menuclose
StockBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn how we make money.

Interactive Brokers vs TradeStation 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs TradeStation, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Interactive Brokers
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65 info
TradeStation
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.60

Range of investments

When weighing Interactive Brokers against TradeStation for online investing, investors will find that both platforms have unique strengths. Interactive Brokers receives top marks for its diverse array of investment options, rated a solid 5 stars for its range, and is ranked #1 by StockBrokers.com. TradeStation, while not quite as diverse, still holds a commendable 4.5-star rating and #5 rank, offering an extensive selection of options suitable for many investors. This analysis makes Interactive Brokers the preferred platform for those seeking the broadest investment opportunities.

Both Interactive Brokers and TradeStation offer a variety of investment avenues including stock trading, margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options trading, and futures trading. However, Interactive Brokers provides a wider range with forex and crypto trading options, offering 11 coins for crypto, a feature that TradeStation does not offer. Investors seeking fractional shares will also find a better fit with Interactive Brokers, as TradeStation does not currently offer this service.

Both platforms cater to long-term saving strategies, providing traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts. However, neither Interactive Brokers nor TradeStation includes advisor services in their offerings. Investors who prioritize a wider selection of investment tools and opportunities, and who do not require personalized advisor services, will likely find Interactive Brokers more to their liking. Nonetheless, TradeStation remains an appealing choice for those who do not need crypto or forex trading options but still desire a comprehensive range of other investment opportunities.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info Yes No
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading info Yes info No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 11 info 0
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market

Trading platforms and tools

When it comes to choosing between Interactive Brokers and TradeStation for trading platforms and tools, there are a few key differences that might influence your decision. Interactive Brokers offers a highly rated experience, with a perfect 5-star rating and a #2 ranking out of 14 brokers by StockBrokers.com. On the other hand, TradeStation is not far behind with a solid 4.5-star rating and a #3 ranking. Both brokers offer a wide array of features, but deciding between them depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Interactive Brokers offers both Windows and Mac desktop downloadable platforms, catering to users of both operating systems, while TradeStation is limited to Windows. Both brokers also feature web-based platforms and provide the ability for paper trading. For traders who value customization, TradeStation stands out with the ability to create custom studies for charts, boasting 12 customization fields when editing an SMA study. Interactive Brokers, though lacking in custom studies, provides a trading journal and a significantly higher number of drawing tools (85 compared to TradeStation's 23).

In terms of charting features, TradeStation leads with 294 technical indicators, but Interactive Brokers offers more drawing tools and features like trading journals that can be crucial for analyzing past trades. Both brokers allow adjusting open orders directly on stock charts and support advanced chart functionalities such as displaying corporate events and automated technical analysis. Overall, both Interactive Brokers and TradeStation offer strong platforms, but the decision may come down to smaller details like the range of customization options, available tools, and platform compatibility with your device.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 659 341
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 155 294
Charting - Drawing Tools info 85 23
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025

Featured Offers


5/5 Stars

Schwab Trading Powered by Ameritrade™.

5/5 Stars

A full-featured account for investing

5/5 Stars

Get up to $1K on new brokerage account*

Beginners and education

Interactive Brokers excels in providing comprehensive investor education, making it an excellent choice for beginners eager to learn. With resources covering stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds, it ensures a well-rounded educational experience. Interactive Brokers not only offers paper trading to simulate real-market conditions but also enriches the learning journey through educational videos, webinars, and quizzes. The platform stands out by enabling users to track their progress, encouraging continuous development and mastery of financial markets. Rated five stars for its educational value, Interactive Brokers ranks third among 14 brokers evaluated by StockBrokers.com.

TradeStation, while offering solid basic educational tools, is less expansive in its offerings compared to Interactive Brokers. It supports stock and options education and provides paper trading, educational videos, and webinars for foundational learning. However, TradeStation lacks educational resources for ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, potentially limiting the depth of knowledge available to new investors. Unlike Interactive Brokers, TradeStation doesn't offer quizzes or progress tracking to personalize the educational journey. This results in a three-star rating for education and a 13th place ranking in StockBrokers.com's education evaluation of 14 brokers.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes No
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

Bottom line: Interactive Brokers edges out TradeStation for mobile stock trading. IBKR earns 5 stars and ranks #2 of 14 at StockBrokers.com, while TradeStation earns 4.5 stars and ranks #8. Both apps are capable, but if you want the richest feature set on your phone or watch, Interactive Brokers is the better pick; TradeStation remains a solid choice for core trading needs.

