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Interactive Brokers versus Oanda

Interactive Brokers and Oanda are well-known brokers, catering to retail traders and professionals alike. Interactive Brokers maintains one of the most competitive core trading environments globally, while Oanda focuses primarily on Forex trading.

Beginner traders will find the familiarity of the MT4 trading platform at Oanda beneficial, while Interactive Brokers presents a suite of cutting-edge proprietary solutions developed for advanced traders. The IBKR Campus is an excellent learning platform for new traders, while Oanda offers less educational content.

Both brokers support third-party developers and algorithmic trading, but while Oanda enjoys success in the North American market, Interactive Brokers ranks among the leading brokers internationally. Interactive Brokers also delivers a trader-friendly pricing environment versus a more expensive cost structure at Oanda.

Headquarters
United StatesBritish Virgin Islands
Regulators
N/AASIC, BVIFSC, CFTC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, MAS, MFSA
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established
19781996
Execution Type(s)
ECN/STP, No Dealing DeskECN/STP, Matched Principal Broker
Minimum Deposit
$0$0
Negative Balance Protection
Trading Platform(s)
Proprietary platformMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Trading View
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.2 pips ($2.00)0.9 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
0.4 pips ($4.00)1.3 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.01$0.03
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.17$0.30
Retail Loss Rate
N/A78.3%
Minimum Raw Spreads
N/A0.0 pips
Minimum Standard Spreads
N/A0.6 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
$1.00 - $2.00$5.00 per round lot
Islamic Account
Signals
US Persons Accepted?
Managed Accounts
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Features and Platforms

MT4
MT5
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons
cTrader
Proprietary Platform
Automated Trading
Social/Copy Trading
DOM?
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Scalping
Hedging
One-Click Trading
OCO Orders
Interest on Margin
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Noteworthy:

The Interactive Brokers Investor’s Marketplace offers 1,500+ services, creating a distinct advantage for traders. Interactive Advisors presents passive portfolios from as little as $100.

Available Markets

Currency Pairs
Cryptocurrencies
Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks (non-CFDs)
Bonds
ETFs
Options
Futures
Synthetics
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Traders and investors at Interactive Brokers get access to 135 markets across 33 countries in 23 currencies. It offers one of the most in-depth choices of trading instruments industry wide. It recently added cryptocurrency trading. Oanda focuses primarily on Forex trading, with a smaller choice of commodity and index CFDs.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD
0.2 pips ($2.00)0.9 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD
0.4 pips ($4.00)1.3 pips
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil
$0.01$0.03
Average Trading Cost Gold
$0.17$0.30
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin
$0.25$62
Minimum Raw Spreads
N/A0.0 pips
Minimum Standard Spreads
N/A0.6 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex
$1.00 - $2.00$5.00 per round lot
Deposit Fee
N/A
Withdrawal Fee
Inactivity Fee
N/A$10 monhtly after 12 months
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Interactive Brokers offers clients one of the lowest pricing environments in its commission-based trading accounts, with costs often 50% cheaper than competitors. Oanda counters with a competitive cost structure in its commission-free and commission-based products but cannot match the low fees at Interactive Brokers.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator
United Kingdom, United StatesAustralia, Canada, Japan, Malta, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, British Virgin Islands
Name of the Regulator
N/AASIC, BVIFSC, CFTC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, MAS, MFSA
Regulatory License Number
36418, 8-47257, 208159Undisclosed, 0325821, 542574, C95813, 412981, 2137, CMS100122-4, SIBA/L/20/1130
Regulatory Tier
1, 11, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4
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Interactive Brokers is a NASDAQ-listed company and a constituent of the S&P 400 index. The company remains 81.5% privately held and maintains $6 billion in excess regulatory capital. Oanda and Interactive Brokers maintain an excellent regulatory track record in all their jurisdictions.

Interactive Brokers vs Oanda – Verdict

Interactive Brokers

ProsCons
Cutting-edge proprietary trading platforms with support for algorithmic tradingLimited deposit and withdrawal options
Industry-leading asset selection and trading costs
Superior trading tools consisting of 1,500+ services
Low-cost passive investments from as little as $100

Oanda

ProsCons
Excellent 28-tool MT4 upgrade packageLimited asset selection with equities missing
Trustworthy broker with more than 25 years of experienceNo modern payment processors
Competitive pricing environment
Quality market commentary on the Oanda blog MarketPulse

Interactive Brokers maintains one of the most competitive trading environments industry-wide, including trading platforms, support for algorithmic trading, costs, asset selection, passive investments, and trading services. The educational section remains among the highest quality ones. Oanda counters with a less advanced proprietary trading platform but offers MT4, supporting extensive third-party upgrades. It provides 28 MT4 plugins, creating an advanced MT4 trading experience with a competitive Forex pricing environment.

Interactive Brokers presents 100+ currency pairs with excellent trading costs and full support for advanced trading algorithmic solutions, making it one of the best brokers for Forex traders.

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FAQs

Is Oanda the best broker?

The definition of best broker depends on individual trading requirements, but Oanda primarily focuses on Forex trading, where it presents a competitive offer. Overall, Oanda cannot compete with the industry leaders.

Is Oanda a good broker for beginners?

Oanda offers educational content but lacks depth. Beginner traders will benefit from the familiarity of MT4 and its shallow learning curve.

Can I trade forex with Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers presents 100+ currency pairs with excellent trading costs and full support for advanced trading algorithmic solutions, making it one of the best brokers for Forex traders.

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