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Interactive Brokers IRA review: Is it worth it in 2026?

Nicolas StrautBy Nicolas StrautLast updated 8 min read
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Key takeaways

  • IRAs held $19.9 trillion in assets at the end of the second quarter of 2026, up 9.2% from the first quarter.1
  • An Interactive Brokers IRA charges $0 commission on US stock trades with IBKR Lite and $0.65 per options contract, and none of IBKR's pricing pages shows a contribution match.
  • An Interactive Brokers IRA is best for a saver moving a large balance who wants a confirmed rate on cash above $10,000, while Public, Webull, and Robinhood are best for a saver who wants a match on every contribution, with the top rate at each behind a paid plan.
In this article

An Interactive Brokers IRA is a retirement account at IBKR that charges $0 commission on US stock trades on IBKR Lite. None of IBKR's pricing pages shows a match on contributions.2The choice comes down to whether IBKR's pricing is worth more to you than the match a maxed 2026 IRA earns at Robinhood, SoFi, Public, or Webull. That match runs as high as $344 a year. This review covers the costs inside the account, cash interest, the match you give up, and what IBKR's pages left unconfirmed.

This review covers the Interactive Brokers IRA only. The Interactive Brokers review covers the whole platform, and the best IRA accounts roundup compares IBKR with five other providers.

Who is an Interactive Brokers IRA for?

An Interactive Brokers IRA is for a saver who cares more about how the account is priced than about a bonus for funding it.

Savers moving a large balance

A saver moving an existing IRA balance well above $10,000 gets the most out of IBKR, because IBKR Pro pays 3.380% on idle cash above $10,000, at the full rate once the account is worth $100,000. A new IRA funded only by this year's contributions sits entirely under $10,000.

Active traders inside an IRA

IBKR Pro's per-share rate falls as monthly volume rises, which suits a saver who trades often inside the IRA rather than buying once a year. Gains on those trades aren't taxed while they stay in the account, so the commission is the main cost of trading there. IBKR Lite suits everyone else.

Savers who'd rather skip a match's strings

Every match here has conditions. They run from a 5-year hold at Robinhood, SoFi, and Public to a paid plan for the top rate at Robinhood, Webull, and Public. A saver who expects to move within five years gives up nothing at IBKR.

Interactive Brokers IRA pros and cons

Interactive Brokers IRA pros

  • $0 commission on US stock trades with IBKR Lite
  • 3.380% on idle cash above $10,000 with IBKR Pro, in full for accounts worth $100,000+
  • A per-share rate on Pro that falls with volume
  • No match to forfeit if you move the account early

Interactive Brokers IRA cons

  • No contribution match on IBKR's pricing pages
  • 0% interest on the first $10,000 of idle cash, more than a full year's contribution
  • $0.65 per options contract, with a $1.00 minimum per order
  • IRA types and the transfer-out fee not confirmed on IBKR's pages

If the missing match is the dealbreaker, Webull pays 1% on contributions with no plan and 3.5% with its $40-a-year Premium (see our Webull IRA review).

Does an Interactive Brokers IRA pay a match?

No, an Interactive Brokers IRA does not pay a match on any IBKR pricing page read on October 6, 2026. Four brokers in this comparison do. The table prices the match on a maxed 2026 contribution at each broker, using the IRS limit.3

Scroll horizontally to see more columns.
BrokerMatch on contributionsMaxed under 50 ($7,500)Maxed at 50 and older ($8,600)Plan cost a yearNet under 50Paid plan beats the free 1% from
Interactive BrokersNone shown$0$0None$0n/a
Robinhood, no Gold1%$75$86$0$75n/a
Robinhood with Gold3%$225$258$60$165$3,000
SoFi1%$75$86$0$75n/a
Public Core (no fee)1%$75$86$0$75n/a
Public Reserve4%$300$344$240$60$8,000
Webull, no Premium1%$75$86$0$75n/a
Webull with Premium3.5%$262.50$301$40$222.50$1,600

Every match has conditions an IBKR IRA doesn't have. Robinhood, SoFi, and Public make matched money stay 5 years, and Robinhood takes back the extra 2% if Gold is dropped within a year. Webull's IRA page doesn't state a holding period, and Public pays Reserve's 4% monthly over 12 months. Reserve's break-even point is above the under-50 limit, so Public Reserve relies on its 3.75% cash rate for the rest of its value.

