Interactive Brokers Review: The Best Broker for Professional Traders?
The broker professionals use, and the most powerful retail broker we’ve reviewed: stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures and forex across 170+ markets from one account, with low trading costs and competitive margin rates. It’s also complex, its support gets criticised, and the account you get depends on where you live. Here’s whether it’s safe and legit, what it costs, and who it suits.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the broker professionals use, and it’s open to everyone. Founder Thomas Peterffy started the business in 1977, according to its filings, though some sources say 1978. It joined the S&P 500 in August 2025, and in September 2026 it reported 5.6 million client accounts and almost $965 billion of client equity. UK clients are served by Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, which is authorised by the FCA.
Its appeal is range and cost: real stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures and forex on 170+ markets (IBKR’s count), low commissions and competitive margin rates. The trade-offs are just as clear. The platforms and pricing are complicated, customer support is criticised, cash earns nothing on the first £8,000 or $10,000, and your account terms depend on which IBKR entity you’re onboarded to. Apart from exploring account opening through a local affiliate (see the affiliates section), this review is based on IBKR’s own pages, regulatory filings and independent reviews, not on hands-on trading tests.
In This Review
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers is safe and legit: it’s a listed S&P 500 company, and UK clients are served by an FCA-authorised firm with segregated client money and FSCS protection. It’s our top-rated broker, and the strongest choice we’ve reviewed for experienced investors and active traders who want global markets, low trading costs and competitive margin rates in one account. Most of the cost advantage comes from commissions and margin, so it matters most if you trade often or borrow.
It’s the wrong pick for complete beginners, for anyone who wants a simple app with no moving parts, or for small buy-and-hold investors who could lose the saving to minimum charges, such as the £3 monthly minimum activity fee on the ISA. Support is criticised, and the products and protections you get depend on which IBKR entity holds your account, so check before you sign up.
Best for experienced investors and active traders who want global markets at low cost.
Visit Interactive Brokers → Try Paper TradingCapital at risk. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 58.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR.
Is Interactive Brokers Safe and Legit? Regulation and Client Protection
Yes. Interactive Brokers is safe and legit: it’s a long-established, publicly listed company, not a start-up. It trades on Nasdaq and joined the S&P 500 on 28 August 2025. Peterffy and affiliates own about 91.6% of IBG Holdings, which holds the Class B shares carrying about 73.7% of voting power, according to IBKR’s 2025 annual report (10-K). That means the founder is still firmly in control.
The entity that serves you depends on where you live. UK clients are served by Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, authorised by the FCA (firm reference number 208159) since 2002. IBKR also operates Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, which serves many EU clients, and Interactive Brokers LLC, regulated by the SEC, CFTC and FINRA, in the US. Other affiliates are regulated by ASIC in Australia, the MAS in Singapore, the SFC in Hong Kong and CIRO in Canada.
IBKR says client money is segregated from its own and held in trust at investment-grade banks, with daily reconciliation. For UK clients, the FSCS covers up to £85,000 per person for investments if IB UK fails, though not for falls in market value. Because IB UK holds some client securities with its US affiliate, IBKR also points UK clients to SIPC cover of $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash) and extra insurance of up to $30 million, which IBKR says is provided by Lloyd’s. IBKR’s own pages say FSCS cover applies to UK clients but only in limited circumstances for some products, so check your account terms to see what’s covered. Crypto isn’t covered by the FSCS. Irish-entity clients are covered for 90% of losses up to €20,000.
IBKR has paid regulatory penalties over the years, mostly for compliance and controls rather than client money. They include $38 million across the SEC, FINRA and the CFTC in August 2020 over anti-money-laundering failures, $20 million to the CFTC in September 2023 over unapproved messaging and recordkeeping, and about $11.8 million to the US Treasury’s OFAC in July 2025 over sanctions violations, plus smaller FINRA fines in 2024 and 2025. The exception was 2021, when the CFTC fined IBKR $1.75 million and ordered $82.57 million of customer restitution after its systems weren’t ready for negative oil prices in April 2020. IBKR also had a login outage for some clients on 5 August 2026, which it said was fixed within an hour.
Customer reviews are less glowing than the regulatory picture. Trustpilot’s UK page showed about 3.1 out of 5 from around 5,500 reviews in October 2026, with most complaints about support and account access.
You can check any UK firm yourself. Search the FCA Register for Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited using reference number 208159, and make sure you sign up through IBKR’s official site, since look-alike sites are a common way people get scammed.
