Broker comparison

FXTM vs.
IQ Option

Which broker fits your needs?

Platforms, products and fees side by side.

Checked on 22 October 2026

See comparison

Summary

Your goal decides

Entry is a draw — both ask for a $10 minimum deposit. FXTM (4.0/5) is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, offers MT4, MT5 and copy trading via FXTM Invest, and on the Advantage account EUR/USD from 0.0 pip plus $4.00 per lot round turn. IQ Option (3.6/5, CySEC) backs its own platform with digital options, restricted in the EU, without MetaTrader and with a $10 monthly inactivity fee after 90 days. For conventional forex trading on MetaTrader FXTM is the stronger choice; for digital options, IQ Option.

Award-winning Forex broker with ECN access and copy trading

Popular CFD broker with award-winning platform and low entry barrier

At a glance

The key differences

Criterion
PlatformsMT4, MT5, FXTM Trader AppIQ Option Platform, IQ Option App
Product typesForex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Crypto CFDs, MetalsCFDs, Forex, Stocks CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodities, ETFs CFDs
Options tradingNoYes, digital options (EU restricted)
Fee modelfrom 0.0 pips (ECN) + $2 commission per lotfrom 0.7 pips Forex, multiplier-based CFDs
Minimum deposit10 $10 $
RegulationFCA/CySECCySEC
More informationDetailsDetails

Platforms

FXTM

MT4, MT5, FXTM Trader App

IQ Option

IQ Option Platform, IQ Option App

Product types

FXTM

Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Metals

IQ Option

CFDs, Forex, Stocks CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodities, ETFs CFDs

Options trading

FXTM

No

IQ Option

Yes, digital options (EU restricted)

Fee model

FXTM

from 0.0 pips (ECN) + $2 commission per lot

IQ Option

from 0.7 pips Forex, multiplier-based CFDs

Minimum deposit

FXTM

10 $

IQ Option

10 $

Regulation

FXTM

FCA/CySEC

IQ Option

CySEC

More information

IQ Option

Details

Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.

Detailed comparison

Comparing fees

Compare total costs, not just the order fee.

from 0.0 pips (ECN) + $2 commission per lot

Published fee
from 0.0 pips (ECN) + $2 commission per lot
Minimum deposit
10 $
Inactivity
€5/month after 6 months of inactivity
See terms at provider

from 0.7 pips Forex, multiplier-based CFDs

Published fee
from 0.7 pips Forex, multiplier-based CFDs
Minimum deposit
10 $
Inactivity
$10/month after 90 days of inactivity
See terms at provider

The relevant costs depend on market, currency, order size and trading style.

Worked out

What does it actually cost?

Typical months at FXTM and IQ Option, priced from their published fee schedules. Spreads, FX and exchange fees come on top depending on the venue.

ScenarioFXTMIQ Option
10 lots of EUR/USD a monthUS$90Minimum spread Rewards account from 0.9 pips × $10 × 10; no commissionUS$60Minimum EUR/USD spread from 0.6 pips × $10 × 10; no commission
Custody and account fee per year—Inactivity fee not confirmed on an official page€0Active: €0. After 90 days without trading: €10 per month (fees page)

Checked on 22 October 2026. Prices can change; the current fee schedule is what counts. Sources: fxtm.com · iqoption.com

Execution quality

Order type, venue and liquidity affect execution.

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Check the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.

Provider information

Product range

ForexCFDsIndicesCommoditiesStocks CFDsCrypto CFDsMetals
CFDsForexStocks CFDsCrypto CFDsCommoditiesETFs CFDs

Categories come from broker profiles. Check specific markets and permissions before deciding.

Trading platforms

MT4 · MT5 · FXTM Trader App

FXTM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the FXTM Trader App. MT4 and MT5 deliver comprehensive trading functionality with Expert Advisors, advanced charts, and automated trading. The FXTM Trader App provides mobile trading access with integrated copy trading via FXTM Invest, real-time quotes, and portfolio management.

Explore platform

IQ Option Platform · IQ Option App

IQ Option exclusively uses its own award-winning platform, available as a desktop application and mobile app. The platform impresses with modern design, intuitive operation, interactive charts with numerous indicators, and an innovative multiplier system for CFDs. MetaTrader is not supported. The platform also offers an integrated practice account.

Explore platform

Regulation & security

FXTM

Exinity Limited (Mauritius)

Supervisor
FSC Mauritius
Investor compensation
No EU investor compensation (offshore entity); not verified for this entity
Cash
No deposit guarantee; segregation not verified

IQ Option

IQOption Europe Ltd (Cyprus, HE327751)

Supervisor
CySEC
Investor compensation
Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund (ICF): up to €20,000 per client if the broker fails
Cash
Client money segregated; on insolvency ICF up to €20,000; no deposit guarantee

Regulation does not protect against market losses. What counts is the entity you sign the contract with.

Your investor profile

Who might it suit?

For traders outside the EU who want MetaTrader and low raw-spread accounts. FXTM serves clients via Exinity in Mauritius — neither ESMA leverage caps nor EU investor compensation apply there.

