| Feature | Deriv | InstaForex |
|---|---|---|
| Year Established | 1999 | 2007 |
| Regulation | Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC) | British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC) |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DTrader, Deriv X, Deriv EZ, Deriv GO, SmartTrader, DBot, Binary Bot | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), WebTrader, InstaForex MultiTerminal |
| Tradable Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Stock Indices, Synthetic Indices, ETFs | Forex, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Stock Indices, CFDs, Binary Options, Oil, Stocks |
| Account Types | Standard Account, Synthetic Indices Account, Financial STP Account | Insta.Standard, Insta.Eurica, Cent.Standard, Cent.Eurica, ECN, ECN Pro, ECN VIP |
| Spread Type | Fixed | Fixed |
| Typical EUR/USD Spread | 0.5 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Maximum Leverage | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 (1:30 for EU clients) |
| Deposit Methods | Bank Wire Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, FasaPay, Perfect Money), Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether) | Bank Wire Transfer, Credit/Debit Cards, E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney, UnionPay, AliPay, SOFORT), Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dash, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Tether, Dogecoin, NEO, EOS.IO) |
| Withdrawal Methods | Same as deposit methods | Same as deposit methods |
| Deposit/Withdrawal Fees | No fees charged by the broker; however, third-party charges may apply | No fees charged by the broker; however, third-party charges may apply |
| Inactivity Fee | $25 | $25 |
| Trading Tools | Proprietary trading platforms with advanced charting tools, Automated trading via DBot, Access to MetaTrader marketplace | Advanced charting tools, Automated trading capabilities, Access to MetaTrader marketplace, VPS services |
| Educational Resources | Limited educational materials | Comprehensive educational resources including webinars, tutorials, and articles |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support via live chat and email | 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone |
| Bonuses and Promotions | None | $1000 no deposit bonus (available for international entities) |
| Order Execution Speed | Ultra-fast execution with low latency, optimized for high-frequency trading | Fast execution, supports both instant and market execution |
| Scalping and Hedging | Allowed | Allowed |
| Islamic (Swap-Free) Accounts | Available on request | Available |
| Social Trading | Not available | Available through the InstaForex Copy Trading system |
| Demo Account | Yes, unlimited and free with virtual funds | Yes, unlimited and free with virtual funds |
| Affiliate Program | Yes, multi-tier with attractive commissions | Yes, multi-level with high commissions and rebate options |
| Regulatory Compliance | Compliance with AML and KYC policies | Compliance with AML, KYC policies, and additional internal security protocols |
| Mobile Trading | Mobile apps for iOS and Android, optimized for speed and efficiency | Mobile apps for MT4 and MT5, user-friendly with full trading capabilities |
| VPS Services | No | Yes, free VPS for clients meeting specific requirements |
| Copy Trading | Not available | Available via ForexCopy system with extensive trader profiles and analytics |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | Supported on MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Supported on both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
| Regulation Coverage | Multi-jurisdictional, covering clients globally with separate regulatory entities | Mainly offshore regulation, EU clients served through EU-regulated entity |
| Trading Contests | No regular contests | Frequent contests and competitions with cash prizes |
| API Trading | Yes, provides API for automated trading solutions | Not directly offered, but custom APIs can be used through MT4/MT5 |
| Security Protocols | 2FA, SSL encryption, segregated client funds | 2FA, SSL encryption, DDoS protection, segregated client funds |
| Risk Management Tools | Stop Loss, Take Profit, Negative Balance Protection, Margin Call | Stop Loss, Take Profit, Negative Balance Protection, Margin Call |
| Partnership Programs | Yes, includes affiliate, IB, and white-label partnerships | Yes, includes affiliate, IB, regional offices, and white-label solutions |
| Interest on Unused Funds | No | Yes, offers interest on unused funds for specific account types |
| Trading Central Integration | No | Yes, access to Trading Central analysis for premium clients |
| Automated Trading Solutions | DBot and Binary Bot for binary options and synthetics | Supports EAs and third-party bots on MT4 and MT5 |
| Market Analysis and News | Limited proprietary market insights | Comprehensive analysis, news feeds, and economic calendar |
| Customer Support Languages | English, with limited support in other languages | Multi-lingual support covering over 20 languages |
| Withdrawal Processing Time | 1 to 3 business days | Instant to 3 business days depending on method |
| Corporate Accounts | Available on request | Available, with customized solutions for businesses |
| Trading Hours | 24/7 for synthetic indices, 24/5 for forex and other assets | 24/5 for all markets |
| Spread Compression | Dynamic spread compression during high volatility | Fixed spreads with occasional compression for VIP clients |
| Custom Indicators | Supports custom indicators on MT5 | Supports custom indicators on both MT4 and MT5 |
