Compare E TRADE VS Interactive Brokers

Key Differences

Supported Asset Classes: Interactive Brokers offers broad global access, including U.S. and international stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, bonds, mutual funds, and direct cryptocurrency trading. E*TRADE provides U.S.-listed stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, mutual funds, and forex—with no direct cryptocurrency trading.
Commissions & Pricing: Both platforms offer $0 commissions for eligible U.S. stocks and ETFs. Interactive Brokers (IBKR Lite) uses fixed pricing on options and futures; the Tiered IBKR Pro plan reduces rates for high volume traders. E*TRADE charges $0.65 per options contract (discounted to $0.50 for high-volume users) and $1.50 per futures contract.
Margin Rates: IBKR Lite margin rates start around 6.83% for $100K balances, while IBKR Pro offers lower rates (~5.33%) through tiered pricing. E*TRADE’s margin rates typically start higher—around 11.70%—and decrease for larger balances.
Trading Platforms & Customization: Interactive Brokers provides Trader Workstation (TWS) for professionals, Client Portal, GlobalTrader, and IBKR Mobile—offering advanced customization, global market access, and algorithmic order types. E*TRADE offers standard online/mobile interfaces and Power E*TRADE, which includes charting, scanners, and paper trading, with fewer customization options.
Research, Tools & Programming Access: IBKR supports nearly unlimited watchlist columns (659), over 155 chart indicators, 85 drawing tools, and supports API integration for automation. E*TRADE supports fewer watchlist fields (43), 121 chart indicators, and streamlined tools tailored primarily for U.S. active traders.
Global & Crypto Markets: Interactive Brokers enables trading in international markets in over 90 exchanges and direct crypto spot trading. E*TRADE has no direct global or crypto trading, relying on ETF-based exposure only.
Account Types & Segmentation: IBKR Lite caters to U.S. residents with simpler entry-level setup; IBKR Pro is available globally and unlocks advanced routing and lower rates. E*TRADE serves retail and active U.S. investors with integrated banking, retirement, and managed account options.
Cash Sweep & Banking Options: E*TRADE includes banking features, debit card access, ATM reimbursement, and cash sweep options via affiliated bank accounts. Interactive Brokers offers interest on uninvested cash in margin accounts but no integrated brokerage banking suite.

Pricing

Price Plans

Price on Request

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Free Trial
Lifetime Plan

Free Trial

Ratings

Overall ratings

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4.3

22 Ratings & 22 Reviews

Features 4.3

Value for Money 4.4

Ease of Use 4.2

Customer Support 4.3

Likelihood to Recommend

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Pros & Cons

Pros

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IBKR doesn’t push expensive “premium tiers” for core services, advanced to...Read more - Jenna Nov 29, 2025

IBKR’s execution speed, reliability, and efficient settlement across global ma...Read more - Felipe Scabini Oct 25, 2025

Cons

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Onboarding, account verification (especially for global clients) can be bureaucr...Read more - Jenna Nov 29, 2025

Settlement in different currencies/time zones sometimes causes delays; foreign-e...Read more - Felipe Scabini Oct 25, 2025

Reviews

Verified customer reviews

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Low overall cost, no hidden premiums for advanced features

Jenna Nov 29, 2025

Reliable execution and fast settlement, my trades clear quickly

Felipe Scabini Oct 25, 2025

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Reviews with Video

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Full Review of Interactive Brokers After 4Years

INTERACTIVE BROKERS REVIEW 2021 The Good The Bad And The Ugly

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Features

Core Features

Portfolio Management
Market Data
Watchlist
Charting Tools
Order Control
Order Execution

Portfolio Management
Market Data
Watchlist
Charting Tools
Order Control
Order Execution

Order Execution

Limit Order
Market Order
Stop (Loss) Order
Stop Limit Orders
Trailing Stop Order

Limit Order
Market Order
Stop (Loss) Order
Stop Limit Orders
Trailing Stop Order

Research and Analysis

Technical Analysis
Fundamental Analysis
Pattern Recognition
Scanning Tools
Backtesting and Optimization
Smart drawing tools

