- Experts rate Interactive Brokers highly for indices trading, highlighting its low commissions, extensive market access, and a robust platform suitable for both beginners and advanced traders. They note that while customer service can be inconsistent, the platform offers a wealth of research and analysis tools, making it a strong choice for various trading needs.
- Across 1375 user reviews on Good Money Guide, averaging 4.6/5, customers frequently commend the platform's low fees, broad market access, and user-friendly interface. Many users appreciate the comprehensive tools and resources available, although some express concerns about the speed of customer support. Overall, the platform is seen as reliable and efficient for both novice and experienced investors.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) Indices Trading Expert rating
Our expert rating is the average of the areas listed here, each scored out of 5 by our team.Our experts have rated Interactive Brokers (IBKR) Indices Trading across five key areas of our review framework.
- Pricing5.0
- Market Access5.0
- App & Platform5.0
- Customer Service4.5
- Research & Analysis5.0
Pros
- Low commissions
- No account fees
- Global DMA index access
Cons
- Customer serivce can be slow
See full expert review
Our verdict
You can trade the global stock market and synthetic on-exchange indices as either a futures contract, DMA option of equity as an ETF.
Interactive Brokers has transparent, low commissions and financing rates. Equity indices can be traded in lots as small as 1x the index level. Unlike the related futures, Index CFDs (not available in the US) do not expire, saving rollover-related costs and risks.
Is IBKR good for indices trading?
Yes, IBKR is an excellent choice for index trading. For beginners, Interactive Brokers offers a wide range of ETFs that track underlying stock market indices like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones. For more advanced traders, IBKR offers DMA index futures trading with low commissions.
Pricing: IBKR is always a cheap way to trade, one of the original discount execution only brokers.
Market Access: A huge range of on-exchange ETFs or direct market access to index futures around the world.
App & Platform: Excellent - something for everyone from beginners to hedge funds.
Customer Service: A bit hit and miss sometimes, but their AI bot can solve most issues and personal dealers for larger accounts.
Research & Analysis: A constantly updating stream of analysis and data on global indices.
Customer reviews for Interactive Brokers
Customer ratings come from reviews left on this site. Every review is read and approved before it is published.Based on 1,375 reviews
- Excellent74%
- Very good14%
- Basic7%
- Poor2%
- Bad2%
Read customer reviews
No.1
I have used it a lot for trading with options and currency exchanges. I would say the best in terms of tools, offering, and commissions, without a doubt
Top Platform
The TWS platform which is available for all customers has a top professional level
it really works for me
good charts good executions
Easy!
IB platform allows me to do trading in an easy and very efficient way. Transaction costs are very low. The notification system allows me to buy/sell when I have decided so.
Happy with them so far
Low fees, no fuss. Thanks IBKR
costumer service
after confirmed application for trading permission you can trade everything all over the world.
Best trading Plattform
Easy, fast & reliable
Overall Excellent platform for investments
I use it for my personal investment. Great software and at very low fees. Recommended
A non-professional trader's delight
Having used four different trading platforms, Interactive Brokers has the easiest to use platform and best prices.
The platform for everyone
Easy enough to use, reliable, gives everyone access to the financial world
Very nice service
Very efficient service and helpful when needed
Simple and efficient
Adapted to all investor types with easy to use interfaces and high efficiency
One-stop shot for investing and trading!
IBKR is very powerful, with plenty of tools with wide access to different markets for investors and traders of different profiles.
Excellence
Very professionell
Great platform
Good, reliable and user-friendly platform/website, clear fee structure, competitive fees, no upselling or other BS.
Reliable and functional
An ideal broker for trading shares (in my case, mainly US equities and ETFs) and holding them in custody. Easy-to-use, highly accessible and fast platform, with a huge range of assets and buying and selling options. Extensive customisation options and good, helpful customer service. In my personal experience, highly recommended.
My main broker
Best pricing and execution.
A fit for all
Does all you could ask for then some!
Transparency, user-friendly, support
Interactive Brokers offers a broad range of the investment products, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds across global markets, with competitive pricing and powerful research tools that support diversified portfolio building. However, access to cryptocurrency is relatively limited and less straightforward compared to platforms that specialized in the digital assets
Great interface, availability and pricing
IBKR is the answer if you're looking for a platform where you can be an active trader in assets around the world - be it stocks, derivatives, commodities or others. Interface is intuitive and easy to use on both desktop and mobile. Fees are very reasonable. And robust availability is great.
Compare indices trading on IBKR to other index brokers below:
| Index Trading Platform | Indices Available | Index CFDs | Index Spreads | Index Futures | Index Options | MT4/5 | Customer Reviews | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 40 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | (Based on 125 reviews) | See Platform 69% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 40 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | (Based on 21 reviews) | See Platform 74% of retail CFD accounts lose money. |
 | 28 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | (Based on 110 reviews) | See Platform 73% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 39 | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | (Based on 146 reviews) | See Platform 76% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 13 | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | (Based on 1,375 reviews) | See Platform 59.7% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 30 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | (Based on 272 reviews) | See Platform 61% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 80+ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | (Based on 746 reviews) | See Platform 68% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 80+ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | (Based on 237 reviews) | See Platform 68% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 29 | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | (Based on 137 reviews) | See Platform 62% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 15 | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | (Based on 283 reviews) | See Platform 61% of retail investor accounts lose money |
 | 25 | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | (Based on 139 reviews) | See Platform74% of retail investor accounts lose money |
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
