Interactive Brokers vs FP Markets

• 📊

  Interactive Brokers scores 9.2/10 overall vs 8.2/10 for FP Markets — a 1.0-point difference.

• 💵

  Interactive Brokers requires just $0 to start, while FP Markets needs $100 — Interactive Brokers is 100x more accessible.

• 📈

  Interactive Brokers offers 1,000,000+ instruments vs 10,000+ at FP Markets — a massive gap in market coverage.

• 🖥️

  Interactive Brokers runs on TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, while FP Markets uses MT4, MT5, cTrader, IRESS — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

• ⚡

  The biggest gap is in Research & Analysis: Interactive Brokers scores 9.5 vs 7.5 for FP Markets — a 2.0-point difference.

After testing both brokers with real accounts, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead with a 9.2/10 overall rating, winning 5 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. FP Markets is not without merit — it scores 8.2/10 overall and excels in Trading Costs (8.5/10), winning 1 category. Traders who value better customer support may find FP Markets the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full Interactive Brokers review and FP Markets review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Read Interactive Brokers Review → Read FP Markets Review →

When it comes to trading costs, Interactive Brokers has the edge with a score of 9.5/10 versus 8.5/10 for FP Markets. Interactive Brokers offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips, while FP Markets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Interactive Brokers is $0, compared to $100 at FP Markets. 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.

Interactive Brokers scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 8.5/10 for FP Markets. Interactive Brokers provides TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, while FP Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, IRESS. 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 is crucial for fund safety. Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC (Tier 1), while FP Markets holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC (Tier 1). Interactive Brokers scores 10/10 and FP Markets scores 8.5/10 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.

For learning resources, Interactive Brokers leads with 8/10 compared to 7/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Interactive Brokers and FP Markets 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.

Interactive Brokers offers 24/6 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while FP Markets provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. 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.

Interactive Brokers scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while FP Markets scores 8/10. Interactive Brokers accepts Bank Transfer, ACH, and FP Markets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of $0 versus $100 for FP Markets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.