Yes, we rate the Interactive Brokers GIA as very good for long-term investing as thier IBKR “universal account” that lets you invest in all asset classes via physical shares, CFDs, futures, options or funds.
59.7% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider
- Experts highlight that Interactive Brokers' General Investment Account (GIA) is tailored for sophisticated investors, offering access to a wide range of investment products including derivatives and options. The platform is noted for its low-cost structure, with no account charges and minimal dealing commissions, making it one of the cheapest options available. However, slow customer service is mentioned as a drawback.
- Across 1375 user reviews on Good Money Guide, averaging 4.6/5, customers frequently commend the platform's low fees, broad market access, and advanced trading tools. Many users appreciate the ease of use and comprehensive service, while some express concerns about the complexity of the platform and occasional delays in customer support responses.
Interactive Brokers General Investment Account 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 General Investment Account across one key area of our review framework.
- Excellent5.0
Pros
- Excellent market coverage
- Advanced investment platform
- Low-cost investing
Cons
- Customer service can be slow
See full expert review
Our verdict
Interactive Brokers’ (IBKR's) GIA is aimed at sophisticated investors, and offers access to derivatives, options, and futures. The platform is one of the cheapest across all asset classes. Capital is at risk.
Is IBKR's GIA a Good Account?
IBKR's GIA is its “universal account” that lets you invest in all asset classes via shares, CFDs, futures, options or funds.
The account is excellent for sophisticated investors who want to manage their own portfolios with complex order types. It's ideal for active investors who need access to a wider range of investment products like derivatives, options, and futures. IBKR is also one of the cheapest investment platforms across all asset classes, as it was built on offering electronic discount brokerage.
Fees
There is no account charge for general investment accounts at IBKR. When you buy and sell shares minimum dealing commissions are £1 in the UK or 0.05% of the deal size.
Special Offers
IBKR clients can earn $200 for each qualified referral while giving their friend the opportunity to earn up to $1000 of IBKR stock.
What is IBKR's Platform Like to Use?
The investment platform is a slimmed-down version of its exceptional desktop trader station. For investing it gives you a good overview of shares and funds.
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
Functional, Effective, Reasonable Price
I vote for Interactive Brokers because it is the best trading platform overall
Great Platform, Amazing Service
Interactive Brokers combines low cost, global access, and professional tools in a way that very few brokers can match. The most reliable choices in the market.
Great platform
Great platform
Best Trading Platform
When I first learned about IBKR, I was eager to open an account and begin trading stocks. Their website is intuitive and user-friendly, and the customer service is truly exceptional.
Everything
Good and best
Safe and secure
IBRK is smooth and easy to use and very trustworthy/reliable. Your money is in safe hands!
IBKR is great
Amazing platform to invest in, could be a more user friendly with digital currencies. Otherwise perfect
User friendly and good tools
Very good plarform for trading, transparency and user friendly tools
The best service I've been try
I love IBKR too much .. and use it only
Superb brokerage & money platform
I have experienced this as the best platform yet for money matters. Superb of ease with technical as well as qualitative facilities
Single window for every available investment opportunity
IBKR is the best investment platform for every long term investor. Seamless, user friendly & efficient!
Best, Global and Low cost
I am using IBKR since last 6 years and love it
The Best Broker for Professional Traders
Ibkr is hands down The Best Broker for Professional Traders.
Most efficient options trading support
Trading with my strategy on Interactive Brokers has been an outstanding experience. The platform offers deep liquidity and direct market access, which is crucial for executing my SPX bull call spreads with precision. The order execution is consistently fast, spreads are tight, and I can manage positions efficiently even during periods of heightened volatility. This gives me the confidence that my strategy’s signals are translated into trades without slippage undermining the results.
Another strength is the comprehensive suite of analytical tools. My trading relies on probabilistic models such as Bayesian and Hidden Markov approaches, together with macro indicators like VIX, VVIX, dollar index, and yields. Interactive Brokers provides the real-time market data and flexibility I need to integrate these inputs seamlessly into my workflow. The ability to monitor multiple asset classes and hedge exposures within one account is a decisive advantage for a systematic trader like me.
Finally, the platform’s risk management and reporting features support the disciplined execution of my strategy. With detailed performance metrics, margin transparency, and robust portfolio monitoring, I can manage exposure with precision and adapt position sizing to changing probabilities. Interactive Brokers combines reliability with professional-grade tools, making it the best environment I have found for implementing advanced option strategies.
Great
Easy to use
Beginner's choice
Beginner investor very glad of that platform.
very nice
very nice
Easy to use and intuitive
Easy to use platform with great tools to support the decision making
IBKR is best
personal experience
Reliable and professional
Reliable and professional trading platform
- Expert opinion: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) full review
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.
