Interactive Brokers vs TD Ameritrade
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Interactive Brokers (4.6/5)
We tested Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade side-by-side. Interactive Brokers comes out ahead overall, but TD Ameritrade may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.8/10 | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 5.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Global Trading | Yes | No |
| TWS Platform | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| thinkorswim | No | Yes |
| Research | No | Yes |
| Education | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Interactive Brokers: $0 – $0.005/share
TD Ameritrade: Free
Interactive Brokers Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest margin rates in the industry
- Access to 150+ global markets
- Professional-grade TWS platform
Cons
- Intimidating interface for beginners
- Complex fee structure
TD Ameritrade Pros & Cons
Pros
- thinkorswim — best options trading platform
- Excellent third-party research
- Outstanding educational content
Cons
- Migrating to Schwab platform
- No fractional shares
Key Specifications
| Spec | Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing | $0 – $0.005/share | Free |
| Year Founded | 1978 | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Greenwich, CT | Omaha, NE (now Schwab) |
| Employees | 2,700+ | Part of Schwab |
| Margin Rate | 5.83%+ | N/A |
| Best For Region | Global | United States |
| thinkorswim | N/A | Yes |
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers wins overall. Choose Interactive Brokers if you value Active professional traders. Choose TD Ameritrade if you prioritize Options traders using thinkorswim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Interactive Brokers better than TD Ameritrade?
Based on our testing, Interactive Brokers scores higher with a rating of 4.6/5 compared to TD Ameritrade's 4.5/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade?
Interactive Brokers is known for: Professional-grade trading platform with access to global markets and lowest margin rates.. TD Ameritrade is known for: Full-service brokerage with thinkorswim platform and extensive research tools..
Which is cheaper, Interactive Brokers or TD Ameritrade?
Interactive Brokers pricing: $0 – $0.005/share. TD Ameritrade pricing: Free.
Can I use Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Trading Platforms category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Interactive Brokers?
Lowest margin rates in the industry. Access to 150+ global markets. Professional-grade TWS platform
What are the pros of TD Ameritrade?
thinkorswim — best options trading platform. Excellent third-party research. Outstanding educational content
Which trading platforms should I choose?
Choose Interactive Brokers if you value Active professional traders. Choose TD Ameritrade if you prioritize Options traders using thinkorswim.