Interactive Brokers vs TD Ameritrade
Interactive Brokers is a good discount broker for experienced, high volume traders. . How does it compare to TD Ameritrade? Read our comparison chart below.
Interactive Brokers offers trades starting at just 0.5 cents per share. It also offers a tiered pricing plan that awards high volume traders with even lower rates. There is a $10,000 opening account minimum ($3,000 for clients 25 and younger). There is a monthly activity fee unless required commission minimums are met.
While TD Ameritrade offers $0 commission online stock, ETF, and option trades. This online broker also has more than 100 branch locations. There is no minimum deposit, no maintenance fee, and no inactivity fee.
Compare Interactive Brokers with TD Ameritrade, side-by-side. Read on for an in-depth look, including ratings, reviews, pros and cons.
Interactive Brokers | TD Ameritrade | |
---|---|---|
Commission-Free Trading - Online Stock, ETF and Option Trades - | ||
Benefits and Features | ||
Stock Trading | Fixed pricing: $0.0005 - $0.0035 per share (min $0.35 per order, max 1.0% of trade value). Tiered pricing: Starts at $0.0035 per share for less than 300,000 shares (min $0.35 per order, max 1% of trade value) | $0 commission for online stock, ETF, and option trades |
Options Trading | $.15-$.70 per contract ($1 minimum per order) | |
Minimum Deposit | $10,000 for individual accounts; $5,000 for IRAs; $3,000 for clients 25 and under | |
Mutual Fund Trading | $0 for no-transaction-fee funds. For transaction-fee funds, 3% trade value OR $14.95, per transaction, whichever is less, for transaction-fee funds | Up to $49.95 or $74.95 for buys. $0 for sells |
Commission Free ETFs | ||
Penny Stocks | ![]() | |
Broker Assisted Trades | ||
Customer Service | United States: Monday-Friday 8am - 10pm ET; Sunday 1pm - 7pm ET (24/7 Weekday service available in other countries) | |
Inactivity Fee | $10/month for accounts under $100,000; $20/month for accounts under $2,000; $3/month for clients 25 and younger | |
Maintenance Fee | Waived if account value is at least $100,000 OR if monthly commission requirements are met. If not met, the activity fee is the difference. For accounts less than $100,000: the commission requirement is $10/month. For accounts less than $2,000: the commission requirement is $20/month. For clients 25 and younger: the commission requirement is $3/month. | |
Banking | Cash Management account offers free ATM withdrawals, no monthly maintenance fees, free online bill pay, and free check writing. | |
Mobile App | ![]() | |
Desktop App | ||
Forex Trading | Available for qualified customers | ![]() |
Futures Trading | $2.25 per contract (plus exchange & regulatory fees) | |
Locations | More than 100 locations in 34 states | |
Online Community | ||
Seminars | ||
Virtual Trading | Paper Trading to practice/test strategies and ideas. | |
CreditDonkey® Reviews | ||
Stock Trading | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Options Trading | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mutual Fund Trading | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Online Platform | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Banking | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mobile App | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Commissions and Fees | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Ease of Use | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Research | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Online Community | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Trading Platform | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Pros & Cons | Pros:
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Bottom Line | Good discount broker for experienced, high volume traders... | Good online broker for long-term investors... |
Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details. Interactive Brokers: Pricing information from published websites as of 09/15/2019. TD Ameritrade: Pricing information from published website as of 07/18/2019. |
Which is Better: Interactive Brokers or TD Ameritrade?
Still need help deciding which investing is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing Interactive Brokers or eToro.
In short: Interactive Brokers' stock trading and options trading are outstanding. TD Ameritrade's ease of use and research are impressive.