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Interactive Brokers review — 2026
★★★★★ Overall score: 5/5
The professional trader's broker. Lowest margin rates, global market access.
Monthly: $0.00/mo
Annual (first year): $0.00/year
Annual (renewal): $0.00/year
Money-back: 0 days
Annual (first year): $0.00/year
Annual (renewal): $0.00/year
Money-back: 0 days
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Protection
| Malware detection rate | 0% |
|---|---|
| False-positive rate | n/a |
| AV-TEST score | n/a |
| Real-time protection | ✓ |
| Ransomware protection | ✗ |
| Firewall | ✗ |
Bundled features
| VPN included | ✗ |
|---|---|
| Password manager | ✗ |
| Parental controls | ✗ |
| Dark web monitoring | ✗ |
| Identity theft protection | ✗ |
| Cloud backup | ✗ |
Compatibility
| Devices covered | Web + Mobile + Desktop + API |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Trader Workstation (TWS), API |
Our review
Interactive Brokers is the pro trader's choice. Lowest margin rates, best API for algo trading, access to 150+ international exchanges. Steep learning curve. Best for serious traders, not casuals.
Pros
- Lowest margin rates in the US broker industry
- Direct market access to 150+ international exchanges
- Best API for algorithmic trading
- IBKR Lite (commission-free) and IBKR Pro (per-share commission) tiers
- Strong fixed-income (bond) selection
Cons
- Trader Workstation has notorious learning curve
- Mobile app less polished than Robinhood/Webull
- IBKR Pro charges per-share commission ($0.005/share)
- Older brand identity, professional aesthetic