This 2025 review of Interactive Brokers (IBKR) covers everything from commissions and platform tools to account types and regulatory oversight, helping traders decide whether IBKR is the right broker for their needs.
Founded in 1978 and headquartered in the United States, Interactive Brokers is a global brokerage firm serving over 3 million clients in more than 200 countries. Known for its advanced trading technology and ultra-low fees, IBKR caters primarily to active traders and institutional investors.
The broker is regulated by top-tier authorities, including the United States' Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and several others.
With one of the largest offerings in the industry and access to more than 150 markets globally, IBKR supports trading across multiple asset classes, including stocks, options, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies.
Interactive Brokers Overview
Interactive Brokers Overview
Interactive Brokers
- Minimum Deposit$0
- SpreadLow
- Trading FeeVaries
- Deposit FeeFree
- Withdrawal FeeFree
- Account Opening24-48 hours
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Access to 150+ global markets across 33 countries
- Low-cost trading with commission-free options for US stocks
- Strong regulatory oversight from Tier 1 authorities
- Publicly listed on the NASDAQ
- Advanced trading tools and robust platform features
- Wide array of account types to cater to different investor profiles
Cons
- Steep learning curve for Trader Workstation (TWS)
- Limited educational resources for beginners
- Only one free withdrawal per month
- Withdrawals are slow and only processed on business days
- No support for local payment methods in some regions
- Incompatible with popular third-party trading platforms
Account Types
Account Types
Interactive Brokers offers a wide range of account types tailored to different user groups:
- Individual, Joint, Trust, IRA, UGMA/UTMA Accounts
- Non-Professional Advisor Accounts
- Family Office Accounts
- Small Business Accounts
- Advisor Accounts
- Money Manager Accounts
- Broker and FCM Accounts
- Proprietary Trading Group Accounts
- Hedge Funds and Mutual Fund Accounts
- Compliance Officers
- Administrators
- Institutional Hedge Fund Investors
Spreads, commissions, and available leverage levels vary across account types. No minimum deposit is required across all account types. Additionally, the broker also offers demo accounts for practice.
Interactive Brokers Fees, Spreads, and Commissions
Interactive Brokers Fees, Spreads, and Commissions
Trading Fees
Interactive Brokers offers one of the most competitive pricing structures in the industry. Clients can choose between two pricing plans: IBKR Lite, which offers commission-free trades on US-listed stocks and ETFs (for US residents), or IBKR Pro, which features a tiered or fixed pricing model suited for high-volume and professional traders.
Forex and futures trading follow a volume-based commission structure, ensuring transparency and potentially lower costs for active users. Spreads remain very tight across all accounts. The broker is transparent with its fee structure, with no charges for account maintenance or inactivity.
Deposit, Withdrawal, and Other Account Fees
Interactive Brokers does not charge a fee for deposits. However, only the first withdrawal of the calendar month is free, with subsequent withdrawals incurring a small fee. Accounts are denominated in USD, and a modest fee is applied when converting from a different base currency.
Trading Platforms Available on Interactive Brokers
Trading Platforms Available on Interactive Brokers
Although Interactive Brokers does not support popular third-party trading platforms, investors can gain access to their API and a wide array of proprietary platforms, such as:
- IBKR GlobalTrader
- Client Portal
- IBKR Mobile
- TWS
- IBKR EventTrader
- IMPACT
TWS is IBKR's flagship platform offering comprehensive tools for analysis, order management, and portfolio monitoring. While powerful, it is not beginner-friendly. The mobile app and Client Portal provide streamlined functionality for less experienced users.
IBKR stands out for offering several advanced features that enhance trading flexibility and portfolio insight. Unique features include Overnight Trading, which allows users to trade over 10,000 US stocks and ETFs nearly 24 hours a day during weekdays.
The PortfolioAnalyst tool offers in-depth performance analytics across multiple accounts and asset classes, while Fundamentals Explorer provides comprehensive data on financials, ratings, and analyst forecasts.