IBKR is a legitimate, heavily regulated firm, and its size and listing make it one of the safest brokers to hold assets with. The fines are a reminder that large brokers still make compliance mistakes, and the protection you get depends on which IBKR entity holds your account.
Accounts: IBKR Lite, IBKR Pro, ISA and SIPP
IBKR has two pricing plans. IBKR Pro is the main one, and the only plan we found offered to UK clients: IB UK’s pricing pages list only tiered and fixed pricing, which are Pro. IBKR Lite is for US retail investors and, according to IBKR, Singapore residents. It charges $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs and $0.65 per options contract, but it uses payment for order flow, which means your orders may not get the best available price. Pro uses SmartRouting to look for the best price across exchanges, which suits active traders.
UK clients can open a Stocks & Shares ISA, launched in November 2023, with the £20,000 yearly allowance. According to IBKR, it holds stocks, ETFs, bonds and funds, has no custody or transfer fee, and charges a £3 monthly minimum activity fee. It’s cash-only with no margin, and it can’t hold fractional shares. There’s also a Junior ISA, with a £9,000 allowance and a £1 monthly minimum. We found no Cash ISA or Lifetime ISA on IBKR’s UK site.
IBKR doesn’t run its own SIPP. It’s offered through third-party administrators (@sipp and Westerby Trustee Services), for UK residents under 75, and CFDs aren’t allowed in it. IBKR’s own pages and the administrators quote different minimums and fees, so check the administrator’s terms before you apply. If you want a simpler ISA or SIPP, our Trading 212 review covers a cheaper option with fewer features.
What You Can Trade
IBKR says it offers 170+ global markets, with stocks and ETFs across 90+ market centres and more than 1 million bonds. It also covers options, futures, forex and funds. We didn’t find a headline total for stocks or ETFs on IBKR’s own pages, so check the specific products you want in its product search. IBKR describes its fund range as thousands of funds, many with no transaction fee.
You own the stocks, ETFs and bonds you buy, and can hold them in several currencies. Fractional shares start at $1 on 10,500+ US stocks and ETFs, plus eligible Canadian and European ones, but not inside the ISA, and fractional shares can’t be transferred out. IBKR also offers overnight trading on US stocks and ETFs, from 8pm to 3:50am US Eastern time.
Crypto is less clear for UK clients. IBKR launched Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash for UK clients in May 2024, through Paxos, but IBKR’s offering has changed since, and crypto isn’t protected by the FSCS. Check what your account can access before you plan around it.
Platforms, Support and Research
IBKR has several platforms, and picking the right one matters. Trader Workstation (TWS) is the flagship professional desktop platform, with advanced order types, algorithmic trading and deep charting. It’s the most powerful and the most intimidating. IBKR Desktop, launched in July 2025 after about two years in beta, is a cleaner desktop app that keeps much of TWS’s power. The Client Portal is the browser-based option for account management and simple investing. IBKR Mobile is the full mobile app, and GlobalTrader is a simpler mobile app that was redesigned in December 2025, with fractional shares from $1 and a practice account with $10,000 of virtual cash.
- Start with IBKR Desktop or the Client Portal, not TWS
- Use paper trading first: IBKR’s main platforms offer $1 million of virtual funds, which you can reset
- Move to TWS later, only if you need its advanced tools
Support is IBKR’s most criticised area. IBKR lists UK phone support from Sunday afternoon to Friday evening US Eastern time, live chat in the Client Portal, and a message centre where tickets are usually allocated to an agent within two hours, according to IBKR. Login and security-device problems can only be fixed by phone. Trustpilot users describe support as slow, so allow extra time if something goes wrong.
Research and education are strengths. IBKR says it gives free access to over 60 news and research sources, including Morningstar and Zacks, and its free IBKR Campus courses cover everything from basics to options strategies. For options traders, tools like OptionTrader and Risk Navigator are professional-grade.
IBKR also runs a Stock Yield Enhancement Program, which lends out your fully paid shares and pays you 50% of a market-based rate, according to IBKR. You need a margin account, or a cash account with more than $50,000 of liquid net worth, and lent shares lose their voting rights. It isn’t available in an ISA, because ISAs are cash-only.