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Offer as each broker states it, October 6, 2026TermsEnd date
Robinhood Gold"3% boost on annual IRA contributions, up to $225 based on the 2026 maximum"; 1% without GoldNone stated
SoFi1% match on IRA contributions and 401(k) rollovers, up to annual limitsNone stated
Public1% match on traditional and Roth contributions, capped at the annual limit; 4% with Reserve at $20 a monthNone stated

Interactive Brokers IRA fees and features

An Interactive Brokers IRA uses the same commission and interest schedules as any IBKR account, so the costs inside it depend on the plan you pick, IBKR Lite or IBKR Pro. The full Lite vs Pro breakdown, with worked commissions by order size, is in the Interactive Brokers review.

IBKR's list of IRA types wasn't confirmed, so check it before a transfer. The Roth vs traditional IRA guide covers which type fits your tax picture.

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IRA feeIBKR LiteIBKR Pro
US stock trades$0$0.005 per share on Fixed ($1.00 minimum), or from $0.0035 per share on Tiered
US options$0.65 per contract, $1.00 minimum per order$0.65 per contract, $1.00 minimum per order
Interest on the first $10,000 of idle cash0%0%
Interest above $10,0002.380%3.380%
Contribution matchNone shownNone shown
IRA types, opening fee, transfer outNot confirmedNot confirmed

Cash interest in an IBKR IRA

Cash in an IBKR IRA earns nothing on its first $10,000, which is more than a full year's contribution limit.4Only a transfer from another IRA puts a new account above $10,000 on day one. Below $100,000 of net asset value, IBKR also scales the rate by NAV divided by $100,000. The table shows a cash-only IRA next to a larger one, at today's rates for a year.

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Idle cash in the IRALite, cash-only IRAPro, cash-only IRALite, IRA worth $100,000+Pro, IRA worth $100,000+
$7,500$0$0$0$0
$25,000$89.25$126.75$357$507
$100,000$2,142$3,042$2,142$3,042

Options in an IBKR IRA

Options cost $0.65 per contract in an IBKR IRA, with a $1.00 minimum per order.5Which options strategies IBKR allows inside an IRA wasn't confirmed for this review, while Robinhood lists Level 2 options for its IRAs. A saver who writes covered calls in a Roth gets a confirmed answer only at Robinhood.

What does it cost to leave an Interactive Brokers IRA?

Leaving an Interactive Brokers IRA costs whatever IBKR charges for an outgoing transfer. That figure wasn't confirmed on IBKR's pricing pages on October 6, 2026. IBKR pays no match, so you have no match to forfeit, an exit cost every match broker adds.

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Exit costIBKR IRARobinhood IRASoFi IRAWebull IRAPublic IRA
Outgoing transferNot confirmed$100$100$75 for an outgoing stock transfer$100
Match lost if you leave earlyNone, no match shownMatch on money held under 5 yearsMatched money must stay 5 yearsHolding period not statedMatched money must stay 5 years

Webull's $75 is the lowest exit fee among the brokers that pay a match. One maxed year at Webull Premium nets about three times the $75 fee.

Is an Interactive Brokers IRA worth it?

An Interactive Brokers IRA is worth it if its pricing is worth more to you than a match, because a US stock trade costs $0 at IBKR Lite and at every match broker in this review. The two figures that matter most are the $0.65 options fee and the $10,000 of cash that earns nothing.

IBKR competes on pricing, not bonuses. An IBKR IRA fits a saver moving a large balance who wants Pro's cash rate and an active trader who wants per-share pricing inside the IRA. A saver who will max a Roth every year and leave it alone for five years earns more at a broker that pays a match, even after that broker's fee to leave.

Interactive Brokers IRA vs alternatives

The IBKR IRA's closest alternatives are the four match brokers. Our best Roth IRA accounts roundup nets each broker's match against its subscription.

