Interactive Brokers vs TD Ameritrade Review
By Blain Reinkensmeyer / May 20th, 2019
The StockBrokers.com annual review (9 years running) takes six months to complete and produces over 30,000 words of research each year. Here's how we test. If you use our links to open an account, we may get a commission. Thank you for supporting our research.
Is TD Ameritrade better than Interactive Brokers? After scoring brokers in nine separate categories for our 2019 review, TD Ameritrade (86.98%) is better than Interactive Brokers (80.99%). The extra cost of trading with TD Ameritrade is worth every cent – the brokerage delivers fantastic platforms, research, mobile apps, education, and customer service. This outstanding all-round experience makes TD Ameritrade our No. 1 overall broker in 2019.
Trading Fees
Margin Rates
Trading Platforms
Charting Features
Day Trading
Mobile Trading
Research Overview
Stock Research
Fund Research
Options Trading
Investments
Order Types
Beginners
Banking
Overall
First, we will break down the commission charges of both brokers for placing stock and options trades. TD Ameritrade charges more than Interactive Brokers for placing regular stock trades ($6.95 and $0 (the broker charges a per share rate instead), respectively). With options, the base fees charged are $6.95 (TD Ameritrade) and $0 (Interactive Brokers). Interactive Brokers's per contract rate of $0.70 is less than TD Ameritrade which charges $0.75. Instead of flat rate fees, several brokers charge a per-share fee instead. For a complete review of trading charges, read our full online broker reviews.
Next, investors want to make sure they can trade the investment vehicle they want. TD Ameritrade offers clients Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds, Forex Trading and Futures Trading while Interactive Brokers offers Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. As far as mutual funds go, TD Ameritrade boasts an offering of 12418 mutual funds compared to Interactive Brokers's 11000 available funds.
Finally, by comparing the each broker's website and platform features, we can surface interesting differences. Both Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade offer virtual trading. For mobile trading, Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade both have a iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Online banking is also used by many customers, and multiple full-service brokerages provide these services. Clients can have Checking Accounts and Debit Cards at Interactive Brokers while customers at TD Ameritrade can have Checking Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards.
Overall, between Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade, TD Ameritrade is the winner.
Interactive Brokers Review
TD Ameritrade Review
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 02/18/2019 and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. The StockBrokers.com staff is constantly working with its online broker representatives to obtain the latest pricing data. If you believe any data listed above is inaccurate, please contact us using the link at the bottom of this page. For stock trade rates, advertised pricing is for a standard order size of 500 shares of stock priced at $30 per share. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply.
TD Ameritrade, Inc. and StockBrokers.com are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other’s services and products.
Options are not suitable for all investors as the special risks inherent to options trading may expose investors to potentially rapid and substantial losses. Options trading privileges subject to TD Ameritrade review and approval. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before investing in options.
Offer valid for one new Individual, Joint or IRA TD Ameritrade account opened by 9/30/2019 and funded within 60 calendar days of account opening with $3,000 or more. To receive $100 bonus, account must be funded with $25,000-$99,999. To receive $300 bonus, account must be funded with $100,000-$249,999. To receive $600 bonus, account must be funded with $250,000 or more. Offer is not valid on tax-exempt trusts, 401k accounts, Keogh plans, Profit Sharing Plan, or Money Purchase Plan. Offer is not transferable and not valid with internal transfers, accounts managed by TD Ameritrade Investment Management, LLC, TD Ameritrade Institutional accounts, and current TD Ameritrade accounts or with other offers. Qualified commission-free Internet equity, ETF or options orders will be limited to a maximum of 250 and must execute within 90 calendar days of account funding. No credit will be given for unexecuted trades. Contract, exercise, and assignment fees still apply. Limit one offer per client. Account value of the qualifying account must remain equal to, or greater than, the value after the net deposit was made (minus any losses due to trading or market volatility or margin debit balances) for 12 months, or TD Ameritrade may charge the account for the cost of the offer at its sole discretion. TD Ameritrade reserves the right to restrict or revoke this offer at any time. This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business. Please allow 3-5 business days for any cash deposits to post to account. Taxes related to TD Ameritrade offers are your responsibility. Retail values totaling $600 or more during the calendar year will be included in your consolidated Form 1099. Please consult a legal or tax advisor for the most recent changes to the U.S. tax code and for rollover eligibility rules. (Offer Code 264)
TD Ameritrade Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. © 2019 TD Ameritrade.
