Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs BlackBull Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets, regulatory information plays a crucial role. Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers holds a top-tier Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, showcasing high trust and credibility. As a publicly traded company, Interactive Brokers boasts 9 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, reinforcing its strong regulatory standing. Despite not being a bank, Interactive Brokers' extensive licensing provides clients with confidence in its security and reliability.
In contrast, BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, holds a Trust Score rating of 78 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating an average risk level. While it is not publicly traded, BlackBull Markets operates under 1 Tier-1 license and does not have any Tier-2 licenses. Like Interactive Brokers, it is not a bank, but its fewer licenses and lower trust score suggest a different level of regulatory assurance compared to its competitor. This distinction helps potential investors understand the varying degrees of safety and trust these brokers offer.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets are two prominent online brokers that differentiate themselves significantly through their commissions and fee structures. Interactive Brokers garners a 5-star rating in this category and is ranked #2 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. While their pricing is competitive, particularly for active traders, determining exact costs is somewhat opaque due to the absence of published average forex spreads. However, for EUR/USD pairs, Interactive Brokers provided an average spread of 0.19 pips in Q3 2024. Traders incur a minimum commission of $2 per side, equating to 0.40 pips per $100,000 of EUR/USD traded, plus the spread. The broker offers discounts to high-volume, active traders, with charges dropping to as low as $1 per order for those trading over $5 billion per month.
BlackBull Markets, with a 4.5-star rating and a #18 rank, presents three account options, significantly influencing trading costs. For the Prime account, the average all-in cost for trading EUR/USD is 0.76 pips, with spreads at 0.16 and a per-side commission of 0.3 pips ($6 for every $10,000 traded). While BlackBull's Standard account has no minimum deposit and is commission-free, it involves higher spreads. The Prime account offers tighter spreads but requires a $2,000 minimum deposit, with $6 total commission per lot. The ECN Institutional account is designed for active traders with at least a $20,000 deposit, offering the lowest commission rates of $2 per side or $4 per round turn.
In summary, Interactive Brokers stands out for active traders due to its discounted commission structure, making it ideal for high-frequency trading. Conversely, BlackBull Markets presents variable options to cater to different trading levels and preferences, with the Prime account striking a middle ground between cost and flexibility for committed traders.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 0.71 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets are prominent names in the world of online trading, each offering a unique spectrum of investments. Interactive Brokers provides access to 8,500 tradeable symbols including a selection of 90 forex pairs, making it a strong contender for those looking to diversify their portfolios. The platform allows trading U.S. and international exchange traded securities, enabling clients to directly invest in well-known stocks like Apple and Vodafone. Furthermore, Interactive Brokers supports cryptocurrency investments by offering both actual cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives. However, if you are interested in copy trading, you may find this feature lacking in Interactive Brokers.
BlackBull Markets stands out with a remarkable offering of 26,000 tradeable symbols, signifying a wider range of investment opportunities compared to Interactive Brokers. With 72 forex pairs available, it provides a comprehensive forex trading experience. Like Interactive Brokers, BlackBull Markets also provides access to U.S. and international exchange traded securities. Furthermore, the platform supports cryptocurrency derivatives but does not offer actual cryptocurrency trading. On the plus side, BlackBull Markets includes copy trading, a feature that may attract traders looking to mirror the strategies of successful investors. While both brokers receive a perfect 5-star rating for their range of investments, Interactive Brokers takes the top spot according to ForexBrokers.com rankings, while BlackBull Markets is positioned at a respectable sixth place.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets for their trading platforms and tools, it's clear both cater to different types of traders. Interactive Brokers distinguishes itself with a proprietary platform, offering a comprehensive range of 85 drawing tools and an extensive 659 columns for watch lists, which contribute to its top-rating of 5 stars. Additionally, their platforms are accessible through both desktop download and web-based browsers, providing traders with flexibility and depth. The inclusion of a virtual demo account allows users the chance to test strategies with simulated trading before committing real funds.
Conversely, BlackBull Markets supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with the unique feature of copy trading, ideal for those looking to mirror experienced traders. With capabilities to trade directly from a stock chart and a user-friendly web-based platform, BlackBull Markets ensures ease of access for traders. Although it may feature fewer drawing tools and watch list options compared to Interactive Brokers, its integration with ZuluTrade offers an expanded trading network platform-wise. BlackBull Markets proudly holds a 4-star rating and ranks 29th in trading platforms and tools out of 62 brokers, demonstrating a strong position in the trading landscape.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets provide mobile trading apps available on iPhone and Android, allowing traders to stay connected on the go. Users of either app can enjoy stock and forex price alerts, syncing watchlists between mobile and online accounts, and the ability to draw trendlines or view various time frames on charts. However, the number of technical studies available significantly differs, with Interactive Brokers offering 97 studies compared to BlackBull Markets’ 30. Additionally, while BlackBull Markets’ app can auto-save chart drawings, Interactive Brokers does not offer this feature.
Both apps allow for the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, but when it comes to overall ratings, Interactive Brokers has the upper hand. It earns a 5-star rating for mobile trading apps, ranking 4th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets holds 4 stars, placing it at 31st. For those interested in advanced charting capabilities and higher app ratings, Interactive Brokers might be a preferable option, while BlackBull Markets provides a simpler experience with auto-saving charts.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets both provide daily market commentary and feature economic calendars to help investors track global news events. However, Interactive Brokers stands out by offering forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which BlackBull Markets does not. On the technical analysis front, BlackBull Markets uses tools from Autochartist, whereas Interactive Brokers leans on Trading Central. Both platforms provide traders with sentiment-based tools to understand market positions.
When it comes to research tools, Interactive Brokers offers a more comprehensive selection, featuring resources from companies like TipRanks and Acuity Trading. This extensive offering contributes to its superior rating of five stars for research, compared to the four stars for BlackBull Markets. Additionally, Interactive Brokers ranks third out of 62 brokers in the research category according to ForexBrokers.com, outperforming BlackBull Markets, which ranks eighteenth.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners, both Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets stand out in the realm of forex and CFDs education. Each offers a comprehensive selection of at least 10 educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, covering these topics. Moreover, they both host monthly online educational webinars, with an easy-to-navigate archive of recorded sessions for those who wish to revisit the provided content. Whether you are just getting started or are an experienced trader seeking advanced knowledge, both brokers deliver with video content tailored to varying levels of expertise.
For those looking to enhance their trading vocabulary, Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets each provide an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, making complex concepts accessible even to newcomers. Interactive Brokers is particularly notable, earning a 5-star education rating and is ranked third among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category. BlackBull Markets follows with a commendable 4-star rating, ranking 29th in the same category. Though both brokers deliver strong educational offerings, Interactive Brokers seems to have a slight edge in both rating and ranking, indicating a broader recognition for their educational support in the trading community.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than BlackBull Markets. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted multi-asset broker with an extensive offering of tradeable global markets. It delivers competitive fees and high-quality research and education, as well as a modern, institutional-grade trading platform suite.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
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Interactive Brokers allows direct purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, whereas BlackBull Markets does not; however, both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives, enabling traders to engage in crypto markets without buying the actual assets.
Interactive Brokers stands out by offering ACH and SEPA transfers along with bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, while BlackBull Markets, offering bank wires, distinguishes itself by accepting Skrill and Visa or Mastercard payments, but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer options.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 0.71 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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