Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
bunq vs IQ Option
Where bunq and IQ Option differ
| Compare |  bunq |  IQ Option |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | €10 | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, OptionsCovers more |
| Regulators | De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC | CySEC |
| Platforms | Bunq app | Web, Desktop, iOS, Android |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free deposits; withdrawals vary |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 30:1 EU, up to 500:1 offshore |
Same on both: Investor protection (EU ICS up to EUR 20,000).
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Key differences
- IQ Option scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only bunq offers De Nederlandsche Bank, SIPC.
- Regulators: only IQ Option offers CySEC.
- Founded is lower at bunq: 2012 vs 2013.
- bunq is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only IQ Option offers Forex, CFDs, Options.
- Platforms: only bunq offers Bunq app.
- Platforms: only IQ Option offers Web, Desktop, iOS.
- Features: only bunq offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only IQ Option offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq suits beginners who want a modest minimum deposit, fractional shares and a mobile app for stocks, ETFs and crypto. Its published minimum is €10, but investors wanting a broader market selection or more support channels may prefer an alternative.
IQ Option
IQ Option suits beginners who want a small deposit and a demo account before trading real money. It charges a stock trade fee of $0 under a commission-free model, and CySEC regulation in Cyprus brings an EU investor protection scheme worth knowing before you start.
Score breakdown
| Area | bunq | IQ Option |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9 | 9.0HigherStock trade fee of $0 and a commission-free model, but an inactivity fee of €10 and a minimum deposit of $10. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.7Higher |
| Trust | 9.1Higher | 8.7 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | bunq | IQ Option |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 8 of 471 | 142 of 471 |
| Brokers for beginners | 5 of 88 | 36 of 88 |
Where these facts come from
bunq
- bunq.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- help.bunq.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
IQ Option
- brokertrending.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.com.au: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingcenter.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- dailyforex.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- forexbrokersonline.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | IQ Option |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Demo account, Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Legal entity | BUNQ US BD LLC | IQ Option Europe Ltd |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | Cyprus |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | bunq | IQ Option | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €10above the median | €2.45 |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- The minimum deposit is €10.
- The available features include fractional shares, crypto and a mobile app.
- Regulatory listings include De Nederlandsche Bank in NL and SIPC in the US.
Cons
- Support runs through email and help centre only.
- The available markets cover stocks, ETFs and crypto.
- The stated EU investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
IQ Option
Pros
- Stock trade fee of $0 on a commission-free model, a common pricing shape on this site
- A demo account is listed, so you can practise before funding
- Minimum deposit of $10 keeps the entry point low
Cons
- An inactivity fee of €10 applies, while the site median for this fee is €0
- Retail accounts that lose money sit near a site median of 70.15%
- The minimum deposit ranks low at position 100 of 213
Who each suits
bunq
Who it suits
- Beginners comfortable investing through a mobile app.
- Investors interested in fractional shares.
- Retail investors focused on stocks, ETFs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
- Not for eToro users seeking forex, CFDs or futures alongside the markets listed at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Not for Vantage users seeking a minimum deposit below €10.
IQ Option
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a demo account and a commission-free model
- Traders focused on options, forex, CFDs and crypto rather than a long share portfolio
- Anyone who will only trade with money covered by a stated protection scheme
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, if a lower minimum deposit matters more than the market list
- Vantage, if you want a smaller entry requirement and fewer listed asset types
- eToro, if you want a wider range of listed instruments including futures
Current offers
bunq
Current offer
First period offer
No fees for buying or selling stocks for first 3 months: 0% for 3 months
Up to €100,000 in completed buy and sell orders
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
bunq
What is bunq's minimum deposit?+
bunq lists a minimum deposit of €10. This makes the platform relevant to readers comparing entry requirements for stock, ETF and crypto investing.
Which markets are available on bunq?+
bunq offers stocks, etfs and crypto. Its market choice therefore centres on shares, funds tracking baskets of assets and digital assets through the app.
IQ Option
What does it cost to trade stocks on IQ Option?+
The stock trade fee is $0, and the pricing model listed is commission-free. That makes costs easy to read on the surface, but the instrument and trade size still drive the total outlay. Leverage magnifies both the cost and the result, so check your position size before opening a trade.
Is there an inactivity fee?+
Yes. An inactivity fee of €10 applies, which sits above the site median of €0. On this measure IQ Option ranks at position 39 of 56 brands. Close unused accounts or trade occasionally if you would rather not pay it.