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Interactive Brokers

Best for: Experienced investors who want global markets

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Options / contract

$0 (IBKR Lite)

To open

$0 (IBKR Lite)

Yearly fee

As of · sources in Details

A young woman, seen from behind, throws both arms up on a hilltop above a sunny harbor town and blue fjord.

Pros

  • $0 US stock and ETF trades on IBKR Lite
  • No minimum or inactivity fee on Lite
  • Huge range of markets and tools

Cons

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Higher balance needed to earn interest on cash, per reviewers
  • Pro pricing is per share, so read the fee table

Who it fits

You've invested before and want more markets and tools

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise a huge investment selection, strong tools and high-quality order execution. It can feel complex for a first account, and cash needs a higher balance to earn interest.

Paraphrased from NerdWallet, Interactive Brokers review; NerdWallet, Best brokers for beginner investors.

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Details: full breakdown and sources

The numbers

Online US stock & ETF trades
$0 (IBKR Lite)IBKR Pro Fixed: $0.005 a share, $1.00 minimum per order.As of · source
Options, per contract
Check provider siteWe couldn't confirm this on the provider's site.
Minimum to open
$0 (IBKR Lite)No account minimums or inactivity fees on IBKR Lite.As of · source
Annual account fee
$0 (IBKR Lite)No inactivity fees on IBKR Lite.As of · source

The breakdown

A global brokerage with a huge range of markets, a $0-commission Lite plan and a per-share Pro plan.

IBKR Lite charges $0 commission on US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs, with no account minimum and no inactivity fee. IBKR Pro uses per-share pricing instead: $0.005 a share on the fixed plan, with a $1.00 minimum per order.

Interactive Brokers is known for access to many markets around the world and for detailed tools. We couldn't confirm the current options rate on its site, so check it there.

Review themes, point by point

  • Reviewers praise the very large investment selection, strong research and tools, and high order execution quality.
  • There's a big list of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.
  • The platform can feel complex for a first account.
  • You need a higher balance before cash earns interest.

Reviews reflect each publisher's view on the day they wrote it.

All pros

  • $0 US stock and ETF trades on IBKR Lite
  • No minimum or inactivity fee on Lite
  • Huge range of markets and tools

All cons

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Higher balance needed to earn interest on cash, per reviewers
  • Pro pricing is per share, so read the fee table

Might fit if

  • You've invested before and want more markets and tools
  • You may want to buy investments outside the US

Maybe look elsewhere if:

  • You want a simple first account with few decisions