Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets), we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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Interactive Brokers and HYCM were both founded in 1977, marking decades of service in the financial markets. Interactive Brokers is a publicly traded company, making it accessible on stock exchanges, while HYCM is privately held. Neither of these firms operates as a bank, but they differ in regulatory credentials. Interactive Brokers boasts a prominent regulatory standing with nine Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, leading to an exceptional Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. This positions them as a highly trusted broker with a solid track record.
In contrast, HYCM holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, contributing to a Trust Score of 86 out of 99. This indicates that while they remain a trusted broker, they do not reach the elite trust level held by Interactive Brokers. The difference in trust ratings and licensing between the two brokers provides a clear view of their standing in the marketplace, with Interactive Brokers offering extensive credibility and a wider range of market oversight. Whether you prioritize a broker's trading history, public listing status, or regulatory depth, these factors offer valuable insights for making informed investment decisions.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
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|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 1977 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Interactive Brokers and HYCM both deliver competitive commissions and fees for forex, but they target slightly different needs. Interactive Brokers earns 5/5 stars and ranks #2 of 63 for Commissions and Fees at ForexBrokers.com, while HYCM scores 4.5/5 stars and ranks #16. For EUR/USD, Interactive Brokers’ average spread in Q3 2024 was 0.19 pips, translating to an estimated all-in cost of about 0.59 pips after commission—very similar to HYCM’s Raw account at roughly 0.6 pips. HYCM’s Classic account is pricier with variable spreads from 1.2 pips, and its Fixed account is 1.5 pips.
Interactive Brokers uses commission-based pricing instead of marking up spreads. Commissions start at 0.00002 (0.2 basis points) of the U.S. dollar trade value per side, with a $2 minimum per order ($4 round turn); very high-volume traders can see rates as low as 0.08 basis points per side. On a per-million basis, costs run about $16–$40 round turn ($8–$20 per side). Example: trading $100,000 of EUR/USD adds roughly 0.40 pips in commission on top of the spread. Note that the $2 minimum per side makes smaller-than-100k trades proportionally more expensive. Interactive Brokers aggregates quotes from 17 major interbank dealers and offers volume discounts that can reduce the minimum charge to $1.50 per order above $1 billion in monthly volume and $1 per order above $5 billion; IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro support forex but are not commission-free.
HYCM keeps things simple with three account types. The Raw account is best for low all-in costs on EUR/USD (about 0.6 pips after commission). The Classic account suits traders who prefer no separate commission but pay wider variable spreads starting from 1.2 pips, while the Fixed account offers predictable 1.5-pip spreads. If you want the absolute lowest typical pricing and qualify for volume discounts, Interactive Brokers has the edge; if you prefer straightforward account choices, HYCM is easy to navigate.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
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|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.59 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.6 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Interactive Brokers offers a wider range of investments than HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets). You get 8,500 tradeable symbols at Interactive Brokers versus 1,199 at HYCM, and more forex pairs (90 vs 70). Both brokers support forex trading and provide access to exchange-traded stocks on U.S. and international exchanges (so you can buy companies like Apple or Vodafone directly). Neither broker offers copy trading.
The biggest difference is crypto access: Interactive Brokers lets you buy actual cryptocurrency as well as trade crypto CFDs, while HYCM offers crypto only as CFDs (not the actual coins). For Range of Investments, Interactive Brokers is rated 5 stars and ranked #1 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas HYCM holds 4 stars and ranks #34. If you want the widest selection and the option to own crypto, Interactive Brokers stands out; if you mainly need forex, CFDs, and stock access, HYCM covers the essentials.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
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|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 1199 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 70 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
Interactive Brokers and HYCM both check key boxes for traders looking at platforms and tools. Each offers a free virtual demo (paper trading), an in-house platform, a Windows desktop download, a web-based platform, and the ability to trade directly from charts. Neither supports copy trading. The big platform difference: HYCM supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, while Interactive Brokers does not. If MetaTrader and its expert advisors are important to you, HYCM has the edge; if you prefer a well-rated proprietary platform experience, Interactive Brokers is compelling.
For quality signals, the ratings tell a clear story: Interactive Brokers earns 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools at ForexBrokers.com, while HYCM holds 4 stars and ranks #41. Both brokers include charting features and watchlists, but the standout choice depends on your needs—go with HYCM for MT4/MT5 access, or choose Interactive Brokers for a higher-rated, all-in-one in-house platform suite with paper trading.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
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|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and HYCM both offer iPhone and Android mobile trading apps, and each supports stock and forex price alerts. A key difference is watchlist syncing: Interactive Brokers syncs your watchlists between the app and your online account, while HYCM does not.
For charting, Interactive Brokers includes 97 technical indicators (studies) and allows trendline drawing, but it doesn’t auto-save your drawings. HYCM offers 30 indicators, also supports trendlines, and does auto-save drawings. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, Interactive Brokers earned 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 63 brokers, whereas HYCM earned 4 stars and ranked #38. Choose Interactive Brokers if you want more indicators and seamless watchlist syncing; pick HYCM if automatic saving of chart annotations is your priority.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
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|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Interactive Brokers and HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) both deliver the core research tools most traders expect. Each broker provides daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also both include Trading Central analytics for technical and fundamental insights. Neither platform offers Autochartist tools.
Where they differ is in added depth. Interactive Brokers includes a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning, plus third-party research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading (Signal Centre). HYCM does not offer these extras. Reflecting this, ForexBrokers.com rates Interactive Brokers 5 stars for Research and ranks it #3 out of 63 brokers, while HYCM earns 3.5 stars and ranks #36. If you want more signals, sentiment data, and varied research providers, Interactive Brokers has the edge; if you mainly need daily commentary, an economic calendar, and quality news, HYCM covers the essentials.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
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|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
If you’re a beginner comparing Interactive Brokers and HYCM for education, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead. It runs at least one client webinar each month, offers 10+ beginner videos and 10+ advanced videos, and earns 5 stars for Education, ranking #3 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. HYCM provides 10+ beginner videos but does not host monthly educational webinars and does not offer 10+ advanced videos; it holds a 3.5-star Education rating and ranks #32 out of 63.
For newcomers interested in forex or CFD trading, this translates into a clearer learning path at Interactive Brokers, from basic lessons to more advanced topics and live sessions. HYCM can help you get started with beginner-friendly videos, but if you want ongoing webinars and deeper material as your skills grow, Interactive Brokers is likely the better fit.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets). Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) finished with an overall rank of #29.
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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HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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Interactive Brokers lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trade cryptocurrency CFDs, while HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) does not offer delivered crypto but does provide crypto CFD trading.
In a head-to-head comparison of funding methods, Interactive Brokers offers ACH/SEPA and bank wires but not PayPal or Skrill, while HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) lacks ACH/SEPA and PayPal yet supports Skrill and bank wires; Visa/Mastercard availability for both is not specified.
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 | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
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| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 1977 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 1199 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 70 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.59 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.6 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $20 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
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| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
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| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) Review |
| Overall | Interactive Brokers | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) Review |
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