IIROC (Canada), MAS (Singapore), ASIC (Australia), the Central Bank of Ireland, and others. One of the most regulated & financially transparent brokers.

Plus500

Listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250). The UK entity (Plus500UK Ltd) is supervised by the FCA; the Singapore entity (Plus500SG) holds a Capital Markets Services license from MAS. Check which entity serves your country — regulation differs per entity.