Interactive Brokers in brief
- ProfileGlobal multi-asset broker with futures access
- Score7.8/10
- Best forExperienced traders who want multiple asset classes in one environment
- StrengthsMarket breadth, professional order tools and lower friction for multi-asset trading
- WeaknessesCan take more setup than a dedicated futures broker
- Our verdictA solid option for the right kind of trader, but not our top pick for a simple futures start
What is Interactive Brokers?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is one of the world's largest and most established brokers. The platform gives access to stocks, futures, options, currencies, bonds and more — across markets worldwide. That makes IBKR a natural choice for traders who want broad market coverage in a single trading environment.
For futures trading specifically, Interactive Brokers offers access to a large number of futures contracts on exchanges such as CME, CBOT, NYMEX and EUREX. That makes it possible to trade everything from S&P 500 futures to crude oil, gold and interest-rate derivatives through the same account.
The platform is known for its Trader Workstation (TWS) — a professional trading tool with advanced charting, order types and analysis capabilities. TWS is powerful, but can also feel more demanding to learn than simpler trading interfaces.
A professional trading platform
TWS is one of the most feature-rich trading platforms on the market. It gives access to advanced order types, depth data, charting and analysis tools — all in one environment.
Regulation and safety
Interactive Brokers is made up of several regulated companies. In the US, Interactive Brokers LLC is a full Futures Commission Merchant (FCM), regulated by the CFTC, an NFA member and SEC/FINRA-registered. European and Nordic clients, including from Norway, are normally served by Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Customer funds are segregated within whichever entity your account belongs to, so investor protection varies by entity: the Irish Investor Compensation Scheme (ICS) covers up to 90% of the loss, capped at €20,000, if the company fails. In the US, SIPC covers securities up to $500,000, but futures accounts aren't covered by SIPC or an equivalent full-repayment guarantee — this applies to US futures generally.
Customer funds are still protected under US segregation rules, and futures customers get priority claim to those funds if the company were to fail, though there's no guarantee of full repayment if a shortfall occurred.
Who is Interactive Brokers a good fit for?
Good fit for
- Experienced traders who want global market access
- Multi-asset traders who need futures, stocks and options in one environment
- Professional and institutional users
- Traders already comfortable with complex platforms
Less of a fit for
- New futures traders who want the simplest possible start
- Traders who mainly want dedicated futures support and training
- Users who prioritise simple navigation over feature breadth
- Traders who don't need global multi-asset access
Advanced tools for experienced traders
Interactive Brokers stands out for the depth of its tools. For experienced traders who trade futures alongside options, stocks or currencies, this can be a clear advantage. Being able to see and manage the entire portfolio in one environment gives better overview and less friction.
At the same time, this breadth means the platform can feel more demanding for traders who trade futures exclusively. A dedicated futures broker such as EdgeClear or NinjaTrader often offers a more focused workflow for those who don't need multi-asset breadth.
Interactive Brokers pros and cons
Pros
- Broad global market access — futures, stocks, options and currencies on the world's leading exchanges
- Professional order tools — over 100 order types and an advanced TWS platform
- Multi-asset in one environment — ideal for traders with broad trading strategies
- Established and regulated — one of the world's largest and most recognised brokers
- Competitive commissions — particularly for high volume and professional users
Cons
- More complex for new futures traders — TWS can feel demanding to learn
- Less of a dedicated futures profile — futures is one of many product categories
- Requires more configuration — not as targeted for a pure futures start as specialised brokers
- Can feel overwhelming — many features and settings can distract from core trading
Interactive Brokers for traders across Europe
For traders across Europe, Interactive Brokers is one of the few brokers offering access to listed futures in international markets combined with stocks and options — all in the same account. That makes IBKR relevant for traders with broader trading strategies.
Traders should be aware that Interactive Brokers is a foreign broker for many in Europe, and that trading international futures can involve currency exposure, reporting obligations and tax consequences. Best Futures does not provide tax advice — if in doubt, consult a professional.
For traders who mainly want a futures-first experience — dedicated support, a simpler setup and futures-specific guidance — EdgeClear, Saxo Bank or NinjaTrader are often the more natural first choice, while AMP Futures remains a relevant low-cost alternative.
Comparison with the futures specialists
Interactive Brokers differs from EdgeClear, Saxo Bank, NinjaTrader and AMP Futures on one key point: IBKR is first and foremost a global multi-asset broker with futures access, while the others are more clearly positioned in our futures rankings.
For a trader who already trades stocks and options and wants to add futures, IBKR can be the most practical choice. For a trader starting out with futures who wants the best futures experience from day one, we recommend starting with EdgeClear, Saxo Bank or NinjaTrader.
Our #1 for dedicated futures: EdgeClear
For traders who primarily want to trade futures, EdgeClear is our top pick as of June 2026 — with 9.4/10 and a clear futures profile.
Our verdict on Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers earns 7.8/10 from Best Futures. That's a solid score reflecting that IBKR is a strong, established and professional broker with broad market access and good tools. The score is lower than EdgeClear, Saxo Bank and NinjaTrader because IBKR isn't as targeted at dedicated futures trading.
For multi-asset traders who need everything in one environment, Interactive Brokers can be the best choice. For traders who mainly want to trade futures actively and want a simpler, more specialised solution, our rankings point to EdgeClear, Saxo Bank or NinjaTrader.
FAQ about Interactive Brokers
Yes, Interactive Brokers gives access to a broad range of futures contracts on international exchanges such as CME, CBOT, NYMEX and EUREX. Futures can be traded via the TWS platform.
Interactive Brokers is an excellent broker, but it isn't as targeted at futures trading as EdgeClear, Saxo Bank and NinjaTrader. AMP Futures is also a relevant low-cost alternative in our top 5.
Yes, Interactive Brokers is available to traders across Europe and gives access to international markets. Traders should familiarise themselves with the tax and reporting consequences that apply in their own country.
Interactive Brokers is best for global market access, multi-asset trading in one environment, and professional order tools. Ideal for experienced traders with broad trading strategies.
TWS (Trader Workstation) is Interactive Brokers' advanced trading platform. It offers over 100 order types, advanced charting, real-time data and tools for stocks, futures, options and currencies in one environment.
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