Interactive Brokers vs Just2Trade
Detailed side-by-side broker comparison
Interactive Brokers (SEC/FCA, minimum deposit $0) and Just2Trade (CySEC, minimum deposit $200) 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 5, while Just2Trade wins only 0. For active traders this gap compounds over time — commission, FX markup and custody fees are the three that hurt portfolio returns the most. Both brokers offer access to 6 instrument categories, so asset coverage is not a differentiator here.
Both brokers have similar entry requirements, so the decision comes down to fees and instruments. Interactive Brokers supports 3 trading platforms, Just2Trade supports 2.
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 68/100. Industry median is 72.
Overview
Interactive Brokers leads with 6 out of 9 objective metrics. On fees specifically, Interactive Brokers wins 5 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
10k+ instruments · 30k+ instrumentsRegulators & investor protection
- SEC—United States
- FCA—United Kingdom
- IIROC—Canada
- SFC—Hong Kong
- ASIC—Australia
- CySEC—Cyprus (EU)
Interactive Brokers carries a stronger top-tier licence than Just2Trade — relevant if regulator strength is a deciding factor for you. SIPC and ICF protect against broker insolvency, not market losses; the headline figures are not directly comparable because the schemes operate under different national frameworks.
Account & Support
Interactive Brokers
Just2Trade
Pros & Cons
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
Just2Trade
- Direct US-market access via Sterling Trader Pro (DMA), not aggregated CFD spread
- CySEC ICF compensation up to €20,000 per claimant
- Russian + English support and UI — uncommon in EU-regulated brokers
- Wide instrument selection (30k+, incl. CFDs)
- Negative balance protection
- Full fee schedule lives only in PDFs — no quick price comparison on broker site
- Two separate platforms: Sterling Trader Pro (equities + DMA) and MetaTrader 5 (FX/CFD)
- Parent rebrand 2024 (Just2Trade Online → Lime Trading) caused contract documentation confusion
- Limited proprietary research tools — no built-in screener or analyst reports
- Compensation caps at €20,000 — below FCA (£85k) / SIPC ($500k)
Who each broker is for
Verdict
IB is roughly 10× cheaper per share ($0.005 vs J2T's ~$2.50/trade min) and has SIPC $500k coverage vs J2T's CySEC €20k. But J2T is faster to onboard from CIS (RU UI, simpler KYC) and the cost gap closes for small-trade-count portfolios. Our pick for cost-conscious investors $5k+: IB. For CIS-based users prioritising RU support and EU regulation without TWS learning curve: J2T.
Both Interactive Brokers and Just2Trade 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 Interactive Brokers if you want lower fees, lower entry barrier, fractional shares.
Choose Just2Trade if you want stronger regulation.
- Just starting outInteractive Brokers· lower entry barrier, faster KYC
- Active tradingInteractive Brokers· lower fees, 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.