Interactive Brokers
The gold standard for active and professional traders. Unbeatable margin rates, global market access, and institutional-grade tools.
Score Breakdown
Six dimensions assessed across a 15-year investment horizon.
Protection & Custody
Investor Protection
SIPC + Lloyd's of London
$500,000 (SIPC) + $30M (Lloyd's)
Additional Lloyd's insurance covers up to $150M per account
Track Record
49+
Years in operation since 1977
Total Cost of Ownership
“Ultra-low cost for high-volume traders”
Commission
$0 (US stocks via IBKR Lite) / $0.0035/share (Pro)
Spread
Raw interbank spreads + small markup
Inactivity Fee
$0
Withdrawal Fee
$1 (ACH) / $10 (wire)
FX Conversion
0.002% (min $2)
Est. Monthly Cost
~$0–$5/month for casual traders
Order Flow & Execution
Does not receive PFOF for most order types
IBKR routes to SMART system seeking best execution. Pro clients can direct route. Options may involve small exchange rebates.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest margin rates in the industry
- Access to 150+ global markets
- Professional-grade Trader Workstation (TWS)
- No minimum deposit for IBKR Lite
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Customer service can be slow during peak hours
- Complex fee structure for pro accounts
The gold standard for active and professional traders. Unbeatable margin rates, global market access, and institutional-grade tools.