Interactive Brokers
The professional's gateway to global markets.
Full Analysis
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the powerhouse of the brokerage world. It offers depth and breadth of market access that no other retailer can match. If you want to trade a small cap stock in Japan or an Option in the US, IBKR is the place.
The platform is built for professionals, which means it can be overwhelming for beginners. However, "GlobalTrader" mobile app is bridging that gap.
For UK investors, the low FX fees are a massive draw, although the specific exclusion of fractional shares in the ISA is a slight drawback for smaller portfolios.
Real Investing, Explained
Owning the Company
When you buy a stock (or share), you are buying a tiny slice of a real company. If Apple sells more iPhones, your slice gets more valuable. You might also get paid a "dividend" (profit share) just for holding it.
Unlike CFDs, there is no leverage here. If you buy £100 of stock, you pay £100. The worst that happens is the company goes bust and you lose your £100. You can't lose more than you put in.
Capital at Risk
The value of investments can go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unmatched access to global markets (stocks, options, futures, bonds).
- Lowest margin rates in the industry.
- Professional-grade trading tools (Trader Workstation).
- Extremely low FX conversion fees.
Cons
- Steep learning curve for the simplified platform.
- Pricing structure can be complex (Tiered vs Fixed).
- No fractional shares available in the ISA wrapper.
Best For
Professionals
Direct Market Access (DMA) and advanced order types make it the go-to for serious traders.
Global Investors
Trade on over 150 exchanges in 33 countries from a single account.
Advanced Strategies
Best execution for Options, Futures, and complex multi-leg strategies.