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Interactive Brokers alternatives

If you’re looking for a trading platform that’s similar to Interactive Brokers, here are some options to consider.

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Kimberly Ellis

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Interactive Brokers offers low fees for active and professional investors. But its advanced charting tools and $20,000 net worth requirement might be too intimidating for some traders. Here are four trading platforms that give Interactive Brokers a run for their money.

Alternatives to Interactive Brokers

These brokers are strong competitors that deliver similar — if not better — features.

TradeStation

8.2 Great

Top Offer

Get a $150 bonus when you open an account with promo code TSTVAGLK, fund it and maintain a minimum balance of $5,000 for 60 days.
Go to site Read review
Tradestation is one of Interactive Brokers' top competitors with its in-depth research tools, portfolio analysis features and third-party integrations. And while both platforms have a steep learning curve, Tradestation took steps to streamline its onboarding process in 2019 and improve overall usability.
With Tradestation, you'll get access to extensive educational resources, including hundreds of webinars, as well as dynamic trading software on both its desktop platform and mobile app. But what sets it apart from Interactive Brokers, which only offers crypto futures, is the ability to own crypto assets directly.
But since Tradestation has a $2,000 minimum opening deposit, it's better for active, high-volume traders.
Annual fee$0 per month
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonus$0.25 per contract

Tastytrade

8.6 Great

Read review
Tastytrade is a derivatives-focused platform with sophisticated tools to help you evaluate volatility, risk and potential opportunities. You'll get multiple watchlists, basic charting and a straightforward trade ticket. But what makes Tastytrade stand out is its graphical derivative trading analysis that produces a bell-shaped curve to help you find contracts.
You won't pay commissions on stocks and ETFs or to close options and futures trades. But you'll pay to open them.
Annual fee$0 per year
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Webull

9.4 Excellent

Top Offer

Limited-Time Offer. Deposit or transfer funds to earn: Get a 2% match and up to 8.1% boosted APY, plus a $100 cash bonus and a 30-day Webull Premium subscription voucher. T&C apply.
Go to site Read review
Webull and Interactive Brokers go toe-to-toe in many areas. For example, both platforms have comprehensive analysis tools, including customizable technical charts and real-time market data, that work well for day traders and short-term investors. And both offer paper trading accounts for market simulations, so you can test out new trading strategies before you put any real money on the line.
The biggest kicker is Webull's extended-hours trading, which makes the full trading day from 4 am to 8 pm. Only Interactive Brokers Pro customers can get such an early head start.
Annual fee$0 per month
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusGet a 2% match and a $100 cash bonus

Fidelity Investments

9 Excellent

Go to site Read review
Fidelity is an adaptable platform that appeals to all types of investors — new or experienced. Its platform is more intuitive with a user-friendly interface, so it doesn't scare off beginners. And more experienced investors can customize its desktop version to make their own trading powerhouse.
While Fidelity offers similar trading fees as Interactive Brokers, it sets itself apart with its Cash Management Account (CMA), which can be linked to your brokerage accounts. The CMA comes with a Visa debit card, free checks and unlimited ATM fee reimbursements throughout the United States.
Annual fee$0 per year
Minimum deposit$0
Signup bonusN/A

Pros and cons of Interactive Brokers

Here are a few reasons why Interactive Brokers is a trading favorite and several of its limitations.

Pros

  • Advanced charting and research tools
  • Impressive investment selection, including 135 global exchanges
  • Low brokerage fees that depend on volume

Cons

  • Platform has a steep learning curve
  • Requires a net worth of at least $20,000 to open an account
  • Despite its low fees, the pricing system is more complicated than most brokers

How to transfer your brokerage account

If you’re swapping brokers, the process may vary depending on your current broker and which one you’re moving to. Interactive Brokers allows one free transfer request per calendar month. After that, it charges $10 to wire transfer funds to another account and close your current one.
Interactive Brokers uses the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS). You can expect to go through the following process.

  1. Fill out a transfer initiation form with your new broker.
  2. Your current broker validates your form or notifies you of next steps within three business days.
  3. Your old broker completes the process and moves funds between four and eight business days.
  4. Note: Some brokers don’t accept the proprietary funds of others. So you may not be able to transfer mutual funds or ETFs managed by your old broker.