Technical Analysis
Fundamental Analysis
Pattern Recognition
Scanning Tools
Backtesting and Optimization
Smart drawing tools

Trading Options

Mutual Funds
Paper Trading
Intraday Trading
Algorithm Trading
Options Trading
Futures Trading
Forex Trading
Crypto Trading
Automatic Trading
Margin Trading (MTF)

Mutual Funds
Paper Trading
Intraday Trading
Algorithm Trading
Options Trading
Futures Trading
Forex Trading
Crypto Trading
Automatic Trading
Margin Trading (MTF)

Reporting & Analytics

Dashboards
Automated Reports
Report Customization
P&L Report
Contract Note
Financial Transaction Report (CashLedger)

Dashboards
Automated Reports
Report Customization
P&L Report
Contract Note
Financial Transaction Report (CashLedger)

Account Management

Demat Account Creation
Platform Migration
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Customizable User Interface

Demat Account Creation
Platform Migration
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Customizable User Interface

Integrations

API Integration
Financial Tools Integration

API Integration
Financial Tools Integration

Alerts & Notification

Price Alert
Real Time Market Updates
News Alerts
Volume Alerts

Price Alert
Real Time Market Updates
News Alerts
Volume Alerts

Gallery

All Videos & Images

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Specifications

Deployment

Web based
On Premises

Web based
On Premises

Device Supported

Desktop
Mobile
iPad
Tablet

Desktop
Mobile
iPad
Tablet

Supported Platforms

Windows
Mac OS
Android
iOS
Linux
Ubuntu

Windows
Mac OS
Android
iOS
Linux
Ubuntu

Languages support

English

English

Compliance Regulations:

COPPA
HIPAA
CCPA
CPRA
ECPA

COPPA
HIPAA
CCPA
CPRA
ECPA

Alternatives

Top Alternative Products

TradeZero

Lightspeed Trading

Fidelity

Tastytrade

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TradeZero

Lightspeed Trading

Fidelity

Webull

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E TRADE vs Interactive Brokers Comparison FAQs

Software questions,
answered

On both platforms, commissions on stock and ETF trades are free. Nevertheless, IBKR offers lower margins and other competitive futures trading rates, which makes it possibly cheaper to trade actively.

E TRADE has around-the-clock customer service through phone, chat, and email, and offers ready customer services. IBKR also has 24/6 support with several channels, with a global clientele.

Select E TRADE because of its convenient interface and powerful learning materials, which would suit a novice. IBKR is the right choice when you are a professional trader in need of sophisticated trading services and international access.

They are both popular online brokerage websites that provide an extensive variety of investment opportunities and are often compared to each other to allow investors to pick the platform that suits their needs the most.

E TRADE may be used in case of individual investors interested in the U.S. markets and a simple interface. IBKR, however, can be a better fit for more sophisticated traders who should have access to global markets and have more sophisticated tools.

In the case of simple stock and options trading, the two websites can be competitive on the pricing front. Nevertheless, the low margin rates and futures trading fees offered by IBKR can make it cheaper for active traders.

E TRADE offers a platform that is user-friendly and offers various educational materials that could be available to individual investors, and it improves the user experience.

Users like the ease of use and the strength of the educational capabilities of E TRADE. IBKR customers attach importance to its sophisticated trading platforms and markets worldwide.

E TRADE has integrations with a wide range of financial tools and platforms, which improve the user experience. Bigger traders are served by IBKR, which offers wide integrations with professional trading systems and instruments.

E TRADE will serve the needs of individual investors and individuals who may want to invest little by little. IBKR is meant to support high-volume and institutional traders, and it is more scalable.

A Quick Comparison Between E TRADE vs Interactive Brokers

Choosing any software for your organisation is a crucial decision. As a decision maker, you must ensure that the software you choose addresses the pain points of your teams and reaps maximum benefit for you.

