Interactive Brokers
Professional-grade access to global markets.
Last reviewed: March 2026
out of 10
Interactive Brokers is the right answer for investors with significant portfolios, complex requirements, or genuine interest in accessing everything. The margin rates are the lowest in the industry. The product range is unmatched. The interface is notoriously complex — but exceptional at scale.
Right for you if…
- Investors with portfolios above €100,000 who want the lowest total costs
- Those who need bonds, options, or futures alongside ETFs
- Investors wanting access to US, European, and Asian markets in one account
- Anyone using margin and wanting the lowest available rates in Europe
Not right if…
- First-time investors — the platform complexity is real, not just a reputation
- Those making small monthly purchases where minimum commissions apply
- Anyone wanting a clean mobile-first experience above all else
Fee Breakdown
Tiered by volume
Interbank rate — best available
Well below competitors
Waived above $100k or 10+ trades
At scale, IBKR is the cheapest platform available in Europe. The 0.002% FX conversion alone is transformative for investors who buy non-EUR assets regularly. The inactivity fee only affects smaller, less active accounts.
0.00% of €2,400 invested/year at Interactive Brokers
Pros and Cons
What works
The widest product range in retail brokerage — every asset class, every major global exchange
Margin rates significantly lower than any European competitor
Multi-currency accounts — hold EUR, USD, GBP, CHF separately without forced conversion
0.002% FX conversion — effectively interbank rate, 75× cheaper than Trading 212
IBKR Pro pricing is among the cheapest per-trade at volume
Regulated by more than 10 financial authorities globally
What doesn't
Trader Workstation (TWS) interface has a steep learning curve — plan time to learn it
Monthly inactivity fee applies below certain account size or activity thresholds
Tax reporting for European investors requires careful processing of complex statements
Customer support is functional but slower than smaller European platforms
Safety & Regulation
Interactive Brokers Group is publicly listed on NASDAQ. Regulated in the US (FINRA, SEC), UK (FCA), Ireland (CBI), and multiple other jurisdictions. Among the strongest balance sheets in retail brokerage globally.
Platform Experience
Trader Workstation is the full-featured desktop client. IBKR GlobalTrader is the simplified mobile app. Client Portal is the web dashboard. Plan several hours to learn before your first significant trade — the complexity is real but the capability is worth it.
Tax Reporting
IBKR provides detailed annual statements. Data is complete but interpreting it for a local European tax return often requires accounting help or dedicated tax software.
Available In
Interactive Brokers FAQ
Interactive Brokers Group is publicly listed on NASDAQ. Regulated in the US (FINRA, SEC), UK (FCA), Ireland (CBI), and multiple other jurisdictions. Among the strongest balance sheets in retail brokerage globally.
At scale, IBKR is the cheapest platform available in Europe. The 0.002% FX conversion alone is transformative for investors who buy non-EUR assets regularly. The inactivity fee only affects smaller, less active accounts.
Interactive Brokers is available in: NL, DE, FR, ES, BE, IT, PL, SE, AT, CH, DK, FI, NO, PT. Availability may change — check Interactive Brokers's website for the latest.
Investors with portfolios above €100,000 who want the lowest total costs. Those who need bonds, options, or futures alongside ETFs. Investors wanting access to US, European, and Asian markets in one account. Anyone using margin and wanting the lowest available rates in Europe.
How It Compares
Open a Interactive Brokers account
Regulated broker. Takes 5–10 minutes to sign up.
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This review reflects Etfora's editorial assessment based on publicly available fee data. Fees may change — verify current rates on Interactive Brokers's website before opening an account. Not financial advice.