| Innovation and Technology | Focus on AI-driven analytics and automation tools | Emphasis on traditional trading tools and resources |
| PAMM Accounts (Managed Accounts) | Not available | Yes, with performance tracking and investment analytics |
| Investment Programs | Limited to direct trading | Diverse, including PAMM, ForexCopy, and asset management solutions |
| Algorithmic Trading | Supports via DBot, Binary Bot, and MT5 with Python and MQL5 scripting | Fully supported on MT4 and MT5 using MQL4 and MQL5 scripting languages |
| Sentiment Analysis Tools | Not available | Available through Trading Central and MetaTrader plugins |
| Cashback Programs | No cashback programs | Yes, cashback on each trade depending on account type and volume |
| Fee Transparency | Transparent with no hidden fees; commissions only on STP accounts | Transparent with commission options on ECN accounts and no hidden fees |
| Leverage Customization | Adjustable leverage settings based on regulatory jurisdiction | Customizable leverage based on account type and region |
| Access to Rare Assets | Synthetic indices available 24/7, exclusive to Deriv | Offers exotic currency pairs and CFDs on rare commodities |
| Micro Lot Trading | Available (0.01 lot minimum) | Available (0.01 lot minimum) |
| Order Types Supported | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop, One-Cancels-Other (OCO) | Market, Limit, Stop, Trailing Stop, OCO, Good 'Til Cancelled (GTC) |
| Charting Software | Advanced charting on MT5 and proprietary platforms with multiple timeframes and indicators | Advanced charting on MT4 and MT5 with additional plugins available |
| Funds Insurance | Segregated accounts with top-tier banks, no insurance beyond regulatory requirements | Segregated accounts and insurance coverage for EU clients as per regulations |
| Compliance and Audits | Regular audits by regulatory bodies, adheres to international standards | Periodic audits, compliance with regulatory standards for EU clients |
| Precision Trading | High precision for options and synthetic indices trading | High precision for forex and CFD trading |
| Withdrawal Limits | No limits imposed by Deriv, but third-party limits may apply | No withdrawal limits, subject to verification requirements |
| Cross-Platform Synchronization | Synchronization between web, desktop, and mobile platforms | Full synchronization between MT4, MT5, and mobile apps |
| Regional Restrictions | Does not accept clients from certain countries including the USA, Canada, and Hong Kong | Restrictions for US clients and some EU regulations for retail traders |
| Lot Size Flexibility | Nano, micro, mini, and standard lots available | Micro, mini, and standard lots available |
| Risk Warning Alerts | Customizable alerts on MT5 and proprietary platforms | Alerts on MT4, MT5, and via SMS or email |
| Market Depth | Available on MT5 for financial accounts | Available on MT4 and MT5 for ECN accounts |
| Currency Conversion Fees | No fees for same-currency transactions, conversion fees apply for cross-currency | No fees for same-currency transactions, low conversion fees for cross-currency |
| Trading Psychology Resources | Limited resources | Offers articles and webinars focused on trading psychology |
| Analytics and Reports | In-depth trading reports available on MT5 and Deriv platforms | Detailed analytics, trade history reports, and performance analysis on MT4 and MT5 |
| Crisis Management Tools | Stop-out level and margin protection rules | Stop-out level, margin call alerts, and volatility protection settings |
| Integration with Third-Party Tools | Supports integration with trading APIs and plugins for MT5 | Extensive integration options for MT4 and MT5 including plugins and third-party tools |
| Rollover Rates (Swaps) | Competitive swap rates, swap-free accounts available | Competitive swap rates, swap-free accounts available |
| Data Security Measures | 256-bit SSL encryption, regular security audits, and two-factor authentication (2FA) | 256-bit SSL encryption, DDoS protection, 2FA, and security audits |
| Trading Community and Forums | Limited community support, relies more on customer service | Active community forums, social trading interactions, and contests |
| AI-Based Tools | Focus on AI-based trade automation and market analysis | Limited AI tools, relies more on traditional technical analysis |
| Interactive Learning | Limited quizzes and interactive tutorials | Interactive webinars, quizzes, and trading simulations |
| VIP Services | No distinct VIP program | VIP services with lower spreads, personal account managers, and faster withdrawals |
| Reputation and User Reviews | Generally positive, praised for low spreads and diverse assets | Positive with some criticism on offshore regulation, praised for comprehensive features |
| Backup and Redundancy Systems | High redundancy with multiple data centers for MT5 and proprietary platforms | Backup systems for MT4 and MT5 with 99.9% uptime guarantee |
| Latency and Server Locations | Low-latency execution with servers in key financial hubs | Multiple server locations including Asia, Europe, and North America for reduced latency |
| Market Sentiment Indicators | Available for synthetic indices | Available for forex and CFDs through Trading Central |
| Business Model | Combines market-maker and STP (Straight Through Processing) models | Market-maker, ECN, and STP models available based on account type |
Deriv and InstaForex offer diverse trading platforms and instruments, with Deriv excelling in AI tools and low spreads, while InstaForex provides extensive educational resources and social trading. Both brokers support MT5, flexible accounts, and competitive leverage.