FP Markets vs Interactive Brokers (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FP Markets

Trust rank #23 · Editorial rating 9 / 10 · Founded 2005

FP Markets is a well-regarded forex broker providing access to currencies and CFDs on popular platforms, supported by research tools and education. It offers broad market coverage, platform choice, and multilingual customer…

Read the FP Markets review

Interactive Brokers

Trust rank #2 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 1977

Interactive Brokers is a well-regarded forex broker providing broad access to currency pairs, advanced trading platforms, and research and risk management tools. It supports multi-asset trading and a wide range of order…

Read the Interactive Brokers review

FP Markets (Australia, founded 2005) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA), 1 of them tier-1, offers cTrader, MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. Interactive Brokers (United States, founded 1977) holds 15 regulatory licences (ASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF…), 10 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 216 countries; FP Markets is available in 9 countries where Interactive Brokers is not, and Interactive Brokers in 2 where FP Markets is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • FP Markets leads on platform choice and country coverage.
  • Interactive Brokers leads on editorial rating, trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on instrument range and fee level.

Scored on 9 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

FP Markets vs Interactive Brokers: side-by-side data

CriteriaFP MarketsInteractive Brokers
Editorial rating9 / 1010 / 10
Trust rank#23#2
Founded20051977
HeadquartersAustraliaUnited States
RegulatorsASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCAASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINRA, JFSA, MAS, MNB, NFA, SEBI, SEC, SFC
Broker typeDMA, ECN, STPDMA
PlatformscTrader, MT4, MT5Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted225 countries218 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail TradingProfessional Trading, Retail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

FP Markets

  • ASIC & CySEC regulated
  • Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips
  • Fast execution and deep liquidity
  • MT4/MT5 platforms with EAs, hedging & scalping
  • Low commissions on RAW account

Interactive Brokers

  • Transparent commission-based FX pricing with tight spreads
  • Aggregated multi-bank liquidity (IDEALPRO)
  • Professional platforms (TWS) and institutional APIs (FIX/REST)
  • Advanced risk management with real-time margin analytics
  • Universal multi-asset account for FX hedging and settlement

Cons

FP Markets

  • No negative balance protection across all entities
  • No investor compensation scheme (ASIC clients)
  • IRESS platform and market data fees
  • Withdrawal fees on international bank wires/selected methods
  • Not available to US residents

Interactive Brokers

  • No MT4/MT5 support
  • Steep learning curve
  • Commission-based FX pricing
  • 25k IDEALPRO minimum order size
  • Limited funding methods

Key features

FP Markets

  • Multi asset Forex and CFD trading on MT4 MT5 cTrader and Iress
  • ECN raw spreads deep liquidity and low latency execution
  • ASIC and CySEC regulated with segregated client funds
  • Advanced trading tools Autochartist VPS and copy trading
  • MAM PAMM accounts for portfolio management
  • Direct market access share CFDs via Iress

Interactive Brokers

  • Agency model with direct market access to multiple liquidity providers
  • Spot forex and forex CFDs across major and minor pairs
  • Trader Workstation FXTrader with advanced order types and depth of market
  • Smart order routing and transparent interbank pricing with commissions
  • FIX and REST API support for algorithmic forex trading
  • Two factor authentication IB Key and top tier global regulation

Country availability: FP Markets vs Interactive Brokers

Available at both (216): Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and 176 more.

Only FP Markets (9): Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Nauru, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

Only Interactive Brokers (2): Liberia, United States of America.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

FP Markets vs Interactive Brokers: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FP Markets or Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers holds more regulatory licences: FP Markets (ASIC, CMA, CySEC, FSCA) versus Interactive Brokers (ASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINRA, JFSA, MAS, MNB, NFA, SEBI, SEC, SFC). Tier-1 licences: FP Markets 1, Interactive Brokers 10.

Which trading platforms do FP Markets and Interactive Brokers offer?

FP Markets offers cTrader, MT4, MT5; Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary.

Which has lower fees, FP Markets or Interactive Brokers?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, FP Markets or Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers is the older of the two, founded in 1977; FP Markets was founded in 2005.

Are FP Markets and Interactive Brokers available in the same countries?

They overlap in 216 countries. FP Markets is additionally available in 9 countries (Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Nauru, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and 3 more) and Interactive Brokers in 2 countries (Liberia, United States of America).

Keep comparing

FP Markets

Interactive Brokers

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.