Tool Comparison
BUX vs Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Mobile
Best if
- You want downloadable tax reports.
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, Desktop
Best if
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want advanced order types, smart/direct routing, and paper trading.
Pick BUX instead if
BUX
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Mobile
- You want downloadable tax reports.
Start here
Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
- Delayed quotes won't cut it; you need real-time data
- You want an API so you can script or automate things
- You want advanced order types, smart/direct routing, and paper trading.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
BUX and Interactive Brokers (IBKR) cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) simply does more: 14 categories to BUX's 4, including advanced order types, smart/direct routing, and paper trading. BUX counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
BUX
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Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Broader coverage
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)14 vs 4 categories
- Desktop app
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- API access
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Asset coverage
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)Adds options and futures
What BUX does best
- European and U.S. stocks, ETFs and ETCs through a mobile brokerage account.
- Fractional stocks, ETFs and ETCs through market orders and Investment Plans.
- Commission-free monthly Investment Plan purchase execution on all three tiers.
- Basic, Plus and Prime tiers with distinct order allowances, service fees and FX markups.
- Interest-bearing ABN AMRO Clearing Bank cash on Plus and Prime under current limits.
What Interactive Brokers (IBKR) does best
- Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, futures options, spot FX, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, structured products, CFDs, crypto-related products, and spot crypto where jurisdiction allows.
- Client Portal, Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, GlobalTrader, paper trading, and API access cover different workflows.
- IB SmartRouting, advanced order types, conditional orders, bracket workflows, options combos, and algorithmic order tools across supported products.
- TWS API, Web API, REST, WebSocket streaming, FIX, and Flex Web Service support trading and reporting workflows.
- Paper trading with separate credentials and simulated buying power once a live account is approved.
Side by side
Pricing comparison
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & plans | ||
Starting price | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction | Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction |
Free tier | No | No |
Free trial | — | — |
Plan limits | 13 limits: BUX Basic: monthly service fee eur: 0, BUX Basic: annual variable service fee percent: 0.2 +11 more | 8 limits: UK / Europe Stocks and ETFs: commission: £3/€3 per Western European stock or ETF trade at typical trade sizes;..., US Stocks and ETFs - IBKR Pro: tiered commission: USD 0.0005 to USD 0.0035 per share +6 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | No | Yes |
Desktop app | No | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | Yes |
Integrations | — | TradingView, Quicken +2 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +7 more |
Categories covered | 4 | 14 |
Regions | Europe | North America, Europe, APAC |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data quality | — | 3 signals: Latency: Streaming and Real-time, Granularity: Tick +1 more |
Capabilities | — | 7 signals: Multi-leg options, Greeks +5 more |
Security | — | Status page and Encryption in transit |
| Try it | Visit BUX | Visit Interactive Brokers (IBKR) |
Standout features
The best features of BUX and Interactive Brokers (IBKR).ShowHide
Standout features
What BUX does best
- European and U.S. stocks, ETFs and ETCs through a mobile brokerage account.
- Fractional stocks, ETFs and ETCs through market orders and Investment Plans.
- Commission-free monthly Investment Plan purchase execution on all three tiers.
- Basic, Plus and Prime tiers with distinct order allowances, service fees and FX markups.
- Interest-bearing ABN AMRO Clearing Bank cash on Plus and Prime under current limits.
What Interactive Brokers (IBKR) does best
- Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, futures options, spot FX, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, structured products, CFDs, crypto-related products, and spot crypto where jurisdiction allows.
- Client Portal, Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, GlobalTrader, paper trading, and API access cover different workflows.
- IB SmartRouting, advanced order types, conditional orders, bracket workflows, options combos, and algorithmic order tools across supported products.
- TWS API, Web API, REST, WebSocket streaming, FIX, and Flex Web Service support trading and reporting workflows.
- Paper trading with separate credentials and simulated buying power once a live account is approved.
All details
Every attribute we track for BUX and Interactive Brokers (IBKR).ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFs | StocksETFsOptionsFuturesCurrenciesBondsMutual FundsCommodities+2 more |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsDay TradersSwing TradersAlgo TradersLong-term InvestorsFinancial Advisors+1 more |
Regions | Europe | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | 8 countriesIdentifiers: Ticker and ISIN | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | Not specified | StreamingReal-time |
Data granularity | Not specified | Tick |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | Not specified | RESTWebSocket |
API auth & delivery | Not specified | Auth: OAuth2SDKs: Python600 req/minDocs |
Integrations | Not specified | TradingViewQuickenTradelogCapTools |
Export formats | PDF | PDFCSVXML |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status pageEncryption in transit |
Capability signals | Not specified | Multi-leg optionsGreeksVaR/ESPerformance attributionPortfolio attributionRebalancingMulti-currency |
Vendor & support | BUX B.V.Country: NetherlandsSupport: Chat and Email | Interactive Brokers (U.K.) LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Chat and Phone |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“BUX Basic”monthly service fee eur: 0 · annual variable service fee percent: 0.2 · +3 more | Free“Brokerage Account” |
| Entry paid plan | €2.99/mo“BUX Plus”annual variable service fee percent above eur250000: 0.1 · cash interest percent to eur100000: 1.75 · +2 more | — |
| Top plan | €7.99/mo“BUX Prime”annual variable service fee percent above eur500000: 0.1 · cash interest percent to eur100000: 2 · +2 more | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between BUX and Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
BUX leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Interactive Brokers (IBKR) puts more weight on brokerage, advanced order types, and smart/direct routing. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do BUX and Interactive Brokers (IBKR) cost?
Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.
Which is better for beginners: BUX or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.
Does BUX or Interactive Brokers (IBKR) have an API?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. BUX doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose BUX or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick BUX if downloadable tax reports matter to you; go with Interactive Brokers (IBKR) if you'd rather have advanced order types and smart/direct routing. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do BUX and Interactive Brokers (IBKR) cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) adds options, futures, and currencies on top.
Does BUX or Interactive Brokers (IBKR) have real-time data?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. BUX runs on delayed or end-of-day data, which is perfectly fine for longer-term investors who don't live and die by the tick.
Can I export data from BUX and Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) exports to CSV. BUX is stingier about getting data out.
Is BUX or Interactive Brokers (IBKR) better for day trading?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the one positioned more for active traders. BUX is the better fit if you care less about fast trading workflows and more about a calmer research process.
Which has a better stock screener: BUX or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; BUX doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with BUX or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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