Interactive Brokers Reviews

Interactive Brokers (IB) is ALMOST the Wal*Mart of Securities trading (one-stop shopping), with stocks, commodities, options, forex, including crude futures. However, they DON'T OFFER CRUDE OPTIONS, the lack of which transforms futures trading from a calculated risk into an unmitigated gamble. And, since I'm not playing horseshoes nor throwing hand grenades, I need to find another broker. John Sutton jssutton@cox.net

I love the buttontrader plugin. Fast execution and the commissions are very competitive. I highly recommend these guys for semi-pro traders.

I ran multiple accounts at IB after hearing big talk from a buddy how great it is. I find out setting up manager-client accounts are a pain without any guidance. Had to do paperwork twice. The interface is awful and I lost serious money when orders would stick on the platform and not execute or execute well after it hit my past target price. I brought this up to their rep. They give me excuses with east coast "I don't give a $#@*" attitude. They act like they are doing you a favor. They have their own trading desk, that trade against your position. I used way more leverage than I should have without any guidance. I lost serious $$$. Charting, look elsewhere. Don't believe me? Call their customer service and ask questions. They act like you are stupid or bothering them. Way better brokers out there. I can name ActiveTraderPro from Fidelity or StreetSmartPro from Schwab for stocks. Now searching, testing brokers for futures, fx.

The "Professional Services" group that handles advisor customers is terrible. They are a bunch of email jockeys who continually try to email problems away rather to help you. Do not do business with these people. Beware and stay away.