$Quick answer
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) stands out for its global scale, access to more markets, and paying interest on USD and EUR cash balances above certain thresholds (0% on the first tier). Freedom24 stands out for broader IPO access, something IBKR only offers occasionally to eligible clients. Both offer real shares and ETFs (not CFDs) and charge no inactivity fee. IBKR is regulated in the EU through Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd; Freedom24 is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus.
Choosing between Freedom24 and Interactive Brokers mostly depends on your priority: if you want a large, globally scaled broker with access to many markets and the possibility of interest on larger balances, IBKR tends to stand out. If you value more open access to IPOs, Freedom24 may make more sense. This article compares the two side by side, based on data published by both brokers and by specialized broker-comparison sites.
Freedom24 vs Interactive Brokers: quick comparison
| Criteria | Freedom24 | Interactive Brokers |
| Regulation | CySEC (Cyprus), MiFID II license; parent company Freedom Holding Corp. listed on NASDAQ | Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, under MiFID II (always confirm on the official site which group entity applies to your country) |
| Real shares and ETFs (not CFDs) | Yes — the broker cites over 40,000 available instruments | Yes — one of the industry’s largest access networks, with 150+ markets across around 30 countries |
| Commissions (stocks/ETFs) | “Smart” plan: around €2 + €0.02/share (min ~€2); or “All Inclusive”: 0.5% of volume + €0.012/share; occasional 0% promotions for new clients | Tiered/fixed structure, typically between 0.05% and 0.15% of trade value, with minimums of roughly €1.25 to €6 per order depending on plan and exchange — confirm the exact figure on the official pricing tool |
| Inactivity fee | No confirmed inactivity fee found | No — IBKR eliminated its inactivity fee |
| Interest on uninvested cash | No automatic interest confirmed on the standard account balance | Yes, tiered — per IBKR’s own data: 0% up to $10,000/€10,000, then around 3.13% (USD) or 1.725% (EUR) above that (the full tier requires net worth over $100,000 equivalent); rates float with benchmark rates |
| IPO access | Yes — from around $2,000, fee of 3% to 5% depending on balance, plus 0.5% on sale | Only occasionally, for eligible clients under criteria that aren’t fully disclosed — not a standard feature for all retail clients |
| Minimum deposit | No formal minimum stated | No formal minimum stated |
Data collected in August 2026 from official pages and specialized broker-comparison sites (BrokerChooser, InvestingInTheWeb, among others). Commissions, interest rates, and promotional terms change frequently — always check current terms directly on each broker’s website before deciding.
Key differences to consider
- IPOs: Freedom24 allows more open participation in initial public offerings for retail clients; IBKR only offers occasional access, subject to eligibility criteria that aren’t fully public.
- Interest on uninvested cash: IBKR publishes tiered interest rates on USD and EUR balances above certain thresholds (0% on the first $10,000/€10,000). We couldn’t find a clearly published equivalent from Freedom24 on the standard account.
- Scale and market access: IBKR is one of the largest brokers in the world, with access to 150+ markets; Freedom24 is smaller, with relatively more focus on US, European, and some CIS-region markets (including the Kazakhstan exchange).
- Exit costs: Freedom24 charges account-closure and securities-transfer fees (around €100 each); we found no clearly published equivalent closure fee at IBKR.
- Transparency note: Freedom Holding Corp. (Freedom24’s parent company) was the subject of a 2023 report from research firm Hindenburg Research alleging potential sanctions evasion. The company published an independent external legal review in 2024 disputing those allegations, and it retains its active CySEC license. This isn’t a finding from any regulatory authority, but it’s an informational factor that may be relevant to your decision.
How to open a Freedom24 account from Portugal
If after this comparison you feel Freedom24’s IPO access fits your profile, our step-by-step guide to opening a Freedom24 account covers the full process, including the required documents. You can also open a Freedom24 account directly here.
Regardless of which broker you choose, gains from stocks (capital gains and any dividends) must be declared on your Portuguese tax return — see our guide on declaring capital gains in Annex J to understand the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both operate under European regulation — Freedom24 is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) under MiFID II; Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Still, investing in stocks always carries risk of capital loss, regardless of the broker.
Yes, on a tiered basis — according to data published by IBKR itself, 0% up to $10,000/€10,000, and around 3.13% (USD) or 1.725% (EUR) above that, with the full tier requiring net worth over $100,000 equivalent. We couldn't find a clearly published equivalent offer from Freedom24.
In a limited way — IBKR only offers IPO access occasionally, to eligible clients under criteria that aren't fully disclosed, unlike Freedom24, which offers more open access from around $2,000.
Freedom24's parent company, Freedom Holding Corp., was the subject of a 2023 report from Hindenburg Research alleging potential sanctions evasion. The company disputed these allegations through an independent external legal review published in 2024 and retains its active CySEC license. There is no finding from any regulatory authority on the matter — it's an informational factor, not a conclusion.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. Commissions, interest rates, and promotional terms change frequently — always check current terms directly on Freedom24’s and Interactive Brokers’ official websites before making any decision. Investing in stocks carries risk of capital loss.