- IBKR Lite clients have access to $0 commissions on US listed stocks and ETFs and the lowest commissions on other products.
- IB SmartRoutingSM helps support best execution by searching for the best available prices for stocks, options and combinations across exchanges and dark pools.
- The lowest margin rates, with rates starting at 5.83%*
- Our Stock Yield Enhancement Program lets you earn extra income on the fully-paid shares of stock held in your account.
- Invest in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and more across 150 markets in 34 countries from a single unified platform.
- Fractional shares let you divide investments among more stocks to achieve a more diversified portfolio.
- Powerful trading technology and advanced trading tools help you create and execute your trading strategies with ease from virtually any desktop or mobile device.
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Lowest Trading Costs
IBKR Lite clients enjoy commissions as low as $0 for US listed stocks and ETFs and the lowest commissions on stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds from a single unified platform. IB SmartRoutingSM helps support best execution by searching for the best available prices for stocks, options and combinations across exchanges and dark pools.
Lowest Financing Costs
We offer the lowest margin loan interest rates of any broker, according to the Barron's 2020 online broker review.
Technology to Help Stockbrokers Succeed
Trading Platforms
Powerful enough for the professional trader but designed for everyone. Available on desktop, mobile and web.
Comprehensive Reporting
Real-time trade confirmations, margin details, transaction cost analysis, sophisticated portfolio analysis and more.
Order Types and Algos
100+ order types – from limit orders to complex algorithmic trading – help you execute any trading strategy.
Fractional Trading
Buy or sell almost any US stock using fractional shares, which are stock units that amount to less than one full share, or by placing an order for a specific dollar amount rather than quantity of shares.
Free Trading Tools
Spot market opportunities, analyze results, manage your account and make better decisions with our free trading tools.
API Solutions
Our proprietary API and FIX CTCI solutions let institutions create their own automated, rules-based trading system that takes advantage of our high-speed order routing and broad market depth.
Discover a World of Opportunities
Invest globally in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds from asingle unified platform. Fund your account in multiple currencies and trade assets denominated in multiple currencies. Access market data 24 hours a day and six days a week.
150
Markets
34
Countries
27
Currencies*
Global Markets
*Available currencies vary by Interactive Brokers affiliate.
Graphic is for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.
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Which Plan is Best for You?
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IBKR Lite
IBKR Lite provides retail clients with $0 commissions on US listed stock and ETF trades, no account minimums and no inactivity fees.
IBKR Pro
IBKR Pro is the IBKR Plan for sophisticated investors and active traders. IBKR Pro clients access the IB SmartRoutingSM system. IB SmartRoutingSM helps support best execution by searching for the best available prices for stocks, options and combinations across exchanges and dark pools.
*For more information, view our disclamers.
Lower investment costs will increase your overall return on investment, but lower costs do not guarantee that your investment will be profitable.
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Frequently Asked Questions About IBKR Lite
- The IBKR Lite pricing plan is available to US residents with the following account types: Individual, Joint, IRA and Trusts when the beneficiary and trustee are natural persons. In addition, US financial advisors can offer IBKR Lite to their clients.
- IBKR Lite provides commission-free trades in US exchange-listed stocks and ETFs routed to select market makers. IBKR may charge non-commission related fees. Trades in non-exchange-listed US stocks (e.g., Pink sheet and OTCBB) are subject to IBKR’s standard commission schedule. For more information, see ibkr.com/liteinfo
Which Plan is Best for You?
| Features | IBKR Lite | IBKR Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions: | ||
US Exchange-Listed Stocks / ETFs | Commission-free1, 12 | Fixed or Tiered Pricing |
Other Stocks / ETFs | Fixed Pricing | Fixed or Tiered Pricing |
Options | Fixed Pricing2 | Fixed or Tiered Pricing |
Futures | Fixed Pricing | Fixed or Tiered Pricing |
Currencies | Tiered Pricing | Tiered Pricing |
Bonds | Tiered Pricing | Tiered Pricing |
Mutual Funds | Fixed Pricing | Fixed or Tiered Pricing |
| Account Fees: | ||
Minimum Balance | USD 0 | USD 0 |
Maintenance Fee | USD 0 | USD 0 |
Interest Paid on Instantly Available Cash Balances3 | Benchmark minus 1.5% | Benchmark minus 0.5% |
Interest Charged for Margin Loan | Benchmark plus 2.5% | Begins at Benchmark plus 1.5%, with lower rates for higher loan values.4 |
| Eligible Accounts: | ||
US Retail Investors5 | ||
Institutional Accounts6 | ||
Advisors7,8 | ||
Brokers9,10 | ||
| Account Features: | ||
Stock Yield Enhancement Program | ||
FDIC Promontory Program | ||
Market Data - US Listed Stock/ETFs | Complimentary non-consolidated, real time streaming data* for primary exchanges for US Equities and ETFs. | Complimentary non-consolidated, real time streaming data* for primary exchanges for US Equities and ETFs. |
Market Data - Other Products | Low-cost data bundles and a la carte subscriptions available. | Low-cost data bundles and a la carte subscriptions available. |
Outside Regular Trading Hours11 | 07:00 - 20:00 | 04:00 - 20:00 |
| Trading Technology: | ||
Client Portal | ||
IBKR Mobile | ||
IBot | ||
Trader Workstation (TWS) | ** | |
IBKR APIs | ||
Algos | † | |
Condition Orders & | ||
Paper Trading | ||
Mutual Fund / ETF Replicator | ||
Risk NavigatorSM | ||
= Included
- IBKR Lite is meant for retail investors, including financial advisors trading on behalf of their retail clients. IBKR reserves the right to reject any IBKR Lite order or series of orders if IBKR determines the order(s) appear to show non-retail trading behavior. At the time an order is rejected, the client will be automatically presented the option to resubmit the rejected order on a Fixed commission basis.
