Which Broker Should You Use? Interactive Brokers vs Exante for New Investors
Opening your first brokerage account is the first real step toward building wealth. The broker you choose determines which markets you can access, how much you pay in fees, and how easy the experience is day to day. Two platforms worth knowing are Interactive Brokers and Exante. Here is what you need to know before choosing.
What Is a Broker?
A broker is the platform that lets you buy and sell investments: stocks, ETFs, and other assets. Think of it as the bank account for your investments. You deposit money, and the broker executes your trades on the market. Choosing the right one matters because fees and ease of use compound over time, just like your returns. To understand why investing matters in the first place, start with why we should invest.
Side by Side
| Interactive Brokers | Exante | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Serious beginners ready to learn | Beginners who want simplicity |
| Minimum to start | $0 | ~$10,000 |
| Fees | Very low | Moderate |
| Platform difficulty | Takes time to learn | Easy from day one |
| Markets available | 150 markets globally | 50+ markets |
| Regulated by | SEC, FINRA, FCA and 10+ others | CySEC, FCA |
| Interest on cash | Yes | No |
Interactive Brokers: Low Cost, High Learning Curve
IBKR has been around since 1978 and is trusted by professional investors worldwide. It charges very low fees, pays you interest on cash sitting in your account, and gives you access to almost every market in the world. The downside for beginners: the platform looks complicated at first. Give it two or three weeks and it becomes manageable. If you are serious about long-term investing and want to keep costs as low as possible, this is the platform to grow into.
Exante: Clean and Simple
Exante was built with international investors in mind. The platform is clean, easy to navigate, and does not overwhelm you with tools you do not need yet. The minimum deposit of $10,000 is higher, and fees are slightly above IBKR. But if your priority is getting started without a steep learning curve, Exante removes the friction.
Which One to Pick
If you are starting with less than $10,000, Interactive Brokers is your only option between the two, and it is a good one. If you have $10,000 or more and want the simplest possible start, Exante works well. Either way, the most important step is starting. Read our investment glossary if any terms here are unfamiliar.
[Open an Interactive Brokers account] ← referral link
[Open an Exante account] ← referral link
Risk disclosure: the value of investments can fall as well as rise. Only invest money you do not need in the short term. This article is for educational purposes only.