  • FCA and CySEC-regulated with EU investor protection
  • Very low ECN commissions from $2 per lot
  • Copy trading via FXTM Invest
  • Inactivity fee after 6 months
  • Stock CFDs only on MT5 account

The more natural choice for EU clients: IQ Option Europe is CySEC-regulated, with ESMA leverage caps and Cyprus investor compensation up to €20,000.

  • Award-winning, intuitive trading platform
  • Very low minimum deposit of $10
  • Over 100 million registered users worldwide
  • No MT4 or MT5 available
  • Digital options restricted in the EU

Find the broker that fits

FXTM oder IQ Option?

Side by side. Decided with knowledge.

See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.

FXTM4.0
  • FCA and CySEC-regulated with EU investor protection
  • Very low ECN commissions from $2 per lot
  • Copy trading via FXTM Invest
IQ Option3.6
  • Award-winning, intuitive trading platform
  • Very low minimum deposit of $10
  • Over 100 million registered users worldwide
VS
  • Fees
  • Platform
  • Regulation
  • Matching lessons
Two brokers. Many options. Your call.
Open The Dealing Room

FXTM and IQ Option do not earn the same way

The table shows what they cost. These lessons show how they earn, which is what the difference is made of.

Who is on the other side?

Whether your order leaves the building or stops at the desk

Open the lesson →

Taking the other side

What it means when the broker holds the other side itself

Open the lesson →

Where the price comes from

How several bank quotes become one spread on your screen

Open the lesson →

In-depth analysis

Entry and fees: Both ask for just a $10 minimum deposit, so the barrier is equally low. On spreads FXTM offers two routes: EUR/USD from 1.5 pip on the Standard account, or from 0.0 pip plus $4.00 per lot round turn on the Advantage account. IQ Option quotes EUR/USD from 1.0 pip for CFDs. If you trade larger volumes, FXTM's commission model is usually the cheaper route; if you trade small and rarely, watch the inactivity fees instead: FXTM charges €5 a month after 6 months without a trade, IQ Option $10 a month after just 90 days.

Products and platforms: FXTM is a classic MetaTrader house with MT4, MT5 and the FXTM Trader App, trading forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, metals, stock CFDs and crypto CFDs — stock CFDs only on the MT5 account. FXTM Invest adds copy trading. FXTM offers no options. IQ Option takes the opposite approach: its own award-winning platform and app, but neither MT4 nor MT5. In return it has digital options with a payout of 70–95% depending on asset and expiry, though restricted in the EU, alongside CFDs on forex, stocks, crypto, commodities and ETFs. IQ Option names limited research tools as a weakness itself.

Profile and verdict: FXTM (4.0/5 from 1,800 reviews) was founded in 2011, sits in London and is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, with EU investor protection. IQ Option (3.6/5 from 1,950 reviews) has been running since 2013, sits in Limassol and is CySEC-regulated. If you want to trade forex and CFDs on MetaTrader or copy strategies, FXTM fits. If you specifically want digital options on one simple interface and trade outside the EU restrictions, only IQ Option has them.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions

How do fees differ between FXTM and IQ Option?
FXTM: from 0.0 pips (ECN) + $2 commission per lot. IQ Option: from 0.7 pips Forex, multiplier-based CFDs. Compare total costs for the specific market, product, currency and order size in the current fee schedule.
Which broker offers more products: FXTM or IQ Option?
FXTM offers Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Stocks CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Metals. IQ Option offers CFDs, Forex, Stocks CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodities, ETFs CFDs.
How are FXTM and IQ Option regulated?
The broker profiles list FCA/CySEC for FXTM and CySEC for IQ Option. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is FXTM or IQ Option better for beginners?
FXTM lists a 10 $ minimum deposit and offers MT4, MT5, FXTM Trader App. IQ Option lists 10 $ and offers IQ Option Platform, IQ Option App. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
FXTM vs IQ Option: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between FXTM (4/5, 1800 reviews) and IQ Option (3.6/5, 1950 reviews) depends on your needs. FXTM: Award-winning Forex broker with ECN access and copy trading. IQ Option: Popular CFD broker with award-winning platform and low entry barrier.
How do spreads compare between FXTM and IQ Option?
FXTM offers typical spreads of EUR/USD from 1.5 pip (Standard), 0.0 pip (Advantage) + $4.00 per lot round turn. IQ Option offers EUR/USD from 1.0 pip (CFD); FX options with fixed payout structure. Tighter spreads reduce trading costs especially for active trading.
Do FXTM or IQ Option charge an inactivity fee?
FXTM: €5/month after 6 months of inactivity. IQ Option: $10/month after 90 days of inactivity.

Your next step

Your next step

Keep comparing

More broker comparisons

Keep learning

Before you pick a broker

The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.

Options risks & opportunitiesWhat you can lose, and what the risk buys you.Options taxes in GermanyFlat-rate tax, loss offsetting and allowances.Options trading basicsStrike, expiry, underlying: the building blocks of every option.
Terms in the glossary:MarginPremiumCall optionUnderlyingExercise