Interactive Brokers Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
Interactive Brokers is a regulated CFD broker founded in 1978. It holds a FCA licence under number 208159.
The basics
Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Greenwich, CT, USA. It is publicly listed under the ticker NASDAQ:IBKR. The broker offers CFDs on 150,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. Real stock ownership is available in addition to CFDs.
There is no MetaTrader. The broker operates a proprietary platform only. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Greenwich, CT, USA |
| Instruments | 150,000+ |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation, Client Portal, IBKR Mobile |
| MetaTrader | No |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | Yes |
Is Interactive Brokers safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 208159 ✓ | Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd |
| FINRA | 0258597 ✓ | Interactive Brokers LLC |
| ASIC | 453554 ✓ | Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd |
| MAS | 200208570R ✓ | Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte Ltd |
| JFSA | 東京都知事（金商）第2516号 ✓ | Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc |
| SFC | AEJ529 ✓ | Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd |
| SEBI | INZ000217730 ✓ | Interactive Brokers (India) Pvt Ltd |
You can verify the FCA licence at register.fca.org.uk. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
Interactive Brokers spreads
These are the typical spreads on Interactive Brokers's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.2 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.5 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.3 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 17c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.4pt |
Interactive Brokers's EUR/USD spread of 0.2 pips pips is among the tightest available, competitive with ECN brokers.
Interactive Brokers withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. Interactive Brokers does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
Interactive Brokers minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which Interactive Brokers entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd | FCA 208159 | None | 1:30 |
| Interactive Brokers LLC | FINRA 0258597 | None | 1:50 |
| Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd | ASIC 453554 | None | 1:30 |
| Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte Ltd | MAS 200208570R | None | 1:20 |
| Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc | JFSA 東京都知事（金商）第2516号 | None | 1:25 |
| Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd | SFC AEJ529 | None | 1:20 |
| Interactive Brokers (India) Pvt Ltd | SEBI INZ000217730 | None | 1:5 |
Interactive Brokers vs eToro
| Interactive Brokers | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 208159 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | None | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.2 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | No | No |
| Instruments | 150,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. Interactive Brokers suits traders who value its platform and product range. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FCA | 208159 — Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd |
| FINRA | 0258597 — Interactive Brokers LLC |
| ASIC | 453554 — Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd |
| MAS | 200208570R — Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte Ltd |
| JFSA | 東京都知事（金商）第2516号 — Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc |
| SFC | AEJ529 — Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd |
| SEBI | INZ000217730 — Interactive Brokers (India) Pvt Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated — Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd
- No minimum deposit
- Real stock ownership available
- No inactivity fee
- Tight EUR/USD spread from 0.2 pips
- Regulated in 7 jurisdictions
What does not work
- No MetaTrader — proprietary platform only
- No copy trading
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
Interactive Brokers is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 208159 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want access to 150,000 instruments on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Interactive Brokers
If Interactive Brokers does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is Interactive Brokers safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. Interactive Brokers holds FCA licence 208159, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the Interactive Brokers minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is None. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the Interactive Brokers EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on Interactive Brokers standard accounts is typically 0.2 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does Interactive Brokers take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does Interactive Brokers charge withdrawal fees?
None. Interactive Brokers does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Interactive Brokers have MetaTrader?
No. Interactive Brokers does not offer MetaTrader. It operates a proprietary platform only. Traders who require MT4 or MT5 for automated strategies should consider an alternative.