Tool Comparison
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) vs TD Direct Investing
- 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 TD Direct Investing instead if
TD Direct Investing
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 TD Direct Investing cover a lot of the same ground (4 shared categories, including brokerage, options, and portfolio), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) simply does more: 14 categories to TD Direct Investing's 5, including advanced order types, smart/direct routing, and paper trading. TD Direct Investing counters by keeping things simpler.
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Key differences at a glance
- Real-time data
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Broader coverage
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)14 vs 5 categories
- Desktop app
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- API access
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Global coverage
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
- Asset coverage
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR)Adds futures and currencies
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 TD Direct Investing does best
- Canadian and U.S. stocks at $9.99 standard or $7 Active Trader pricing.
- Eligible stock and ETF partial-share trades for $1.99.
- Options, mutual funds, bonds, GICs and other fixed income.
- Cash, margin and major Canadian registered account types.
- WebBroker and TD mobile app, with Advanced Dashboard premium data for eligible 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 | 5 |
Regions | North America, Europe, 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 TD Direct Investing |
Standout features
The best features of Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and TD Direct Investing.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 TD Direct Investing does best
- Canadian and U.S. stocks at $9.99 standard or $7 Active Trader pricing.
- Eligible stock and ETF partial-share trades for $1.99.
- Options, mutual funds, bonds, GICs and other fixed income.
- Cash, margin and major Canadian registered account types.
- WebBroker and TD mobile app, with Advanced Dashboard premium data for eligible accounts.
All details
Every attribute we track for Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and TD Direct Investing.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsFuturesCurrenciesBondsMutual FundsCommodities+2 more | StocksETFsOptionsMutual FundsBonds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Retail TradersPro RetailInstitutional InvestorsDay TradersSwing TradersAlgo TradersLong-term InvestorsFinancial Advisors+1 more | Not specified |
Regions | North AmericaEuropeAPAC | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker | Countries: CAIdentifiers: Ticker and CUSIP |
| 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 | CSVPDF |
| 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 | TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.Country: CanadaSupport: 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“Brokerage Account” | — |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and TD Direct Investing?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) leans toward brokerage, advanced order types, and smart/direct routing, while TD Direct Investing puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 4 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and TD Direct Investing 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 TD Direct Investing have an API?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has an API for programmatic access and custom integrations. TD Direct Investing doesn't, so you're working through its interface.
Should I choose Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or TD Direct Investing?
It depends on what you're after. Pick Interactive Brokers (IBKR) if advanced order types and smart/direct routing matter to you; go with TD Direct Investing 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 TD Direct Investing cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds. Interactive Brokers (IBKR) also handles futures, currencies, and commodities.
Does Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or TD Direct Investing have real-time data?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) offers real-time data, which matters if you trade actively. TD Direct Investing 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: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or TD Direct Investing?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has documented international coverage (North America, Europe, and APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. TD Direct Investing is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from Interactive Brokers (IBKR) and TD Direct Investing?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Is Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or TD Direct Investing better for day trading?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the one positioned more for active traders. TD Direct Investing 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 TD Direct Investing?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has a stock screener for surfacing ideas; TD Direct Investing doesn't, and focuses its energy elsewhere.
Can I track my portfolio with Interactive Brokers (IBKR) or TD Direct Investing?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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