Interactive Brokers VS tastytrade
Head-to-head broker comparison.
UPDATED 2026-05-24 · 7 axes scored
WINNER · INTERACTIVE BROKERS · 4/7 AXES
Quick Decision
▶ PICK INTERACTIVE BROKERS IF BROKER
- Active multi-asset traders
- Algo developers
- International traders
- Margin/futures traders
▶ PICK TASTYTRADE IF BROKER
- Options traders (capped commissions)
- Active futures/micros traders
- Retail traders wanting low-cost crypto access
- Self-directed investors with no margin needs
Side-by-Side Matrix
| METRIC | INTERACTIVE BROKERS | TASTYTRADE |
|---|---|---|
| Regulators | 7 jurisdictions | 4 jurisdictions |
| Min Deposit | $0 (no minimum) | $0 (no minimum); $2,000 required for margin trading |
| Platforms | 5 platforms | 3 platforms |
| Account Types | 7 types | 5 types |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Affiliate Program | Yes | Yes |
| Asset Coverage Breadth | 9 classes | 7 classes |
| Asset Coverage | US Equities · Global Equities · Options · Futures · Forex · Bonds · Mutual Funds · ETFs · Cryptocurrencies | US Equities · ETFs · Options on Stocks · Options on Futures · Futures · Micro Futures · Cryptocurrencies |
| Commission | $0.0035/share tiered (min $0.35) or $0.005/share fixed (min $1.00); $0 IBKR Lite | $0 stocks/ETFs; $1/contract options open ($10/leg cap); $1.00/contract futures ($0.75 micros, $1.25 options on futures) |
| Regulation | SEC · FINRA · FCA (UK) · ASIC (Australia) · CIRO (Canada) · MAS (Singapore) · CBI (Ireland) | NFA member · SEC · FINRA · SIPC insured |
| Platforms | TWS (desktop) · IBKR Mobile · IBKR GlobalTrader · Client Portal (web) · IBKR Lite app | tastytrade desktop · tastytrade web · tastytrade mobile (iOS/Android) |
Asset Class Coverage
Where the two providers overlap and where each has unique coverage.
| ASSET CLASS | INTERACTIVE BROKERS | TASTYTRADE |
|---|---|---|
| Bonds | ✓ Covered | — |
| Cryptocurrencies | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| ETFs | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Forex | ✓ Covered | — |
| Futures | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Global Equities | ✓ Covered | — |
| Micro Futures | — | ✓ Covered |
| Mutual Funds | ✓ Covered | — |
| Options | ✓ Covered | — |
| Options on Futures | — | ✓ Covered |
| Options on Stocks | — | ✓ Covered |
| US Equities | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| TOTAL CLASSES | 9 | 7 |
Only Interactive Brokers
Global Equities · Options · Forex · Bonds · Mutual Funds
Only tastytrade
Options on Stocks · Options on Futures · Micro Futures
Shared · 4
US Equities · Futures · ETFs · Cryptocurrencies
Pricing Tier Map
Full tier ladder side-by-side · names and prices as published by each provider · 3 vs 4 tiers.
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
TASTYTRADE · 4 TIERS FREE TIER
01
Stocks & ETFs $0/trade
Commission-free both directions
02
Equity Options $1/contract open
$0 to close; $10 per-leg cap
03
Futures $1.25/contract
$1.25 options on futures, $1.00 standard futures, $0.75 micros — each way
04
Crypto $0 commission
50-75bps markup/markdown applied at execution
▲ Free Tier · $0 stock/ETF commissions; paper trading via tastytrade platform
Regulatory Footprint
Where each broker is regulated determines where you can legally open an account.
| REGULATOR | INTERACTIVE BROKERS | TASTYTRADE |
|---|---|---|
| ASIC (Australia) | ✓ Regulated | — |
| CBI (Ireland) | ✓ Regulated | — |
| CIRO (Canada) | ✓ Regulated | — |
| FCA (UK) | ✓ Regulated | — |
| FINRA | ✓ Regulated | ✓ Regulated |
| MAS (Singapore) | ✓ Regulated | — |
| NFA member | — | ✓ Regulated |
| SEC | ✓ Regulated | ✓ Regulated |
| SIPC insured | — | ✓ Regulated |
| JURISDICTIONS | 7 | 4 |
Fit Profile
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
TASTYTRADE · PROFILE BROKER
Best For
- Options traders (capped commissions)
- Active futures/micros traders
- Retail traders wanting low-cost crypto access
- Self-directed investors with no margin needs
Not Ideal For
- International (US-only accounts)
- Bond/fixed-income traders
- Long-term buy-and-hold investors
Full tastytrade Review
Adjacent Comparisons
Related matchups — same category first, then cross-category for context.
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