Interactive Brokers Broker Review 2025

Last Updated: January 2025

9 / 10

Overall Rating

10 / 10

Investment Offering

10 / 10

Trading Platforms

8 / 10

Deposit & Withdrawal

8 / 10

Research & Education

9 / 10

Commissions & Fees

10 / 10

Regulation & Security

Investment Offering

Range of Markets and Instruments:

Interactive Brokers provides access to over 150 markets across 33 countries, allowing clients to trade a diverse array of instruments, including:

  • Stocks: Access to major global exchanges such as NYSE, NASDAQ, LSE, and TSE.
  • ETFs: A wide selection of ETFs from various markets.
  • Options and Futures: Comprehensive options and futures trading on multiple asset classes.
  • Forex: Trading in numerous currency pairs.
  • Commodities: Including metals and energy products.
  • Fixed Income: Access to a broad range of bonds and fixed-income products.

Trading Methods and Leverage:

  • Spot Trading: Available for equities, forex, and other instruments.
  • CFDs: Contracts for Difference are available on various asset classes.
  • Leverage: Leverage ratios vary by instrument and regulatory jurisdiction. For example, forex trading may offer leverage up to 50:1, while equities may offer lower leverage.

Standout Features:

  • IBKR GlobalAnalyst: A tool that helps investors identify investment opportunities worldwide.
  • Impact Dashboard: Allows investors to align their portfolios with their values by selecting investments based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.

Advanced Trading Tools: Such as the Probability Lab and Risk Navigator for sophisticated risk assessment and strategy planning.

Commissions & Fees

Commission Structure:

Interactive Brokers operates on a transparent, low-commission model without added spreads, ticket charges, platform fees, or account minimums.

Examples of Commissions and Fees:

  • Stocks and ETFs:
    • Fixed Pricing: $0.005 per share with a minimum of $1 per order.
    • Tiered Pricing: Starts at $0.0035 per share, decreasing with higher volumes.
  • Options:
    • US Options: $0.65 per contract with no base fee.
    • European Options: €1.50 per contract.
  • Futures:
    • US Futures: $0.85 per contract.
    • European Futures: €2.00 per contract.
  • Forex: Spreads as low as 0.1 pips with a commission of 0.20 basis points times the trade value.

Additional Fees:

  • Inactivity Fee: No inactivity fees are charged.
  • Withdrawal Fees: One free withdrawal per month; subsequent withdrawals may incur fees (e.g., $10 for a second ACH withdrawal).
  • Market Data Fees: Vary based on the exchanges and data packages selected.

Fee Summary by Region:

Region

Stock Commission (per share)

Options (per contract)

Futures (per contract)

Forex Commission

United States

$0.005

$0.65

$0.85

0.20 basis points

Europe

€0.005

€1.50

€2.00

0.20 basis points

Asia

HKD 0.03

HKD 15

HKD 20

0.20 basis points

Note: Fees are subject to change; please refer to Interactive Brokers' official website for the most current information.

Deposit & Withdrawal

  • Supported Methods:
    • Deposits: Bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and PayPal (varies by region).
    • Withdrawals: Bank transfer, typically the same method used for deposit.
  • Minimum Deposit:
    • No strict minimum deposit, though £100 is recommended to start trading.
  • Processing Times:
    • Deposits: Instant via cards/PayPal, 1-3 days for bank transfers.
    • Withdrawals: Processed within 1-3 business days.
  • Conditions:
    • Withdrawals to cards are typically free, while some bank transfers may incur third-party charges.

Trading Platforms

Trader Workstation (TWS)

  • Overview: A highly advanced desktop platform targeting professional and institutional traders.

  • Key Features: Advanced charting tools, over 100 technical indicators, options strategy labs, and market scanners.

  • Advanced Tools: Risk Navigator for real-time portfolio risk analysis.

  • User Experience: Intuitive for experienced traders; steep learning curve for beginners.

IBKR Client Portal

  • Overview: A web-based platform for casual and intermediate traders.

  • Key Features: Simplified interface for account management and basic trading.

  • User Experience: Easy to navigate with essential tools for tracking portfolio performance.

IBKR Mobile

  • Overview: A mobile trading app for iOS and Android.

  • Key Features: Full access to trading, notifications, and research tools.

  • User Experience: Robust and reliable; functionality matches desktop offerings.

API & Integrations

  • Overview: Aimed at developers and algorithmic traders.

  • Key Features: Supports custom strategies and third-party platform integration.

Comparison Table:

Platform

Device

Best Features

User Level

Best For

TWS

Desktop

Advanced charting, algo trading, risk analysis

Advanced/Pro

Options, futures, algo traders

Client Portal

Web

Simplicity, account management

Beginner/Intermediate

Long-term investors, account managers

IBKR Mobile

iOS/Android

On-the-go trading, robust notifications

All Levels

Active traders

API Integration

Custom

Bespoke solutions, algorithmic trading

Developers/Institutions

 Algo traders, quant professionals

Research & Education

Educational Resources:

  • Beginner: Tutorials, trading basics, and platform guides.
  • Advanced: Strategy guides, webinars, and interactive courses.
  • Interactive Learning: Live webinars and Q&A sessions for real-time engagement.
  • Certification Programs: Options available for structured learning.

Research Tools:

  • Market Analysis: In-depth reports, technical setups, and macroeconomic analysis.
  • News Integration: Reuters and Dow Jones feeds.
  • Screeners: Advanced filters for stocks, ETFs, and forex.

User Experience: Materials are easily accessible and highly detailed.

Regulation & Security

Regulatory Oversight: Licensed by multiple top-tier regulators, including:

  • FCA (UK)
  • SEC & FINRA (US)
  • ASIC (Australia)
  • MAS (Singapore)

Investor Protection:

  • Funds are held in segregated accounts.
  • Coverage varies by region (e.g., $500,000 SIPC protection in the US).

Security Features: Two-factor authentication, encryption, and biometric login.