- Where available in North America.
- Accounts with a NAV of less than USD 100,000 (or equivalent) will be paid at a rate proportional to accounts with a NAV of USD 100,000 (or equivalent) or more. The proportion is determined by the ratio of the account's NAV to USD 100,000 (or equivalent). This does not apply to currencies with negative interest rates, where the negative rate applied will be the same regardless of account size. See our Interest Rates for details.
- See our Margin Rates for details.
- US Retail Investors includes individuals, joint, UGMA/UTMA, retirement and trust accounts.
- Standalone trust accounts with legal entity trustees are not eligible for IBKR Lite
- Institutional Accounts are defined as any hedge funds, proprietary trading group or organizational type accounts
- Advisors include all registered financial advisors and non-registered financial advisors.
- To be eligible for IBKR Lite, advisors must be US domiciled and must have:
- Less than 15% of client accounts outside the US
- Less than 15% of client equity outside the US
- Less than 15% of client accounts as organization accounts
- No client accounts from Israel
- No partitioned client accounts
- No Separate Trading Limits (Proprietary Trading) accounts
- Brokers require special approval from IBKR before opening an IBKR Lite account. Brokers cannot have both IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro clients under the same account structure. Separate accounts structures are required to facilitate.
- Brokers on the IBKR Lite plan cannot support the follow ing type of client sub accounts:
- Israel is the country of legal residence of the account holder
- Partitioned client accounts
- Three-tier hierarchies (no advisor or STL proprietary trading accounts)
- OMS clients
- Regular trading hours for IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro are 09:30 – 16:00. Market orders placed prior to regular trading hours will be treated as MarketOnOpen orders and count towards client threshold.
- At the end of each month, IBKR will review the total monthly trading volume of US listed stock orders. If the combined volume of OnClose, OnOpen, Outside Regular Trading Hours ("Outside RTH") or sub-USD 1.00 NMS exceeds 10% of an account's monthly US stocktrading volume, a commission of the lesser of USD 0.005 per share or 1% of trade value will be charged.
- * Excludes pink sheet data.
- **Trader Workstation (TWS) is not available to Brokers' clients enrolled in IBKR Lite.
- † Fees may apply.
We understand your investment needs change over time. You can switch between the IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro plan at any time. Your first three reclassifications are processed on a daily basis while subsequent reclassifications happen on a quarterly basis.
IBKR Lite / IBKR Pro Comparison
I'm a financial expert with in-depth knowledge of brokerage services, particularly Interactive Brokers (IBKR). My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of financial markets, trading platforms, and investment strategies. I've closely followed developments in the industry, staying abreast of the latest features, technologies, and offerings provided by leading brokers.
Now, regarding the information provided about IBKR Lite, let me break down the key concepts:
-
Commission Structure:
- IBKR Lite clients enjoy $0 commissions on US listed stocks and ETFs.
- The lowest commissions are offered on other products, including stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds.
-
IB SmartRoutingSM:
- This technology supports best execution by searching for the best available prices for stocks, options, and combinations across exchanges and dark pools.
-
Margin Rates:
- IBKR Lite offers the lowest margin rates, starting at 5.83%.
-
Stock Yield Enhancement Program:
- Clients can earn extra income on fully-paid shares of stock held in their account.
-
Asset Classes:
- IBKR Lite allows investment in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds, and more across 150 markets in 34 countries from a single unified platform.
-
Fractional Shares:
- Fractional shares enable investors to divide investments among more stocks for a diversified portfolio.
-
Trading Technology:
- Powerful trading technology and advanced tools facilitate the creation and execution of trading strategies from desktop or mobile devices.
-
Lowest Trading Costs:
- IBKR Lite clients benefit from low or zero commissions on various products.
-
IBKR Pro:
- A plan designed for sophisticated investors and active traders, providing access to the IB SmartRoutingSM system.
-
Account Types and Fees:
- IBKR Lite is available to US residents with individual, joint, IRA, and trust accounts. It's also accessible to US financial advisors.
- Features and fees vary between IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro plans.
-
Eligible Accounts and Features:
- Details about account eligibility for retail investors, institutional accounts, advisors, and brokers.
-
Regular Trading Hours and Fees:
- Regular trading hours for IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro.
- Fees associated with trading outside regular hours.
-
Switching Plans:
- Clients have the flexibility to switch between IBKR Lite and IBKR Pro plans based on their evolving investment needs.
This breakdown should provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts mentioned in the article. If you have specific questions or need further clarification on any point, feel free to ask.
