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TD Ameritrade vs Interactive Brokers 2023

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

April 11, 2023

Is TD Ameritrade better than Interactive Brokers? After testing 17 of the best online brokers over three months, TD Ameritrade (97.39%) is better than Interactive Brokers (91.92%). TD Ameritrade delivers $0 trades, fantastic trading platforms, excellent market research, industry-leading education for beginners and reliable customer service. This outstanding all-around experience makes TD Ameritrade one of our top overall brokers in 2023, in which it placed among Best in Class in several categories including options trading and best for beginners.

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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxE*TRADE
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFirstrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMerrill Edge
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSofi Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxtastytrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTD Ameritrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradeStation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradier
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVanguard
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull

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Overall RatingTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Overall 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Options 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Customer Service 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TD Ameritrade Review Interactive Brokers Review
Trading FeesTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $6.95 $0.00
Mutual Fund Trade Fee Varies $14.95
Options (Base Fee) $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.65
Futures (Per Contract) $2.25 $0.85
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $25 $30
Margin RatesTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Margin Rate Under $25,000 14.25% info 7.33% info
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 13.75% 7.33% info
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 12.75% 7.33% info
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 12.50% 7.33% info
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 12.25% 7.33% info
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 Varies info 7.33% info
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 Varies info 7.33% info
Account FeesTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment OptionsTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares No Yes
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 6
Futures Trading Yes Yes
Forex Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 4
Mutual Funds (No Load) 3698 10882
Mutual Funds (Total) 5876 11160
Bonds (US Treasury) Yes Yes
Bonds (Corporate) Yes Yes
Bonds (Municipal) Yes Yes
Advisor Services Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 33
Order TypesTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Order Type - Market Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO Yes Yes
Order Type - OTO Yes Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes Yes
BeginnersTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Bonds) Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator Yes No
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) Yes Yes
Progress Tracking Yes Yes
Interactive Learning - Quizzes Yes Yes
Stock Trading AppsTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes Yes
Trading - Stocks Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes Yes Yes
SB Gallery - Mobile Apps
Stock App FeaturesTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Market Movers (Top Gainers) Yes Yes
Stream Live TV Yes Yes
Videos on Demand Yes Yes
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Total Fields 514 640
Stock App ChartingTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Charting - After-Hours Yes Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 400 97
Charting - Study Customizations Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes No
Trading PlatformsTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Active Trading Platform thinkorswim Trader Workstation (TWS)
Desktop Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes Yes
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Trade Journal Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Total Fields 514 640
Stock Chart FeaturesTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies 429 121
Charting - Drawing Tools 24 85
Charting - Notes Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades Yes Yes
Charting - Corporate Events Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Time Bars Yes Yes
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations 9 5
Charting - Custom Studies Yes No
Day TradingTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Streaming Time & Sales Yes Yes
Streaming TV Yes Yes
Direct Market Routing - Stocks Yes Yes
Ladder Trading Yes Yes
Trade Hot Keys Yes Yes
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv Yes Yes
Short Locator No Yes
Order Liquidity Rebates No Yes
Research OverviewTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes Yes
Research - Bonds Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Screener - Bonds Yes Yes
Misc - Portfolio Allocation Yes Yes
Stock ResearchTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Stock Research - PDF Reports 6 7
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social Yes Yes
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG No Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes Yes
ETF ResearchTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
ETFs - Strategy Overview Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings No Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure Yes Yes
ETFs - Risk Analysis Yes Yes
ETFs - Ratings Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes Yes
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes Yes
Mutual Fund ResearchTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation No Yes
Mutual Funds - StyleMap Yes Yes
Options TradingTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Option Chains - Basic View Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View Yes Yes
Option Chains - Streaming Yes Yes
Option Chains - Total Columns 35 44
Option Chains - Greeks 5 12
Option Chains - Quick Analysis Yes Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis Adv Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming Yes Yes
Option Positions - Adv Analysis Yes Yes
Option Positions - Rolling Yes Yes
Option Positions - Grouping Yes Yes
BankingTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Bank (Member FDIC) No No
Checking Accounts Yes No
Savings Accounts No No
Credit Cards Yes No
Debit Cards Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans No No
Customer ServiceTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) Yes No
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes No
OverallTD AmeritradeInteractive Brokers
Overall 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Options 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TD Ameritrade Review Interactive Brokers Review
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TD Ameritrade vs Interactive Brokers Comparison

Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. For our 2023 annual broker review, we spent hundreds of hours assessing 17 brokerages to find the best online broker. Let's compare TD Ameritrade vs Interactive Brokers.

Is TD Ameritrade or Interactive Brokers better for beginners?

TD Ameritrade offers more comprehensive new investor education for beginner investors than Interactive Brokers. TD Ameritrade offers investors access to Paper Trading, Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Mutual Funds), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement), while Interactive Brokers offers investors access to Paper Trading, Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement). See our guide to Best Paper Trading Platforms for more.

What about TD Ameritrade vs Interactive Brokers pricing?

TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers charge the same amount for regular stock trades, $0.00. TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers both charge $0.65 per option contract. For a complete commissions summary, see our best brokers for free stock trading guide.

Does TD Ameritrade or Interactive Brokers offer a wider range of investment options?

TD Ameritrade offers investors access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds, Futures Trading, Forex Trading and Advisor Services, while Interactive Brokers offers investors access to Stock Trading, Fractional Shares, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. Looking at Mutual Funds, TD Ameritrade trails Interactive Brokers in its offering of no transaction fee (NTF) mutual funds, with Interactive Brokers offering 4329 and TD Ameritrade offering 3610.

Which trading platform is better: TD Ameritrade or Interactive Brokers?

To compare the trading platforms of TD Ameritrade and Interactive Brokers, we tested each broker's trading tools, research capabilities, and mobile apps. For trading tools, TD Ameritrade offers a better experience. With research, Interactive Brokers offers superior market research. Finally, we found TD Ameritrade to provide better mobile trading apps.

Does either broker offer banking?

Online banking can be a benefit for investors, and some brokerages do provide banking services to customers. Checking Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards are offered by TD Ameritrade while Interactive Brokers offers Debit Cards. Neither have Savings Accounts and Mortgage Loans.

Is TD Ameritrade good?

TD Ameritrade delivers $0 trades, fantastic trading platforms, excellent market research, industry-leading education for beginners and reliable customer service. This outstanding all-around experience makes TD Ameritrade one of our top overall brokers in 2023, in which it placed among Best in Class in several categories including options trading and best for beginners.

Is Interactive Brokers good?

Interactive Brokers is a go-to choice for professionals because of its institutional-grade desktop trading platform, high-quality trade executions and rock-bottom margin rates.

TD Ameritrade vs Interactive Brokers Winner

Overall winner: TD Ameritrade

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