Interactive Brokers
Professional-grade brokerage with the lowest commissions, global market access, and powerful Trader Workstation platform.
Quick Facts
- Starting Price
- Free
- Free Tier
- Yes
- Founded
- 1978
- Company
- Interactive Brokers Group Inc.
Interactive Brokers Overview
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the gold standard for professional and active traders, offering access to 150+ markets across 33 countries with some of the lowest commissions in the industry. The platform serves everyone from retail traders to hedge funds and institutions.
IBKR offers two account types: IBKR Lite provides commission-free US stock and ETF trades, while IBKR Pro offers lower per-share costs for high-volume traders (as low as $0.0005/share on the tiered plan). Options commissions range from $0.15 to $0.65 per contract depending on volume, and futures commissions are just $0.25-$0.85 per contract.
The Trader Workstation (TWS) desktop platform is powerful but complex, while the web portal and mobile app provide more accessible interfaces. IBKR also offers one of the best margin lending rates in the industry and supports a wide range of asset classes including stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, and mutual funds.
Interactive Brokers Pricing
IBKR Lite
- ✓ Commission-free US stocks/ETFs
- ✓ $0.65/contract options
- ✓ No account minimum
- ✓ Mobile + web access
IBKR Pro
- ✓ $0.005/share stocks (fixed)
- ✓ Volume discounts available
- ✓ $0.15-0.65/contract options
- ✓ Advanced order routing
- ✓ Trader Workstation
- ✓ API access
Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Lowest commissions in the industry for active traders
- + Access to 150+ markets in 33 countries
- + Excellent margin rates
- + Powerful API for automated trading
Cons
- - Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
- - Platform can feel overwhelming for beginners
- - Customer support can be slow
Rating Breakdown
Overall Rating
Key Takeaways
- ✓ Lowest commissions in the industry for active traders
- ✓ Access to 150+ markets in 33 countries
- ✓ Excellent margin rates
- ✓ Powerful API for automated trading
- ★ Rated 4.6/5 — best for active traders, international traders, professional traders
- $ Free tier available
Summary
Professional-grade brokerage with the lowest commissions, global market access, and powerful Trader Workstation platform. Interactive Brokers offers a free tier. Best suited for active traders, international traders, and professional traders.
Interactive Brokers Guides
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Interactive Brokers Rankings
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