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Interactive Brokers Review 2024

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Interactive Brokers Review 2024
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Investing and trading in financial markets such as the stock exchange, forex, digital currencies in the form of spot or with leverage face a high inherent risk. According to the statistics of all exchanges and brokers, more than 75% of people lose!

Overview
Company:Interactive Brokers
Founded:Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
Min Deposit:1
Max Leverage:1000
Headquarter:Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
US Accepted:
About
Interactive Brokers is a well-regulated brokerage offering access to over 150 markets, including stocks, ETFs, and forex, with low commissions and advanced trading platforms. However, it lacks popular payment methods, bonuses, and promotional offers, with mixed customer reviews and mediocre trust scores.
Contact
One Pickwick Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830 USA
Rank and Score
Pros and Cons
Account Types
Platforms
Pros
Advanced Trading Platforms With Powerful Tools
Wide Range Of Tradable Assets Beyond Forex
Access To Global Markets
Strong Regulatory Oversight
Low Commissions And Tight Spreads
Cons
Customer Service Can Be Hit Or Miss
Limitations in Payment Methods
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers review with pros & cons and features in detail

Interactive Brokers is one of the oldest brokerages, with over 2,900,000 client accounts and thousands of trading symbols. This company provides more than 150 trading markets in stocks, ETFs, indices, etc.

To read more about IBKR and see if it is the right brokerage for you, read the rest of this comprehensive Interactive Brokers review.

Company Information & Regulation

Interactive Brokers, headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA, has grown from humble beginnings to become a name in the brokerage industry.

Founded by Thomas Peterffy in 1977, the company initially operated under the name T.P. & Co. before rebranding to Timber Hill Inc. in 1982.

Today, Interactive Brokers boasts operations in 34 countries, dealing in 27 currencies, and serving over 2.6 million institutional and individual brokerage customers.

In terms of regulation, Interactive Brokers is overseen by top-tier financial authorities worldwide, ensuring a high level of security and trustworthiness for its clients. Key regulators:

  • The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
  • The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
  • New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • Various international regulatory bodies in the countries where it operates

Summary of Key Specifics

Brokerages operate based on a set of common specifics with different parameters in the industry. In the table below, we will look at the specifications on Interactive Brokers:

Broker

Interactive Brokers

Account Types

Individual, Joint, Trust, Retirement, Institutional, Non-Professional Advisor

Regulating Authorities

SEC, FINRA, NYSE, FCA, etc.

Based Currencies

USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CZK, CHF, CNH, CAD, etc.

Minimum Deposit

$1

Deposit Methods

Bank Transfer, Check

Withdrawal Methods

Bank Transfer, Check

Minimum Order

0.01 lot

Maximum Leverage

1:1000

Investment Options

None

Trading Platforms & Apps

Proprietary

Markets

Forex, Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, US Spot Gold, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Hedge Funds

Spread

Variable from 0

Commission

Variable from 0

Orders Execution

Instant

Margin Call/Stop Out

Varies

Trading Features

Options Trading

Affiliate Program

Yes

Bonus & Promotions

No

Islamic Account

No

PAMM Account

No

Customer Support Ways

Ticket , Live Chat, Phone Support

Customer Support Hours

24/6

Trading Account Types + Comparison

Interactive Brokers offers a range of account types to suit different trader profiles with various purposes. Let's have a look at each account type below:

  • Individual: Ideal for personal trading and investing
  • Joint: Suitable for couples or partners who want to invest together.
  • Retirement: For retirement savings with tax advantages.
  • Trust: Designed for estate planning and wealth management.
  • Institutional: For businesses and institutions.
  • Non-Professional Advisor: For trading as a master for copy traders

In addition to these real-money accounts, Interactive Brokers provides a robust demo account option, which is invaluable for both beginners and experienced traders.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Interactive Brokers offers a compelling package for traders, but like any broker, it comes with its own set of pros and cons:

Disadvantages

Advantages

Customer Service Can Be Hit Or Miss

Low Commissions And Tight Spreads

Limitations in Payment Methods

Wide Range Of Tradable Assets Beyond Forex

-

Strong Regulatory Oversight

-

Access To Global Markets

-

Advanced Trading Platforms With Powerful Tools

Trading Platforms Overview

Interactive brokers IBKR Mobile
IBKR Mobile, one of the trading platforms for Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers offers a suite of powerful trading platforms designed to provide traders with comprehensive services. Here's an overview of their main platforms

  • Trader Workstation (TWS): Flagship desktop platform with advanced charting and analytical tools and a Customizable workspace
  • IBKR Mobile: Real-time quotes and charts for trading on-the-go
  • Client Portal: Web-based platform with basic trading and account management features
  • IBKR APIs: For developers and algorithmic traders

This broker provides much more variety in trading platforms than most other brokers. You can download IBKR Mobile for your device from the links below:

Spreads and Commissions: Does Interactive Brokers Charge Fair Fees?

