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
Excellent broker
Excellent broker with good interfaces.
GFIS Datafeed quality is questionable in recent years. IBKR were unresponsive when queried
Review of IB
easy to use with strong functionality
Great trading platform
Very good for beginner and professional investors as well. Wide range of trading opportunities with low fees also available.
Sipp at IB
Excellent value trading for a SIPP account. Highly recommended. I also have a normal account with IB
Great trading platform
Interactive Brokers provides a terrific and flexible trading platform to individual investors that can be tailored to your needs. The trading fees are so much lower than other platforms. If you have problems setting it up, their customer service will guide you and help you in setting it up.
Interactive Brokers is an exceptional brokerage for active traders
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) stands out as one of the most powerful and versatile brokerage platforms available today. Catering to both professional traders and sophisticated retail investors, IBKR offers a robust trading infrastructure, low fees, and access to global markets.
Professional and Cost-effective
I’ve been using IB for 15 years and over that time the quality and breadth of offering has continued to expand. I appreciate the costeffectiveness, sophistication and professionalism of the platform.
Excelent trading platforms
Have had an account a few years. Costs of trading are minimal and the share prices obtained by the system are really good. Quick to places orders and they offer a variety of available investments modes on several stock exchanges. Research offered is also good.
Only slight weakness is it is sometimes difficult to get personal help when a technical problem arises. However very few problems crop up.
Great Trading and Investment Platform
IB is a very flexible platform, user friendly, includes many financial instruments and very low fees, efficient and trustworthy
Private Client Trader
A great and super functional platform for trading futures and FX. Instant execution and live mark to mark pricing and account margin valuations. Transparent and very competitive pricing are hard to beat.
Unilateral termination
Closed my account without explanation after three years. Most likely because I’m Russian.
A platform for the serious investor.
I have a share dealing account with IBKR. The free research information available is comprehensive, and the margin facility very useful.
Way better than Hargreaves Lansdown
I have used HL for years but opened an account at IBKR about 7 years ago. I rate Interactive Brokers on multiple counts:
- dealing costs
- customer service
- foreign exchange charges
- ability to hold forex AND earn interest
- breadth of available investments including options, futures, bonds etc.
- superb, easy to use mobile app
- ISA friendly
- overall way more sophisticated offering than the competition
Professional low-cost platform
I have held a joint account with Interactive Brokers for over 10 years. Having worked for stock exchanges, I can verify that IB knows the eccentricities of individual markets and offers excellent interfaces at a low-cost. They offer a great range of asset classes across all global markets that anyone could want to trade on.
Solid Broker
Been with them for over 15 years, never really had any issues. Support can be good and you can trade almost anything.
the best broker there is
top broker, low fees, tremendous power at one's hand, i really cannot fault IBKR, i look forward to the future with this broker.
Comprehensive user function and reasonable charge
The foreign currency exchange charge is very competitive. The types of stock, etf and crypto to trade are very comprehensive.
Good for experienced investors
I use IB for US listed securities, futures and options. Contract notes are available immediately after a deal; spreads are tight; money transfer is efficient.
best value for money for advanced traders
I have accounts with 4 brokers. IBKR has by far the most advanced platform of the four with the greatest range of tools All provided with the most competitive charges.
Does everything I need
As a retired trader I feared losing touch with the market but IBs functionality and breadth has pleasantly surprised me and made it my main platform for actively managing my savings.
- 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.