Key differences: Interactive Brokers offers iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch apps; TradeStation has iPhone and Android but no Apple Watch. IBKR includes streaming live TV and videos on demand, which TradeStation lacks. For mobile charting, both support multiple time frames and after-hours charting, but only IBKR lets you rotate to landscape and overlay stock comparisons. IBKR also supplies 97 technical studies versus TradeStation’s 45.

What they share: both apps support options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, custom watch lists, and customizable watch list columns. Each provides iPhone and Android apps. Interactive Brokers enables mobile after-hours stock trading; the information provided here does not confirm whether TradeStation supports after-hours trading on mobile.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 97 45
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

Both Interactive Brokers and TradeStation offer $0 minimum deposits and $0 commissions for stock trades, but their fees diverge in key places. TradeStation charges slightly less per options contract at $0.60 versus Interactive Brokers at $0.65. However, Interactive Brokers is usually the cheaper choice overall thanks to far lower margin interest and fewer account-level fees. If you only care about the per-contract options price, TradeStation can appeal; if you value low ongoing costs, Interactive Brokers is typically the better deal.

For basic trading costs, both brokers keep barriers low: $0 to open an account and $0 for regular stock trades. Options pricing is close, with Interactive Brokers at $0.65 per contract and TradeStation at $0.60. The biggest cost gap shows up with margin: Interactive Brokers lists 6.83% for balances under $25,000, $25,000–$49,999, and $50,000–$99,999, while TradeStation is 13.0% below $50,000 and 12.5% for $50,000–$99,999—meaning Interactive Brokers can be dramatically cheaper if you borrow.

Account and event fees further tilt the scales. Interactive Brokers charges $0 for IRA annual and closure fees, while TradeStation is $35 annually and $50 to close. Transfers are cheaper at Interactive Brokers, with $0 for both partial and full ACATs; TradeStation is $125 for either. Options events also favor Interactive Brokers: $0 for exercise and assignment versus TradeStation’s $14.95 exercise fee and $5.95 assignment fee.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 info $0.60
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $14.95
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $5.95
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $35.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $50.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When it comes to day trading, both Interactive Brokers and TradeStation offer strong feature sets that appeal to traders seeking comprehensive tools and analytics. Both platforms provide streaming time and sales data for stocks, which is essential for understanding real-time market movements. Traders can take advantage of direct market routing for precise order placement, use ladder trading for quick order adjustments, and employ trading hotkeys for efficient keyboard entry. Additionally, the availability of level 2 quotes and various backtesting capabilities, both basic and advanced, ensures that traders can thoroughly analyze and refine their strategies. Furthermore, both brokers offer a short locator tool enabling clients to view the availability of shares to short, along with order liquidity rebates that could potentially reduce trading costs.

Despite these similarities, Interactive Brokers edges out slightly by including streaming live TV as part of its services, keeping traders informed with the latest financial news directly within their platform—an area where TradeStation currently does not compete. This feature can be particularly advantageous for traders who rely on up-to-the-minute news and live market commentary to make informed trading decisions. Consequently, while both Interactive Brokers and TradeStation are equipped with essential tools for prompt and effective day trading, those seeking integrated live news would find Interactive Brokers to be more accommodating to their needs.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes Yes
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info Yes Yes
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info Yes Yes
Short Locator info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2025 for Beginners and Active Traders

Market Research

Bottom line: Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick for market research. It earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while TradeStation scores 2 out of 5 stars and ranks #11. If you want wide asset coverage, richer data types, and downloadable reports to back your decisions, Interactive Brokers stands out. TradeStation covers the basics for stock research but leaves gaps in several areas.

Both brokers offer research for stocks and ETFs, plus Pink Sheets/OTC. Interactive Brokers adds research for mutual funds and bonds, which TradeStation does not. IBKR also includes ESG research and social media sentiment for stocks; TradeStation lacks both. Each platform can show your portfolio allocation by asset class. For reports, Interactive Brokers provides 17 downloadable PDF stock reports and also offers PDF reports for ETFs and mutual funds; TradeStation offers none.

