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
Fantastic institutional quality platform delivered to private investors
Great platform, aggregated loan to value very useful. Would give 5 stars if they had UK tax reporting.
Great for Options
Can take some time getting use to the platform but its worth the effort.
Huge range of products and great for Options
Sophisticated and Flexible System
Excellent customer service.
My preferred Broker
I have used 2 other brokers one in the UK and one in Singapore.
Interactive Broker is my preferred choice and I have been with them for some time.
Interactive Brokers review
I have used for around 4 years now, I have found to be very reliable, very detailed data, platform able to be changed to suit the individual, support is good
Excellent low fees. Easy to trade
Wonderful platform. Very easy to use.
Low fees. Cannot get easier
Terrible
Poor customer service. Unprofessional, unattractive staff.
Good service
Direct acsess.
I haveca margin account pro.
5 stars 🌟
A well established company
the whole universe of deriavtives at your finger tips
Customer support is always there to help you max in hal a days time,, very swift executions..customer oriented ffedback algos in the platfoem always guding you to a more efficient way of trading and execution of trades,
Brilliant platform and company
Extremely poor customer service
I have never managed to get resolution when things have gone wrong. The new rule on withdrawal restrictions is confusing and even the IBKR team don’t seem to understand it.
Great
Very Helpful stuff
Significant Flaws with Interactive Brokers Options Account
Options account with IB.
I do not like the way you never know what commissions you are going to be charged on a trade in advance and the commissions you are subsequently shown on the live account balance screen do not always agree with what is charged for commissions in the overnight daily report.
Also I do not like being charged for live options feeds and for being charged a significant minimum fee on a monthly basis. Other brokers do not charge for options fees nor have minimum monthly fees.
Extremely comprehensive platform with excellent products
I have an IBKR Pro account. Very good option chain and reasonable fees. Great FX flexibility.
Reliable institution with a great, modern App
I'm very happy with my Interactive Brokers experience over the last 7 years. They have a very reliable trading platform with access to .... pretty much every instrument out there (USA, EU, UK, etc..). I use it as my primary retail investment platform and the only place where I manage my personal active investment portfolio.
Also, they have a great app and it's by far the easiest way to place and monitor your orders. You don't even need the desktop application. Just automate all your portfolio reporting to be delivered to you by email and run your optimizaiton mondels on your own computer.
Charting is a weak point.
I like everything about the platform, including competitive fees and a large selection of trading assets and instruments. The only weak point is charting, which is cumbersome and inflexible.
Best broker for an amateur trader like me
Apart from the ux and the user features the overall experience and flexibility of IB has made me move all my portfolios to them.
Beat Broker
Good value for money. Low fees, great trading platform.
Great service and platform
Amazing service and great trading platform with a lot features aswell as a reliable and trusted brokerage!
Very reliable
A little daunting at first sight but it’s easy to pick up and intuitive once you’re familiar.
- 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.
