Quick verdict
IQ Option comes out ahead with a score of 4.0/5, against 3.7/5 for Quotex.
IQ Option is best for: Experienced users who want strong charts and a desktop app
Avoid IQ Option if: You trade only now and then (inactivity fee) or withdraw several times a month
Quotex is best for: High advertised payouts and crypto deposits
Avoid Quotex if: You want a licensed broker or a bonus without heavy turnover rules
Scores side by side
IQ Option 4.0/5
- Platform & apps4.8
- Costs & minimums4.2
- Payments4.4
- Support4.2
- Regulation & transparency2.6
Quotex 3.7/5
- Platform & apps4.5
- Costs & minimums4.5
- Payments4.0
- Support3.5
- Regulation & transparency2.1
First look: the two websites
About IQ Option and Quotex
IQ Option (2013). IQ Option started in 2013 and built its own platform from scratch. Besides fixed-time trades it offers digital options, where you pick a strike price and the payout scales with how far the price moves, plus CFDs on forex, stocks, crypto and ETFs.
Quotex. Quotex is a fixed-time trading platform: you pick an asset, a direction and an expiry, and a correct prediction pays a fixed percentage of your stake. It is known for a simple web platform, high advertised payouts and a wide choice of crypto deposits. The brand has been active since around 2019–2020.
Regulation and safetyWinner: IQ Option
Neither IQ Option nor Quotex is authorised by a top-tier regulator such as the FCA, CySEC or ASIC. Both operate through offshore companies, so there is no compensation scheme and no regulator in your country to complain to.
Official warnings and alert-list entries in our sources: IQ Option 3, Quotex 2.
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | Only its EU company is CySEC-licensed, and that company does not offer binary options. Binary options are offered through an unregulated offshore entity. | Third-party reviews name ON SPOT LLC GROUP in St Kitts and Nevis as the current operator; earlier it traded as Maxbit LLC and Awesomo Ltd. |
| Regulator warnings on record | CVM, MAS, RBI | CMVM (Portugal), RBI |
| Dispute body | No external dispute body | No external dispute body |
On transparency and safety we score IQ Option higher (2.6 vs 2.1).
Minimum deposit and feesWinner: Quotex
Both brokers ask for the same minimum deposit: $10. The smallest trade is $1 at IQ Option and $1 at Quotex.
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $10 |
| Minimum trade | $1 | $1 |
| Fees | Inactivity fee after 90 days; CFD overnight fees | No deposit or withdrawal fee advertised; bonus needs about 100x turnover |
| Withdrawal fees | One free withdrawal per month; further ones reported at 2% (min. USD 1, max. USD 30) – check current terms | None advertised |
| Inactivity fee | About USD/EUR 10 per month after 90 days without trading | Not stated in the sources we reviewed |
| Bonus | No bonus information confirmed in the sources we checked | Tiered deposit bonus (20–35%) with turnover of about 100x the bonus |
Payouts and the win rate you needWinner: Quotex
Quotex advertises the higher maximum payout (98% vs 95%). That lowers the win rate you need to break even from 51.3% to 50.5%.
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Max. payout | 95% | 98% |
| Break-even win rate | 51.3% | 50.5% |
| Note | 95% is the advertised maximum; observed payouts on gold were 86–88% at peak and 78–82% off-peak | Up to 98% advertised on selected assets; often lower in practice |
Advertised maximums apply to selected assets at the best times. Check the payout shown on the trade ticket before you open a trade; it is often lower.
Platform and mobile appWinner: IQ Option
IQ Option. The proprietary platform is the main reason people choose IQ Option. It has multi-chart layouts, a full set of indicators and the same interface in browser and desktop app.
Quotex. A proprietary web platform with candlestick and line charts, indicators, drawing tools and a clear trade panel that shows the payout before you open a trade. It loads quickly and needs no download.
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Web, Desktop app, Android, iOS | Web, Android |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone | Yes | Web app only |
| Extras | Own platform, Advanced charts, Desktop app | Own platform, Advanced charts, Simple interface |
Assets and expiry times
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Number of assets | 300+ | – |
| Markets | Forex, Crypto, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, ETFs | Forex, Commodities, Stocks, Indices, Crypto |
| Expiry times | 60 seconds – 1 month | From about 1 minute; varies by asset |
Deposits and withdrawalsWinner: IQ Option
IQ Option. Withdrawals require completed verification and usually return to the deposit method first. The broker states processing times in its help centre; your payment provider adds its own time on top.
Quotex. Minimum withdrawal USD 10 for most methods, higher for some cryptocurrencies. Verification is required. An active bonus blocks withdrawal of the bonus and related profit until its turnover is met.
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank cards, E-wallets, Local methods | Bank cards, Crypto |
| Withdrawal methods | Bank cards, E-wallets, Local methods | Bank cards, Crypto |
| Minimum withdrawal | $2 | $10 |
| Withdrawal time | Up to 3 business days; often faster | Depends on the method; reviewers report a few days |
Demo accountDraw
Both brokers offer a free demo account, so you can compare the two platforms with virtual money before you deposit.
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Demo balance | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Try without registering | – | – |
Customer supportWinner: IQ Option
| Feature | IQ Option | Quotex |
|---|---|---|
| Support channels | Live chat, Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Help centre |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
Where you can use themWinner: Quotex
IQ Option accepts clients in 164 of the countries we cover, Quotex in 165.
Only Quotex: 1 countries
Türkiye
Pros and cons
IQ Option
- +Strongest platform: web, Windows/macOS desktop, Android and iOS
- +Digital options with adjustable strike prices, plus CFDs
- +Long operating history since 2013
- +Good charting and a responsive interface
- −Binary and digital options only through an unregulated offshore entity
- −Brazil's CVM sanction proceeding and warnings from MAS and RBI
- −Inactivity fee after 90 days without trading
- −Fewer crypto payment routes than competitors
Quotex
- +Payouts advertised up to 98% on some assets
- +USD 10 minimum deposit and trades from USD 1
- +Free USD 10,000 demo account
- +Many cryptocurrency deposit options
- −No government licence; the operating company has changed several times
- −Warnings from Portugal's CMVM and on India's RBI Alert List
- −Deposit bonus requires trading volume of about 100 times the bonus
- −Support by ticket and email only, with no live chat
Verdict: IQ Option or Quotex?
IQ Option wins 4 of 7 categories in this comparison. IQ Option comes out ahead with a score of 4.0/5, against 3.7/5 for Quotex.
Our pick: IQ Option
IQ Option is best for: Experienced users who want strong charts and a desktop app
Whichever you choose, start with the demo, keep your first deposit small and test a withdrawal before you add more. Binary options are high-risk and most retail traders lose money.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, IQ Option or Quotex?
On our score IQ Option is ahead (4.0/5 vs 3.7/5). IQ Option is best for: Experienced users who want strong charts and a desktop app. Quotex is best for: High advertised payouts and crypto deposits.
Which has the lower minimum deposit, IQ Option or Quotex?
Both brokers ask for the same minimum deposit: $10.
Which pays more, IQ Option or Quotex?
Quotex advertises the higher maximum payout (98% vs 95%). That lowers the win rate you need to break even from 51.3% to 50.5%.
Are IQ Option and Quotex regulated?
Neither holds a licence from a top-tier regulator such as the FCA, CySEC or ASIC. Both operate through offshore companies, so your money has limited protection.
