59.7% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider
- Experts highlight Interactive Brokers Trading Platform as a top choice for advanced traders, winning accolades for its sophisticated tools and extensive market access. While the platform excels in pricing and execution capabilities, it may be overly complex for some retail users, with a noted need for improved customer service response times.
- Across 1375 user reviews on Good Money Guide, averaging 4.6/5, customers frequently commend the platform's low costs, broad market access, and advanced trading tools. However, some users express concerns regarding the complexity of the desktop interface and occasional delays in customer support. Overall, the platform is praised for its reliability and comprehensive service, making it suitable for both novice and experienced investors.
Interactive Brokers Trading Platform 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 Trading Platform across five key areas of our review framework.
- Pricing5.0
- Market Access5.0
- Online Platform5.0
- Customer Service4.0
- Research & Analysis5.0
Pros
- Low cost
- Wide market range
- Investment accounts
Cons
- Complex desktop platform
- Customer service can be slow
See full expert review
Our verdict
Overall, Interactive Brokers, as the pioneer of the online trading industry, remains one of the best all-round online trading platforms for sophisticated investors and traders. We rank Interactive Brokers as the best online trading platform as it is exceptionally good for sophisticated trading. It offers by far the most access to the most markets through DMA futures, options, physical shares and CFDs. it also has the most advanced execution tools for retail traders, including complex order types such as VWAP, pairs trading, iceberg, and algorithmic trading.
60% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Is Interactive Brokers trading platform any good?
Interactive Brokers won "best trading platform" in our 2024 and 2023 awards as they offer an exceptionally advanced platform for advanced traders, but also a very simple interface for beginners. They also scored very highly in our annual survey for pricing and market range.
We rank Interactive Brokers as the best online trading platform as it is exceptionally good for sophisticated trading. It offers by far the most access to the most markets through DMA futures, options, physical shares and CFDs. it also has the most advanced execution tools for retail traders, including complex order types such as VWAP, pairs trading, iceberg, and algorithmic trading.
When I was testing the trading platform, one thing that is immediately obvious though is that the desktop version is almost too good for retail traders and most will only use a small percentage of its capabilities. However, new traders should not be put off by its institutional-grade offering. The heavy-duty Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation is available as a download on PC, but there is also a simplified web-based version that is very simple to use called Portal.
On the web-based Portal trading platform, you can execute trades as physical deals, CFDs, futures and options (on the widest range of stocks). There are lots of webinars (with the founder Thomas Peterffy and his team) that cover trading strategy. You can also evaluate your portfolio based on how ethical your positions are. There are stock scanners, fund scanners, bond scanners, a fundamentals explorer for hunting out undervalued stocks and you can convert currency at some of the best exchange rates around.
IBKR also gives you more control over your currency exposure. Most other trading platforms automatically convert currency when you trade instruments outside your base currency but IBKR lets you do it manually on a per-trade or ad hoc basis.
What does Interactive Brokers trading platform look like?
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
My best experience
Streamlined and efficient
Best platform
I have been working in private banking for many years, and I can confidently say that this is the best investing platform I have come across. The combination of competitive fees and outstanding service truly sets it apart. In fact, the overall experience is superior to what some private banks are currently offering.
Very good User Interface
The Mobile & Desktop Apps are extremely user friendly. The data on each stock/listing is extensive and further filters/cuts can be added to have the desired view. The statements provide a detailed overview of activity and MTM report.
Excellent trading platform
During my more than 7 years of experience trading US stocks and ETFs with different 8 brokers I have yet to come across a broker that would top Interactive Brokers. I hope they keep up the good work.
The best broker ever
I have been a client of Interactive Brokers for more than 7 years now. I am a raving fan of their services. As a long-term investor I am more than satisfied with all the aspects of their work.
Great
Great
Best trading platform
The platform that I have been using since 2021
Best in Class
great prices, great selection on global markets and access - app could be more user friendly
Excellent platform
Using IB for more than 10 years and during this time I find it an excellent platform for the non-expert trading user
Best and Rich Trading Platform
Best and Rich Trading Platform in terms of costs and usability
top and easy App
Very smooth app, has two apps, the older one with all the information or a newer one which has a better UI, more updated etc.
Smooth, runs good, best fx exchange rates, can't complain at all
security
security and low rates
The best broker
Great broker, low fees, many options for traders.They give good interest on the money kept on the account,way more than competitors. Never had a problem with them,I use many brokers but Interactive brokers is the best for me.
Excellent and affordable trading platform
An industry powerhouse best suited for experienced and active traders who need institutional-grade tools and access to global markets. Its strength lies in low costs, superior trade execution, and an incredibly wide range of tradable assets, including stocks, options, futures, forex, and more, across numerous countries.
Best platform
Investing regularly in S&P works very well
Intuitive, informative and Economic value add
I have found this platform easy to use, trustworthy, informative each and every time I've used it. I would recommend to to anyone who is looking to invest privately.
Easy and efficient
Really helpful platform with easy layout and clear investment options
Best platform for investing in US equities
Definitely worth a recommend. Seemless in transactions both deposit and withdrawals. Very transparent and quick. No hiccups since I've started using this service.
IB
Best investing website
Review of services provided by Interactive Brokers
Execution : excellent
Brokerage : low
Support: prompt, knowledgeable, courteous and above all, helpful
Payout: quick and easy
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.