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.
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
Great service provided at nominal fees
Great UI, Analysis tools, Reasonable fee structure
Best
Trading permissions are not easy but user friendly so I can recommend to friends to get them open a IBKR account to get them started 🙂 I use almost all features
Speed and good tools
Fast execution
Comprehensive
Advanced tools. Professional platform. Excellent value
Professional
Fundemental information, technical analysis and educational material
Efficient
It provides efficient access to a wide range of financial markets & products with very low fees.
Simply perfect
Provides a widespread access to trading from the comfort of my home or while I'm the road.
Global Excellence
Trading platform ease and usability
I Steven Talewa already have been selected for the reasons
I Steven Talewa have been with capital.com online trading but I am now using interactive brokers because capital.com never showed my five years dividends funds, and went missing don't know where are my future funds in... and I'm not sure what happened to my future and past dividends paid into which company or people.. to me I Steven Talewa of Tari Hela Province of Papua New Guinea have been missing out and waited for so long years and now I'm using or selected interactive brokers to my online trading or can pay into my personal bank account and manage my assets and tradestation trading
Excellent
Superb comprensive app that is genuinely easy to use and navigate even as a new user. The lowest fees, that they revisit to keep competitive. Comprehensive investment fund choices. Excellent UK based customer services that are responsive & knowledgeable. It is rare that I cannot find an answer to what I need on the II App though as it is genuinely exceptional compared to others.
I have no affiliation to II other than having been a customer for my SIPP, SS ISA & GIA for circa 8 years.
easy site to navigate
easy to trade options
Full range service
Offers many trading options and best cost structure
Perfect
Everything
Great value and service
Cost
Tuned in.
Provides a customer focused investment service that offers good value for money and is tuned in to customer needs vis SIPP, ISAs, equity investing etc.
Interactive Brokers it's the best for retail investors
I never had a margin call from them; they're really caring for retail investors.
Straightforward
Interactive Investor stands out because it combines flat‑fee pricing, a wide range of global investments, and strong regulatory protection. It has a modern design that feels more like a fintech than a traditional broker. Its straightforward messaging - using terminology the average person can actually understand, and accessible platform gives it a youthful, fresh feeling, while still offering the depth and tools experienced investors expect.
cost efficient
a
Best international shares dealer
I Steven Talewa was been with Capital.com and my online stock market trading ID number is 21444883 and I'm enjoy capital.com,s weekly education and Monday market news updates but I find their dividends reports lacks transparency for long-term holders and now 2026 I votes for interactive brokers because I'm moving from a CFD platform to a professional broker to ensure my dividends from Microsoft and Apple are paid correctly and transparently
Value
Keeps costs down but offers a wide range of funds
- 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.