Interactive Brokers Fees and Costs
IBKR’s fees are low, but they’re not simple. Costs differ by plan, market and order size, and the cheapest pricing needs volume. There’s no platform fee and no inactivity fee, which IBKR removed in 2021. The costs that matter for most UK clients are below.
| Fee | What you pay |
|---|---|
| UK shares and ETFs | Tiered: 0.05% of trade value, minimum £1, plus exchange and regulatory fees. Fixed: 0.05%, minimum £3. |
| US stocks (Pro) | Tiered: $0.0035 a share, minimum $0.35, maximum 1%, plus fees. Fixed: $0.005 a share, minimum $1. |
| US options (Pro) | $0.15 to $0.65 a contract, minimum $1. The lowest rate needs very high volume. |
| Currency conversion | IBKR adds or subtracts about 0.03% on automatic conversion. A currency trade costs 0.002% with a $2 minimum. |
| UK stamp duty | 0.5% on UK shares you buy. This is a UK tax, not an IBKR fee. |
| ISA minimum activity fee | £3 a month (£1 for a Junior ISA) |
| Platform, custody and inactivity fees | None |
| Deposits | Free by bank transfer |
| Withdrawals | A free allowance each month, then fees such as £1 by BACS or £7 by bank transfer |
| Market data | Some exchanges charge. For example, London Stock Exchange Level 1 is £1 a month for non-professionals. Basic US data is free. |
From IBKR’s UK pricing pages, as shown in October 2026. IBKR’s own pages disagree on whether the free withdrawal allowance is one or two a month, and which plan a given order uses depends on your account, so check the live pricing page. IBKR’s tiered plan adds exchange, regulatory and clearing fees on top of the commission.
IBKR’s own worked example for buying 100 US shares worth £5,000 came to £1.77 including the currency fee, as of August 2026. That’s very cheap, and it’s why IBKR is popular with active traders. For a small investor buying a few hundred pounds of shares a month, minimums matter more: the ISA’s £3 monthly minimum could cost up to £36 a year, and the fixed UK minimum is £3 a trade. In that case an app with no commission, like Trading 212, can cost less.
Margin Rates and Interest on Cash
Margin lets you borrow against your portfolio, and it’s one of IBKR’s strongest points. Its Pro rates are the benchmark rate plus 1.5% on smaller balances, falling as the balance grows. IBKR’s UK interest page showed these rates:
Variable rates as shown on IBKR’s UK interest page in October 2026. Other IBKR pages quote different figures for small balances, so check IBKR’s live margin page. Margin isn’t available in an ISA.
IBKR Lite charges the benchmark plus 2.5%. Borrowing magnifies losses as well as gains, so margin is for experienced investors only.
IBKR Pro also pays interest on uninvested cash: the benchmark minus 0.5%, but nothing on the first $10,000 or £8,000, and the headline rates apply to accounts with a net asset value above $100,000. Smaller accounts get proportionally less. IBKR’s interest page showed 3.38% on US dollars and 3.202% on pounds in September 2026, paid monthly. Some UK apps, such as Trading 212, pay interest from the first pound, so IBKR is a poor place to leave a small cash balance.
Local Affiliates: Check Which IBKR Entity You’ll Use
Interactive Brokers operates through local affiliates, including IB UK, IB Ireland, IB Australia, IB Singapore and IB Canada. That’s good for protection and local support, but it means what you read on the global website may not apply to your account. When we explored opening an account through a local affiliate, the instruments, platform options and account conditions looked different from what the global interactivebrokers.com site showed, and it wasn’t obvious up front which entity we would be onboarded to.
IBKR’s own announcements show the differences. Its ForecastEx forecast contracts, for example, were launched in Europe for clients of IB Ireland, IB Canada, IB Hong Kong and IB LLC, and IB UK wasn’t on the list, according to IBKR in August 2025. Compensation differs too: FSCS up to £85,000 for UK clients, 90% up to €20,000 in Ireland, and SIPC in the US.
- Which entity will hold your account
- Which platforms are available to that entity
- Which products you can trade, such as options, crypto and CFDs
- Which leverage limits and protections apply
CFD Trading
IBKR is mainly a real-asset broker, but it also offers CFDs to clients where they’re allowed, mainly outside the US. UK clients can trade more than 8,500 share CFDs, plus index, forex, metals and commodity CFDs. According to IBKR, share CFDs cost 0.05% on non-US shares and half a cent a share on US shares, with financing at the benchmark rate plus or minus 1.5%. FCA rules cap retail leverage at 30:1 on major currency pairs, 20:1 on major indices and 5:1 on individual shares. CFDs aren’t available to US residents, and what you can trade elsewhere depends on your IBKR entity and country.
