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Broker Comparison

Interactive Brokers vs Lightyear

Compare Interactive Brokers and Lightyear side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Active investors and multi-asset traders

Interactive Brokers is a multi-asset broker with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and…

VS
Lightyear

Lightyear

Cost-conscious long-term investors

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, …

Head-to-head comparison

Interactive Brokers vs Lightyear
Feature Interactive Brokers Lightyear
Minimum deposit — —
Stock trading fee — US shares: 0.10% (0.10 USD min - 1 USD max); UK shares: 1 GBP; EUR-denominated stocks, bonds, ETNs and ETCs: 1 EUR; other European stocks: 0.10%
Regulators SEC, CFTC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SEBI, MAS, CIRO FCA, EFSA, FINRA, SIPC
Best for Active investors and multi-asset traders Cost-conscious long-term investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Forex
—
Crypto
Bonds
Options
—
Futures
—
Funds
Fractional Shares
Investment Plans
Margin
—
Multi Currency
Demo Account
—
Ready Made Portfolios
—
Savings Vaults
—
Money Market Funds
—
Business Account
—

Pros & cons

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Pros

  • $0 Lite commissions on US stocks and ETFs
  • IBKR Pro stocks from USD 0.0005 per share
  • US options from USD 0.15 per contract
  • Margin loans start at USD 4.14%
  • Cash interest up to USD 3.14%
  • No inactivity fees
  • No minimums for general investment accounts
  • Paper trading with simulated funds

Cons

  • IBKR Pro stocks cost up to USD 0.0035 per share
  • IBKR Lite stock orders include PFOF
  • US options cost up to USD 0.65 per contract
  • Crypto execution and custody are for eligible clients
  • Forecast contracts are limited to eligible clients
Lightyear

Lightyear

Pros

  • No account fee
  • Free ETF execution and custody
  • 0.35% FX conversion fee
  • Multi-currency account
  • Fractional investing
  • Web, iOS and Android access
  • Savings Vaults with money market funds
  • SIPC protection for US securities

Cons

  • Stock fees vary by instrument
  • Card deposits cost 0.6%
  • Crypto assets lack investor compensation cover
  • Product availability may vary
  • Money market fund fees apply
  • Some withdrawals may require currency conversion
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is a multi-asset broker with stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds, funds and crypto across web, mobile and desktop platforms.

Visit Interactive Brokers Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Lightyear

Lightyear

Low-cost investing platform with free ETFs, multi-currency accounts, fractional investing, savings products, and a 0.35% FX fee.

Visit Lightyear Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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