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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
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
Trust rank #24 · Editorial rating 9 / 10 · Founded 1982
TradeStation forex broker offers forex trading on a well-regarded platform with advanced charting, customizable order tools, and API-driven automation. Users can analyze currency pairs, execute trades, and streamline workflows within a technology-focused…
Read the TradeStation reviewInteractive 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. TradeStation (United States, founded 1982) holds 3 regulatory licences (CFTC, FCA, NFA), 3 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 215 countries; Interactive Brokers is available in 3 countries where TradeStation is not, and TradeStation in 18 where Interactive Brokers is not.
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.
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial rating | 10 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Trust rank | #2 | #24 |
| Founded | 1977 | 1982 |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Regulators | ASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINRA, JFSA, MAS, MNB, NFA, SEBI, SEC, SFC | CFTC, FCA, NFA |
| Broker type | DMA | Market Maker |
| Platforms | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Forex |
| Countries accepted | 218 countries | 233 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | Spot Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Professional 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.
Available at both (215): 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, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia and 175 more.
Only Interactive Brokers (3): Canada, Japan, United States of America.
Only TradeStation (18): Afghanistan, Antarctica, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, French Southern Territories, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Nauru, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, South Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
Interactive Brokers holds more regulatory licences: Interactive Brokers (ASIC, CBI, CFTC, CIRO, CSSF, DFSA, FCA, FINRA, JFSA, MAS, MNB, NFA, SEBI, SEC, SFC) versus TradeStation (CFTC, FCA, NFA). Tier-1 licences: Interactive Brokers 10, TradeStation 3.
Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary; TradeStation offers Proprietary.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
Interactive Brokers is the older of the two, founded in 1977; TradeStation was founded in 1982.
They overlap in 215 countries. Interactive Brokers is additionally available in 3 countries (Canada, Japan, United States of America) and TradeStation in 18 countries (Afghanistan, Antarctica, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Burundi, Central African Republic and 12 more).
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.