CFDs are a different risk from owning stocks. 58.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR, according to the figure on IB UK’s website in October 2026. If you want to invest rather than trade on leverage, you don’t need them.
Deposits, Withdrawals and Transfers
IBKR doesn’t charge for deposits by bank transfer, and supports 26 trading currencies, according to IBKR. Bank transfer is the usual route, and the exact methods depend on your country and entity. Withdrawals include a free allowance each month, then fees. IB UK’s deposit and withdrawal page lists two free withdrawals a month, while its GlobalTrader page says one. After that, a bank transfer costs £7 and a BACS payment £1.
We couldn’t confirm the current rules for moving a portfolio in or out in-specie, so check with IBKR first. Fractional shares can’t be transferred, and selling holdings to move cash can trigger tax outside an ISA.
Pros and Cons
- Stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, forex and funds from one account
- 170+ markets and 1 million+ bonds, according to IBKR
- Low commissions, about 0.03% on currency conversion, and no platform or inactivity fee
- Margin rates from the benchmark plus 1.5%, falling as balances grow
- Interest on larger uninvested cash balances
- FCA-authorised UK entity with FSCS and SIPC cover, and a listed S&P 500 parent
- Stocks & Shares ISA and Junior ISA, with a SIPP through partners
- Fractional shares, overnight US trading, paper trading, algorithmic trading and an API
- Free research and a large free education library
- Complex platforms and pricing, with a steep learning curve
- Support is widely criticised, and Trustpilot’s UK score is about 3.1
- No interest on the first £8,000 or $10,000 of cash
- The ISA has a £3 monthly minimum fee, no fractional shares, and no Cash ISA or Lifetime ISA
- Exchange and regulatory fees on top of tiered commissions
- Products and protections vary by IBKR entity
- Several regulatory fines over the years
- SIPP only through third parties
Put simply: Interactive Brokers suits experienced investors and active traders who want global markets and low costs and are willing to learn the platform. Look elsewhere if you want a simple app, responsive support, or a low-effort way to invest small amounts.
Start with paper trading to learn the platform, then decide whether to fund a live account.
Visit Interactive Brokers → Try Paper TradingCapital at risk. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 58.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR.
Interactive Brokers vs Saxo Bank: Which Is Better?
Saxo is the closest rival for investors who want one account for many markets and products. Both offer real stocks, ETFs, bonds, options and futures. IBKR is cheaper on the costs we compared and has more markets, while Saxo is a licensed bank with a broad product range, as covered in our Saxo Bank review.
Saxo figures are for its UK entity, from our Saxo Bank review (October 2026). IBKR figures are from its UK pricing pages. Fees and terms differ by entity and can change.
For most active or international investors, IBKR will cost less, and we’d lean towards it. Saxo makes sense if you prefer a licensed bank and don’t mind paying more. If you only want stocks and ETFs in a simple app, our Trading 212 review covers a cheaper and easier option, though without bonds, options or futures.
Interactive Brokers vs Moomoo: Which Is Better?
Moomoo, the app from Nasdaq-listed Futu, is an IBKR alternative for investors who mainly trade US stocks and options. One thing to know first: Moomoo doesn’t accept UK clients. Its own list of available countries names the US, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand, and a UK company it set up in 2024, Moomoo Financial UK Ltd, was dissolved in October 2025 without launching, according to Companies House. So this comparison is mainly for readers in those countries. If you’re in the UK, IBKR is the one you can use.
Where both are available, the trade-off is range against simplicity. IBKR offers 170+ markets and a far wider set of products across stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, forex and funds. Moomoo is a mobile-first app, and its US broker offers $0 commission on US stocks and ETFs, though Moomoo says that applies only to US residents trading US markets. On margin, Moomoo advertises rates as low as 6.8% for balances up to $25,000, against IBKR Pro’s 5.38% on US dollar balances up to $100,000.
Moomoo figures are from its own US pages (margin rate as of a February 2025 comparison shown there) and its list of available countries, and can differ by country. IBKR figures are from its own pages. Rates and terms change, so check current schedules.
Moomoo’s regulatory record is worth knowing about before you pick it. In May 2026, Futu said it had received a notice of investigation and a pre-notification of administrative penalty from China’s securities regulator, with proposed penalties of about RMB 1.85 billion (roughly $271 million) over unlicensed business with mainland China clients. Japan’s Financial Services Agency also took administrative action against Moomoo Securities Japan on 19 June 2026 after an inspection found problems. IBKR has its own history of fines, covered in the safety section, but we’d treat IBKR as the stronger choice for most experienced investors and Moomoo as a simpler option for US stocks. Read our Moomoo review for the full picture.
