Finnhub VS Interactive Brokers
Cross-category comparison: each provider serves a different trader workflow.
UPDATED 2026-05-23 · 3 axes scored
WINNER · INTERACTIVE BROKERS · 1/3 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK FINNHUB IF DATA-API
- Indie developers
- Screener apps
- Sentiment / news analytics
- Global equities
▶ PICK INTERACTIVE BROKERS IF BROKER
- Active multi-asset traders
- Algo developers
- International traders
- Margin/futures traders
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | FINNHUB | INTERACTIVE BROKERS |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliate Program | No | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 5 classes | 9 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · Global Equities · Forex · Crypto · ETFs | 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 | FINNHUB | INTERACTIVE BROKERS |
|---|---|---|
| Bonds | — | ✓ Covered |
| Crypto | ✓ Covered | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | — | ✓ Covered |
| ETFs | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Forex | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Futures | — | ✓ Covered |
| Global Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Mutual Funds | — | ✓ Covered |
| Options | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 5 | 9 |
Only Finnhub
Crypto
Only Interactive Brokers
Options · Futures · Bonds · Mutual Funds · Cryptocurrencies
Shared · 4
US Equities · Global Equities · Forex · ETFs
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 2 vs 3 tiers.
FINNHUB · 2 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Free $0/mo
60 calls/min, real-time US + global quotes
02
All-In-One $50/mo
300 calls/min, premium datasets, financials
▲ Free Tier · Free: 60 API calls/min, real-time quotes, WebSocket trades
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
FINNHUB · PROFILE DATA-API
Best For
- Indie developers
- Screener apps
- Sentiment / news analytics
- Global equities
Not Ideal For
- Tick data / HFT
- Deep intraday history free tier
- Futures
Full Finnhub 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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