Interactive Brokers Review 2027

Interactive Brokers is a long-established broker, founded in 1977, that serves retail and professional traders across stocks, indices, metals, futures and oil. This review looks at how the firm is regulated, what it costs, which platforms it offers and where it may suit you less well. Fee and regulatory details change over time, so treat the figures below as a starting point and confirm them on the official website before you open an account.

In short: Interactive Brokers offers a wide product range, several professional-grade platforms and a long track record, but its fee structure and account setup suit experienced traders better than complete beginners.

Interactive Brokers: Key Facts

Before you open an account, check the broker's licence in the official FCA Financial Services Register.

Interactive Brokers Overview: Company and Regulation

Who Stands Behind the Firm

Interactive Brokers was founded in 1977 and is classed as a broker in our database. The company lists a London office at One Carey Lane, Fifth floor, London EC2 V8AE. Like many international groups, it runs different legal entities for different regions, so the entity that holds your money depends on where you live and which account you open.

Regulation and Safety Checks

Our data lists regulation by the FSA, IIROC, CFTC and SEC, and notes that one entity is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Seeing several regulators is normal for a multi-region firm, but it also means you need to know which one applies to your account. Ask the broker in writing which entity you would contract with and which compensation scheme, if any, covers your funds.

Verify the licence yourself rather than relying on a logo. The regulator's public register shows the authorised entity, its permissions and any restrictions. Our readers can also compare broader safety criteria in our guide to the best regulated forex brokers.

Interactive Brokers Account Types and Funding

Our data lists two account categories: a standard account with a figure of 5000 and a mini account with a figure of 2000. These numbers most likely refer to minimum funding levels, but the currency and exact requirement can differ by region, so confirm them before you transfer money. Accounts can be held in USD, EUR, JPY, GBP and several other currencies.

Expert advisors are supported, and the broker also offers copy trading and bitcoin-linked forex products. Automated and copied strategies still carry the same market risk as manual trades, so test any system on a demo or small position first.

Trading Conditions: Spreads, Leverage and Fees

Spreads on major currency pairs are listed at 1 to 3 pips in our database. Spreads on less liquid instruments are wider, and they change with market conditions such as news releases and low-liquidity hours. Commission schedules also vary by market and account type, so the advertised spread is only part of your total cost.

Maximum leverage is listed as 1:400, marked with an asterisk in our data. That mark suggests the figure may depend on the product, the client's classification or the regulator that applies, so check the leverage shown for your specific instrument. Lower leverage is usually the safer choice for new traders.

Interactive Brokers Trading Platforms

The broker offers four main platforms: Trader Workstation, WebTrader, the IB API and FIX CTCI. Trader Workstation is the most complete desktop option and suits active traders who want advanced charting and order types. WebTrader covers browser-based trading when you do not want to install software.

The IB API and FIX CTCI are aimed at algorithmic and institutional users who need programmatic access. If you are a casual trader, the learning curve of Trader Workstation may feel steep, so try the platform on a demo account before committing funds.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Our data lists a wide set of deposit methods, including bank wire, debit and credit cards, Skrill, Neteller, OKPay, Payza, Western Union Quick Pay, FasaPay and China UnionPay, among others. Available options depend on your country and account currency. Check the funding page for the fees, processing times and limits that apply to you.

Withdrawals usually go back through the same channel you used to deposit. Plan for processing time and possible bank charges, especially on international wires.

Customer Support

Support is available in English and Russian. Contact channels, opening hours and response times are not set out in our database, so check the official contact page before you rely on them. Test the response quality with a simple pre-account question; it gives a good sense of how the team handles queries.