Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500 - Fees Review included
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall |
4.9 |
4.8 |
3.7 |
5 |
5.0 |
4.9 |
|
4.9 |
4.7 |
4.4 |
|
5 |
4.9 |
4.4 |
|
Investment Instruments |
4.2 |
5.0 |
1 |
Platforms and Charting Tools |
5 |
4.1 |
3.3 |
Deposit and Withdrawal |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.8 |
Research |
4.7 |
5 |
2.9 |
Education |
4.5 |
4.3 |
2.3 |
Support |
4.2 |
4.2 |
2.4 |
Bonuses |
3.1 |
1 |
2.1 |
|
|
|
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Pros and Cons
The biggest international broker
The eToro broker is a very popular online platform for trading. Founded in 2007, the company operates as a social trading website that works with traders in dozens of countries.
Plus500 broker is owned by Plus500 Ltd, the headquarters company, is based in Israel. Plus500.com has been an active trading platform since 2008, where traders can trade more than two thousand financial assets. The broker provides its services in Asia and Europe, being also one of the fastest-growing companies that make it possible to trade CFD (contract for differences) contracts.
| Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Pros | Access to 135 markets in 33 countries | Mobile app for trading from smartphones | Over 2000 trading CFD instruments |
| 30.000+ trading instruments | Highly licensed and regulated broker | Advanced screeners and analysis tools | |
| Regulated in the US, UK and 8 other countries | eToro charges a fixed withdrawal fee of $5 USD | Free alert service | |
| Advanced trading platform | The traders have access to the following trading offers: a copy trading service and ready-made portfolios with semi-automatic diversification | Well regulated CFD broker | |
| Free stocks for registration | The funds of eToro clients are held at the licensed US banks | ||
| Low fees | |||
| Low margin rates | |||
| Nasdaq Listed company | |||
| 25 supported account currencies | |||
| Overall Cons | long and complex registration procedure | Customer support can be only contacted by tickets | Plus500 does not provide the possibility of passive earnings |
| A ban on scalping, order hedging, and automated trading | |||
| the broker does not cooperate with traders from Ukraine, the USA, and several other countries | |||
| Broker don't offer ECN account | |||
| MT4/MT5 trading platforms are not supported |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Safety and Regulation
| Regulated By: | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Max. Regulation Level |
Tier-1 |
Tier-1 |
Tier-1 |
Investor protection |
$500,000 £85,000 |
£85,000 €20,000 |
£85,000 €20,000 |
FCA UK Regulation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
FINRA (U.S) |
Yes |
No |
No |
BaFin (Germany) |
No |
No |
No |
ASIC (Australia) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
CFTC (U.S) |
Yes |
No |
No |
MAS |
Yes |
No |
No |
FSCA SA |
No |
No |
No |
BVI FSC |
No |
No |
No |
VFSC |
No |
No |
No |
FSA (Seychelles) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Trading Conditions
| Trading Conditions | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit |
$0 |
$50 |
$100 |
Trading Platforms |
IB Trader Workstation, IBKR GlobalTrader, Client Portal |
eToro |
WebTrader, Plus500 |
Max Leverage (Futures) |
1-50 |
1:30 |
variable |
Supported Markets |
Stocks, Forex, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Stock options, Commodity Futures, Currency futures, Cryptocurrencies, Robo-portfolios, hedge funds |
Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Commodities, Metals, Cryptocurrencies, options and ETFs |
Trading assets |
30000+ |
1000+ |
2000+ |
Trading Accounts |
Cash account, margin account |
Standard, Demo |
Real, Demo |
Base Account Currencies |
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CZK, DKK, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NZD, NOK, PLN, SGD, SEK, CHF, CNH |
USD |
USD |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Fees
| Fee | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, min pips |
0,2 |
0,3 |
0,3 |
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, max pips |
0,8 |
1,1 |
1,1 |
ECN Commission |
2 |
||
ECN Spread EUR/USD |
0,2 |
||
Deposit fee, % |
No |
No |
No |
Withdrawal fee, % |
Yes |
No |
No |
Withdrawal fee, USD |
Yes |
5 |
5 |
Inactivity fee, $ |
No |
10 |
10 |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Trading Assets
| Asset Name | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall |
30000+ |
1000+ |
1000+ |
Forex |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (CFDs) |
Stocks |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (CFD) |
Metals |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (Futures) |
Cryptocurrencies |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (CFDs and Futures) |
Energy |
Yes |
Yes (CFD) |
Yes (Futures) |
Indices |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (CFD) |
ETFs |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (CFD) |
Bonds |
Yes |
No |
No |
Mutual funds |
Yes |
No |
No |
Stock options |
Yes |
No |
Yes (CFD) |
Futures Trading |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Binary Options |
No |
No |
No |
The Plus500 Futures platform is available to US clients only
Interactive Brokers or eToro or Plus500: Investment Programs
| Asset Name | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Copy Trading |
No |
Yes |
No |
MAM/PAMM |
No |
No |
No |
Managed Accounts |
No |
No |
No |
Other |
Robo-portfolios, hedge funds, Bonds |
No |
No |
Trading Platforms: Interactive Brokers or eToro or Plus500
| Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
MT4 |
No |
No |
No |
MT5 |
No |
No |
No |
cTrader |
No |
No |
No |
Appropriate platform |
IB Trader Workstation, IBKR GlobalTrader, Client Portal |
eToro |
Plus500 |
Others |
No |
No |
No |
|
|
|
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
