ProRealTime vs LYNX: Which Is the Better Broker?
ProRealTime vs LYNX: a face-off between two players that both rely on Interactive Brokers’ infrastructure to execute their clients’ orders. Yet their offerings are fundamentally different in philosophy and positioning.
ProRealTime is first and foremost a professional trading platform, renowned for the quality of its data feeds and the depth of its technical analysis tools. LYNX, on the other hand, is an introducing broker that banks on a web interface powered by TradingView charts and access to Trader Workstation (TWS).
Active trader weighing up these two Interactive Brokers-backed solutions? Markets, fees, platforms, customer support: here’s our detailed comparison to help you determine which one best suits your profile.
ProRealTime vs LYNX: The Scorecard
Find the key takeaways from our detailed comparison in the scorecards below.
ProRealTime vs LYNX: Our Verdict
ProRealTime is first and foremost a benchmark French trading platform. It offers traders a comprehensive, premium trading ecosystem: real-time tick-by-tick data feeds, advanced charting tools, automated trading and backtesting capabilities, and a dedicated French-speaking account manager.
For brokerage, ProRealTime has partnered with brokers recognised across Europe and internationally for their financial strength and brokerage services: Interactive Brokers, Saxo, and IG.
LYNX, for its part, is an introducing broker for Interactive Brokers exclusively. It relies on this partnership, a proprietary web interface, and its customer support to serve active investors looking for a trusted European intermediary.
ProRealTime and LYNX both let you trade through Interactive Brokers, benefit from French-speaking customer support reachable by phone, and use powerful tools developed in-house.
However, in our view, ProRealTime wins this match-up hands down, especially if you’re an active trader. Its trading software outperforms Trader Workstation. ProRealTime focuses on continuous improvement, as demonstrated by the latest updates in version 13.
Moreover, you can choose your broker, or even open multiple accounts and manage them all from a single platform.
Finally, while using ProRealTime Complete comes with a subscription at a degressive rate, trading commissions remain more competitive than LYNX’s, particularly on small-value orders and high volumes.
ProRealTime vs LYNX: Detailed Comparison
1. Trading Options and Markets
Comparison criterion: we evaluate both providers based on the availability of different assets and markets to help you determine whether they match your trading strategies.
| ProRealTime | LYNX | |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fractional shares | ✅ | ✅ |
| ETFs | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bonds | ✅ | ✅ |
| Options | ✅ | ✅ |
| Futures | ✅ | ✅ |
| Forex | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cryptocurrencies | ✅ | ✅ |
| Metals | ✅ | ✅ |
| Commodities | ✅ | ✅ |
| CFDs* | ✅ | ✅ |
| Margin trading | ✅ | ✅ |
| Short selling | ✅ | ✅ |
| International markets | ✅ | ✅ |
| PEA (French tax-advantaged equity account) | ✅ | ❌ |
Both providers offer an extensive investment universe thanks to their connection to Interactive Brokers.
LYNX covers over 100 exchanges across more than 30 countries and 20 currencies. ProRealTime also gives you access to the financial instruments available through Saxo and IG. Additionally, you can trade via a securities account or a PEA (French tax-advantaged equity account).
ProRealTime holds a slight edge here thanks to its multiple partnerships. IBKR, Saxo, and IG all offer a broad range of products. The option to open a PEA is an added advantage for tax optimisation (French residents only).
2. Commissions and Fees
Comparison criterion: we evaluate each provider’s pricing structure. The goal is to determine which broker offers the most cost-effective trading experience.
