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Brokerage Account Review🌍 Best for Professionals

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Stock trades $0 (IBKR Lite) or $0.005/share (IBKR Pro). Professional traders, frequent traders, international investors, margin traders.

At a Glance

Stock Trades

$0 (IBKR Lite) or $0.005/share (IBKR Pro)

Options Trades

$0.65/contract (Lite) or $0.25–0.65/contract (Pro)

Min. Deposit

$0

Research Tools

Professional

Fractional Shares

Yes

Crypto Trading

Yes

Rates & Fees

Stock Trades

$0 (IBKR Lite) or $0.005/share (IBKR Pro)

Options Trades

$0.65/contract (Lite) or $0.25–0.65/contract (Pro)

Min. Deposit

$0

Account/Inactivity Fee

None for IBKR Lite; IBKR Pro may carry activity/market-data fees

Full Transfer-Out Fee

None — Interactive Brokers does not charge for outgoing ACAT transfers

Key Features

Lowest margin rates in the industry (5.83% as of 2026)

Trade in 150+ markets across 33 countries

SmartRouting gets better execution prices

IBKR GlobalAnalyst for international screening

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Best margin rates by far
  • International market access unmatched
  • Professional-grade tools
  • Best for institutional-level retail investors

Tradeoffs

  • Steep learning curve — not beginner friendly
  • Trader Workstation UI is complex and dated
  • IBKR Lite has limited research vs Pro

Best for: Professional traders, frequent traders, international investors, margin traders

How to Apply

Decide which account type fits your goal — Interactive Brokers offers Individual, Joint, Roth IRA, and more.

Have your Social Security number, employment information, and a funding source (bank account or transfer) ready.

Open the account directly on Interactive Brokers's site or app; identity verification is required by federal law for all brokerages.

Fund the account with any amount — this broker has no minimum deposit requirement.

Review commission schedules and any account fees before placing your first trade.

How It Compares

Current product highlighted
ProductStock TradesOptions TradesMin. Deposit
Interactive Brokers$0 (IBKR Lite) or $0.005/share (IBKR Pro)$0.65/contract (Lite) or $0.25–0.65/contract (Pro)$0
Fidelity Investments$0$0.65/contract$0
Charles Schwab$0$0.65/contract$0
E*TRADE$0$0.65/contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades/qtr)$0

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Interactive Brokers charge fees to trade stocks?

Interactive Brokers's stock trade commission is "$0 (IBKR Lite) or $0.005/share (IBKR Pro)." Options trades are priced at $0.65/contract (Lite) or $0.25–0.65/contract (Pro), and other fees (like broker-assisted trades or account transfers) can still apply.

What's the minimum deposit for Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers doesn't require a minimum deposit to open an account, so you can start with any amount.

Can I trade fractional shares and crypto with Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers supports fractional shares, and does offer direct crypto trading.

Are there any ongoing or account-closing fees with Interactive Brokers?

Account/inactivity fee: None for IBKR Lite; IBKR Pro may carry activity/market-data fees. Fee to transfer your full account to another broker: None — Interactive Brokers does not charge for outgoing ACAT transfers. Transfer-out fees are common industry-wide and are charged by the broker you're leaving, not the one you're moving to.

How does Interactive Brokers compare to other brokerages?

See the "How It Compares" table on this page for a few close alternatives side by side, or browse the full list of brokerage accounts to compare commissions, minimums, and platform features.

Other Brokerage Accounts

Fidelity Investments

Stock trades: $0

Charles Schwab

Stock trades: $0

E*TRADE

Stock trades: $0

Fees and features shown are illustrative as of 2026 and subject to change — always confirm current terms directly with the broker before opening an account.

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