| Deposit and Withdrawal Method | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Bank Wire |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Bank Card |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Neteller |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
BTC |
No |
No |
No |
Wise |
Yes |
No |
No |
Payoneer |
No |
No |
No |
USDT |
No |
No |
No |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Research
| Research Type | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
News Feed |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Fundamental Data |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Chart Analysis |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Trading Ideas |
No |
Yes |
No |
E-Mail Reports |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Education
| Education Type | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Demo-account/Paper Trading |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Webinars |
Yes |
No |
No |
Articles |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Videos |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cent account |
No |
No |
No |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Support
| Support Features | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Working Days |
24/5 |
24/5 |
24/7 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Phone |
Yes |
No |
No |
Online chat |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
Community forum, Software bug reports |
No |
No |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro vs Plus500: Forex Bonuses and Promo
| Promo | Interactive Brokers | eToro | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|---|
Forex Bonus |
No |
No |
No |
Affiliate Program |
As Referrer you can earn up to USD 1000 of IBKR stock. The Refer a Friend program allows eligible IBKR clients to refer people to IBKR for a flat fee payment. Residents of Japan, Spain and Israel are not eligible to participate in the program. |
$100-250 per trader |
An affiliate partner earns from $200 to $800 for a referred client who opened a trading account and started trading. The amount of remuneration varies depending on the partner's country of residence |
Other Promos |
No |
||
|
|
|
Top 5 Reviews on Interactive Brokers
-
Comment
What stands out for me with Interactive Brokers is their mobile app. I use the IBKR Mobile app a lot when I’m not at my desk, and it offers pretty much the same experience as the desktop version. The ability to trade everything from stocks to options while on the go is a huge plus. It also has features for international trading, which makes it easy for me to handle trades across multiple markets. The app’s interface is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing me to monitor my portfolio, execute trades, and even access research tools seamlessly. While it might lack some advanced charting features, it’s still one of the most versatile apps I’ve used, especially for global traders like me
-
Comment
I am a client of interactivebrokers and I have never faced any problems during the whole time. I am completely satisfied with the service: the staff is always friendly, responsive and ready to help, which really leaves a good impression. Special thanks to the operators - their attentive attitude to people creates a feeling of care and support. It is a pleasure to work with a company that values its customers and does everything for comfortable service!
-
Comment
As far as my experience is concerned with Interactive Brokers, the thing I love most is the sheer variety of markets available. The GlobalTrader app lets me trade in over 90 different markets, which is super convenient for someone like me who likes to diversify. The interface might feel overwhelming at first, especially on Trader Workstation, but once you get the hang of it, it’s extremely powerful. I also appreciate the competitive pricing and order options that help keep my trading costs low.
-
Comment
Interactive brokers offer a huge variety of trading instruments, which is certainly pleasing. The opportunities for trading and diversification here are excellent. However, there is one minus - the website interface is only partially translated into other languages, and it is a bit disappointing. It would be more convenient if the whole platform was available in different languages, especially for traders who do not speak English.
-
Comment
Interactive Brokers provides access to 135 markets from 33 countries, which is a huge advantage. This allows traders to easily diversify their portfolios and find opportunities around the world. I am very pleased with this broad coverage and the ability to trade in a multitude of international markets.
Top 5 Reviews on eToro
-
Comment
I’ve been familiar with the broker eToro for over a year, looking for a platform with extensive features for copy trading and the ability to buy stocks in small lots. The minimum deposit is $50, which is affordable, but spreads start at 1.0 pip — not the lowest in the market. I liked that the broker is regulated by CySEC and FCA, and has over 20 million clients worldwide. During this time, I tried buying fractional shares and investing in cryptocurrencies — the platform makes this quite convenient, although the website can be slow at times. I consider eToro more of a universal platform for passive investing than for frequent trading.
-
Comment
The broker offers only one account currency — USD. It supports trading across a wide range of assets, including currencies, stock indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Deposits can be made via cards, Skrill, PayPal, and even YooMoney. Some nuances include a withdrawal fee, an STP model without ECN, and a lack of advanced analytical tools on the website. Despite these aspects, eToro consistently maintains its position in international rankings.
