Interactive brokers review
Introduction of the broker Interactive brokers
Interactive Brokers is a US-based broker, specifically Interactive Brokers LLC, and has a rich history, having been founded in 1987. It operates for clients in the European Union (EU) under the operator Interactive Brokers Central Europe Zrt. based in Hungary and has a license from the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), which guarantees its regulation within the EU.
The broker offers a wide range of investment products, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, CFDs and even cryptocurrencies, allowing traders diverse investment options.
Various platforms are available for trading, including the TWS desktop platform, the Client Portal web interface and mobile apps, allowing access to the financial markets from a variety of devices.
Fees and payment methods
Interactive Brokers charges trading fees, although the amount may vary depending on the asset and market conditions. However, the broker does not charge fees for inactivity or withdrawals. Payment method is limited to bank transfer, and account currency can be selected from 22 available options, including USD, EUR and others.
The minimum deposit into the account is only 1 USD, and the minimum trade size is 0.0001 shares or 1 USD, which allows you to start trading with relatively low capital.
However, it should be noted that Interactive Brokers social trading. Overall, this is a broker that may be suitable for experienced traders who are looking for a wide range of products and advanced trading tools, and are willing to accept an English interface and limited payment methods.
Minimal deposti and W-8BEN form
Interactive Brokers offers a range of investor-friendly features, including no minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible to a wide range of investors.
The platform also supports multiple languages, allowing for a global reach. For new users and those who want to test the platform first, Interactive Brokers provides a demo account, which allows for risk-free testing of strategies and familiarization with the platform.
International clients have access to the W-8BEN form, which is important for proper tax processing of foreign investments. Additionally, Interactive Brokers allows for trading of fractional shares, making it ideal for investors with smaller capital.
User ratings and reviews of broker Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers has a rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot based on 2,724 reviews, where users appreciate the extensive tools and low trading costs, but criticize customer support and the complexity of the platform for beginners. On Google Play, the mobile app has a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, with users highlighting its robust features and real-time data, although some mention occasional bugs and a steep learning curve. On the Apple App Store, the app has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 38 reviews, praised for its functionality and range of tools, but with notes on the need for better customer support.
Is Interactive Brokers a scam or a safe broker?
Interactive Brokers (IB) is a reputable and safe broker, regulated by several leading financial authorities, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). With its global presence and extensive offering of trading tools, IB has earned the trust of a wide range of clients, from individual investors to large institutions.
Risk warning CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Basic information | |
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Regulations |
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Number of CFD asset classes | 5 |
Broker type | ECN, STP |
Customer support |
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Deposit from | 10 EUR/USD |
Spreads | 1 EUR/USD *The value is indicative from the broker's website. The spread amount is variable. |
Real Stocks and ETFs | |
Platforms |
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Instruments CFD | Commodities, Options, Forex, ETF, Indicies |
Established | 1978 |
Location | 10 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin, D02 T380, Ireland. |
Phone | 00800-42-276537 |
media@interactivebrokers.com | |
Country | UK |
Last update: |
Pros
Broker Interactive brokers boasts a long and trouble-free history. Moreover, there is no minimum deposit required, which makes it easy to start trading even with smaller amounts. The broker also allows the purchase of fractional shares.
The availability of a demo account will offer testing of strategies without the risk of losses. Another advantage is the wide range of assets available for trading.
- Extremely low fees
- Wide range of products
- Many great research tools
- Low margin rates
- No inactivity fee and no withdrawal fee
Cons
The broker has several drawbacks associated with its platform and support. The platform, while sophisticated, can be complex, which can be a problem for newcomers.
- Complicated account opening process
- Complex services
- Understaffed customer service
- Average CFD and forex fees
- No bank card availability
Licences and regulation
Interactive Brokers is held in high esteem for its credibility, thanks to its multiple top-tier regulatory endorsements, which include
- Interactive Brokers Hong Kong LIMITED - SFC (Hong Kong)
- Interactive Brokers (U.K.) LIMITED - FCA (UK) registration no. 208159
- Interactive Brokers (INDIA) PVT. LTD - NSE, BSE registration no. NSE: INB/F/E 231288037 (CM/F&O/CD); BSE: INB/F/E 011288033 (CM/F&O/CD)
- Interactive Brokers Securities Japan INC - FSA (Japan)
- Interactive Brokers Australia PTY LTD - ASIC (Australia) registration no. ABN 98 166 929 568
- Interactive Brokers Canada INC - IIROC (Canada)
- Interactive Brokers LLC - SEC & CFTC (US)