Idea generation is broader at Interactive Brokers. Both platforms have a stock screener, but IBKR also supplies screeners for ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, while TradeStation does not. In short, Interactive Brokers suits investors who want deeper research and screening across more asset classes, whereas TradeStation fits traders who only need basic stock research and a simple screener.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Fixed Income info Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes No
Research 5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing the banking capabilities of Interactive Brokers and TradeStation, neither online broker offers traditional banking services like checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, or mortgage loans. However, Interactive Brokers does provide access to certificates of deposit (CDs), offering an option for those interested in this type of investment product. In contrast, TradeStation does not offer CDs. This difference could be a consideration for traders looking to diversify their investment options through banking products like CDs while keeping brokerage capabilities in mind.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
TradeStation logoTradeStation
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
Brokerage CDs info Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025

Winner

After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than TradeStation. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall score of 96.9%, while TradeStation finished with a score of 80.2%.

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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Interactive Brokers or TradeStation?

When comparing Interactive Brokers to TradeStation for crypto trading, Interactive Brokers stands out by offering trading in 11 different cryptocurrencies, whereas TradeStation does not provide any crypto trading options.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025

Does Interactive Brokers or TradeStation offer IRAs?

When comparing IRA account options, Interactive Brokers and TradeStation both offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but differ in fees: Interactive Brokers charges no annual fee or closure fee, while TradeStation imposes a $35 annual fee and a $50 closure fee.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025

Popular trading guides

More trading guides

Popular broker reviews


Select Brokers

×
  • 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_boxPublic.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxtastytrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradeStation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull

Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Overall 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Interactive Brokers Review TradeStation Review
Broker Screenshots Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $0.01 $0.01 info
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info $14.95 info $14.95
Options (Per Contract) info $0.65 info $0.60
Futures (Per Contract) info $0.85 info $1.50
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info Varies info $25
Margin Rates Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 6.83% info 13.0%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 6.83% info 13.0%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 6.83% info 12.5%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 6.83% info 12.0%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 6.83% info 12.0%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 6.83% info 7.5% info
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 6.83% info 7.5% info
Account Fees Interactive Brokers TradeStation
IRA Annual Fee info $0.00 $35.00
IRA Closure Fee info $0.00 $50.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $0.00 $125.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $0.00 $125.00
Options Exercise Fee info $0.00 $14.95
Options Assignment Fee info $0.00 $5.95
Investment Options Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) info Yes No
OTC Stocks info Yes Yes
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 6 4
Futures Trading info Yes Yes
Forex Trading info Yes No
Crypto Trading info Yes info No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 11 info 0
Fixed Income (Treasurys) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) info Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) info Yes Yes
Traditional IRAs info Yes Yes
Roth IRAs info Yes Yes
Advisor Services info No No
International Countries (Stocks) info 36 0
Order Types Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO info Yes Yes
Order Type - OTO info Yes Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes Yes
Beginners Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info Yes No
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) info Yes No
Education (Retirement) info Yes No
Retirement Calculator info Yes No
Investor Dictionary info Yes No
Paper Trading info Yes Yes
Videos info Yes Yes
Webinars info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Interactive Brokers TradeStation
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info Yes No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes Yes
Stock App Features Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info Yes No
Videos on Demand info Yes No
Stock Alerts info Yes Yes
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes Yes
Stock App Charting Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Charting - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 97 45
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons info Yes No
Trading Platforms Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Active Trading Platform info Trader Workstation (TWS) TradeStation 10
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info Yes No
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info Yes Yes
Trade Journal info Yes No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 659 341
Stock Chart Features Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 155 294
Charting - Drawing Tools info 85 23
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes Yes
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range info Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Time Bars info Yes Yes
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations info 6 12
Charting - Custom Studies info No Yes
Day Trading Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes Yes
Streaming TV info Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities info Yes Yes
Ladder Trading info Yes Yes
Trade Hot Keys info Yes Yes
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info Yes Yes
Short Locator info Yes Yes
Order Liquidity Rebates info Yes Yes
Research Overview Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income info Yes No
Screener - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds info Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income info Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation info Yes Yes
Stock Research Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 17 info 0
Stock Research - Earnings info Yes No
Stock Research - Insiders info Yes No
Stock Research - Social info Yes No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info Yes No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info Yes No
ETF Research Interactive Brokers TradeStation
ETFs - Investment Objective info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets info Yes No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
ETFs - Sector Exposure info Yes No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info Yes No
ETFs - Ratings info Yes No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports info Yes No
Mutual Fund Research Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info Yes No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info Yes No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info Yes No
Options Trading Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Option Chains - Total Greeks info 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Banking Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
Customer Service Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) info Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) info No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info Yes No
Overall Interactive Brokers TradeStation
Overall 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Interactive Brokers Review TradeStation Review
arrow_upward

close