Is Interactive Brokers safe?
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC and 4 more authorities, keeps client funds in segregated accounts, and clients are covered by SIPC ($500,000).
Verdict based on verified regulatory data below. We are not affiliated with regulators.
Who regulates Interactive Brokers
Licenses held, with registry numbers where public
Why this broker scores 100/100
Full methodology →How safe is your money
Segregated client accounts
Client funds held separately from operating capital. Required by regulator.
Investor compensation: SIPC ($500,000)
If broker becomes insolvent, your covered assets are reimbursed up to the scheme's limit.
Publicly traded company
Listed on a regulated exchange — financials are public.
48 years of operations
Founded 1978. No major regulatory actions on record.
Negative balance protection
You cannot lose more than your account balance.
Independent reviews
What could go wrong
- Trader Workstation (TWS) has a famously steep learning curveTWS is built for institutional / professional flow: order-routing controls, conditional orders, advanced charting are powerful but cluttered for beginners. The simpler 'Client Portal' web UI exists but lacks features. Three weeks to feel comfortable is typical.
- IBKR Lite (zero-commission plan) is US-residents-onlyLite uses payment-for-order-flow (PFOF) to fund $0 commissions. Non-US residents only see Pro Tiered / Fixed pricing — not necessarily worse, but the marketing 'free trades' angle doesn't apply outside the US.
- Customer support thin relative to peers — chat queues commonly multi-hourPhone support exists but tier-1 quality varies by region. For account-opening / KYC questions, response times of 24-48h via web ticket are common. Compare to Saxo / Admirals where chat is typically <15min.
- Mobile app is functional but utilitarian — not a Robinhood-style experienceIBKR mobile (iOS/Android) covers order entry, charts, account management. UX feels like a desktop port; users who prefer single-tap fractional-share buying find it heavier than competitors.
Frequently asked questions
Is Interactive Brokers regulated?
Is Interactive Brokers legit or a scam?
Is my money protected at Interactive Brokers?
What happens if Interactive Brokers goes bankrupt?
How we verified this review
Every fact below is verified against primary sources. We refresh on a schedule and on reader feedback.