E Trade vs Interactive Brokers: Which Trading Platform is Better for You?
E Trade and Interactive Brokers: Comparison Table
Detailed Feature Comparison of E Trade and Interactive Brokers
Trading Focus
Investment Options
Research & Education
Mobile Experience
Account Types
When to Choose E Trade or Interactive Brokers?
Final Verdict: E Trade or Interactive Brokers

E Trade vs Interactive Brokers: Which Trading Platform is Better for You?

E TRADE is ideal with Morgan Stanley and is aimed at individuals who are interested in convenient and inexpensive investment. It has zero commission trade, a straightforward mobile platform and desktop application, and beginner-friendly stock, ETF, and option trading assistance. It is a decent choice when a person wants to invest without any excessive complexity and has convenient banking options.

IBKR is more suitable for experienced traders, as they have a desire to trade in international markets and require advanced tools. It has extremely low charges, robust trading systems, and entry in more than 30 markets.

Select E TRADE when one wants to invest simply and easily, and invest with Interactive Brokers when one wants to control more, trade worldwide, and use professional equipment.

E Trade and Interactive Brokers: Comparison Table

Feature	E*TRADE	Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Trading Fees	$0 for stocks and ETFs; small fee for options.	Very low trading fees across global markets.
Other Fees	Small cost for futures and bonds.	Low per-trade fees for futures and bonds.
Account Minimums	No minimum balance.	No minimum; fees only for small inactive accounts.
Platform & Tools	Simple web and app platforms.	Advanced tools for active traders.
Customer Support	Phone, chat, and help center.	24/6 global support.
Market Data	Basic data included.	Global market data available.

Detailed Feature Comparison of E Trade and Interactive Brokers

Trading Focus

E TRADE focuses on casual and long-term investors who prefer easy navigation, basic research tools, and a guided investment experience suitable for beginners.
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) caters to active and professional traders, offering fast execution, deep market access, and advanced analytics for global trading.

Investment Options

E TRADE provides access to stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options with simple selection tools.
IBKR supports a broader range, including global stocks, forex, futures, bonds, and mutual funds in multiple markets.

Research & Education

E TRADE offers beginner-friendly educational videos, articles, and basic market insights.
IBKR provides advanced research tools, global market reports, and the IBKR Campus for in-depth trading education.

Mobile Experience

E TRADE delivers a clean, easy-to-use mobile app for quick trades and portfolio tracking.
IBKR mobile app is designed for professionals, featuring advanced charting, global news, and customizable dashboards.

Account Types

E TRADE supports standard, retirement, and custodial accounts for individuals and families.
IBKR offers various account types, including individual, joint, trust, and institutional accounts for global clients.Top of Form

When to Choose E Trade or Interactive Brokers?

Scenario	Choose E*TRADE	Choose Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Experience Level	Beginners prefer simple tools.	Experienced traders need advanced tools.
Trading Frequency	Occasional or long-term investing.	Active daily trading.
User Interface	Easy, intuitive platform.	Complex, data-rich dashboards.
Global Access	Focus on U.S. markets.	Access to international markets.
Platform Customization	Pre-set layouts ready to use.	Full control over setup and analytics.
Cost Sensitivity	Simple, transparent fees.	Low commissions for high-volume trading.
Portfolio Management	Managed portfolios or retirement plans.	Self-directed, global portfolios.

Final Verdict: E Trade or Interactive Brokers

Select E TRADE when you are a beginner or casual investor who wants a simple, easy-to-use platform that provides solid educational material, because it makes the process of investing easy and prepares a person with confidence to learn the market.

Choose Interactive Brokers in case you are a seasoned trader with a specific need for high-tech tools, access to the global market, and the vast scope of the investments available, as it enables complex trading and analysis, as well as effective trading on the global market.

The decision you take must be in keeping with your experience in trading, your investment objectives, and the degree of sophistication that you are comfortable with, so that the platform can help you develop as an investor, tolerate risk, and achieve your financial potential in the long term.

Author: Techjockey Team