Interactive Brokers
Capital.com
Interactive Brokers vs Capital.com
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
Interactive Brokers and Capital.com are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. Interactive Brokers, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Greenwich, USA, is regulated by SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC and offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips with a minimum deposit of $0. Capital.com, established in 2016 in London, UK, holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, ASIC, SCB with spreads from 0.6 pips and a $20 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, Interactive Brokers scored 9.2/10 overall compared to Capital.com's 8.5/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Capital.com holds its own with superior education resources and smoother deposits & withdrawals, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
Interactive Brokers scores 9.2/10 overall vs 8.5/10 for Capital.com — a 0.7-point difference.
- 💵
Interactive Brokers requires just $0 to start, while Capital.com needs $20 — Interactive Brokers is 20x more accessible.
- 📈
Interactive Brokers offers 1,000,000+ instruments vs 6,400+ at Capital.com — a massive gap in market coverage.
- 🖥️
Interactive Brokers runs on TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, while Capital.com uses Capital.com Platform, MT4, Capital.com App — different ecosystems for different trading styles.
- ⚡
The biggest gap is in Product Range: Interactive Brokers scores 10.0 vs 8.5 for Capital.com — a 1.5-point difference.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers
Score: 9.2/10 · Wins 4 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- You want access to a wider range of instruments
- You rely on in-depth research and analysis tools
Capital.com
Score: 8.5/10 · Wins 2 categories- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
- You prefer Capital.com's trading environment overall
Interactive Brokers takes the lead with an overall score of 9.2/10 compared to 8.5/10, winning in 4 out of 8 scoring categories. Interactive Brokers stands out for lower trading costs and stronger regulation, while Capital.com fights back with superior education resources and smoother deposits & withdrawals.
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead with a 9.2/10 overall rating, winning 4 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 10.0/10. Interactive Brokers holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Capital.com is not without merit — it scores 8.5/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (9.0/10), winning 2 categories. Traders who value superior education resources or smoother deposits & withdrawals may find Capital.com the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full Interactive Brokers review and Capital.com review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
Interactive Brokers wins by 1.0 points
Interactive Brokers wins by 1.0 points
Capital.com wins by 0.5 points
Interactive Brokers wins by 1.0 points
Capital.com wins by 0.5 points
Interactive Brokers wins by 1.5 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.2/10 ✓ | 8.5/10 |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $0 ✓ | $20 |
| Max Leverage | 1:50 | 1:200 |
| Spreads From | 0.1 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Platforms | TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader | Capital.com Platform, MT4, Capital.com App |
| Regulation | SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, SCB |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 1978 ✓ | 2016 |
| Markets | 1,000,000+ ✓ | 6,400+ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, Interactive Brokers has the edge with a score of 9.5/10 versus 8.5/10 for Capital.com. Interactive Brokers offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips, while Capital.com starts from 0.6 pips. The minimum deposit at Interactive Brokers is $0, compared to $20 at Capital.com. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.
Trading Platforms
Interactive Brokers scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 8.5/10 for Capital.com. Interactive Brokers provides TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, while Capital.com offers Capital.com Platform, MT4, Capital.com App. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC (Tier 1), while Capital.com holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, ASIC, SCB (Tier 1). Interactive Brokers scores 10/10 and Capital.com scores 9/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.
Education & Research
For learning resources, Capital.com leads with 8.5/10 compared to 8/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Interactive Brokers and Capital.com both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.
Customer Support
Interactive Brokers offers 24/6 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while Capital.com provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email with a score of 7.5/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.
Deposit & Withdrawal
Interactive Brokers scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Capital.com scores 8.5/10. Interactive Brokers accepts Bank Transfer, ACH, and Capital.com supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of $0 versus $20 for Capital.com. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose Interactive Brokers if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- You want access to a wider range of instruments
- You rely on in-depth research and analysis tools
Choose Capital.com if you...
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
- You prefer Capital.com's trading environment overall
🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Interactive Brokers better than Capital.com?
Interactive Brokers scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 8.5/10), winning 4 of 8 categories. However, Capital.com is stronger in superior education resources and smoother deposits & withdrawals. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.
Which has lower fees, Interactive Brokers or Capital.com?
Interactive Brokers scores higher for trading costs. Interactive Brokers offers spreads from 0.1 pips with a $0 minimum deposit, while Capital.com starts from 0.6 pips with $20 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.
Is Interactive Brokers safe to trade with?
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC and scores 10/10 for regulation. Capital.com is regulated by CySEC, FCA, ASIC, SCB with a score of 9/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.
Which has better trading platforms, Interactive Brokers or Capital.com?
Interactive Brokers scores 8.5/10 for platforms. Interactive Brokers offers TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, while Capital.com provides Capital.com Platform, MT4, Capital.com App. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.
What's the minimum deposit for Interactive Brokers vs Capital.com?
Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of $0, while Capital.com requires $20. Interactive Brokers has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.
Ready to Start Trading?
Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.