Interactive Brokers vs OANDA: Comparison

Andriy BondarenkoAndriy Bondarenko
  • Year Founded: 1977
  • Broker Type: DMA
  • Platforms: Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader
  • Spread: Low
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:50
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
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  • Year Founded: 2001
  • Broker Type: STP
  • Platforms: MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), TradingView, fxTrade
  • Spread: Low
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:200
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
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Our pick:

OANDA

Based on multiple factors—spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, platforms and execution speed, quality of support and educational resources. This is not financial advice.

Comparison of Interactive Brokers and OANDA

FeatureInteractive BrokersOANDA
Broker
Year Founded19772001
Broker TypeDMASTP
DealingA-bookA-book
ExecutionMarketMarket
RegulationSEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MASNFA, CFTC, ASIC, CIRO, FCA, JFSA, BVIFSC, MAS, KNF
PlatformsTrader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTraderMetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), TradingView, fxTrade
Spread Low Low
Maximum Leverage1:501:200
Minimum Deposit$1$1
Base CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWDUSD, EUR, AUD, CHF, SGD, HKD
Funding MethodsBank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill PayBank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill
Inactivity Fee$10 per month after 12 months
Interest on Margin
Withdrawal FeeFirst withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10
Investor ProtectionSIPC, FSCS, ICSUK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Protection Size$500 000 / £85 000£85 000
Segregated Accounts
Negative Balance Protection
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Copy Trading
VPS
MAM/PAMM
Scalping Allowed
EAs/Robots
Depth of Market (DOM)
Tradable Assets (CFDs)Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, CFDsCurrencies, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities
ReviewInteractive Brokers ReviewOANDA Review

About Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global multi-asset broker founded in 1977. Regulated on four continents, IBKR offers direct market access to 150+ exchanges in 33 countries, tight pricing on FX, and some of the lowest commissions in the industry. Clients trade via the powerful Trader Workstation, streamlined Client Portal, or mobile apps, choose from 20+ base currencies, and benefit from SIPC/FSCS investor protection and ESMA-mandated negative balance protection for CFDs.

Pros

  • Tier-1 regulation in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia
  • Access to 150+ markets across 33 countries and 26 currencies
  • Ultra-low spreads and volume-based commissions
  • Advanced Trader Workstation plus simple mobile & web platforms
  • No minimum deposit for cash accounts and no inactivity fee
  • Negative balance protection for EU retail CFD traders

Cons

  • Minimum FX order size ~ 20 000 units limits small accounts
  • Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
  • No credit/debit-card funding options
  • Customer support is not 24/7

About OANDA

OANDA is a globally recognized forex broker with a solid reputation for providing robust trading platforms and tools tailored to both beginner and professional traders. Established in 2001, OANDA has consistently positioned itself as a trusted broker, offering a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The broker is known for its user-friendly interface, competitive spreads, and advanced analytical tools, making it a popular choice among traders seeking reliable market access. OANDA is regulated by top-tier authorities like the CFTC, FCA, and ASIC, ensuring a high level of trust and transparency in its operations.

Pros

  • Regulated by top-tier authorities (CFTC, FCA, ASIC)
  • Competitive spreads and reliable pricing
  • Access to both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and a proprietary platform
  • User-friendly trading interface suitable for beginners
  • Comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools
  • A wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
  • No minimum deposit requirement for most accounts
  • Strong focus on transparency and customer support

Cons

  • Limited account types compared to some competitors
  • Some advanced tools may require additional subscriptions

Interactive Brokers & OANDA Regulation

Companies
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd
OANDA
OANDA Corporation, OANDA Australia Pty Ltd, OANDA (Canada) Corporation ULC, OANDA Europe Limited, OANDA Japan Co., Ltd, OANDA Global Markets Ltd, OANDA Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, OANDA TMS Brokers S.A.
Countries
Interactive Brokers
United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia
OANDA
United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, British Virgin Islands, Singapore, Poland
Regulators
Interactive Brokers
SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
OANDA
NFA, CFTC, ASIC, CIRO, FCA, JFSA, BVIFSC, MAS, KNF
Investor Protection
Interactive Brokers
SIPC, FSCS, ICS
OANDA
UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Investor Protection Size
Interactive Brokers
$500 000 / £85 000
OANDA
£85 000
Publicly Traded
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Segregated Accounts
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Negative Balance Protection
Interactive Brokers
OANDA

Account Types

STP Account
Account Name
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Standard
Min Deposit
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
$1
Lot Size
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
0.01
Spread Type
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Floating
Execution
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Market
Min Spread
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
0.5
Fee
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
No
Max Leverage
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
1:200
Stop Out
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
50%
Margin Call
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
100%
DMA Account
Account Name
Interactive Brokers
IBKR Pro
OANDA
Min Deposit
Interactive Brokers
$0
OANDA
Lot Size
Interactive Brokers
0.01
OANDA
Spread Type
Interactive Brokers
Floating
OANDA
Execution
Interactive Brokers
Market
OANDA
Min Spread
Interactive Brokers
0.1
OANDA
Fee
Interactive Brokers
$4 per 1 lot
OANDA
Max Leverage
Interactive Brokers
1:50
OANDA
Stop Out
Interactive Brokers
50%
OANDA
Margin Call
Interactive Brokers
100%
OANDA
Additional Features
Demo Account
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
VIP Account
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Swap-Free Account
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Copy Trading
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
VPS
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
PAMM/MAM Accounts
Interactive Brokers
OANDA

Funding and Fees

Base currencies
Interactive Brokers
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD
OANDA
USD, EUR, AUD, CHF, SGD, HKD
Deposit and withdrawal methods
Interactive Brokers
Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay
OANDA
Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill
Inactivity fee
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
$10 per month after 12 months
Interest on margin
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Withdrawal fee
Interactive Brokers
First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10
OANDA

Trading Platforms and Conditions

Trading Platforms
Interactive Brokers
Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader
OANDA
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), TradingView, fxTrade
Execution Speed
Interactive Brokers
4 ms
OANDA
12 ms
Scalping
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Expert Advisors (EAs)
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Depth of Market (DOM)
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Spread
Interactive Brokers
low
OANDA
low

Trading Assets

Currencies
Interactive Brokers
87
OANDA
48
Indices
Interactive Brokers
23
OANDA
18
Stocks
Interactive Brokers
8139
OANDA
1607
Cryptocurrencies
Interactive Brokers
11
OANDA
18
Bonds
Interactive Brokers
87
OANDA
0
Metals
Interactive Brokers
4
OANDA
3
Energies
Interactive Brokers
10
OANDA
3
Soft Commodities
Interactive Brokers
15
OANDA
4
ETFs
Interactive Brokers
532
OANDA
0

Education and Analytics

Economic Calendar
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Indicators
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Robots
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Signals
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Autochartist
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Expert Analytics
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
News Feed
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Education Articles
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Webinars
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Seminars
Interactive Brokers
OANDA

Customer Support

Phone
Interactive Brokers
Facebook
Interactive Brokers
LinkedIn
Interactive Brokers
YouTube
Interactive Brokers
OANDA
Instagram
Interactive Brokers
Twitter
Interactive Brokers
OANDA

Which Broker is Better?

After comparing Interactive Brokers and OANDA, OANDA comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.

More Comparisons

Andriy Bondarenko

Andriy Bondarenko

Broker Analyst

Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.