How to Open an Interactive Brokers Account
The application is online but detailed. Allow plenty of time for the questions, and expect approval to take a few days rather than minutes.
- Photo ID — a passport, national ID or driving licence
- Proof of address — such as a recent utility bill or bank statement, and not the same document as your ID
- Tax details — such as your tax identification number
- Details about your income, net worth and trading experience
- Confirm your entity. Check which IBKR entity will hold your account, as covered in the affiliates section.
- Apply online. Choose your account type, such as an individual account or ISA, and answer the suitability questions honestly.
- Verify your identity. Upload your ID and proof of address.
- Practise with paper trading. Use the virtual account to learn the platform before you commit real money.
- Choose your platform. Start with IBKR Desktop or the Client Portal rather than TWS.
- Fund the account. Use a bank transfer, and check the fees for any withdrawals you expect to make.
Requirements vary by country and entity, and IBKR can decline or restrict an application after review.
How to File a Complaint Against Interactive Brokers
If something goes wrong, such as a frozen account, a wrong charge or a trade problem, you have a clear route for UK clients, and the steps are free. The process below is for Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, according to IBKR’s complaints policy. Clients of other entities have different routes, covered at the end.
- Complain to IBKR first, in writing. IBKR recommends a web ticket: in the Client Portal, go to Help, Support Center, Message Center, then Compose and New Ticket. You can also email ibukcomplaints@interactivebrokers.co.uk with “COMPLAINT” in the subject line, or write to Complaints Handling, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, 20 Fenchurch Street, Floor 12, London EC3M 3BY. IBKR discourages phone complaints.
- Say what happened and what you want. Give dates, account details, the amounts involved and the outcome you’re asking for, and attach evidence such as screenshots, statements and earlier messages. Keep copies of everything.
- Wait for the response. IBKR says it usually acknowledges a complaint within 5 business days, sends an update within 4 weeks if the investigation isn’t finished, and aims to send a final response within 8 weeks. It doesn’t charge for investigating complaints.
- Take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you’re not satisfied. You can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) once you have IBKR’s final response, or if 8 weeks pass without one. You must do it within six months of the final response. It’s free, you don’t need a representative, and the maximum award is £455,000 for complaints referred on or after 1 April 2026 about events since April 2019. Use your own words, and include the final response letter.
Some limits are worth knowing. The FOS generally can’t help with crypto, which the FCA says is mostly unregulated in the UK, and the FSCS only pays out if IBKR fails, not for complaints or investment losses. The FCA itself can’t investigate individual complaints, though you can report concerns and scams to it. Anyone offering to recover money for a fee deserves caution.
If you’re an Irish-entity client, IBKR’s complaints policy lists complaints@interactivebrokers.ie and a target of 40 business days to resolve complaints. If you’re unhappy with the final response, you can refer it to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman. For US clients, complain to IBKR first and then use FINRA’s investor complaint portal, and check your account agreement, since US brokerage agreements often require arbitration.
The Bottom Line
Interactive Brokers is safe and legit, and for experienced investors and active traders it’s the best-value broker we’ve reviewed: 170+ markets, low commissions, competitive margin rates, and a wide range of products in one account. It’s complex, support is weak, cash earns nothing on the first £8,000 or $10,000, and your protections depend on which IBKR entity you use. It suits people who will learn the platform and use its range. Start with paper trading, confirm your entity, and remember that investments can fall as well as rise.
Compare Interactive Brokers With
Other brokers we’ve reviewed that readers often weigh against Interactive Brokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Interactive Brokers safe and legit?
Yes. Interactive Brokers is a legitimate, heavily regulated broker listed on Nasdaq and a member of the S&P 500. UK clients are served by Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, authorised by the FCA, with segregated client money and FSCS protection up to £85,000 for investments. IBKR has paid regulatory fines over the years, and investments can still fall in value.
Is Interactive Brokers regulated, and by whom?
Yes. UK clients are served by Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, regulated by the FCA (reference number 208159). Other entities include Interactive Brokers Ireland (Central Bank of Ireland), Interactive Brokers LLC (SEC, CFTC and FINRA), and affiliates regulated by ASIC, the MAS, the SFC and CIRO. Check which entity your account agreement names.
