Interactive Brokers Review
Verdict (At a Glance)
Best for
- Serious investors and active traders who want global markets, low fees, and advanced execution tools under FCA regulation.
- Experienced traders and investors who trade stocks, options, futures, forex and CFDs with tight pricing and broad market access.
Not ideal for
- Users who want the simplest possible interface, or only basic trading with minimal learning curve.
- Beginners with patience and willingness to learn a sophisticated platform (not recommended as the first broker if simplicity is key).
Interactive Brokers
Globally recognised professional-grade broker with access to 90+ markets, very low fees, ISA support and FCA regulation.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
Who This Review Is For
This review is for UK-based traders and investors who:
- Want direct access to global exchanges and broad asset coverage.
- Care about low fees and transparent pricing across markets.
- Prioritise professional-grade tools, research and execution.
- Compare execution quality, platform power, and cost efficiency before choosing a broker.
Evaluation Criteria
We assessed Interactive Brokers on:
- Regulation & safety (UK FCA authorisation).
- Costs and pricing structure (commissions, FX fees, financing).
- Platform quality and tools.
- Asset coverage and global access.
- User feedback and trust signals.
Overview: Interactive Brokers at a Glance
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a globally recognised broker with decades of history. It's widely used by professional traders, institutions, and sophisticated retail investors. Its UK entity is authorised and regulated by the FCA, with client money held under strict requirements.
Strengths
- ✔Very low trading fees and transparent pricing across global markets.
- ✔Access to 90+ markets globally (stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds).
- ✔Advanced trading platforms (desktop, mobile, Client Portal).
- ✔ISA & junior ISA options available in UK (tax-efficient investing).
Limitations
- ✘Platform complexity — steeper learning curve for non-technical beginners.
- ✘Some fee structures (withdrawals after free tier, FX conversions) can be confusing.
- ✘Execution tools and research might be overkill for casual traders.
Regulation & Safety
Interactive Brokers UK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which means client funds are segregated from the broker's own capital. UK clients benefit from governance standards under UK law. This regulatory framework reduces custodial risk and aligns IBKR with UK financial protections.
When to avoid: If you want only a very simple platform with minimal operational complexity.
Platforms & Tools
Interactive Brokers offers IBKR Mobile, Client Portal (web), and Trader Workstation (TWS) — a powerful desktop platform. Research, charting, and advanced order types across asset classes. These tools provide depth for market analysis and execution. However, they are more complex than platforms designed purely for beginners.
Costs & Fees
Interactive Brokers is often praised for low fees and transparent pricing. Stocks & ETFs: competitive commissions starting from low single-digit amounts or percentage-based depending on region and volume. Forex/CFDs: tight spreads with transparent commission + financing rates. No minimum deposit or minimum amount to start. FX conversion fees are among the industry's lowest for cross-currency trading. Withdrawals: one free withdrawal per month; subsequent transfers may incur fees. While costs are generally low, the fee structure can be sophisticated — with tiered pricing on trading types and markets — meaning new users must spend time understanding costs before trading.
Asset Coverage
Interactive Brokers provides access to a broad range of markets globally: stocks & ETFs on dozens of exchanges, options & futures across major markets, forex and CFDs on many instruments, and bonds, funds, and other instruments across multiple currencies. This broad coverage makes IBKR suitable for multi-strategy investors and traders who don't want to maintain separate accounts for different asset types.
Customer Feedback Snapshot
Users on Trustpilot and specialist forums generally give Interactive Brokers a positive rating (~4/5). Positive comments: good pricing and execution quality, strong mobile app improvements over time. Common concerns: platform complexity and setup learning challenges, fee structure nuances can confuse new users.
Cost Comparison Logic
In contrast with most retail brokers, IBKR's pricing is some of the lowest for trading stocks, ETFs and options. FX conversion and cross-currency fees tend to be below average, beneficial for multi-currency portfolios. Unlike many brokers that earn from spreads primarily, IBKR's commissions and transparent fee models make cost forecasting clearer. However, complex pricing tiers mean traders must estimate their expected costs carefully — particularly for infrequent or small trades.
Risks & Considerations
- Platform sophistication may overwhelm beginners.
- Leverage & CFDs carry risk of losses.
- Multiple fee components (commissions, FX, withdrawals) require careful review.
- Regulatory protections exist but don't eliminate market risk — capital loss is still possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology & Disclosure
This review is based on public fee schedules, FCA regulatory status, third-party expert analyses, and user feedback. It is neutral and not financial advice. Affiliate relationships do not influence evaluations.
Alternatives to Interactive Brokers
Capital.com
FCA-regulated CFD and spread betting broker with an intuitive platform suited to beginners and cost-conscious traders.
- Min. Deposit
- £20
Affiliate link · Disclosure
Pepperstone
Execution-focused CFD and forex broker with tight raw spreads, MT4/MT5/cTrader access and FCA regulation.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
IG
One of the UK's largest and longest-established brokers, offering CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, ISA and SIPP under FCA regulation.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links to brokers and products featured on this site. This compensation does not influence our rankings, reviews, or recommendations. We maintain editorial independence and provide objective comparisons. Read our full disclosure policy.
Risk Warning: This website does not provide financial, investment, or trading advice. All information is for educational purposes only. Trading and investing involve substantial risk of loss. You should carefully consider your financial situation and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions.
Last updated: 2026-01-15