Lastly, the Options Wizard helps traders visualize and build options strategies based on market outlooks and risk profiles—an intuitive feature for options beginners and pros alike.
| Trading Platforms | Availability |
|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | |
| MetaTrader 5 | |
| cTrader | |
| TradingView | |
| NinjaTrader | |
| Proprietary Platform | |
| Mobile App |
Assets You Can Trade on Interactive Brokers
Assets You Can Trade on Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers offers one of the broadest selections in retail brokerage, providing access to over 150 markets and more than a million individual instruments across various asset classes. Investors can easily diversify their portfolio using a single account. IBKR also supports fractional share trading, lowering the barrier to entry for investors.
*Comparison between CFD brokers only
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COMPARE BROKERSDeposit and Withdrawal
Deposit and Withdrawal
Funding Methods
Funding Methods
Interactive Brokers supports funding through:
- Debit / Credit Card
Interactive Brokers supports funding through bank transfer and debit/credit cards. As mentioned previously, the first withdrawal of the calendar month is free, but a small fee will be charged for subsequent withdrawals. Deposits and withdrawals are slow, typically taking 1-3 business days. No minimum deposit is required.
Educational Resources & Research Tools on Interactive Brokers
Educational Resources & Research Tools on Interactive Brokers
Research Tools
Interactive Brokers offers a comprehensive suite of research tools designed to support informed trading decisions across all experience levels. The broker provides access to real-time news feeds, fundamental and technical analysis, and screeners to help users filter and evaluate investment opportunities.
Notable proprietary tools include the Risk Navigator for portfolio risk assessment, the Probability Lab for options strategy simulation, Portfolio Builder for creating and testing investment models, and IBKR GlobalTrader for simplified multi-asset access.
These tools are particularly valuable for advanced traders seeking to conduct in-depth analysis within a single platform.
Educational Resources
Interactive Brokers’ main offering is the IBKR Campus—an online portal that hosts a variety of learning materials. This includes:
- Articles
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Webinars
- Short courses
The educational material covers everything from platform navigation to options strategies.
While the range of topics is broad, the platform lacks a structured learning path specifically tailored to beginners. As such, novice traders may need to supplement their learning with external resources. Nonetheless, the educational materials are robust for self-directed learners who prefer flexibility and depth.
Interactive Brokers Customer Support
Interactive Brokers Customer Support
Support Channels
Support is available 24 hours a day, five days a week through:
- Live chat
- Phone
The broker also features a secure message center within its Client Portal for handling account-specific inquiries securely.
Language Support
Support spans several major languages, including English, Chinese, and Spanish, making it accessible to a global audience. While most users report that live chat is responsive and helpful during market hours, others have noted occasional delays, especially when contacting support via email.
Safety and Regulations
Safety and Regulations
Interactive Brokers is widely regarded as one of the safest and most transparent brokers in the industry. It is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including:
- SEC
- CFTC
- FCA
- Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC)
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
As a publicly listed company on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ‘IBKR’, it is subject to stringent financial reporting requirements and regulatory scrutiny. Client funds are maintained in segregated accounts, and eligible US customers are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), with additional insurance coverage provided through Lloyd’s of London.
IBKR also implements negative balance protection and segregated client funds to enhance investors’ safety. These layers of oversight and protection contribute to its strong reputation for safety and compliance across global markets.
User Experience and Interface
User Experience and Interface
Desktop Navigation and Performance
Interactive Brokers delivers a feature-rich user experience that caters primarily to seasoned and institutional traders. Its flagship platform, TWS, offers exceptional depth with tools for algorithmic trading, advanced charting, risk analysis, and order management.
However, the platform comes with a steep learning curve, and its interface may overwhelm less experienced users due to the dense layout and complex configuration options.
For casual investors and those new to trading, the IBKR Client Portal provides a simplified web interface that supports basic trading, account management, and portfolio monitoring.
Mobile Navigation and Performance
The IBKR Mobile app is robust and well-optimized for trading on the go, offering custom watchlists, real-time notifications, and intuitive navigation. The app is intuitively designed, and it supports:
- Biometric login
- Two-factor authentication
- Real-time news feeds
- Visual P&L tracking
- Advanced research tools.
While IBKR excels in performance, stability, and customization, its platforms may not suit beginners seeking simplicity or immediate ease of use.
Final Verdict
Final Verdict
Interactive Brokers stands out for its extensive market access, low fees, and institutional-grade platforms. It’s best suited for active and professional traders who value performance and customisation. Beginners may find the learning curve steep and should consider starting with IBKR Lite or alternative platforms with simpler interfaces.