In this section, we will take a look at The broker's fees for trading and other operations done by the clients. Spreads and Commissions in Interactive Brokers:

  • Spreads: As low as 0.1 pips, with no hidden markups
  • Commissions: Starting from $0, depending on the asset or symbol

Regarding withdrawal fees, you can only withdraw your funds for free once per month. For more frequent withdrawals, a commission will be paid. There are no additional exchange or regulatory fees. Also, no hidden costs were seen.

Deposit & Withdrawal Methods

Interactive Brokers offers several methods for funding your account and withdrawing funds. However, it does not support some popular options. Payment Methods on Interactive Brokers:

  • Wire Transfer
  • Direct Bank Transfer (ACH, SEPA, BACS)
  • Check Deposits

As mentioned, the brokerage does not support payments via e-wallets or credit/debit cards, which can be disappointing for some traders.

Copy Trading & Investment Options Offered on Interactive Brokers

As of the last update, the company does not offer a dedicated copy trading feature. In fact, Interactive Brokers focuses mainly on providing trading services in various markets. Therefore, you cannot find any investment options in this broker.

Which Markets & Symbols Are Available?

Vast range of tradable symbols is one of the most notable benefits in Interactive Brokers. Let's take a brief look at the offered trading products in the list below:

  • Forex: Over 100 currency pairs
  • Stocks: Access to 90+ global exchanges
  • ETFs: Thousands of ETFs from multiple markets
  • Options: On stocks, indexes, and futures
  • Futures: Commodities, indexes, currencies
  • US Spot Gold: Trade gold like a currency
  • Bonds: Government, corporate, municipal
  • Mutual Funds: Access to thousands of funds
  • Hedge Funds: For accredited investors

This diverse offering allows traders to build well-rounded portfolios and take advantage of opportunities across multiple asset classes.

Does Interactive Brokers Offer Any Bonuses and Promotions?

As per our latest investigations on the website, this brokerage does not currently provide any bonuses or promotional offerings to its clients. However, keep in mind that this might change in the future.

Therefore, check the official resources and channels for any changes in this regard.

Support Contact Methods and Working Hours

Customer support service is one of the most critical parts in every broker. Interactive Brokers provides comprehensive support services with various contact methods:

  • Phone Call: Different call centers for different regions, numbers available on the website
  • Ticket: Via the official website
  • Live Chat: Available on the website

Based on our investigations, the company provides 24/6 support services. However, hours might vary based on the region of the call center.

IB List of Restricted Countries

Interactive Brokers Restricted Countries
Countries and regions that are restricted from Interactive Brokers' services

Interactive Broker operates globally, but service availability may vary by region. While they don't publicly list restricted countries, certain limitations may apply based on:

  • Local regulations
  • International sanctions
  • IBKR's internal policies

As per our investigations, this brokerage does not offer its services to these countries:

  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Syria
  • North Korea
  • Cuba
  • Libya
  • Sudan

It's best to consult IBKR's website or contact their support for the most up-to-date information regarding service availability in your area.

Trust Scores & Reviews

Interactive Brokers generally receives mediocre trust scores from industry evaluators and users alike on review websites such as Trustpilot. In this section, we will investigate scores on two resources in detail:

Interactive Brokers on trustpilot
Interactive Brokers' mediocre score on the Trustpilot website

Based on these scores, IB might not be the most reliable broker in the industry, and traders should proceed with caution.

Education Content

Interactive Brokers offers a decent educational platform called IBKR Campus. This section covers various resources and content, including:

  • Traders' Academy: Online courses on various trading topics
  • Traders' Insight: Market commentary and financial news
  • IBKR Quant: Resources for quantitative finance and programming
  • Webinars: Live and recorded presentations by financial professionals
  • IBKR Podcasts: Discussions on market trends and trading strategies
  • Traders' Glossary: A dictionary for terms and phrases related to the financial world
  • Traders' Calendar: An international trading calendar containing data about important events

Conclusion and final words

Interactive Brokers is a financial brokerage offering an impressive number of trading symbols in 150+ markets. This company is regulated by SEC, which is a well-established financial authority.

However, there are complaints about the broker's services, and the scores are not as high as they should be. Also, there's not a variety in account types similar to that of other brokers.

FAQs

What markets and trading products does Interactive Brokers offer?

The brokerage offers access to over 150 markets globally, including Forex (with over 100 currency pairs), stocks (on 90+ exchanges), ETFs, options, futures, US Spot Gold, bonds, mutual funds, and hedge funds.

What are the account types offered by Interactive Brokers?

This broker provides several account types, including individual, joint, retirement, trust, institutional, and non-professional advisor accounts. Additionally, a demo account is available for practice.

Does Interactive Brokers offer bonuses or promotions?

Currently, the company does not offer any bonuses or promotions.

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