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Home ‣ Compare ‣ Interactive Brokers vs iFOREX 2025

Interactive Brokers vs iFOREX 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs iFOREX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Interactive Brokers
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 8500
iFOREX
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $100
  • Trust Score: 75
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 750

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.

Regulation

Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers has established itself as a highly trusted online brokerage, achieving a perfect Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. It is a publicly traded company, although not a bank, and notably holds nine Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its solid regulatory standing. Additionally, Interactive Brokers maintains two Tier-2 licenses, showcasing its compliance with trusted regulatory standards across multiple jurisdictions.

In contrast, iFOREX, founded in 1996, operates under a slightly different framework. It is not publicly traded and does not hold bank status. With a Trust Score of 75, iFOREX is considered to have an average risk level. The broker holds one Tier-1 license, indicating a basic level of trust, but falls short in the Tier-2 category, holding no licenses. While both brokers offer trading platforms, their regulatory credentials and trust metrics vary significantly.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Year Founded info 1977 1996
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 9 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1

Fees

Interactive Brokers outpaces iFOREX on pricing transparency and overall costs for forex. Interactive Brokers is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees, while iFOREX is rated 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #62 of 63. Direct comparisons are limited because iFOREX doesn’t publish average spread data and Interactive Brokers doesn’t publish it broadly either; however, for Q3 2024 we obtained IBKR’s EUR/USD averages: 0.19 pips, or about 0.59 pips all-in after commissions.

Interactive Brokers uses an agency model that aggregates quotes from 17 major banks and charges a commission instead of marking up spreads. Forex commissions start at 0.00002 (0.2 basis points) of the USD trade value per side with a $2 minimum per order ($4 round turn), and can drop to 0.08 basis points for exceptionally active traders. That equates to roughly $16–$40 per million round turn. Example: buying then selling $100,000 of EUR/USD is about a 0.40‑pip commission on top of the spread. In Q3 2024, EUR/USD averaged ~0.19 pips at IBKR, for an effective ~0.59‑pip all‑in cost after commission. Note: IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro support forex but are not commission‑free, trades under 100,000 units are affected more by the $2‑per‑side minimum, and high‑volume traders can unlock lower minimums ($1.50 at $1B+/month; $1 at $5B+/month) and RFQ large orders.

iFOREX does not provide average spread figures, making its total trading costs harder to gauge in advance. Reflecting this, iFOREX holds a 3/5 star rating and ranks #62/63 for Commissions and Fees, compared with Interactive Brokers’ 5/5 stars and #2/63 ranking. If clear, tiered pricing and potentially lower all‑in costs—especially at higher volumes—matter to you, Interactive Brokers is likely the more cost‑efficient choice; always confirm current quotes and fee disclosures before you trade.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Minimum Deposit info $0 $100
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.59 info N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info N/A info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

Interactive Brokers offers a much wider range of investments than iFOREX. IB lists about 8,500 tradeable symbols versus 750 at iFOREX. Both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, with 90 vs 88 currency pairs. Only Interactive Brokers lets you buy real U.S. and international shares on exchanges—think Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone in London—while iFOREX does not offer exchange-listed shares. Neither broker provides copy trading.

For crypto, Interactive Brokers supports buying actual cryptocurrencies as well as crypto derivatives; iFOREX offers crypto derivatives only. Reflecting this broader access, Interactive Brokers is rated 5 stars and ranked #1 of 63 for Range of Investments by ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX holds 3.5 stars and ranks #42. If you want the largest selection—including real stocks and coins—Interactive Brokers is the stronger choice; if you mainly trade CFDs and want many forex pairs, iFOREX can fit the bill.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 8500 750
Forex Pairs (Total) info 90 88
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

Interactive Brokers stands out for platform access: it offers a free paper trading account, a proprietary in-house platform with a Windows desktop app, and a full web platform. iFOREX also provides a proprietary, browser-based platform, but no Windows desktop download and no demo account. Neither broker supports copy trading, MetaTrader 4/5, DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade. Both let you place orders directly from price charts.

For charting and workflows, Interactive Brokers lists 85 drawing tools versus 25 at iFOREX; indicator totals are not specified by either. Watchlists are far deeper at Interactive Brokers, with 659 available columns compared with 9 at iFOREX. Reflecting these differences, ForexBrokers.com rates Interactive Brokers 5 out of 5 stars and ranks it #3 of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, while iFOREX earns 4 stars and ranks #55.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes No
Proprietary Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes No
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 155 57
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 85 25
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 659 9

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

Interactive Brokers and iFOREX both offer iPhone and Android apps, but the user experience differs. Interactive Brokers earns 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, while iFOREX holds 4 stars and ranks #56. If you want a feature-packed trading app with deeper tools, Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick; iFOREX delivers a simpler experience but with fewer capabilities.