| ProRealTime Standard | ProRealTime Active | ProRealTime Trader | LYNX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks and ETFs France | 0.095%/order, min. €4.95 | 0.08%/order, min. €3.95 | 0.06%/order, min. €2.95 | 0.09%, min. €6 |
| Stocks and ETFs United States | $0.01/share, min. $1.95 | $0.008/share, min. $1.95 | $0.005/share, min. $1.95 | $0.01/share, min. $5 |
| CAC 40 Index Options | €2/contract | €1.25/contract | €0.90/contract | €1.75/contract |
| CAC 40 Futures | €2.50/contract | €1.25/contract | €0.90/contract | €1.45/contract |
| Forex | 0.3 basis points, min. €2.50 | 0.5 basis points, min. €5 | ||
| CFDs on EUR Stocks | 0.07%/order, min. €5 | 0.09%, min. €6 | ||
| US Bonds | 0.1%/order, min. $5 | 0.15%, min. $5 | ||
| Platform subscription | Free (Web & Mobile) / €28.80/month (Complete)* | Included (no subscription) | ||
| Inactivity fees | None | None | ||
| EUR withdrawal | 1st withdrawal free/month, then €1 | 1st withdrawal free/month, then €1 | ||
For simplicity, we considered the ProRealTime + Interactive Brokers offer. ProRealTime offers three pricing tiers based on monthly trade volume:
- Standard, with no conditions;
- Active, more than 15 round trips per month;
- Trader, more than 30 round trips per month.
The pricing structure of both solutions warrants a nuanced analysis.
LYNX charges minimum commissions of €6 per order on French stocks, which significantly penalises small-value orders. By comparison, ProRealTime via Interactive Brokers applies a minimum of €2.95 to €4.95. On US stocks, LYNX is also less competitive with a minimum of $5 versus $1.95 at ProRealTime.
Regarding the platform subscription, LYNX does not charge one: its tools are included in the brokerage fees. Likewise, ProRealTime’s Web and Mobile versions are free. However, ProRealTime charges a monthly subscription for its desktop software, though this is waived for active traders who execute more than 30 orders per month.
ProRealTime + IBKR comes out on top here. Lower minimum commissions and the subscription discount system give active traders a significant advantage.
LYNX remains an option for those who want straightforward pricing with no platform subscription, but only for large-value orders.
3. Trading Platform and User Experience
Comparison criterion: we evaluate each solution based on ease of use, features, customisation, and performance. Our assessment covers charting tools, order execution, and platform stability.
| ProRealTime | LYNX | |
|---|---|---|
| Trader level | Intermediate to advanced | Intermediate to advanced |
| Demo account | ✅ (unlimited and free) | ❌ (simulation available after account opening) |
| Price alerts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chart trading and order book | ✅ | ✅ (via TWS) |
| Technical analysis tools | ✅ | ✅ |
| Fundamental analysis | Partial (Zonebourse integration) | Partial (via TWS) |
| Options trading tools | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated trading | ✅ | ✅ |
| Screener | ✅ | ✅ |
| Currency management | Multi-currency account | Multi-currency account |
Your trading platform is the backbone of your strategy. It should enable you to execute your trading plan as efficiently as possible.
This is where the gap between the two solutions is most pronounced.
- LYNX offers two distinct environments: Trader Workstation (TWS), Interactive Brokers’ flagship software, and LYNX+, a more accessible web interface featuring TradingView charts. The web platform is also available as a mobile app.
- ProRealTime provides a complete ecosystem, from mobile app to desktop software, with a web platform in between. It includes tick-by-tick data feeds with direct exchange connections, a wide range of indicators and drawing tools, and advanced trading features.
Unlike LYNX, ProRealTime offers a free and unlimited demo account. You can test the platforms before making any commitment. A valuable opportunity to assess the quality of its data feeds and tools first-hand.
ProRealTime dominates when it comes to platform and user experience. The quality of its data feeds, the depth of its charting tools, and the availability of a free demo account place it clearly ahead.
As a web platform, LYNX+ is a solid offering, with a customisable interface and analysis tools. However, while TWS is a very comprehensive piece of software, it’s often considered too dense and unintuitive.
4. Customer Support and Security
Comparison criterion: we evaluate the educational resources, research tools, customer service, and reliability of each provider to determine which broker best supports your trading activity.
| ProRealTime | LYNX | |
|---|---|---|
| Educational content | ✅ (tutorials, webinars) | ✅ (guides, videos) |
| Customer support | Dedicated French-speaking account manager with direct phone line | Email & phone (Mon–Fri 8:30am–6:00pm) |
| Regulation | ACPR (no. 51991) + partner broker regulation (IB Ireland) | ACPR (LYNX BV no. 26882) + partner broker regulation (IB Ireland) |
| Fund security | Guaranteed by the partner broker (e.g. IB Ireland: maximum coverage of €20,000) | Guaranteed by IB Ireland for maximum coverage of €20,000 |
| Asset segregation | ✅ | ✅ |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
Both solutions stand out from large international platforms by offering French-speaking customer support. This is one of their shared advantages over Interactive Brokers directly, whose support is primarily in English.