Scroll horizontally to see more columns.
IBKR IRARobinhood IRASoFi IRAPublic IRAWebull IRA
Contribution matchNone shown1%, or 3% with Gold1%1%, or 4% with Reserve1%, or 3.5% with Premium
Stock and ETF options per contract$0.65$0$0$0$0
Transfer outNot confirmed$100$100$100$75
IRA typesNot confirmedTraditional, RothTraditional, Roth, SEPTraditional, RothTraditional, Roth, Rollover

Interactive Brokers IRA vs Robinhood and Webull

Robinhood and Webull win on the match, paying up to 3% and 3.5% with a paid plan, and both charge $0 per contract on stock and ETF options. IBKR wins for a saver who wants Pro's cash rate on a large balance, since neither app's IRA cash rate was confirmed here. The Robinhood IRA review covers how Robinhood pays its match and when it can be taken back.

Interactive Brokers IRA vs SoFi and Public

SoFi and Public pay 1% on contributions with no paid plan, and Public's Reserve plan lifts its rate to 4% for $20 a month. IBKR wins only for a saver who wants Pro's cash rate or no holding rule on the money. The SoFi IRA review covers SoFi's match rules, and the Public review covers Public's IRA.

Run your retirement number before you open an IRA

Run the Tweed retirement calculator with your real contribution, once with a 4% match and once without, because the gap compounds for as long as the money stays invested. The best IRA accounts list compares Interactive Brokers with five other providers. If Interactive Brokers fits, you can open an Interactive Brokers IRA through Tweed's referral link.

Frequently asked questions about the Interactive Brokers IRA

Does Interactive Brokers have a minimum to open an IRA?

No, Interactive Brokers doesn't set a minimum to open an IRA, and its pricing pages say it charges no account minimums. You can start with one small contribution. Cash in the account earns no interest until it passes $10,000, though, so invest the contribution instead of leaving it in cash.

Is Interactive Brokers good for beginners?

Yes, Interactive Brokers can work for beginners on IBKR Lite, which charges $0 commission on US stock trades. IBKR takes more reading than an app broker, though: two plans, three commission schedules, and a cash rate that starts after $10,000 all take time to learn. A beginner who wants a match gets one at Robinhood, SoFi, Public, or Webull.

Does an IRA match count toward the contribution limit?

No, an IRA match doesn't count toward the contribution limit at Robinhood, which says so in its match FAQ. You can still put in the full $7,500, or $8,600 at 50 and older, and the match is added on top. The match isn't yours to keep yet, because it has to stay 5 years.

Can I transfer my Robinhood IRA to Interactive Brokers?

Yes, you can transfer a Robinhood IRA to Interactive Brokers by starting the request at IBKR. Robinhood charges $100 for the outgoing transfer. Any match on money held under 5 years can be taken back as an early removal fee, so check when each match landed before you move the account.

Is my IRA safe at Interactive Brokers?

Yes, an IRA at Interactive Brokers carries the protection a brokerage IRA gets, because SIPC protects securities at a member broker up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash claims, if the firm fails. SIPC doesn't cover market losses. Confirm IBKR's membership and any extra coverage on its account-protection page, since this review didn't check them.

Is an Interactive Brokers Roth IRA tax-free?

Yes, qualified withdrawals from an Interactive Brokers Roth IRA are tax-free, because the Roth rules come from the IRS, not the broker. Contributions come out anytime. Earnings taken before age 59½, or before the account turns five years old, can be taxed and penalized, so opening the Roth early starts that clock sooner.

Can I have a Roth IRA at Interactive Brokers and another at Robinhood?

Yes, you can have a Roth IRA at Interactive Brokers and another at Robinhood, or at any number of brokers. The annual limit covers all your IRAs combined, not each account, so a second Roth never raises how much you can put in. Splitting contributions can still earn a match at one broker and keep IBKR's pricing at the other.

Sources

  1. https://www.ici.org/statistical-report/ret_26_q2
  2. https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/pricing/commissions-stocks.php
  3. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500
  4. https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/accounts/fees/pricing-interest-rates.php
  5. https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/pricing/commissions-options.php
Nicolas Straut
Nicolas Straut

Personal finance writer, former Forbes contributor and This Week in Fintech writer. He isn't a financial advisor or a CPA.

nicstraut.com

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