-
Comment
eToro is suitable for investors who want to copy successful traders. It offers the Popular Investor feature, where you can earn up to 2% of the copied volume. The platform is fully web-based and mobile-friendly, with a low entry threshold. The downside is the high spreads and a limit of 100 copiers per lead trader. There’s also no option to use expert advisors or algorithms.
-
Comment
I opened an account on eToro with the minimum deposit of $50, and the platform's interface turned out to be convenient, especially in terms of copy trading. The minimum amount for copy trading is only $1, which makes it easy to start. The available instruments include stocks, currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. On the downside, there is no MT4/MT5, and withdrawals cost $5. Also, the number of followers is limited — a maximum of 100 traders can copy one.
-
Comment
Been using eToro for full year and here is my impartial review of the broker: Most compatible for trading stocks with its zero-fee structure for securities, but charges high for crypto + high spread for forex Order fulfillment is fast and glitches rarely happen. If they do, their customer service agent will promptly reach out to explain the issue and find a common ground to solve it Great for portfolio diversification with the availability of thousands of tradable assets Simple trading terminal with a number of good features e.g. copy trading, social trading, etc No deposit fee + $5 fee for withdrawals (regardless of the amount) Has a lot of ancillary charges such as inactivity fee, currency conversion fee, and overnight fee
Top 5 Reviews on Plus500
-
Comment
Plus500 is not a bad broker. At first glance, nothing supernatural, but trading with them is really pleasant. Order execution is clear, without delays, and withdrawal of funds goes smoothly and without problems. In general, the broker leaves a positive impression, and I am satisfied with my choice.
-
Comment
I work with Plus500 and I can point out both pros and cons. I like that the company is multi-regulated and licensed in 10 countries, which inspires confidence. However, the lack of Micro or Cent accounts is a bit disappointing as they would allow trading with minimal risks and investments.
-
Comment
I took a risk and opened a trading account with Plus500. I'm trading in the black. I can say that I’m testing the company, checking it. I asked the support to make a report about a trade, whether they would do it or not. But they sent the report quickly, well done! We'll see what happens with withdrawals. I hope they won’t disappoint me here either)
-
Comment
Plus500 is a good broker. My money was withdrawn in 2 days. I don't communicate with the support team much — I have my own strategy and trading goes as it should. There are a lot of services to choose from. The analytics are good. The only disadvantage is that there were a few failures during a couple of months, but they did not affect my trading critically.
-
Comment
I have been working with Plus500 for a long time. If we evaluate it comprehensively, it’s not bad. There are little things that are not 100% satisfying, but overall, compared to other companies, it’s probably ok. I mean the quotes flow and precision of trades. The rest is fine. I get enough profit from regular trading.
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
"Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more"
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.
FAQs
What should I start Forex trading with?
It is desirable for novice traders to explore trading using a demo account to learn the market and how to work on the trading platform without the risk of suffering losses. At the same time, it is advisable to review the educational materials of the broker, learn trading basics. Then you can deposit the minimum required amount to perform a small number of transactions. If you manage to close several months in a row in the black, without substantial drawdowns on the account, then you can try increasing your deposit. Also trying to copy trades automatically is a good option for a start.
What amount should I start trading with?
The minimum deposit of $10 may be enough to trade on the cent account. However, for trading on Standard/ECT accounts, experts recommend starting with at least $200-500. With this amount, you can use not a very big leverage. Remember, getting carried away with the margin is the main cause of losses among beginners.
What should I take into consideration when choosing a broker?
Experts recommend looking at the broker’s reliability first and foremost. The other important features include basic trading conditions, commissions and fees, customer reviews. If brokers are approximately the same in terms of basic criteria, you need to choose based on your experience and tasks. One broker may be good for professionals and another – for novice traders.
Is it possible to be scammed by a broker with a license from a reputable regulator?
In theory, yes. But in practice, it takes so much time and money to comply with the requirements of reputable regulators that it is not worth it for scammers to bother obtaining a legitimate license.
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Team that worked on the article
Mikhail Vnuchkov joined Traders Union as an author in 2020. He began his professional career as a journalist-observer at a small online financial publication, where he covered global economic events and discussed their impact on the segment of financial investment, including investor income. With five years of experience in finance, Mikhail joined Traders Union team, where he is in charge of forming the pool of latest news for traders, who trade stocks, cryptocurrencies, Forex instruments and fixed income.
Olga Shendetskaya has been a part of the Traders Union team as an author, editor and proofreader since 2017. Since 2020, Shendetskaya has been the assistant chief editor of the website of Traders Union, an international association of traders. She has over 10 years of experience of working with economic and financial texts. In the period of 2017-2020, Olga has worked as a journalist and editor of laftNews news agency, economic and financial news sections. At the moment, Olga is a part of the team of top industry experts involved in creation of educational articles in finance and investment, overseeing their writing and publication on the Traders Union website.