Skilling vs Interactive Brokers Compared 2024

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Skilling and Interactive Brokers are Forex and CFD brokers offering online trading services to traders and investors worldwide. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier regulatory authorities. Skilling is regulated by Skilling is regulated by 3 regulatory authorities, including CySEC, FSA, and FCA (recently deregistered from FCA). On the other hand, Interactive Brokers is regulated by 9 regulatory authorities, including SEC , CFTC ,FCA, FSCS, FINRA, FCM,  IIROC, MAS, FSA. These two brokers offer almost similar services. However, each broker has its strengths and weaknesses.

In this article, we will compare Skilling with Interactive Brokers regarding trading platforms, regulations, tradable assets, fees, customer support, and overall trading experience score. We will also explore if Skilling is better than Interactive Brokers. This comparison lets you understand which broker is better for your trading style and preferences.

Skilling vs Interactive Brokers: In a Nutshell

Skilling

Established in 2016 by Scandinavian entrepreneurs, Lennart Clausen, André Lavold, Henrik Ekdahl, and Mikael Harstad, Skilling is a regulated and innovative forex broker. It offers traders access to more than 900 forex and CFDs on its Skilling Trader, cTrader, and MT4 platforms. The broker’s Premium account features competitive spreads and low commissions, ideal for advanced traders. Skilling.com provides forex pairs, CFDs, commodities, shares, indices, gold, silver, oil, bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies for your personal investment and trading options. Additionally, Skilling provides tools like TradingView, an economic calendar, market news, and detailed analysis to enhance trading decisions.

Skilling Overview

Skilling Overview
  • Founded In: 2016
  • Minimum Deposit: 25 € or equivalent
  • Maximum Leverage: Up to 1:1000 for non-EU retail traders,1:30 for EU retail traders.  1:200 for professional traders
  • Regulations:CySEC, FSA, and FCA (recently deregistered from FCA)
  • Trading platform: MT4, MT5, cTrader, Skilling Trader, and Skilling Copy
  • Account Types:  Offers 3 account types: Standard, Premium, MT4
  • Payment Options: Bank Wire (BankTransfer/SWIFT), VISA, MasterCard, CoinsPaid, Directa24, FasaPay, Klarna, Neteller, Ngan Luong, Pagsmile, PayPal, PayRetailers, PayTrust88, Skrill, Swish, Trustly, UnionPay, WebMoney
  • US Traders: Not Accepted

Interactive Brokers

Founded in New York, USA in 1978 by Thomas Peterffy, Interactive Brokers has grown into a global brand with over 2.1 million clients. It has become one of the leading online trading solutions for traders, investors, and advisors. The brokers give access to over 5000+ tradable assets including forex, CFDs, warrants, ETFs Options, Futures, Mutual Funds, and Bonds. To trade online, IBKR offers WebTrader, FIX API, MobileTrader (MobileApp), and TWS trading platforms.

Interactive Brokers Overview

Interactive Brokers Overview
  • Founded In: 1978
  • Founder: Chairman Thomas Peterffy
  • Headquarters: Greenwich, Connecticut, United States
  • Minimum Deposit: None
  • Maximum Leverage: 500:1
  • Regulations: SEC , CFTC ,FCA, FSCS, ASIC , IIROC , FSA
  • Trading platform: WebTrader, FIX API, MobileTrader
  • Account Types: Family Office Account ,UGMA/UTMA, IRA, Trust ,Joint, Individuals
  • Payment Options: Bank Wire (BankTransfer/SWIFT), ACH (Automated Clearing House), BPAY, Check, Direct Debit, Local Bank Deposits, Transfer from Existing Broker
  • US Traders:  Accepted 

Skilling vs: Interactive Brokers Features

Skilling

  • Trading Instruments: 800+  forex, CFDs, commodities, shares, indices, and cryptocurrencies
  • Maximum leverage: up to 1:1000 for non-EU retail traders,1:30 for EU retail traders.  1:200 for professional traders
  •  Minimum Deposit: $25 for the Non-EU standard account, $100 for the EU standard account, and $5000 for the premium account. 
  • Account Types: Offers 3 account types: Standard, Premium MT4 
  • Fees: starting from 0.8  pips for a standard account,
  • Social Copy Trading:  Yes, 
  • Zulutrade: No
  • Scalping: Allowed 
  • News Trading: Allowed
  • EA/ Robot Trading: Allowed