Interactive Brokers supports price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and watchlist syncing between mobile and web, which iFOREX does not. Charting is another standout: Interactive Brokers includes 97 technical studies, lets you draw trendlines, and switch among multiple time frames (daily, weekly, intraday). iFOREX lacks these chart tools. Neither app auto-saves drawings. For traders who rely on alerts, synced watchlists, and detailed charts, Interactive Brokers’ mobile app offers more, while iFOREX may suit those who prefer a basic setup.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 97 N/A
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info No No
Mobile Watchlist info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

Interactive Brokers and iFOREX both publish daily market commentary, offer an economic calendar, and provide sentiment tools that show the ratio of long and short positions. Where they differ is news and third-party research depth: Interactive Brokers streams forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while iFOREX does not. Both include Trading Central analytics and exclude Autochartist. Interactive Brokers also integrates TipRanks and Acuity Trading (Signal Centre), whereas iFOREX does not list these integrations.

These differences show up in independent ratings: Interactive Brokers earns 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #3 of 63 at ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #49. If you value premium news feeds and extra third-party insights, Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick; if you just need the basics like commentary, calendars, sentiment, and Trading Central, iFOREX covers those needs.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info Yes Yes
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) info Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

Interactive Brokers and iFOREX both offer educational resources for beginners, but they differ significantly in their offerings. Interactive Brokers provides a comprehensive suite of learning materials, including a minimum of 10 educational pieces specifically focused on forex and CFDs. With regular monthly webinars and an accessible archive of past sessions, beginners can easily stay updated and revisit topics at their own pace. Additionally, Interactive Brokers enriches its educational content with beginner and advanced videos, catering to a wide range of learning needs. An investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 terms adds further depth to their offerings. These resources contribute to Interactive Brokers being highly rated, receiving 5 out of 5 stars for education, and securing the #3 spot out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.

In contrast, iFOREX offers a more limited educational experience, lacking forex or CFDs-specific educational pieces in substantial numbers. While iFOREX does provide at least 10 beginner videos covering trading topics, it doesn't match Interactive Brokers' breadth of resources. The absence of regular webinars, a searchable archive, and a comprehensive investor dictionary limits the learning opportunities for new traders. Furthermore, iFOREX doesn't have advanced educational videos for experienced traders, which can be a disadvantage for those looking to deepen their trading skills. As a result, iFOREX has a lower education rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked at #53 in the education category by ForexBrokers.com.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes No
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than iFOREX. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.

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 logoInteractive Brokers
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 75
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Interactive Brokers or iFOREX?

Interactive Brokers enables users to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, offering a comprehensive trading experience, while iFOREX limits users to trading cryptocurrency derivatives without providing access to the actual digital currencies themselves.

What funding options does each broker offer?

When comparing Interactive Brokers to iFOREX, Interactive Brokers offers ACH, SEPA, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, while iFOREX supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, but lacks ACH and SEPA transfers.

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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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Overall Rating Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 75
Winner check_circle
Review Interactive Brokers Review
Broker Screenshots Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
IBKR mobile watchlist. IBKR Desktop platform charts. Interactive Brokers research Traders Insight daily analysis article detail Interactive Brokers IBKR Podcast video.
Regulation Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Trust Score info 99 75
Year Founded info 1977 1996
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 9 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info Yes No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info Yes
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No No
UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) info Yes No
India (SEBI Authorised) info Yes No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 8500 750
Forex Pairs (Total) info 90 88
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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 iFOREX
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.59 info N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info N/A info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes No
Inactivity Fee info No No
Execution: Agency Broker info Yes No
Execution: Market Maker info No Yes
Funding Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Minimum Deposit info $0 $100
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
Trading Platforms Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Proprietary Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes No
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No No
cTrader info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Trading Tools Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes No
Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields info 659 9
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 155 57
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 85 25
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes No
Mobile Trading Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes No
Mobile Watchlist info Yes No
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 97 N/A
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info No No
Mobile Economic Calendar info Yes No
Research Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes No
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes No
Major Forex Pairs Interactive Brokers iFOREX
GBP/USD info Yes Yes
USD/JPY info Yes Yes
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF info Yes Yes
USD/CAD info Yes Yes
NZD/USD info Yes Yes
AUD/USD info Yes Yes
Review Interactive Brokers Review
Overall Interactive Brokers iFOREX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 75
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Review Interactive Brokers Review
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