Interactive Brokers Review 2024

Who is Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers, also known as IB or IBKR, started doing business back in 1977 and are one of the largest brokers worldwide who are under strict regulation in most markets (which is good for their customers), with i.e. US clients eligible for investor protection up to $500,000.

Apart from the US, Interactive Brokers also have branches in other parts of the world such as Hungary & Ireland (serving EU-based customers), Hong Kong, Singapore, Australasia, and more.

Interactive Brokers are listed on NASDAQ (symbol: IBKR) and offer either no or very low commissions, very low margin rates, many order types, great trade executions and provide access to 150 markets in 33 countries: Stocks, futures, forex, crypto, options, etc.

Pros

• Global Broker with access to most markets and trading vehicles
• No or very low commissions. Commissions for US stocks start from just USD 0.005 per share and most European stocks are just €3 fixed per trade while in the UK it’s £3.
• Very low margin rates: IB offers the lowest margin loan interest rates of any broker, according to a StockBrokers online broker review. Low margin rates are important if you engage in shortselling.
• Gives access to 24/7 trading for many popular US stocks & ETFs meaning that traders far from the US can trade the liquid US market around the clock.
• Both simple and advanced order types
• Advanced API
• Trade through IB directly on a chart via vendors such as our partner TradingView
• Didn’t use to be easy but today it’s easy to open an IB account online or through one of their mobile apps. And approvals are prompt.
• No Minimum Deposits: There is no minimum deposit needed to open an account.
• No Custody Fees: There is no custody fee for overnight or long-term investments.
• Earn Interest:
  • Via an opt-in program, it’s possible to earn interest on fully paid shares lent out to short sellers.
  • On idle cash balances. Per January 19, 2024 it’s possible to get up to 4.83% interest on uninvested USD balances.
• Customer Service is available 24/7 in several languages via both phone, in-app messaging and chat.
• Their trading platforms offer features to meet the needs of both the occasional investor and active trader with both simple and complex, very powerful trading tools.

Cons

• While their mobile apps are updated, intuitive, and easy to use, their desktop trading platform is less intuitive and dated in its look and feel.
• Support via messages (support tickets) is generally slow. Tip: Use their Chat instead.

Conclusion