Databento VS Interactive Brokers
Cross-category comparison: each provider serves a different trader workflow.
UPDATED 2026-05-27 · 3 axes scored
WINNER · INTERACTIVE BROKERS · 1/3 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK DATABENTO IF DATA-API
- Quant researchers
- HFT developers
- Backtesting engines
- Academic research
▶ PICK INTERACTIVE BROKERS IF BROKER
- Active multi-asset traders
- Algo developers
- International traders
- Margin/futures traders
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | DATABENTO | INTERACTIVE BROKERS |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliate Program | No | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 5 classes | 9 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · US Futures · US Options · Crypto · FX | US Equities · Global Equities · Options · Futures · Forex · Bonds · Mutual Funds · ETFs · Cryptocurrencies |
| Category | data api | broker |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | DATABENTO | INTERACTIVE BROKERS |
|---|---|---|
| Bonds | — | ✓ Covered |
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | ✓ Covered |
| ETFs | — | ✓ Covered |
| FX | ✓ Covered | — |
| Forex | — | ✓ Covered |
| Futures | — | ✓ Covered |
| Global Equities | — | ✓ Covered |
| Mutual Funds | — | ✓ Covered |
| Options | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| US Futures | ✓ Covered | — |
| US Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 5 | 9 |
Only Databento
US Futures · US Options · Crypto · FX
Only Interactive Brokers
Global Equities · Options · Futures · Forex · Bonds · Mutual Funds · ETFs · Cryptocurrencies
Shared · 1
US Equities
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 4 vs 3 tiers.
DATABENTO · 4 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Usage-based From $0
Pay-as-you-go for historical data; no subscription
02
Standard $199/mo
Monthly subscription for individuals and small teams
03
Plus Per-contract
For investment firms and institutional service providers
04
Unlimited Per-contract
Complete historical access for institutional users
▲ Free Tier · $125 in free credits for new users (6-month expiry); usable on historical data
INTERACTIVE BROKERS · 3 TIERS FREE TIER
01
IBKR Tiered $0.0035/share
Min $0.35/order; volume-tiered down to $0.0005/share; exchange fees passed through
02
IBKR Fixed $0.005/share
Min $1.00/order; flat per-share commission, all exchange fees included
03
IBKR Lite $0/trade
Commission-free US stocks/ETFs (PFOF-routed)
▲ Free Tier · Live data subscriptions sold separately; demo (paper) account is free
Fit Profile
DATABENTO · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Quant researchers
- HFT developers
- Backtesting engines
- Academic research
Not Ideal For
- Retail traders needing cheap real-time quotes
- Non-technical users
Full Databento Review
INTERACTIVE BROKERS · PROFILE BROKER
Best For
- Active multi-asset traders
- Algo developers
- International traders
- Margin/futures traders
Not Ideal For
- Casual investors (TWS learning curve)
- Pure US-stock-only retail (cheaper niche brokers exist)
Full Interactive Brokers Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
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