Compare trading platforms

11 of 11
Product Finder Score Available asset types Stock trade fee Minimum deposit Cash sweep APY Offer
Finder score
9 Excellent
Stocks, ETFs, High-yield cash account
$0
$500
4.00%
Get a $50 bonus when you sign up and fund a taxable automated investing account with at least $500.
Automate your stock and bond portfolio or trade individual stocks for as little as $1 apiece. Plus, earn 4% APY on your cash.
Go to site More info
Finder score
9 Excellent
Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives
$0
$0
0.01%
Get up to $1,000 in stock when you open and fund a new account. T&C apply.
Trade stocks, ETFs, and options with zero commissions, invest in IPOs or automate your portfolio, with exclusive perks available through SoFi Plus.
Go to site More info
Finder score
9 Excellent
Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Investments, Retirement, Treasury Bills, High-yield cash account
$0
$0
4.1%
Get up to $10,000 and transfer fees covered when you move your portfolio to Public.
Build a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, ETFs and crypto, with a high-yield cash account and options contract rebates.
Go to site More info
OPTO logo
Finder score
7.2 Great
OPTO
Finder score
7.2 Great
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
4%
Earn up to $300 when you deposit between $2,000–$25,000+.
Copy top-performing portfolios or build your own stock index on Opto's AI-driven thematic investing platform, and get 4% APY on your cash.
Go to site More info
Interactive Brokers logo
Finder score
9.2 Excellent
Interactive Brokers GlobalTrader
Finder score
9.2 Excellent
Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency
$0
$0
3.83% Lite
4.83% Pro
Trade in a simulated trading environment and access a wide range of tradable assets.
Go to site More info
eToro logo
Finder score
8.2 Great
eToro
Finder score
8.2 Great
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Investments
$0
$0
3.9%
No commission stock, ETF and options trades, with 3.9% interest on your options account balance and no options contract fees. See full disclosure.
Go to site More info
Webull logo
Finder score
9.4 Excellent
Webull
Finder score
9.4 Excellent
Stocks, Bonds, Options, ETFs, Futures, Money market funds
$0
$0
Up to 8.10%
Trade stocks, ETFs and equity options commission-free, with access to futures, advanced charting tools, a robo-advisor and event trading powered by Kalshi.
Go to site More info
Zacks Trade logo
Finder score
8.2 Great
Zacks Trade
Finder score
8.2 Great
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, CDs
$0.01
$250
2.83%
Get up to $1,000 when you open and fund an account. Terms apply.
Leverage powerful trading tools and low margin rates to trade stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds.
Go to site More info
Robinhood logo
Finder score
9.4 Excellent
Robinhood
Finder score
9.4 Excellent
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Event contracts, High-yield cash account
$0
$0
4%
Get a free stock when you successfully sign up and link your bank account.
Trade stocks, options, crypto and more, with advanced trading tools, fractional shares and exclusive perks for Gold members.
Go to site More info
Acorns logo
Finder score
8 Great
Acorns
Finder score
8 Great
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
N/A
Get a $20 bonus when you set up an account and make your first recurring investment (min. $5).
Automate investing with recurring contributions starting at $5 and invest spare change from everyday purchases.
Go to site More info
Stash Investments LLC logo
Finder score
7.4 Great
Stash
Finder score
7.4 Great
Stocks, ETFs
$0
$0
0.1%
Get $5 when you sign up and deposit $5.
Bank, automate your portfolio or invest in individual stocks and ETFs for as low as $3 per month.
Go to site More info
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Showing 11 of 11 results

What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 147 key metrics we collected directly from 18+ brokers and assessed each provider’s performance based on nine different categories, weighing each metric based on the expertise and insights of Finder’s investment experts. We then scored and ranked each provider to determine the best brokerage accounts.

We update our best picks as products change, disappear or emerge in the market. We also regularly review and revise our selections to ensure our best provider lists reflect the most competitive available.

Read the full Finder Score breakdown

Paid non-client promotion. Finder does not invest money with providers on this page. If a brand is a referral partner, we're paid when you click or tap through to, open an account with or provide your contact information to the provider. Partnerships are not a recommendation for you to invest with any one company. Learn more about how we make money.

Finder is not an advisor or brokerage service. Information on this page is for educational purposes only and not a recommendation to invest with any one company, trade specific stocks or fund specific investments. All editorial opinions are our own.

Kimberly Ellis's headshot
Written by

Writer

Kimberly Ellis is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in banking and financial literacy. After teaching in public and private schools, Kimberly zeroed in on personal financial education to help families and kids develop lifelong money skills. She hails from New York City, graduating summa cum laude from Queens College with a BA in elementary education and mathematics, as well as a New York State teaching certificate. She’s also an aspiring polyglot, always in a book and forever on the hunt for the perfect classic red lipstick. See full bio

Kimberly's expertise
Kimberly has written 59 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Kids' banking
  • Financial literacy for kids
  • K–12 education
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