Interactive Brokers review

Interactive Brokers is a professional-grade broker that has made itself cheap for beginners through IBKR Lite, which provides commission-free trades in US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs for US residents with individual, joint, IRA and certain trust accounts. Its pricing page promises no added spreads, ticket charges, platform fees or account minimums, and cash accounts have no minimum equity. Fractional shares cover more than 10,500 US stocks and ETFs, starting from USD 1, and uninvested cash can earn up to USD 3.38%. Paper trading lets you practice with simulated funds, and IBKR Campus offers education. The tradeoff is ease of use: the platforms and pricing pages are built for active traders, with tiers, order-type exceptions and global markets that a first-time investor does not need. If you are comfortable with a steeper start, few brokers give you more for $0, and you will not outgrow it.

Who it is for

Beginners who want interest on cash and access to markets beyond the US later.

Price

IBKR Lite: $0 commissions on US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs; no account minimums.

IBKR Lite provides commission-free trades in US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• IBKR Lite: commission-free US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs
• No platform fees or account minimums
• Fractional shares on 10,500+ US stocks and ETFs from USD 1
• Interest of up to USD 3.38% on uninvested cash
• Paper trading and IBKR Campus education

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Fractional shares on more than 10,500 US stocks and ETFs
• Strength: Pays interest on uninvested cash
• Strength: Paper trading to practice with simulated money
• Weakness: The platforms are built for active traders and take time to learn
• Weakness: IBKR Lite is limited to US residents and certain account types
• Weakness: Pricing pages are dense with tiers and exceptions

Key facts

• Stock and ETF commission: $0 on IBKR Lite
• Account minimum: None for cash accounts
• Fractional shares: 10,500+ US stocks and ETFs from USD 1
• Cash interest: Up to USD 3.38%
• Margin account: USD 2,000 to open margin

Where it ranks

Interactive Brokers is No. 7 in our Best Investing Apps verdict.