Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs BlackBull Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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When comparing Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets, regulatory information plays a crucial role. Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers holds a top-tier Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, showcasing high trust and credibility. As a publicly traded company, Interactive Brokers boasts 9 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, reinforcing its strong regulatory standing. Despite not being a bank, Interactive Brokers' extensive licensing provides clients with confidence in its security and reliability.
In contrast, BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, holds a Trust Score rating of 78 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating an average risk level. While it is not publicly traded, BlackBull Markets operates under 1 Tier-1 license and does not have any Tier-2 licenses. Like Interactive Brokers, it is not a bank, but its fewer licenses and lower trust score suggest a different level of regulatory assurance compared to its competitor. This distinction helps potential investors understand the varying degrees of safety and trust these brokers offer.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets, both platforms offer competitive pricing but cater to different types of traders. Interactive Brokers is highly rated with 5 stars and boasts the number 2 ranking out of 62 brokers in this category. They offer a unique pricing structure for forex trading, with commissions starting at 0.00002% of the U.S. dollar trade value and a minimum charge of $2 per order. While the average spreads are not publicly listed, the EUR/USD spread has been noted at about 0.59 pips after the commission. Interactive Brokers also offers discounted rates for active traders who meet certain trading volume thresholds.
BlackBull Markets, on the other hand, receives a 4.5-star rating and ranks 19th in the commissions and fees category. Their trading costs are average for the industry and depend on the account type. The Prime account, which requires a $2,000 minimum deposit, offers an average EUR/USD spread of 0.76 pips when factoring in commissions of $6 per 10,000 traded. The Standard account provides commission-free trading with higher spreads and no minimum deposit, targeting less active traders. The ECN Institutional account, designed for high-volume traders with a deposit of $20,000 or more, presents lower commission costs at $4 per round turn.
Overall, Interactive Brokers may appeal to those who value a robust pricing structure with scalability for high-volume trading, while BlackBull Markets provides flexibility across varied account types depending on trader needs. Each broker has its strengths, suitable for different trader profiles, with Interactive Brokers leading in ranking and BlackBull Markets offering accessible entry-level and advanced options.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 0.76 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets are prominent names in the world of online trading, each offering a unique spectrum of investments. Interactive Brokers provides access to 8,500 tradeable symbols including a selection of 90 forex pairs, making it a strong contender for those looking to diversify their portfolios. The platform allows trading U.S. and international exchange traded securities, enabling clients to directly invest in well-known stocks like Apple and Vodafone. Furthermore, Interactive Brokers supports cryptocurrency investments by offering both actual cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives. However, if you are interested in copy trading, you may find this feature lacking in Interactive Brokers.
BlackBull Markets stands out with a remarkable offering of 26,000 tradeable symbols, signifying a wider range of investment opportunities compared to Interactive Brokers. With 72 forex pairs available, it provides a comprehensive forex trading experience. Like Interactive Brokers, BlackBull Markets also provides access to U.S. and international exchange traded securities. Furthermore, the platform supports cryptocurrency derivatives but does not offer actual cryptocurrency trading. On the plus side, BlackBull Markets includes copy trading, a feature that may attract traders looking to mirror the strategies of successful investors. While both brokers receive a perfect 5-star rating for their range of investments, Interactive Brokers takes the top spot according to ForexBrokers.com rankings, while BlackBull Markets is positioned at a respectable sixth place.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 72 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets have their unique offerings, appealing to different types of traders. Interactive Brokers shines with its proprietary platform developed in-house, alongside a Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms. It also offers a comprehensive paper trading option for beginners to practice. However, Interactive Brokers does not support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 or 5, and lacks copy trading features. Notably, Interactive Brokers offers an impressive 85 drawing tools for charting and allows direct trading from stock charts, with a staggering 659 fields for watch lists. It's no surprise that it has earned a 5-star rating and ranks 3rd out of 62 brokers for trading platforms and tools according to ForexBrokers.com.
BlackBull Markets, on the other hand, provides a different set of tools that cater to traders who rely on MetaTrader platforms, offering both MT4 and MT5. While it doesn't feature a proprietary platform, BlackBull Markets compensates with a reliable Windows and web-based trading setup. Also, it attracts copy traders with supported platforms like ZuluTrade and a free virtual demo account for practice. With 60 drawing tools for charting and six fields for watch lists, it provides essential features needed for efficient trading. Although it ranks 28th with a 4-star rating on ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets is a solid choice for traders focused on copy trading and using well-known platforms like MetaTrader.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 109 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets both offer mobile trading apps that are compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Users can easily receive stock or forex price alerts and enjoy the convenience of watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account with both brokers. However, when it comes to charting features, Interactive Brokers stands out by offering 97 technical studies compared to BlackBull's 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on stock or forex charts, though BlackBull Markets adds an edge by auto-saving chart drawings, a feature missing in Interactive Brokers' app. Real-time quotes for watchlists are available in both apps, ensuring you stay updated on market changes as they happen.
In terms of user ratings, Interactive Brokers scores a strong five stars for its mobile trading app, ranking it 4th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, BlackBull Markets receives a respectable four-star rating, placing it at 30th in the same category. Whether you're looking for advanced charting tools or seamless account integration, both brokers offer solid choices for mobile trading, with each having its unique strengths to cater to different user preferences.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets both provide daily market commentary and feature economic calendars to help investors track global news events. However, Interactive Brokers stands out by offering forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which BlackBull Markets does not. On the technical analysis front, BlackBull Markets uses tools from Autochartist, whereas Interactive Brokers leans on Trading Central. Both platforms provide traders with sentiment-based tools to understand market positions.
When it comes to research tools, Interactive Brokers offers a more comprehensive selection, featuring resources from companies like TipRanks and Acuity Trading. This extensive offering contributes to its superior rating of five stars for research, compared to the four stars for BlackBull Markets. Additionally, Interactive Brokers ranks third out of 62 brokers in the research category according to ForexBrokers.com, outperforming BlackBull Markets, which ranks eighteenth.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners, both Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets stand out in the realm of forex and CFDs education. Each offers a comprehensive selection of at least 10 educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, covering these topics. Moreover, they both host monthly online educational webinars, with an easy-to-navigate archive of recorded sessions for those who wish to revisit the provided content. Whether you are just getting started or are an experienced trader seeking advanced knowledge, both brokers deliver with video content tailored to varying levels of expertise.
For those looking to enhance their trading vocabulary, Interactive Brokers and BlackBull Markets each provide an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, making complex concepts accessible even to newcomers. Interactive Brokers is particularly notable, earning a 5-star education rating and is ranked third among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category. BlackBull Markets follows with a commendable 4-star rating, ranking 29th in the same category. Though both brokers deliver strong educational offerings, Interactive Brokers seems to have a slight edge in both rating and ranking, indicating a broader recognition for their educational support in the trading community.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than BlackBull Markets. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
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
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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
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Interactive Brokers allows direct purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, whereas BlackBull Markets does not; however, both platforms offer cryptocurrency derivatives, enabling traders to engage in crypto markets without buying the actual assets.
Interactive Brokers stands out by offering ACH and SEPA transfers along with bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, while BlackBull Markets, offering bank wires, distinguishes itself by accepting Skrill and Visa or Mastercard payments, but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer options.
Please note:
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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
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| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 0.76 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 109 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Interactive Brokers | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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