Are you confused about whether to choose Robinhood vs Interactive Brokers (IBKR) as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse Robinhood vs Interactive Brokers (IBKR) to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!
Robinhood vs Interactive Brokers: In a Nutshell
US beginner investors
Robinhood offers commission-free trading, meaning users can buy and sell stocks, cryptocurrencies, options, and ETFs without paying any fees.
Robinhood offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the investing process. It provides real-time market data, personalized news feeds, and price alerts to inform users.
It is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and it is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corp. (SIPC). Your assets are protected up to $500,000 (of which up to $250,000 is for cash).
Every investor (best overall)
Interactive Brokers is a global online broker and publicly listed company which surpassed major financial crises, showing resilience and a rigorous risk management process.
It offers an advanced investment platform that includes a wide range of products (stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, bonds, and currencies) from 150 markets.
Beginners and intermediate investors have educational tools to explore, but the learning curve will be steep. Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs.
Pros and Cons
Robinhood
Pros
- Commission-free trades
- IRAs and 401(k)
- Fractional shares
- IPO Access
- No account minimum
Cons
- No mutual funds or bonds
- Limited customer support
Interactive Brokers
Pros
- Low commissions on US stock trading (for EUR based accounts)
- No monthly inactivity fee
- The broadest product and markets range in the brokerage industry
- Demo account
- Excellent reputation (founded in 1978)
- Extensive research and Education tools
- Has a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs, ideal for novice investors, IBKR GlobalTrader.
Cons
- Complicated and lengthy account opening process (but fully online)
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Website is difficult to navigate
- Interactive Advisors (Robo-advisor feature) is only available for US customers
Robinhood vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-side Comparison
- General Information
- Founded in
- Demo Account
- Account Minimum
- Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
- Products
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Bonds
- Funds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Leverage Products
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Fees
- US stocks
- EU stocks
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Custody Fee
- Inactivity Fee
- Withdrawal Fee
- Connectivity Fee
- Currency Conversion Fee
- Security
- Regulators
- Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
