{"id":109971,"date":"2025-01-23T01:02:31","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T01:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/?p=109971"},"modified":"2026-01-22T04:29:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T04:29:44","slug":"etoro-vs-interactive-brokers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/etoro-vs-interactive-brokers\/","title":{"rendered":"eToro vs Interactive Brokers: Which Is Best For Aussies?"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

Interactive Brokers. For anyone debating which broker to pick for their investing strategy, that name has probably popped up more than once. And with good reason. The longest track record, competitive fees, and a menu of assets so vast it makes Netflix\u2019s catalogue look modest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It sounds like the case is closed; move on, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Except – not so fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investing world has been shaken up in recent years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platforms like eToro have emerged onto the scene, armed with modern interfaces, clever features and enough innovation to make even the most grizzled investors raise an eyebrow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve probably seen eToro\u2019s name plastered across an A-league jersey or two, as the brokerage seeks to become a household name among Aussie traders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But is it worth your time?<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s explore if there\u2019s any substance behind the marketing and whether they might be a worthy contender to an industry stalwart, such as Interactive Brokers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Related: 10 Best Share Trading Platforms In Australia<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/strong>.<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
eToro<\/strong> is a multi-asset platform with a unique social trading network designed to appeal to less-experienced or time-poor investors.<\/td><\/tr>
Interactive Brokers<\/strong> caters to a more traditional, experienced user base with advanced tools and a broader range of assets.<\/td><\/tr>
While eToro\u2019s fees<\/strong> are higher. But for the right investor? Its features could be worth every cent.  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

eToro vs Interactive Brokers: My Quick & Dirty Verdict.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you the kind of investor who needs maximum control and flexibility? Are you willing to endure the quirks of a platform trying hard to shed its legacy pain points? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interactive Brokers might be your pick<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While its user interfaces are still catching up to the new wave of UX-first competitors, it\u2019s clear that IB is putting in the effort to modernise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I call it the \u2018most improved player\u2019. <\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

IB remains a heavyweight contender. It’s a sprawling, feature-rich platform for traders who demand it all – but are willing to acknowledge its progress alongside its quirks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Related: eToro vs Webull: Which Is The Cheapest Broker<\/a>)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you\u2019re short on time, have no patience for clunky tech, and want investing to feel as smooth as scrolling your Instagram feed? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

eToro could be right up your street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Important!<\/h3><\/div>

eToro is a polished, user-friendly alternative for people who don’t want to spend hours bogged in fundamental and technical analysis.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In addition, its social features \u2013 CopyTrade<\/em>, Smart Portfolios<\/em> \u2013 are absolute gold for beginners or anyone who wants to outsource stock research to people with a proven track record. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, it costs more. But if used correctly, eToro\u2019s ease of use and premium features could pay for itself faster than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
eToro Is Best For:<\/strong><\/th>IB Is Best For:<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Beginner<\/strong> investors.<\/td>High-volume<\/strong> \/ Day traders.<\/td><\/tr>
Investors<\/strong> interested in social trading.<\/td>Breadth<\/strong> of investable securities.<\/td><\/tr>
Time-poor<\/strong> investors.<\/td>Investors<\/strong> looking to trade CFDs.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Selection Of Assets.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
eToro<\/strong>:<\/td>8\/10<\/td><\/tr>
Interactive Brokers:<\/strong><\/td>10\/10<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Interactive Brokers\u2019 asset selection is, quite frankly, absurd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the kind of range that would make a professional trader drool. Want to short some obscure stock listed on a Bulgarian micro-exchange? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ve probably got you covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/th>Equities<\/strong><\/th>ETFs<\/strong><\/th>Currencies<\/strong><\/th>Indicies<\/strong><\/th>Crypto<\/strong><\/th>Options<\/strong><\/th>Futures<\/strong><\/th>Bonds<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Interactive Brokers<\/strong><\/td>46,937<\/td>16,420<\/td>100+<\/td>26<\/td>22<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
Indices<\/strong><\/td>5,510<\/td>704<\/td>55<\/td>18<\/td>101<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But here\u2019s the thing: most people don\u2019t need that much choice<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

90% of investors trade the top 100 stocks on the ASX, NYSE and NASDAQ, making eToro\u2019s selection of over 6,000 securities more than enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Important!<\/h3><\/div>

Beyond a certain point, extra options become distractions.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In absolute terms, Interactive Brokers is the clear winner of this section. But if this matters to you, you probably already know this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Related: Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges In Australia<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trading Tools & Features.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
eToro:<\/strong><\/td>8\/10<\/td><\/tr>
Interactive Brokers:<\/strong><\/td>8\/10<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is where the eToro and IB take different paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until recently, Interactive Brokers\u2019 user experience was about as modern as Windows 98. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its response has been to throw the kitchen sink at you: seven proprietary trading platforms, APIs, and a suite of tools that they hope will cover everyone from beginners to Wall Street pros. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Broker<\/strong><\/th>Platforms Available<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Interactive Brokers<\/strong>:<\/td>IBKR GlobalTrader, Client Portal, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile Trader Workstation, IBKR APIs, IMPACT<\/td><\/tr>
eToro<\/strong>:<\/td>eToro Proprietary Platform<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Impressive, sure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But potentially overwhelming for anyone who isn\u2019t a spreadsheet-toting savant – and a huge source of complaints for current users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a quick breakdown of IB’s key platforms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n