Is Interactive Brokers Free?
Interactive Brokers is partly free, but it depends on your plan and the trades you make. US stocks and ETFs have no commission in some regions and IBKR charges no account minimum or inactivity fee. However, commissions still apply to many other products and markets, while optional live market data, margin trading, currency conversions and some withdrawals can cost extra.
Written ByChristian Harris
Christian is a seasoned analyst, leveraging his expertise in stocks, forex, and crypto to evaluate brokers worldwide. With hands-on trading experience and a strong focus on risk management, he helps traders find reliable platforms. Christian's work for BrokerListings.com has been cited in the Financial Times.
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Fact Checked ByTobias Robinson
Tobias is committed to helping traders find the right brokerage for their needs. He has tested 200+ brokers, spent 2,600+ hours using different platforms, and placed 2,100+ trades.
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Edited ByJames Barra
James is an experienced broker analyst with a background in financial services. He has spent 2,500+ hours testing brokers, used 35+ different platforms and apps, audited 120+ broker T&Cs, and verified 300+ regulatory licenses.
James Barra Profile PageJuly 24, 2026
IBKR Lite (US and Singapore Residents)
- A $0 commission broker for US stocks and ETFs. Options trades still incur a fee (usually $0.65 per contract), so it is not $0 across all asset classes.
- No account minimum, no inactivity fee, no standard monthly charge at Interactive Brokers.
- The trade-off is that your orders are routed via market makers who pay IBKR for the flow (payment for order flow), which can mean slightly worse fill prices on bigger orders. You also get lower cash interest and higher margin rates than Pro.
IBKR Pro (The Standard Plan In Most Countries)
- Commissions are low, not zero. On the fixed plan, US shares run $0.005 per share with a $1 minimum; the tiered plan starts lower for higher volumes.
- In Europe, we paid a flat 3 EUR/GBP on smaller trades, dropping to a percentage rate above roughly 6,000 EUR/GBP.
- In return, you get SmartRouting, no payment for order flow, better interest rates, and lower margin.
| Feature/Fee | IBKR Lite | IBKR Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility & Availability | US and Singapore residents only | Worldwide (170+ global markets) |
| US Stocks & ETFs Commission | $0.00 per share | $0.005/share (Fixed, $1 min) or $0.0035/share (Tiered, $0.35 min) |
| Order Routing & Execution | Payment for Order Flow (PFOF via market makers) | IBKR SmartRouting (No PFOF, optimal price execution) |
| Margin Loan Interest Rates | Higher (Base Rate + ~2.50%) | Industry Lowest (Base Rate + 0.50% to 1.50%) |
| Uninvested Cash Interest Yield | Benchmark minus 1.50% (on balances over $10,000) | Benchmark minus 0.50% (on balances over $10,000) |
| US Options Trading | $0.65 per contract | $0.15 to $0.65 per contract (volume-tiered discounts) |
| International & Other Assets | Standard IBKR rates (e.g. £3/€3 min) | Tiered or Fixed options across all global exchanges |
| Ancillary Costs | Paid live market data, FX spread (~0.2 bps), $1–$10 after 1/2 free monthly withdrawals (location dependent) | Paid live market data, FX spread (~0.2 bps), $1–$10 after 1 free monthly withdrawal |
So no, Interactive Brokers isn’t free across the board, but for what you get, the running costs are among the leanest we’ve tested. That’s why it’s earned a spot on our cheapest brokers list.