Interactive Brokers adds Brokerage, Paper Trading, Advanced Order Types, Smart/Direct Routing, Order Book / Level II, APIs & SDKs, Data APIs, Scenario & Stress Tests, and Performance Attribution coverage that MarketXLS skips.
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
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Sunday, October 5, 2025
Head-to-head
Interactive Brokers vs MarketXLS comparison
Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.
Quick takeaways
MarketXLS includes Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors, Screeners, Options, Options P&L, Monte Carlo, Correlation, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, ETF Fundamentals, Which ETF includes this Stock?, Interest Rates, Unemployment Rates, Inflation Rates, GDP, and Blogs categories that Interactive Brokers omits.
Interactive Brokers highlights: Single universal account providing access to around 160 markets across 36 countries and 28 currencies., More than 100 order types and algos, including Bracket, OCO, and OCA, with either SMART routing or direct exchange routing., and Market depth (Level II) and full order book views via Trader Workstation (TWS)..
MarketXLS is known for: Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users., Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year., and Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter..
Interactive Brokers ships a mobile app. MarketXLS is web/desktop only.
Interactive Brokers
interactivebrokers.co.uk
A global, multi-asset direct-access broker with coverage across 160 markets in 36 countries and 28 currencies. Crypto trading and some services vary by region (IBKR Crypto is powered by Paxos or Zero Hash where supported). Client APIs include the Client Portal Web API and TWS API; retail users authenticate via the local Client Portal Gateway, while OAuth2 applies to approved web integrations.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Single universal account providing access to around 160 markets across 36 countries and 28 currencies.
- More than 100 order types and algos, including Bracket, OCO, and OCA, with either SMART routing or direct exchange routing.
- Market depth (Level II) and full order book views via Trader Workstation (TWS).
- Advanced options analytics with Greeks, implied volatility curves, and a 3D volatility surface viewer.
- Risk Navigator for real-time portfolio risk, Value-at-Risk, and what-if scenario analysis.
Community votes (overall)
MarketXLS
marketxls.com
Excel‑first market data & analytics add‑in with 1,000+ functions. Default data is 15‑min delayed (QuoteMedia); real‑time streams and intraday history available with data add‑ons. Web screener, ETF database/overlap tools, options chains & Greeks, and portfolio templates (incl. Efficient Frontier). Direct order‑ticket functions for Thinkorswim, Tradier, Orion, plus IBKR integration via TWS API. No public data API for redistribution; personal use license.
Categories
Platforms
Pricing
Quick highlights
- Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users.
- Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year.
- Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter.
- Portfolio & research templates: Efficient Frontier, correlation/volatility/drawdowns, fundamentals and historical statements via hf_* functions.
- Web screener with hundreds of metrics; stock ranks (Value/Quality/Technical); spreadsheet builder to generate ready‑made workbooks.
Community votes (overall)
Shared focus areas
4 overlapsMutual strengths include Portfolio, Watchlist, and Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown) plus 1 more area.
Where they differ
Interactive Brokers
Distinct strengths include:
- Single universal account providing access to around 160 markets across 36 countries and 28 currencies.
- More than 100 order types and algos, including Bracket, OCO, and OCA, with either SMART routing or direct exchange routing.
- Market depth (Level II) and full order book views via Trader Workstation (TWS).
- Advanced options analytics with Greeks, implied volatility curves, and a 3D volatility surface viewer.
MarketXLS
Distinct strengths include:
- Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users.
- Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year.
- Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter.
- Portfolio & research templates: Efficient Frontier, correlation/volatility/drawdowns, fundamentals and historical statements via hf_* functions.
Feature-by-feature breakdown
Attribute | Interactive Brokers | MarketXLS |
---|---|---|
Categories Which research workflows each platform targets | Shared: Portfolio, Watchlist, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Options & Derivatives Unique: Brokerage, Paper Trading, Advanced Order Types, Smart/Direct Routing, Order Book / Level II, APIs & SDKs, Data APIs, Scenario & Stress Tests, Performance Attribution | Shared: Portfolio, Watchlist, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), Options & Derivatives Unique: Sheets / Excel Add-ins, Broker Connectors, Screeners, Options, Options P&L, Monte Carlo, Correlation, Financials, ETF Overview, ETF Holdings, ETF Fundamentals, Which ETF includes this Stock?, Interest Rates, Unemployment Rates, Inflation Rates, GDP, Blogs |
Asset types Supported asset classes and universes | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Currencies, Commodities, Cryptos | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Mutual Funds, Currencies, Futures, Cryptos |
Experience levels Who each product is built for | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Platforms Where you can access the product | Web, Mobile, Desktop, API | Desktop, Web |
Pricing High-level pricing models | Other | Subscription |
Key features Core capabilities called out by each vendor | Unique
| Unique
|
Tested Verified by hands-on testing inside Find My Moat | Yes | Not yet |
Editor pick Featured inside curated shortlists | Highlighted | Standard listing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which workflows do Interactive Brokers and MarketXLS both support?
Both platforms cover Portfolio, Watchlist, Risk Metrics (VaR/ES/Drawdown), and Options & Derivatives workflows, so you can research those use cases in either tool before digging into the feature differences below.
Do Interactive Brokers and MarketXLS require subscriptions?
Neither platform maintains a free tier. Budget for a subscription to unlock the research coverage highlighted in this comparison.
Which tool has mobile access?
Interactive Brokers ships a dedicated mobile experience, while MarketXLS focuses on web or desktop access.
What unique strengths set the two platforms apart?
Interactive Brokers differentiates itself with Single universal account providing access to around 160 markets across 36 countries and 28 currencies., More than 100 order types and algos, including Bracket, OCO, and OCA, with either SMART routing or direct exchange routing., and Market depth (Level II) and full order book views via Trader Workstation (TWS)., whereas MarketXLS stands out for Excel add‑in works on Windows, Mac, and Excel Online; updates delivered automatically for Mac/Excel Online/Office 365 users., Built‑in real‑time streaming quotes (with exchange agreements) and default 15‑minute delayed market data; EOD history ~15+ years; intraday historical up to 1‑minute for ~1 year., and Options analytics: live option chains & Greeks, IV tools, order‑flow functions, strategy P&L templates; options symbology converter..
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Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.