Why Trade Globally with IBKR?

Why IBKR

Smarter Execution. Lower Costs.
Returns That Compound.

Lower trading costs, AI-powered tools, advanced execution, and global market access, designed to help more of your returns stay invested and grow over time.

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Lower Cost Disclosure

Average annual return of
24.30%
for IBKR Individual Clients vs.
23.10% on the S&P 500 from 2023-20251

Earn interest up to
USD 3.13%
on uninvested cash

Borrow for as low as
USD 4.13%
on margin loans

Access 170+ global markets from one platform.

AI-Powered Tools. Better Decisions.

Connect your preferred AI to your IBKR account, or use IBKR's built-in AI tools to research investments, analyze portfolios, and trade across 170+ markets.

AI Integration

Connect AI platforms that support Model Context Protocol (MCP), including ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok, to your IBKR account to research investments, analyze your portfolio, and generate trade instructions you review and submit.

AI Screeners

Describe what you're looking for, such as "small-cap technology stocks with strong cash flow," and receive a ranked list of opportunities from more than 70,000 global stocks and ETFs.

Ask IBKR

Ask questions such as "How concentrated am I in technology?" and receive answers based on your own portfolio and account data.

Explore All IBKR AI Tools

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"In all, IBKR tops our list of brokerages: it is the highest-rated broker at BrokerChooser."

- BrokerChooser | April 7, 2026

The Real Cost of Trading Is Not Just Commissions

Many brokers promote “free trades” while recovering costs elsewhere.
IBKR competes on the full economics of trading, not just the headline price.

  • Low commissions on trades
  • Margin rates as low as 4.13%
  • Earn interest up to 3.13% on uninvested cash
  • Execution quality and price improvement
  • Low FX conversion costs
  • No platform fees or added spreads

Why Investors Move Their Assets to IBKR

Investors switch brokers to improve outcomes, not because of marketing claims.

Why clients transfer to IBKR

  • Lower trading and financing costs that compound over time
  • Direct access to global markets in one platform
  • Professional execution with transparent pricing  
  • Platforms that scale as strategies become more complex  

Switch Without Disruption

  • Transfer assets without selling positions  
  • No tax impact from standard transfers  
  • Fast, digital transfers for US accounts  
  • Guided support for non-US transfers  

Learn How to Transfer Assets

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Best Execution

Keep More in Your Portfolio
with Smarter Execution 

Execution quality directly impacts what you keep after every trade.

On every trade, IB SmartRoutingSM seeks the best available price from market makers, liquidity providers, and exchanges.

The result is better pricing on your trades, so more of your money stays invested.

Trusted by over
5 Million
clients online

Executing more than
4 Million
trades daily

Average return of
19.20%
for IBKR Individual Clients vs.
17.9% on the S&P 500 in 20251

Learn About Best Execution

Choose the Pricing That Fits How You Trade

Clear pricing with no hidden costs.

Stocks/ETFs:

  • Tiered USD 0.0005 - 0.0035 per share
  • Fixed USD 0.005 per share

Options:

  • Tiered USD 0.15 - 0.65 per contract
  • Fixed USD 0.65 per contract

IBKR is publicly traded, a member of the S&P 500, and  operates under strict global regulatory oversight.

See Pricing Details

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Global Markets

Invest Worldwide
With One Platform

Direct global access without workarounds or proxies.

Trade more than 170 markets worldwide, fund and trade in 29 currencies, all in one platform across asset classes.

View Global Markets

Quote mark

"Interactive Brokers continues to set the benchmark for cost efficiency, offering margin rates and high yields on idle cash that consistently outperform the competition. For the active trader, these are not just perks — they are material contributors to the bottom line."

- StockBrokers.com | May 04, 2026

Platforms That Scale With Your Strategy

Start simple. Move to advanced strategies as your needs grow.
Use AI-powered tools to find new investment ideas faster.

Explore Trading Platforms

For New and
 Occasional Investors

Simple portfolio tools, clean mobile and web experience

IBKR GlobalTrader

Client Portal

IBKR Desktop

Example of GlobalTrader App
Example of Client Portal web app
Example of IBKR Desktop

For Experienced
and Advanced Traders

Access advanced charting and scanners, options analytics and 100+ order types.

