Interactive Brokers vs Revolut: Which Broker Suits You?
Interactive Brokers scores 4.8 and Revolut 3.0 out of 5 on our published methodology. Interactive Brokers leads on Costs & Fees, Platform & Tools, Regulation & Trust and Asset Range, and they tie on Account Access & Support. Both accept clients in the UK, the EU and other countries.
Higher overall score
Interactive Brokers
4.8/5
Best for: Active & globally-minded traders
Read the full Interactive Brokers review →Score by score
Each category is scored 1–5 using our published methodology. The overall score is the plain average of the first five; ease of use is shown separately.
Key facts side by side
| Interactive Brokers | Revolut | |
|---|---|---|
| What you own | Real assets | Real assets |
| Available assets | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, forex, crypto across 170+ markets | Stocks, ETFs and crypto, with the menu varying by country |
| Regulated by | SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC, CIRO and others | Varies by region: FCA in the UK, an EU entity in the EEA |
| Stands out for | Unmatched global market access from a single account | Investing built into an app millions already have open |
| Watch out for | Trader Workstation has a genuinely steep learning curve | A narrow menu with tiered free-trade limits; not a dedicated broker |
| Accepts clients in | The US, the UK, the EU and other countries | The UK, the EU and other countries |
Is Interactive Brokers cheaper than Revolut?
On our Costs & Fees score, Interactive Brokers rates 5/5 against Revolut’s 3/5, so it is generally the cheaper of the two for the costs we assess: commissions, spreads, currency conversion and account fees. Fees differ by country and account type and change often, so check both brokers’ current price lists before you choose.
Which is safer, Interactive Brokers or Revolut?
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC, CIRO and others; Revolut by Varies by region: FCA in the UK, an EU entity in the EEA. Interactive Brokers scores higher on our Regulation & Trust measure (5/5 against 3/5). Which company holds your account, and which investor compensation scheme covers it, depends on where you live. Compensation schemes cover a broker failing, never investment losses.
Which is better for beginners?
On ease of use for a beginner, which sits outside the overall score, Interactive Brokers scores 2/5 and Revolut 5/5. Revolut is the gentler place to start.
Who each one tends to suit
Interactive Brokers
- Tends to suit
- Active & globally-minded traders
- Stands out for
- Unmatched global market access from a single account
- Watch out for
- Trader Workstation has a genuinely steep learning curve
Revolut
- Tends to suit
- Investing inside a banking app
- Stands out for
- Investing built into an app millions already have open
- Watch out for
- A narrow menu with tiered free-trade limits; not a dedicated broker
More head-to-heads
Scores and facts come from our own reviews as of September 2026 and follow one published methodology. Plain Investor has no commercial relationship with either broker. This is general education, not personal financial advice. Fees, features and regulation change, so confirm current terms with each broker before opening an account.