eToro vs Interactive Brokers
Detailed side-by-side broker comparison
eToro (FCA/CySEC, minimum deposit $50) and Interactive Brokers (SEC/FCA, minimum deposit $0) are two regulated brokers competing for retail investors in the CIS and EU markets. This comparison is built from verified data on fees, available instruments, trading platforms and country access — so you can see exactly where each broker wins before you open an account.
Across 9 fee categories we track, Interactive Brokers comes out cheaper in 2, while eToro wins only 1. For active traders this gap compounds over time — commission, FX markup and custody fees are the three that hurt portfolio returns the most. On asset class coverage Interactive Brokers is ahead with 6 instrument categories versus 5 at eToro — relevant if you plan to diversify beyond stocks into bonds, ETFs, commodities or crypto.
Both brokers have similar entry requirements, so the decision comes down to fees and instruments. eToro supports 2 trading platforms, Interactive Brokers supports 3.
Trust dimensions side by side
Where it's safer
Five trust dimensions per our methodology. The further from the centre — the stronger. Dashed line is the industry median.
Interactive Brokers leads on the combined score — 100/100 vs 93/100. Industry median is 72.
Overview
Interactive Brokers leads with 7 out of 9 objective metrics. On fees specifically, Interactive Brokers wins 2 of 9 categories.
Fees & Commissions
Fee scenario
Approximate — based on listed fees only. Real costs depend on instrument, currency conversion and individual trade size.
Instruments & Markets
3k+ instruments · 10k+ instrumentsRegulators & investor protection
- FCA—United Kingdom
- CySEC—Cyprus (EU)
- ASIC—Australia
- SEC—United States
- FCA—United Kingdom
- IIROC—Canada
- SFC—Hong Kong
- ASIC—Australia
Both brokers operate under Tier-1 jurisdictions, so regulatory oversight strength is comparable.
Account & Support
eToro
Interactive Brokers
Pros & Cons
eToro
- 0% commission on ETFs — no threshold, no monthly cap
- Copy trading and Smart Portfolios — one-click diversified exposure
- Fractional shares from $10 — access any stock regardless of price
- Available in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey and Uzbekistan
- Strong Trustpilot rating (4.1★)
- 0.75% FX conversion markup on every trade for non-USD investors
- $5 withdrawal fee (USD accounts) + real stocks cost $1/open + $1/close
- Social feed can obscure fundamental analysis
- Slow wire withdrawals (3-8 days)
Interactive Brokers
- Industry-cheapest per-share commission on US stocks (IBKR Pro Tiered $0.0035/sh, Fixed $0.005/sh)
- SIPC protection up to $500,000 per account ($250k cash) — strongest US-domiciled coverage
- 150+ markets from one account, including direct access to LSE / XETRA / HKEX / TSE
- Public NASDAQ-listed parent (IBKR) — financial transparency above industry norm
- Wide instrument selection (10k+)
- Trader Workstation (TWS) has a famously steep learning curve
- IBKR Lite (zero-commission plan) is US-residents-only
- Customer support thin relative to peers — chat queues commonly multi-hour
- Mobile app is functional but utilitarian — not a Robinhood-style experience
Who each broker is for
Verdict
IB dominates on per-share cost ($0.005 vs eToro's $1/open+$1/close for stocks, 0% for ETFs) and market breadth (150+ exchanges vs ~6). eToro wins on UX, fractional shares, copy trading and CIS availability. Our pick for experienced investors: IB. For first-time passive or copy-trading investors: eToro.
Both eToro and Interactive Brokers are regulated brokers offering access to global financial markets. However, they differ significantly in fees, available instruments, and minimum deposit requirements. Below is our expert assessment to help you make an informed decision.
Choose eToro if you want a stronger Trustpilot rating.
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want lower fees, more instruments, lower entry barrier.
- Just starting outInteractive Brokers· lower entry barrier, faster KYC
- Active tradingInteractive Brokers· lower fees, more instruments, faster withdrawals
- Advanced / professionalInteractive Brokers· more exchanges, more account currencies
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your trading style, budget, and preferred instruments. We recommend using our Broker Quiz for a personalized recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this comparison and how to use it.