Tool Comparison
Cash App vs Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Mobile, Web
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 Cash App instead if
Cash App
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Mobile · Web
- 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
Cash App and Interactive Brokers (IBKR) cover a lot of the same ground (2 shared categories, brokerage and portfolio), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) simply does more: 14 categories to Cash App's 3, including advanced order types, smart/direct routing, and paper trading. Cash App counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
Cash App
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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 3 categories
- Desktop app
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- API access
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Global coverage
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Asset coverage
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)Adds options and futures
What Cash App does best
- Buying and selling U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with fractional shares and small-dollar purchases where Cash App supports the security.
- Auto Invest to schedule recurring purchases of selected stocks, ETFs, or Bitcoin.
- Round Ups to invest spare change from Cash App Card purchases into a chosen stock, Bitcoin, or savings balance.
- Trading access for Bitcoin inside the same app, including send and receive support through the Lightning Network where available.
- Custom price-triggered orders for stocks and Bitcoin; these are not guaranteed limit orders.
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 | 5 limits: Cash App Investing: stock etf commission: $0, Cash App Investing: minimum stock purchase: $1 +3 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 | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | No | Yes |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | Yes |
Broker sync | No | — |
Integrations | — | TradingView, Quicken +2 more |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +7 more |
Categories covered | 3 | 14 |
Regions | North America | 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 | Status page and Encryption in transit |
| Try it | Visit Cash App | Visit Interactive Brokers (IBKR) |
Standout features
The best features of Cash App and Interactive Brokers (IBKR).ShowHide
Standout features
What Cash App does best
- Buying and selling U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with fractional shares and small-dollar purchases where Cash App supports the security.
- Auto Invest to schedule recurring purchases of selected stocks, ETFs, or Bitcoin.
- Round Ups to invest spare change from Cash App Card purchases into a chosen stock, Bitcoin, or savings balance.
- Trading access for Bitcoin inside the same app, including send and receive support through the Lightning Network where available.
- Custom price-triggered orders for stocks and Bitcoin; these are not guaranteed limit orders.
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 Cash App and Interactive Brokers (IBKR).ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsCryptos | StocksETFsOptionsFuturesCurrenciesBondsMutual FundsCommodities+2 more |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediate | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsDay TradersSwing TradersAlgo TradersLong-term InvestorsFinancial Advisors+1 more |
Regions | North America | North AmericaEuropeAPAC |
Coverage details | Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker | 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 | Status page | Status pageEncryption in transit |
Capability signals | Not specified | Multi-leg optionsGreeksVaR/ESPerformance attributionPortfolio attributionRebalancingMulti-currency |
Vendor & support | Cash App Investing LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat | 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“Cash App Investing”stock etf commission: $0 · minimum stock purchase: $1 · +3 more | Free“Brokerage Account” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Cash App and Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Cash App leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and downloadable tax reports, while Interactive Brokers (IBKR) puts more weight on brokerage, advanced order types, and smart/direct routing. They overlap in 2 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Cash App 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: Cash App 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 Cash App or Interactive Brokers (IBKR) have an API?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Cash App doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose Cash App or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Cash App 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 Cash App and Interactive Brokers (IBKR) cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, and cryptos. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) adds options, futures, and currencies on top.
Does Cash App or Interactive Brokers (IBKR) have real-time data?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Cash App 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.
Which covers international markets: Cash App or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, and APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Cash App is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from Cash App and Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) exports to CSV. Cash App is stingier about getting data out.
Is Cash App or Interactive Brokers (IBKR) better for day trading?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the one positioned more for active traders. Cash App 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: Cash App or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Cash App doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Cash App or Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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