Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is a Nasdaq-listed US broker with roots back to 1978, offering direct access to 150+ global markets at very low commissions.
Leveraged trading carries a high level of risk and you may lose all of your capital.
Key facts
- Trading platforms
- Trader Workstation (TWS)IBKR DesktopClient Portal (Web)IBKR MobileAPI
- Account types
- IBKR ProIBKR LiteIndividualJointInstitutional
- Instruments
- StocksOptionsFuturesForexBondsETFsFundsCrypto
- Deposit & withdrawal
- Bank Transfer
- Features
- Accepts IraniansPersian supportIslamic accountCopy tradingDemo account
Score breakdown
Each criterion is rated 0–5 by our editorial team.
- Trust & Regulation4.9
- Fees & Costs4.7
- Platform & UX4.5
- Deposit & Withdrawal3.8
- Support3.9
- Features & Range4.8
Full review
Interactive Brokers traces its roots to Thomas Peterffy's market-making activity in 1978 and is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Nasdaq-listed group is one of the world's largest electronic brokers by daily trades.
It is regulated in the US by the SEC, FINRA and CFTC/NFA, and elsewhere through entities overseen by the UK FCA, the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, MAS and others. Strict regulation and strong capitalisation place it among the safest brokers.
IBKR offers stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds and funds across 150+ markets via Trader Workstation, the newer IBKR Desktop, web, mobile and a powerful API. Forex is traded through IDEALPRO at interbank spreads plus 0.08–0.20 basis points commission.
There is no minimum deposit and funding is mainly by bank transfer. Paper trading is available, but residents of sanctioned countries, including Iran, are not accepted.
Last updated: Oct 6, 2026
Pros & cons
- Very strict regulation; publicly listed
- Access to 150+ global markets
- Very low commissions
- Professional platforms and API
- No minimum deposit
- TWS is complex for beginners
- No MetaTrader or copy trading
- Does not accept residents of Iran
- Funding mainly by bank transfer
Licences & regulation
Tier 1 means the strictest oversight.
| Regulator | Authority | Tier | Licence no. |
|---|---|---|---|
🇺🇸SEC U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | Tier 1 | — |
🇺🇸NFA National Futures Association | National Futures Association | Tier 1 | 0258600 |
🇬🇧FCA Financial Conduct Authority | Financial Conduct Authority | Tier 1 | 208159 |
🇮🇪CBI Central Bank of Ireland | Central Bank of Ireland | Tier 1 | — |
🇦🇺ASIC Australian Securities & Investments Commission | Australian Securities & Investments Commission | Tier 1 | 453554 |
🇸🇬MAS Monetary Authority of Singapore | Monetary Authority of Singapore | Tier 1 | — |
FINRA FINRA | FINRA | Tier 3 | — |
User reviews
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