Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
9.2
/ 10
vs
Scope Markets

Scope Markets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
7.2
/ 10

Interactive Brokers vs Scope Markets

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

Interactive Brokers and Scope Markets 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. Scope Markets, established in 2019 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from CySEC, CMA, FSA with spreads from 0.5 pips and a $100 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, Interactive Brokers scored 9.2/10 overall compared to Scope Markets's 7.2/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Scope Markets holds its own with overall value, 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 7.2/10 for Scope Markets — a 2.0-point difference.

  • 💵

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

  • 📈

    Interactive Brokers offers 1,000,000+ instruments vs 200+ at Scope Markets — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

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

  • The biggest gap is in Product Range: Interactive Brokers scores 10.0 vs 6.5 for Scope Markets — a 3.5-point difference.

Our Verdict

🏆 WINNER
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Score: 9.2/10 · Wins 8 categories
  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
Scope Markets

Scope Markets

Score: 7.2/10 · Wins 0 categories
  • You prefer Scope Markets's trading environment overall

Interactive Brokers takes the lead with an overall score of 9.2/10 compared to 7.2/10, winning in 8 out of 8 scoring categories. Interactive Brokers stands out for lower trading costs and better trading platforms, while Scope Markets remains a solid alternative.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead with a 9.2/10 overall rating, winning 8 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. Scope Markets is not without merit — it scores 7.2/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (7.5/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full Interactive Brokers review and Scope Markets review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

Interactive Brokers
Scope Markets
Trading Costs
9.5 7.0

Interactive Brokers wins by 2.5 points

Platforms & Tools
8.5 7.0

Interactive Brokers wins by 1.5 points

Regulation & Trust
10.0 7.5

Interactive Brokers wins by 2.5 points

Education
8.0 6.5

Interactive Brokers wins by 1.5 points

Customer Service
7.5 7.0

Interactive Brokers wins by 0.5 points

Research & Analysis
9.5 6.5

Interactive Brokers wins by 3.0 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
8.0 7.0

Interactive Brokers wins by 1.0 points

Product Range
10.0 6.5

Interactive Brokers wins by 3.5 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
9.2/10
7.2/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$0
$100
Max Leverage
1:50
1:500
Spreads From
0.1 pips
0.5 pips
Platforms
TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader
MT4, MT5
Regulation
SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC
CySEC, CMA, FSA
Founded
Older track record highlighted
1978
2019
Markets
1,000,000+
200+
Interactive Brokers: 1 Scope Markets: 0
💰

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: Interactive Brokers (9.5 vs 7.0)

When it comes to trading costs, Interactive Brokers has the edge with a score of 9.5/10 versus 7/10 for Scope Markets. Interactive Brokers offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips, while Scope Markets starts from 0.5 pips. The minimum deposit at Interactive Brokers is $0, compared to $100 at Scope 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
9.5
Scope Markets
7.0
Interactive Brokers: 2 Scope Markets: 0
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: Interactive Brokers (8.5 vs 7.0)

Interactive Brokers scores 8.5/10 for platforms compared to 7/10 for Scope Markets. Interactive Brokers provides TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, while Scope Markets offers MT4, MT5. 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.

Interactive Brokers
8.5
Scope Markets
7.0
Interactive Brokers: 3 Scope Markets: 0
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

🏅 Section Winner: Interactive Brokers (10.0 vs 7.5)

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS, IIROC (Tier 1), while Scope Markets holds licenses from CySEC, CMA, FSA (Tier 1). Interactive Brokers scores 10/10 and Scope Markets scores 7.5/10 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.

Interactive Brokers
10.0
Scope Markets
7.5
Interactive Brokers: 4 Scope Markets: 0
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: Interactive Brokers (8.0 vs 6.5)

For learning resources, Interactive Brokers leads with 8/10 compared to 6.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. Interactive Brokers and Scope 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
8.0
Scope Markets
6.5
Interactive Brokers: 5 Scope Markets: 0
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: Interactive Brokers (7.5 vs 7.0)

Interactive Brokers offers 24/6 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while Scope Markets provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email with a score of 7/10. 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
7.5
Scope Markets
7.0
Interactive Brokers: 6 Scope Markets: 0
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: Interactive Brokers (8.0 vs 7.0)

Interactive Brokers scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Scope Markets scores 7/10. Interactive Brokers accepts Bank Transfer, ACH, and Scope Markets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of $0 versus $100 for Scope Markets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

Interactive Brokers
8.0
Scope Markets
7.0

Which Broker Is Right for You?

Interactive Brokers

Choose Interactive Brokers if you...

  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
Visit Interactive Brokers
Scope Markets

Choose Scope Markets if you...

  • You prefer Scope Markets's trading environment overall
Visit Scope Markets

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Interactive Brokers better than Scope Markets?

Interactive Brokers scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 7.2/10), winning 8 of 8 categories. However, Scope Markets remains competitive. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, Interactive Brokers or Scope Markets?

Interactive Brokers scores higher for trading costs. Interactive Brokers offers spreads from 0.1 pips with a $0 minimum deposit, while Scope Markets starts from 0.5 pips with $100 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. Scope Markets is regulated by CySEC, CMA, FSA with a score of 7.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, Interactive Brokers or Scope Markets?

Interactive Brokers scores 8.5/10 for platforms. Interactive Brokers offers TWS, IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, while Scope Markets provides MT4, MT5. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for Interactive Brokers vs Scope Markets?

Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of $0, while Scope Markets requires $100. 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.

← Back to Compare Tool