First Trade
Interactive Investor
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Overview
First Trade was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in USA, while Interactive Investor was established in 1995 and is based in UK. First Trade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while Interactive Investor is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. First Trade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; Interactive Investor has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $5 at First Trade and $1 at Interactive Investor.
| Feature | First Trade | Interactive Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Founded | 2008 | 1995 |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between First Trade and Interactive Investor, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Interactive Investor has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $5 at First Trade). First Trade charges withdrawal fees while Interactive Investor does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Interactive Investor applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; First Trade does not. First Trade charges deposit fees; Interactive Investor does not. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | First Trade | Interactive Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
First Trade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Interactive Investor supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Interactive Investor supports social and copy trading features, which First Trade does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | First Trade | Interactive Investor |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4,WEB | Web Trader, ProTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how First Trade and Interactive Investor compare. First Trade runs regular live webinars; Interactive Investor does not. Both provide video tutorials. First Trade publishes daily market commentary; Interactive Investor does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. First Trade maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. First Trade scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | First Trade | Interactive Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. First Trade accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while Interactive Investor supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | First Trade | Interactive Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | No |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both First Trade and Interactive Investor offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 2 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | First Trade | Interactive Investor |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, and Chinese |