Broker to Trading

IQ Option offers High/Low and target based binary options trading and provides a sleek chart-centric trading platform. Deriv (previously Binary.com) provides a range of platforms and ways to trade binary options in a user friendly suite of platforms. Deriv's platforms include DBot, which is a tool for creating and running binary robots. Both brokers have very low minimum deposits, minimum trade sizes and fastest trade times.

Each offers binary options trading based on real markets, but Deriv also provides binary options trading based on simulated markets (Synthetics), which can be traded 24/7.

Binary options trading is speculative and high risk and involves the risk of losing your entire investment. You should only trade money you can afford to lose entirely.

Minimum deposit and minimum trade size

• The minimum deposit for Deriv is $5 and the minimum deposit for IQ Option is $10.
• The minimum trade size for Deriv is $0.50 and the minimum trade size for IQ Option is $1.
• To trade simulated markets (Synthetics) Deriv can provide lower minimum trade sizes and more trade types.

Payout rates and Trade Types

For its High/Low format (trade type), Deriv can offer maximum payout rates above 100% for successful trades. For its High/Low format, IQ Option can offer maximum payout rates of 100%. Both brokers offer other trade types which in the case of IQ Option can have payout rates up to 900% and in the case of Deriv can be above 1000% for successful trades. Payout rates are for successful trades, and binary options carry a very high risk of loss. In the event of a losing trade, all the invested capital is normally lost.

• Trade types offered by Deriv on its SmartTrader web trader are Rise/Fall, Higher/Lower, Touch/No Touch, In/Out, Digits, Asians, Lookbacks, Reset-Call/Reset-Put, Only Ups/Only Downs and High/Low Ticks. Rise/Fall is a High/Low format, Higher/Lower lets the trader set a price level to determine the trade, Touch/No Touch has adjustable barrier levels and In/Out covers Boundary options types. Digits compares the last digits of the last tick according to different rules. Asians compare the last tick with the average spot price. Reset-Call/Reset Put compares the entry spot with the exit spot price. High/Low Ticks lets the trader select a tick to compare with the other ticks over very short term trading. Only Ups/Only Downs requires consecutive rises in ticks or falls over very short term trading. There is also a Lookback trade type which uses multipliers, looking at the difference between various price ranges. The most trade types are for Synthetic Indices, other markets can have less than the full complement. DTrader offers less trade types, but in a more trader friendly platform (which also includes Multipliers). The maximum payout rate for Rise/Fall can be above 100% and the maximum payout rates for Higher/Lower, Touch/No Touch, In/Out, Digits and Only Ups/Only Downs can be above 1000%, on selected trades.
• IQ Option offers High/Low trading (called 'Binary'), with payout rates up to 100%. It also provides Digital which has strike price targets and payout rates up to 900%. Digital has less markets to trade than Binary.

Account types

• Deriv arranges its account structure around its platforms. The main account offers trading on DTrader, SmartTrader and DBot. From this account, the trader can also open accounts for MT5 and Deriv X (these platforms are not for binary options, but offer CFD margin trading).
• IQ Option has two account types, Real and VIP. IQ Option Ltd. provides VIP status for traders from non-EEA countries. The minimum deposit for a Real account is $10. On its trading platform IQ Option offers market analysis and video tutorials. For VIP status, the trader must meet at least one of the following requirements, namely to deposit $1900 (or its equivalent) or to have a trading volume of $15,000, in a three month period. The VIP account includes increased payout rates for some markets, extra training, free access to tournaments, an account manager, personal tutoring, support 24/7, a direct call from their specialists and unique offers.

Platform and assets

For binary options, Deriv provides DTrader, SmartTrader and DBot (the legacy Binary.com version of DBot, Binary Bot is also included on Deriv). Arguably, DTrader is a more user friendly platform, but SmartTrader is more focused on binary options trading. DBot is a platform which allows the trader to build binary options trading robots using drop down menus and to run them.

IQ Option may offer only two binary options trade types but it is focused on the chart, providing a visually attractive feature rich chart which can become multiple on screen charts, as well as a 'Trader's Mood' indicator. IQ Option's platform is available as a web trader, a desktop download and as a mobile app.

• Deriv offers binary options markets covering Currency Pairs, Commodities and Indices. It also provides simulated markets to trade 24/7, with Synthetics.
• IQ Option offers binary options markets covering Currency Pairs, Commodities and Stocks.
• Both brokers provide a range of other markets to trade, offered by IQ Option on its platform and by Deriv on Deriv GO, Deriv EZ, MT5 and Deriv X.

Regulation

If there is regulation it can vary depending on the region and the type of market. Some products and features may not be available in some countries (though in general DTrader, SmartTrader and DBot are available at Deriv).

Why Deriv or IQ Option ?

Traders who want to trade a wide range of binary options trade types may do so at Deriv. Deriv also offers a wide range of platforms to trade on, however binary options are offered on some platforms only. IQ Option provides a user friendly trading platform which offers trading in binary and digital options. Both brokers can offer high potential payout rates for successful trades, Deriv's being higher on selected trades. Traders who want to trade other trade types 24/7 can do so at Deriv using simulated markets.

Fastest trade time

The fastest trade time on Deriv for binary options based on real markets is 5 seconds (Volatility Indices have a fastest trade time of 1 second). The fastest trade time on IQ Option is around 30 seconds.

Summary

Both brokers make an effort with their platforms, Deriv aims to provide a range of platforms, trade types and customisable features (including a tool for making and running binary bots), while IQ Option provides a customisable chart centered platform. Deriv offers other trading platforms as well with additional features.

Both brokers are very accessible, with low minimum deposits and trade sizes and can offer high yield trade types for successful trades. Deriv can additionally offers binary options trading based on Synthetic markets, available 24/7.