Skilling vs Interactive Brokers: Pros and Cons

Skilling

Pros
  • Regulated by CySEC,  FSA, and FCA.
  • The Maximum leverage is as high as 1:1000 for global entities, 1:30 for EU traders, and 1:200
  • Fully Digital Account Opening ( Easy Sign and Verification Process)
  • Demo Accounts are Available
  • Low Trading fees starting from 0.8 pips for standard accounts, and 0.10 pips for premium accounts
  • Offers both leverage and non-leverage cryptos of trading
  • Educational resources with a new 'Trading Study Hub' for beginner investors to learn more about investing
  • Offers a variety of trading platforms and tools including MT4, Ctrader, Skilling Social Copy Trading, and Skilling own trading platform
  • Straightforward fees, no hidden charge
  • No deposit and withdrawal fees
Cons
  • Higher minimum deposit of $100 for Standard accounts, and $5000 for Premium accounts in the EU
  • Degegistered  from FCA regulations 
  • Service is not available in many countries including Canada and the US
  • 1:2 leverage for cryptocurrencies
  • Only Forex and CFDs are offered

Interactive Brokers

Pros
  • IBK is a Forex and Stock Broker 
  • Excellent reputation (founded in 1978)
  • Regulated by top regulators like  ASIC, FCA, FSA, SFC, IIROC 
  • A wide range of products offered warrants, ETFs, Options, Futures, Mutual Funds, Bonds 
  • Over 18,000 no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
  • No monthly inactivity fee
  • Low trading fees and high interest (up to 4.58% for USD) on cash balances
  • Access to international markets and exchanges 
  • Mobile apps are convenient for individual investors.
Cons
  • Complicated account opening 
  • Learning Curve for Beginners
  • The maximum leverage is only 1:40 
  •  No Metatrader platforms (MT4, MT5) offered 
  • High minimum deposit requirements for some account types 
  • Interactive Advisors (Robo-advisor feature) is only available for US customers
  • No fixed spread is available 

Skilling vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Comparison

Skilling
Interactive Brokers
Product
Product
Skilling
Interactive Brokers
Founded In
Founded In
2016
1978
Founded By
Founded By
Scandinavian Entrepreneurs
Chairman Thomas Peterffy
Headquarters
Headquarters
Mahe, Seychelles
Greenwich, Connecticut, United States
Regulations
Regulations
CySEC, FSA, and FCA.
SEC, CFTC, FCA, FSCS, FINRA, FCM, IIROC, MAS, FSA
Min Deposit
Min Deposit
$25 for the Non-EU standard account, $100 for the EU standard account, and $5000 for the premium account.
$0
Max Leverage
Max Leverage
up to 1:1000 for non-EU retail traders,1:30 for EU retail traders. 1:200 for professional traders
1:500
Tradable Assets
Tradable Assets
800+ forex, CFDs, commodities, shares, indices, and cryptocurrencies
Stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds
Fees
Fees
starting from 0.8 pips for a standard account,
Spread starting from 1 pips
Platforms and Tools
Platforms and Tools
MT4, Ctrader, Skilling Social Copy Trading, and Skilling own trading platform
WebTrader, FIX API, MobileTrader
US Traders
US Traders
Not Allowed
Allowed

Skilling Vs Interactive Brokers: Our Scores and Ratings

We rated both brokers, Skilling and Interactive Brokers, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 0.1 increments. To achieve a comprehensive rating, we broadly grouped all services offered by brokers into 6 macro categories and assigned percentage weights to them. Each macro category is subdivided into several data points which contributes to the total score of 1.0-10.0 assigned to each macro category. Since all categories are not equally important, our weight percentage plays a significant role in assessing the broker accurately. For example, Regulation and Security contributes a total weight of 40% to the whole ratings because this is the most important rating category. To learn more, read our methodology.

Skilling :

8.8
Skilling Score
Regulation and Security (40%)9
Fees and Commissions (20%)9
Trading (15%)9
Trading tools (10%)9
Customer Support (10%)8
Trading Education (5%)7

Interactive Brokers:

9.1
Interactive Brokers Score
Regulation and Security (40%)10
Fees and Commissions (20%)8
Trading (15%)9
Trading tools (10%)7
Customer Support (10%)9.5
Trading Education (5%)9

Final Verdict :

Skilling and Interactive Brokers are Forex and CFD brokers offering online trading services to traders and investors worldwide. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier regulatory authorities. Skilling is regulated by Skilling is regulated by 3 regulatory authorities, including CySEC, FSA, and FCA (recently deregistered from FCA). On the other hand, Interactive Brokers is regulated by 9 regulatory authorities, including SEC , CFTC ,FCA, FSCS, FINRA, FCM,  IIROC, MAS, FSA. These two brokers offer almost similar services. However, each broker has its strengths and weaknesses.

In this article, we will compare Skilling with Interactive Brokers regarding trading platforms, regulations, tradable assets, fees, customer support, and overall trading experience score. We will also explore if Skilling is better than Interactive Brokers. This comparison lets you understand which broker is better for your trading style and preferences.

Written by

Jason Paine is a forex trader, researcher, and tech enthusiast. He is passionate about financial markets and cutting-edge technology. With a dynamic 16-year trading career, he's on a mission to guide fellow traders. Having navigated diverse forex brokers, Jason shares his insights at Brokersway to bridge the gap between traders and the right brokerage.

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