Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs IUX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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Interactive Brokers vs IUX: Interactive Brokers (founded 1977) is publicly traded, while IUX (founded 2016) is not; neither is a bank. According to ForexBrokers.com, Interactive Brokers has a Trust Score of 99 (highly trusted), whereas IUX scores 76 (average risk).
On regulation, Interactive Brokers holds 8 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted), compared with IUX’s 1 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 license. In simple terms, Interactive Brokers carries broader, higher-tier regulatory oversight than IUX.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Interactive Brokers is a top choice for traders focused on low commissions and fees, earning a 5-star rating and a #2 ranking out of 36 brokers for this category. Its forex pricing is built around commission-based trading rather than marked-up spreads, with EUR/USD pricing in Q3 2024 showing an average spread of 0.19 pips and an estimated all-in cost of about 0.59 pips after commission. For active forex traders, IBKR can be especially cost-effective, though its $2 minimum per side means smaller trades can feel more expensive.
IUX is also competitive on price, but it lands behind Interactive Brokers with a 4.5-star rating and a #19 ranking out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees. Its pricing depends on the account type: Standard and Standard+ accounts are spread-only with a $10 minimum deposit, while Raw and Pro accounts are built for more active traders and require a $500 minimum deposit. The Raw account adds a $6 commission per 100,000 units, while the Pro account is commission-free but uses tighter spreads than the standard accounts.
In simple terms, Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick for lower trading costs overall, especially for frequent forex traders and larger order sizes. IUX may appeal to traders who want simpler account choices or lower entry requirements on its standard accounts, but its total trading costs are generally less impressive than IBKR’s. If saving on commissions and fees is your main goal, Interactive Brokers has the edge.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.226 | 0.86 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.226 | 0.6 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, Interactive Brokers gives traders far more choice than IUX. Interactive Brokers offers about 8,500 tradeable symbols and 90 forex pairs, along with exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. It also lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency, though it does not offer cryptocurrency CFDs. By comparison, IUX offers a smaller lineup with 152 tradeable symbols and 34 forex pairs. It does not offer U.S. exchange-traded stocks, but it does provide access to international exchange-listed securities and cryptocurrency CFDs.
Overall, Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick for investors who want a wider selection of markets and products. It earns a 5-star rating for Range of Investments and ranks #1 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com category. IUX has a more limited offering, with a 3.5-star rating and a #35 ranking out of 36, making it better suited to traders who are comfortable with a narrower set of investment choices.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 152 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 34 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | No | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Interactive Brokers and IUX both give traders a choice of a free demo account, an in-house platform, a Windows desktop app, and a web-based platform, so each broker covers the main ways people like to trade. They also both let users place trades directly from charts, which can make active trading faster and easier. Neither broker offers copy trading, and neither one supports MT4.
The key difference is that IUX supports MT5, while Interactive Brokers does not. That may matter for traders who want access to MetaTrader 5 tools and layout. In overall trading platforms and tools, Interactive Brokers is rated 5 stars and ranked #2 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IUX is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #35, which suggests Interactive Brokers offers a stronger all-around platform experience.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and IUX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, so either broker gives traders access on the go. That said, Interactive Brokers stands out for app features that can make trading easier to manage day to day. It offers stock and forex price alerts, watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Its app also includes 155 technical studies, compared with 106 at IUX, giving chart-focused traders more tools to work with.
IUX has a few useful points of its own, including automatic saving of chart drawings in the mobile app, which Interactive Brokers does not offer. Still, on overall mobile trading quality, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead with a 5-star rating and a #4 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, while IUX is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #35. For traders who want more alerts, better watchlist syncing, and stronger charting features, Interactive Brokers is the better pick for mobile trading apps.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 155 | 106 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Interactive Brokers stands out for market research, offering daily market commentary, forex news from top sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Trading Central tools, sentiment-based data, TipRanks research, and Acuity Trading signals. It also includes an economic calendar, helping traders track key events around the world. In contrast, IUX provides an economic calendar but does not offer daily commentary, top-tier forex news, Trading Central, sentiment tools, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading research.
These differences show up in third-party ratings as well: Interactive Brokers earns 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #3 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IUX is rated 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #35. For traders who want more market insight and research tools, Interactive Brokers has a clear edge over IUX.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational resources for beginners, Interactive Brokers stands out over IUX. Interactive Brokers offers forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces focused on these markets, plus online client webinars every month, at least 10 beginner videos, and at least 10 advanced videos for more experienced traders. It also holds a 5-star Education rating and ranks #1 out of 36 brokers for Education on ForexBrokers.com, making it a strong choice for new traders who want plenty of learning support as they grow.
IUX also offers at least 10 beginner trading videos and forex or CFD education materials, but it falls behind in several key areas. It does not offer monthly educational webinars and does not provide at least 10 advanced educational videos for experienced traders. With a 3-star Education rating and a #35 ranking out of 36 brokers, IUX may still help beginners get started, but Interactive Brokers gives learners far more depth and ongoing support.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IUX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than IUX. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while IUX finished with an overall rank of #35.
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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IUX
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| Trust Score | 99 | 76 |
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Interactive Brokers vs IUX: Interactive Brokers lets you buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency but not crypto CFDs, while IUX offers crypto CFDs but does not provide access to buying the actual cryptocurrency.
Interactive Brokers vs IUX: for deposit and withdrawal methods, Interactive Brokers supports ACH/SEPA and bank wires but not PayPal or Skrill, while IUX supports Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | IUX Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
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| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 76 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (FSA 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 152 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 34 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | No | 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). |
| Cost | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.226 | 0.86 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.226 | 0.6 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 155 | 106 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | IUX Review |
| Overall | Interactive Brokers | IUX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review | IUX Review |
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