Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Interactive Brokers vs Libertex
Where Interactive Brokers and Libertex differ
| Compare |  Interactive Brokers | Libertex ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €100 |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | €0 |
| Markets | Bonds, ETFs, Forex, Funds, Futures, Options, Stocks | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds, Metals |
| Regulators | SEC, FCA, SIPC | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Client Portal, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Trader Workstation | Libertex, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 83% |
| Margin rate | 4.38% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Withdrawal fees depend on payment method |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, IRA, Joint, Corporate | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 |
| Interest on cash | 3.38% | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Interactive Brokers scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 9.1.
- Regulators: only Interactive Brokers offers SEC, FCA, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Libertex offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
- Founded is lower at Interactive Brokers: 1978 vs 1997.
- Interactive Brokers is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only Interactive Brokers offers Funds, Futures.
- Markets: only Libertex offers CFDs, Crypto, Metals.
- Platforms: only Interactive Brokers offers Client Portal, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile.
- Platforms: only Libertex offers Libertex, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
- Support channels: only Interactive Brokers offers Help centre, Community.
Our verdict on each
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers suits investors who want a single account across ISA, SIPP, IRA, joint and corporate holdings, with stocks, bonds, funds, forex, options and futures behind it. It ranks 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit at $0, and stock trades are charged at $0.
Libertex
Libertex suits EU traders who want forex, CFDs, options, crypto and share dealing under a single Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licence. Stock trades cost €0 on a commission free pricing model, and client protection is stated as EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
Score breakdown
| Area | Interactive Brokers | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock trades cost $0, the minimum deposit is $0 and an options contract costs $0.65. | 8.9Stock trade fee ranks 1 of 161, while the minimum deposit of €100 is high for a first payment. |
| Offer | 9.6Account types cover isa, sipp and ira, and the market list spans bonds, etfs and forex. | 9.6 |
| Trust | 9.8Higher | 9.0 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Interactive Brokers | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Interactive Brokers | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 44 of 471 | 117 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 16 of 147 | 51 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 14 of 145 | 49 of 145 |
| Options trading platforms | 8 of 103 | 41 of 103 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Interactive Brokers | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | FCA 208159 | Not confirmed |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 53615 | Not confirmed |
Where these facts come from
Interactive Brokers
- interactivebrokers.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokersway.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- toponlineforexbrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- euinvestinghub.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- eupersonalfinance.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Libertex
- libertex.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- app.libertex.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokers-exchange.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- trusted-broker-reviews.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wecomparebrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Crypto, Mobile app, Demo account |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low feesCovers more | Commission free |
| Legal entity | INTERACTIVE BROKERS LLC | Indication Investments Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | Cyprus |
| Founded | 1978Lower | 1997 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Phone |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | ETF | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Libertex | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $5above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 83%highest quarter | 72.05% |
| Margin rate | 4.38%below the median | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | Not confirmed | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 3.38%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 47 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Interactive Brokers
Pros
- A stock trade costs $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, the pairing behind rank 1 of 161 on stock trade fees among the brokers tracked here.
- The account types listed cover isa, sipp and ira, so an ISA, SIPP, IRA, joint or corporate account all sit under a single provider.
- bonds, etfs and forex puts stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds, forex, options and futures on the same account, with a margin rate of 4.38% for geared positions.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre and community, so a phone line and live chat sit outside the offer.
- bonds, etfs and forex covers shares, ETFs, bonds, funds, forex, options and futures but leaves out crypto and CFDs, which eToro lists in stocks, etfs and forex.
- An options contract costs $0.65 against a stock trade at $0, so options strategies pay a visible premium per contract.
Libertex
Pros
- Stock trades cost €0 under a commission free pricing model
- Markets span stocks, etfs and forex under one regulated entity
- Retail leverage of 1:30 is available for EU clients
Cons
- The minimum deposit of €100 is high next to the brands compared here
- An inactivity fee of $5 applies to dormant accounts
- Retail accounts that lose money run at 83%
Who each suits
Interactive Brokers
Who it suits
- Investors holding money across several wrappers, since the account types listed cover isa, sipp and ira.
- Traders who want options, futures, forex and bonds alongside shares on a single account, per bonds, etfs and forex.
- Anyone starting with a small balance: the minimum deposit is $0 and fractional shares appear in the feature list (fractional shares and mobile app).
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who trades crypto or CFDs, since bonds, etfs and forex leaves both out while eToro lists them in stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who want a stated entry figure as a signal of the provider's target size, since Vantage publishes $5 where this broker's minimum is $0.
Libertex
Who it suits
- Traders who want forex, CFDs, options, crypto and shares in a single account
- MetaTrader users who prefer a familiar charting platform
- EU clients who value CySEC oversight and Investor Compensation Scheme cover
Who should look elsewhere
- CFD traders who want a lower entry point, since CFI opens accounts from $0 against €100 here
- Savers who leave balances untouched, because an inactivity fee of $5 applies
- Anyone who needs no cap on retail leverage, since retail leverage stops at 1:30
Questions about each
Interactive Brokers
What does it cost to trade shares?+
A stock trade is charged at $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, so opening an account and dealing in shares carry no charge. The money sits in derivatives and leverage instead, where an options contract costs $0.65 and the margin rate is listed at 4.38%.
Is my money protected?+
The regulatory list runs to SEC, FCA and SIPC, and investor protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. The UK entry is the FCA under licence 208159, while the US side names the SEC and the SIPC membership SIPC member 53615. The protection figure describes the scheme stated for the account and says nothing about how a trade performs.
Libertex
What does it cost to trade stocks at Libertex?+
Stock trades are charged at €0 and the pricing model is commission free, so no separate dealing commission is added on top. Withdrawal costs also matter, since Withdrawal fees depend on payment method and the method you choose sets the amount.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is €100, which sits above what most of the field asks for a first payment. CFI opens accounts from $0 and Vantage from $5, so anyone starting with a smaller sum is better served elsewhere.
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