Tool Comparison
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) vs Stake
- 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.
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile
Best if
- 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.
Pick Stake instead if
Stake
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
- You want downloadable tax reports.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Stake 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 Stake's 4, including advanced order types, smart/direct routing, and paper trading. Stake counters by keeping things simpler.
What readers say
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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 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.
What Stake does best
- Stake AUS CHESS-sponsored stocks and ETFs with a customer HIN.
- Stake Wall St U.S. stocks and ETFs through DriveWealth custody.
- A$3 or US$3 brokerage up to 30,000, then 0.01%.
- Eligible U.S. fractional orders from US$10; ASX stays whole-share only.
- Individual, company, trust and existing SMSF trading accounts.
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 | 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 | Yes | No |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | Yes | No |
Integrations | TradingView, Quicken +2 more | — |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | Retail Traders, Pro Retail +7 more | — |
Categories covered | 14 | 4 |
Regions | North America, Europe, APAC | APAC, North America |
| 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 Interactive Brokers (IBKR) | Visit Stake |
Standout features
The best features of Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Stake.ShowHide
Standout features
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.
What Stake does best
- Stake AUS CHESS-sponsored stocks and ETFs with a customer HIN.
- Stake Wall St U.S. stocks and ETFs through DriveWealth custody.
- A$3 or US$3 brokerage up to 30,000, then 0.01%.
- Eligible U.S. fractional orders from US$10; ASX stays whole-share only.
- Individual, company, trust and existing SMSF trading accounts.
All details
Every attribute we track for Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Stake.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsFuturesCurrenciesBondsMutual FundsCommodities+2 more | StocksETFs |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsDay TradersSwing TradersAlgo TradersLong-term InvestorsFinancial Advisors+1 more | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPAC | APACNorth America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Countries: AUIdentifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data freshness | StreamingReal-time | Not specified |
Data granularity | Tick | Not specified |
| Access & integrations | ||
API protocols | RESTWebSocket | Not specified |
API auth & delivery | Auth: OAuth2SDKs: Python600 req/minDocs | Not specified |
Integrations | TradingViewQuickenTradelogCapTools | Not specified |
Export formats | PDFCSVXML | CSVPDFExcel |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Status pageEncryption in transit | Not specified |
Capability signals | Multi-leg optionsGreeksVaR/ESPerformance attributionPortfolio attributionRebalancingMulti-currency | Not specified |
Vendor & support | Interactive Brokers (U.K.) LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Chat and Phone | Stakeshop Pty LtdCountry: AustraliaSupport: Chat and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Pricing
Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.ShowHide
Pricing
| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free“Brokerage Account” | — |
| Entry paid plan | — | AUD 14/mo“Stake Black AUS or Wall St Monthly” |
| Tier 2 | — | AUD 144/yr“Stake Black AUS or Wall St Annual” |
| Tier 3 | — | AUD 20/mo“Stake Black Both Markets Monthly” |
| Top plan | — | AUD 204/yr“Stake Black Both Markets Annual” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Stake?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) leans toward brokerage, advanced order types, and smart/direct routing, while Stake puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Stake 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.
Does Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or Stake have an API?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. Stake doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or Stake?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Interactive Brokers (IBKR) if advanced order types and smart/direct routing matter to you; go with Stake if you'd rather have downloadable tax reports. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Stake cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) also handles options, futures, and currencies.
Does Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or Stake have real-time data?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. Stake 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 Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and Stake?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Is Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or Stake better for day trading?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the one positioned more for active traders. Stake 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: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or Stake?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; Stake doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or Stake?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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