Trader Workstation has a notoriously steep learning curve
Customer service is functional but not high-touch
Margin/financing rates are best in industry — but credit checks rigorous
Interactive Brokers review summary
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the world’s largest electronic brokerage by daily average revenue trades, founded in 1978 by Thomas Peterffy. It is publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker IBKR) with a market cap in the tens of billions and 1.5 million+ active accounts.
IBKR’s value proposition is institutional infrastructure at retail prices: 150+ markets across 33 countries, 100+ order types, the lowest margin financing rates in the industry, and an API used by serious algorithmic and quant traders globally.
The user experience is famously technical — Trader Workstation (TWS) has hundreds of features but a steep learning curve. IBKR Mobile and IBKR GlobalTrader are simpler alternatives for less active users.
Where to trade
IBKR is the strongest choice for active traders + investors who want a single global account for stocks, options, futures, bonds, and FX. The trade-off is platform complexity. Pure FX scalpers should still prefer IC Markets or Pepperstone for simpler execution.
Interactive Brokers — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Interactive Brokers regulated and safe?
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC/FINRA, FCA, ASIC, MAS, FSA Japan, SFC HK, CySEC, BaFin. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at tier-1 banks and the broker operates under active financial-services licenses. Verify each license number on the regulator's official website before opening an account.
What is the minimum deposit at Interactive Brokers?
The minimum deposit at Interactive Brokers is $0 (no minimum). Most account types accept this minimum; premium tiers may require higher deposits — see the account-types table above.
What are the typical spreads at Interactive Brokers?
Spreads at Interactive Brokers start from 0.1 pips + $2/lot (Pro) / IBKR Lite (commission-free US stocks). Actual spreads vary by account type, instrument, time of day, and market volatility. Raw/ECN accounts add a per-lot commission on top of the tighter spread.
What trading platforms does Interactive Brokers offer?
Interactive Brokers supports: Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, IBKR GlobalTrader, API. MT4 / MT5 are the industry standards; cTrader is preferred for ECN execution; proprietary platforms offer broker-specific tools but less third-party compatibility.
What is the maximum leverage at Interactive Brokers?
Maximum leverage at Interactive Brokers: Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:50 (US) / 1:400 (Pro). EU retail clients are capped at 1:30 by ESMA rules regardless of broker policy. Professional clients and offshore-entity clients can access higher leverage subject to qualification.
Who is Interactive Brokers best suited for?
Active traders, professional clients, and serious investors wanting institutional-grade execution across all asset classes.