What happens to my money if Interactive Brokers goes bust?
IBKR says client money is segregated. UK clients can claim up to £85,000 from the FSCS for investments, and IBKR also points to SIPC cover of $500,000 for securities held with its US affiliate. Irish-entity clients are covered for 90% up to €20,000. None of these cover falls in the value of your investments.
Is Interactive Brokers good for beginners?
Not really. The platforms and pricing are complex, the application is detailed, and support gets criticised. Paper trading helps you learn, but beginners who want simplicity will usually do better with a simpler app, such as Trading 212.
How much does Interactive Brokers cost?
There’s no platform fee or inactivity fee. For UK shares, tiered pricing is 0.05% with a £1 minimum, plus exchange and regulatory fees, and fixed pricing is 0.05% with a £3 minimum. US stocks start at $0.0035 a share on the tiered plan. Currency conversion costs about 0.03%, and UK stamp duty of 0.5% applies to UK shares. See fees and costs.
What is the difference between IBKR Lite and Pro?
IBKR Lite charges no commission on US stocks and ETFs but uses payment for order flow, and is for US and Singapore residents. IBKR Pro charges small commissions but uses SmartRouting to seek the best price. UK clients get Pro.
Does Interactive Brokers pay interest on cash?
Yes, on Pro accounts: the benchmark rate minus 0.5%, but nothing on the first $10,000 or £8,000, and the full rate needs a net asset value above $100,000. IBKR’s interest page showed 3.38% on US dollars and 3.202% on pounds in September 2026. Rates are variable.
Does Interactive Brokers offer an ISA or SIPP?
UK clients can open a Stocks & Shares ISA and a Junior ISA, but not a Cash ISA or Lifetime ISA. The ISA has a £3 monthly minimum activity fee. IBKR’s SIPP is run through third-party administrators, for UK residents under 75.
What is the Interactive Brokers minimum deposit?
IBKR’s UK pages list no minimum to open an account. Check the requirement shown when you apply, since terms can differ by entity.
Does Interactive Brokers offer CFD trading?
Yes, to clients in places where CFDs are allowed. UK clients can trade share, index, forex, metals and commodity CFDs. CFDs aren’t available to US residents. 58.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR, according to IB UK’s website in October 2026.
Is Interactive Brokers customer support good?
It’s one of IBKR’s weakest areas. IBKR offers phone, live chat and a message centre, but Trustpilot’s UK score was about 3.1 out of 5 in October 2026, with many complaints about support and account access.
Does it matter which IBKR entity I open an account with?
Yes. Available products, platforms, leverage limits and compensation differ between IB UK, IB Ireland, IB LLC and other affiliates. Confirm which entity will hold your account before you apply. See local affiliates.
Can I trade international stocks on Interactive Brokers?
Yes. IBKR says stocks and ETFs are available across 90+ market centres, including the US, UK and Europe, in local currencies. It’s one of IBKR’s main strengths.
Interactive Brokers vs Moomoo: which is better?
For most experienced investors, IBKR: it offers far more markets and products and lower margin rates on smaller balances, and it accepts UK clients, while Moomoo doesn’t. Moomoo is a simpler US-focused app with no commission on US stocks and ETFs. See the full comparison and our Moomoo review.
Is Moomoo available in the UK?
No. Moomoo’s own list of available countries excludes the UK, and we found no FCA authorisation for it. UK investors who want a similar broker can use IBKR instead.
How do I file a complaint against Interactive Brokers?
UK clients should complain to IBKR in writing first, through a web ticket in the Client Portal’s Message Center or by email, then go to the Financial Ombudsman Service if there’s no final response within 8 weeks or you’re unhappy with it. See how to file a complaint for the steps and time limits.
Interactive Brokers vs Saxo: which is better?
IBKR usually costs less and offers more markets. Saxo is a licensed bank with a broad product range. Both offer bonds, options and futures. See the full comparison.
This review is for informational purposes only and isn’t financial or investment advice. Fees and features are accurate as of October 2026 and can change — always confirm current terms with Interactive Brokers before opening an account. Capital at risk: the value of investments can fall as well as rise. Margin trading and CFDs are complex and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage; 58.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IBKR (as shown on Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited’s website in October 2026), and the percentage differs by entity and over time. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change. We don’t have an affiliate relationship with Interactive Brokers and we don’t earn anything if you open an account through links on this page.