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Interactive Brokers Review: The Platform for Serious Investors

Review Updated
Alice Hoekstra
Author: Alice Hoekstra
Alice Hoekstra
Alice Hoekstra

Alice is a former content strategist for Motley Fool Money, where she worked full-time for almost five years. Throughout her five years at The Motley Fool, Alice worked on content across a wide range of financial topics, including credit cards, brokerages, banks, mortgages, personal loans, and auto insurance, helping readers make informed decisions with confidence.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
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Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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Interactive Brokers is a big name in the trading world, loved by active traders, international investors, and anyone who likes saving money on fees. With tons of investment options, low costs, and high-tech tools, it's like a playground for serious investors. But is it your match? I'll break down the pros and cons to help you decide if it fits your style.

Interactive Brokers
Learn More for Interactive Brokers

On Interactive Brokers' Secure Website.

Ratings Methodology
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Our Rating:

4.5/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Bottom Line

A great low-cost option for serious investors. While the interface isn't as clean or modern as that of other brokers, it gets the job done. Interactive Brokers is also a great choice for options investors, traders, and those trading on margin.

Fees:

As low as $0 stock trades

Account Minimum:

$0

Learn More for Interactive Brokers

On Interactive Brokers' Secure Website.

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

At Motley Fool Money, brokerages are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on fees, available assets, and user experience; however, we also take into account features like research, education, tax-loss harvesting, and customer service. Our highest-rated brokerages generally include low fees, a diverse range of assets and account types, and useful platform features.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring brokerages from reputable brands. Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates brokerage accounts.

Who should consider Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers is best for active traders needing advanced tools and investors seeking access to global markets. With access to 150 markets, industry-leading tools, and low fees, it's the ideal trading platform for investors ready to take their trading to the next level. Whether you're managing complex strategies, exploring international opportunities, or minimizing costs, Interactive Brokers offers the resources and flexibility to support your goals.

What I like about Interactive Brokers

Access to global markets

Interactive Brokers lets you trade in over 150 markets across more than 30 countries. You can also use 23 different currencies, making it one of the best brokers for international trading. If you're dreaming of going global with your investments, Interactive Brokers is a no-brainer.

Advanced trading tools

Interactive Brokers' tools aren't just fancy -- they're built for power users. Their Trader Workstation (TWS), available with Interactive Brokers Pro, is a desktop platform packed with features like:

  • Live quotes and advanced charts
  • Custom scanners
  • Risk management tools
  • Automation options for complex strategies

This platform also offers access to premium news feeds, analyst reports, and top-notch educational content. It's like the Swiss Army knife of trading platforms.

These features are also available on the Interactive Brokers app, making it an ideal brokerage app for advanced traders.

Fractional shares, including international stocks

You can buy fractional shares with Interactive Brokers, which is great if you want a piece of expensive stocks without breaking the bank. For U.S. stocks, there are no commissions, so you get to keep more of your gains. You can also grab fractional shares of Canadian and European stocks -- a feature not available at many brokerages.

Alternatives to Consider

We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2025.

Broker Best For Commissions Learn More
Logo for Fidelity
5.0/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Full-service investing at every experience level $0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****.
Learn More for Fidelity

On Fidelity's Secure Website.

Logo for SoFi Active Investing
4.5/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Managing your finances under one roof $0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing

On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website.

Logo for Robinhood
4.5/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Low fees on stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options $0 for stocks, ETFs, and options
Learn More for Robinhood

On Robinhood's Secure Website.

Downsides you should consider

Complex platform

Interactive Brokers has all the bells and whistles, but it's not user-friendly for beginners. The tools and features can feel overwhelming, and there's a steep learning curve. If you're new or want something simple, this might not be your jam.

For a list of our experts' top-rated beginner platforms, go to our guides:

IBKR Lite vs. Pro

Interactive Brokers has two main plans:

  • IBKR Lite: Easy, free U.S. stock trades, fewer tools, and no inactivity fees. Great for casual traders who like to keep things simple.
  • IBKR Pro: Built for hardcore traders. It costs a little more, but includes advanced tools and lower options rates.

If you're all about saving money and don't need extra tools, Lite is a good choice. But if you're a power trader, Pro has everything you'll need.

Fees and pricing

Interactive Brokers Lite offers $0 commissions for U.S. stocks and ETFs -- same as most competitors. Options contracts are a flat fee of $0.65 per contract, which is also on par with the competition.

Interactive Brokers Pro has low commissions on U.S. stocks and ETFs. It also has tiered pricing, starting at $0.15 per options contract (that's super cheap).

How to open an IBKR account

Opening an IBKR account is simple, and only takes a couple minutes. Just follow these steps:

  1. Click here to go to the Interactive Brokers website.
  2. Fill out the application, including personal and financial information.
  3. Fund your new account.
  4. Start investing!

Final thoughts

Interactive Brokers is the ultimate toolkit for serious traders and global investors. The low fees are a win, but it's not the best option for beginners or those who just want to set it and forget it. But if you're ready to level up to a trading platform that's an investing powerhouse, Interactive Brokers is a great pick. Click here to open an account today.

FAQs

  • Not really. Interactive Brokers is complex, with a steep learning curve. It's better suited for intermediate to advanced investors.

  • Yes, commission-free trading is available for U.S. stocks and ETFs on the IBKR Lite plan.

  • IBKR has a transparent pricing structure with tiered and fixed-rate options. U.S. stock trades are commission-free on IBKR Lite.

  • Absolutely. IBKR provides access to over 150 markets in over 30 countries, making it a top choice for global investors.