ProRealTime assigns each user a dedicated account manager, reachable for any technical, commercial, or administrative question, with the option to share your screen. Its Trustpilot rating of 4.8/5 reflects strong user satisfaction.
LYNX offers phone and email support during business hours, with the option to share your screen via TeamViewer for more in-depth assistance. Its rating of 4.2/5 remains excellent, although the number of reviews is limited.
In terms of security, both providers operate within a solid regulatory framework, and your funds are guaranteed by their partner brokers.
ProRealTime wins thanks to its dedicated account manager and significantly higher customer satisfaction.
5. Mobile App Experience
Comparison criterion: we evaluate each provider’s mobile app in terms of features, ease of use, and consistency with the desktop version.
| ProRealTime Mobile | LYNX (mobile app) | |
|---|---|---|
| Design & usability | 4 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Availability | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Charts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Order execution | ✅ | ✅ |
| Price alerts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced charting | ✅ | ✅ |
ProRealTime Mobile is a natural extension of the ProRealTime ecosystem. Available free on the App Store and Google Play, it provides access to the key features of the Web version: charts with indicators, order execution, and price alerts.
The LYNX mobile app offers similar functionality: portfolio tracking, order execution, and chart analysis. It’s functional, but its UX falls short compared to ProRealTime Mobile.
ProRealTime Mobile wins thanks to its interface design and usability.
ProRealTime Wins the ProRealTime vs LYNX Match-up
Each solution has its strengths.
LYNX can be a solid choice for traders who want a single broker with French-speaking customer support and an intuitive web interface, without paying for a third-party platform subscription. However, its minimum commissions remain high for small-value orders.
ProRealTime stands out as the most comprehensive and high-performance trading ecosystem for active traders. The ability to choose your broker, a dedicated French-speaking account manager, the quality of the data feeds, the depth of the charting tools, and the free unlimited demo account are genuine day-to-day advantages.
On top of that, the subscription discount system makes ProRealTime more cost-effective than LYNX overall.
FAQ
Should you choose ProRealTime or LYNX as a beginner?
Both solutions are geared towards intermediate and advanced traders. For beginners, ProRealTime is more accessible thanks to its free, unlimited demo account, ideal for learning without risk. ProRealTime Complete is also easier to navigate than Trader Workstation (TWS) offered by LYNX, which is widely regarded as dense and unintuitive, even for experienced traders.
ProRealTime vs LYNX: which is the cheaper option?
For active traders, ProRealTime is generally less expensive: minimum commissions are lower than LYNX’s, and the platform subscription can be fully offset by discounts earned on each trade. For less active traders or those placing large-value orders, LYNX can be competitive thanks to the absence of a platform subscription. Analyse your own trading frequency before deciding.
Is ProRealTime a broker?
No, ProRealTime is not a broker. It’s an independent trading platform registered with the ACPR (French financial regulator). Its ProRealTime Trading offer combines the platform with brokerage services from its partners: Interactive Brokers, Saxo, and IG France.
Does LYNX offer a demo account?
No, LYNX does not offer a demo account before opening a live account. You can only create a simulation account after opening your brokerage account. ProRealTime, by contrast, offers a free and unlimited demo account.
What is the difference between LYNX and ProRealTime?
LYNX is an introducing broker for Interactive Brokers: it transmits your orders to IBKR for execution and offers its own platforms (LYNX+ and TWS).
ProRealTime is an independent trading platform that partners with brokers (including IBKR) to offer a 2-in-1 package combining its trading platforms with the brokerage infrastructure of an established broker.
Does LYNX offer a PEA?
No, LYNX does not offer a PEA (French tax-advantaged equity account). For this type of account, you’ll need to look at another broker. ProRealTime, through Interactive Brokers, does allow you to open a PEA.
Maxime holds two master’s degrees from the SKEMA Business School and FFBC. As founder and editor-in-chief of NewTrading.fr, he writes daily about financial trading.
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