IBKR Mobile

Trader Workstation

IBKR Desktop

Example of IBKR Mobile
Example of IBKR Desktop
Example of TWS

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More Insight. More Confidence.

Make smarter decisions with real-time quotes, global research, and
AI-assisted analysis that helps surface what matters.

  • Screen stocks, options, futures, and ETFs
    with advanced filters
  • Compare forecasts, fundamentals, and portfolio exposure using AI-generated summaries
  • Use alerts, heat maps, and AI-powered scanners to stay on top of the market and spot new opportunities
  • Access independent global research with concise, AI-generated highlights

Identify Opportunities and Stay Ahead

Use AI-powered tools to summarize news, analyze portfolios,
and uncover risks and opportunities across global markets

Explore Independent Research

Campus

Level Up With IBKR Campus

Education designed for real-world investing.

  • Courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels
  • Video lessons and guided walkthroughs
  • Options, futures, and global trading education
  • Live and on-demand webinars
  • Interactive Trading Labs and simulations

View Free Resources

iPad showing IBKR Campus with Options Education iPhone with IBKR Campus Podcasts

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Security You Can Trust

Built for scale, transparency, and long-term stability.

IBKR at a Glance

Trusted by over

5 Million

clients worldwide

Executing more than

4 Million

trades daily

Nasdaq-listed

IBKR

Member of the

S&P 500

Client assets over

$903 Billion

Total Equity Exceeding

$22 Billion

Nearly

50 Years

of Innovation

IBKR Strength and Security

Get Started

Trade with a broker built for investors who look beyond free trades.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers a combination of low-cost trading, global market access across multiple asset classes, and advanced trading technology. The platform is built for both individual investors and professional traders who require efficiency, transparency, and institutional-grade tools.

IBKR provides access to over 170 markets worldwide, enabling investors to diversify internationally from a single account. Clients can trade stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds across regions with competitive pricing and strong execution.

Yes. IBKR supports a wide range of investors — from beginners looking for simple investing tools to advanced traders seeking sophisticated order types, analytics, and customization. Educational resources and intuitive interfaces help new users get started.

Interactive Brokers is widely recognized for its low commissions and transparent pricing. The platform offers multiple pricing models designed to suit different trading styles, helping investors keep costs low and improve long-term returns.

IBKR provides advanced trading platforms, real-time data, risk management tools, and powerful analytics. These tools are designed to support informed decision-making and efficient trade execution across global markets.

Interactive Brokers operates under strong regulatory oversight and employs robust security measures, including encryption and risk management systems. The firm has a long-standing reputation for stability and reliability in global financial markets.

Yes. IBKR allows investors to manage multiple asset classes and portfolios within a single integrated platform, making it easier to track performance, rebalance portfolios, and execute trades efficiently.

Disclosures

  1. For more information, see stock commissions comparison.
  2. All returns shown are net of commissions and charges. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Returns shown are based on aggregate data for Interactive Brokers accounts meeting minimum thresholds as of January 1, 2025 ($50,000 for individual and advisor accounts and $1,000,000 for hedge fund accounts), inclusive of all commissions and charges. Results may vary significantly among clients. Comparisons to the S&P 500 are for informational purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.
  3. Restrictions apply. See additional information on interest rates. Credit interest rate as of July 2, 2026.
  4. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on USD margin loan balances as of August 7, 2026. Interactive Brokers calculates the interest charged on margin loans using the applicable rates for each interest rate tier listed on its website. Learn more about margin loan rates.
  5. Low trading fees according to BrokerChooser Online Broker Survey 2026: Read the full article Online Broker Reviews, December 2025. "Interactive Brokers has low trading fees and one of the best margin rates in the industry. IB currently pays interest (up to 3.13% for USD) on cash balances if you have a $100k account (net asset value)."
  6. Savings are based on IBKR’s FX conversion commission of 0.08–0.20 bps (min USD 2) compared with the typical FX markups charged by other leading brokers, which generally range from 0.25 percent to 1.00 percent. Actual rates and savings vary by broker, trade size and market conditions.
  7. Interactive Brokers Group and its affiliates. For additional information view our Investor Relations - Earnings Release section. The number of client accounts displayed includes all account types across all IBG affiliates as of June 2, 2026.