Commissions At Interactive Brokers
If you trade at Interactive Brokers, you may already know that the broker has two different price models for its customers. There is IBKR LITE and IBKR PRO. Each model is designed for a different type of trader and comes with varying commissions as a result.
Whether you use IBKR LITE or IBKR PRO, you might want to learn how to reduce your trading commissions at Interactive Brokers.
We recently reached out to IBKR to lower our commissions. Please keep reading to see what we learned.
Types of Commissions at IBKR
Before discussing negotiating lower commissions at IBKR, let’s first look at the commissions that the broker charges.
For reference, IBKR is a broker with a global reach. We will focus on U.S. commissions for this article.
Stocks and ETFs
The commissions you pay for U.S. exchange-listed stocks and ETFs depend on your account type.
IBKR LITE = $0 (OTC securities, Foreign Stock, and some ETFs have fixed pricing and are not included
in the zero-commission plan. OTCs have a per-share commission of $0.05, for instance).
IBKR PRO = $0.005/share (Fixed) with a $1 minimum per order, $0.0005-$0.0035/share (Tiered) with a $0.035 minimum per order -> Tiered IBKR PRO prices are based on trade volume.
Options
Commissions on options at IBKR are charged on a per-contract basis. Commissions on options at IBKR PRO are based on trade volume (measured in contracts traded).
IBKR LITE = $0.65 with a $1 minimum per order.
IBKR PRO = $0.15-$0.65 with a $1 minimum per order.
Futures
Commissions on Futures are based on a per-contract basis. For IBKR PRO, prices are also based on monthly trade volume.
IBKR LITE = $0.85/contract (E-mini), $0.25/contract (E-micro), $0.20-$5/contract (Cryptocurrency), $0.50/contract (E-mini FX), $0.15/contract (E-micro FX)
IBKR PRO = $0.25-$0.85/contract (E-mini), $0.10-$025/contract (E-micro), $0.20-$5/contract (Cryptocurrency), $0.15-$0.50/contract (E-mini FX), $0.05-0.15/contract (E-micro FX)
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency transactions range from $0.12-$0.18/trade. There is a $1.75 minimum.
Here is a summary for convenience:
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Are Lower Commissions at Interactive Brokers Possible?
As you can see, Interactive Brokers has a complex pricing schedule in place that accommodates virtually every type of investor.
Since the broker already has a built-in commission-reduction system in play, it is not likely that commission reduction negotiations would go very far. If some extenuating circumstances could help convince them, the chances of securing better rates could increase.
One thing to note is that IBKR’s commission reduction strategy is geared towards heavy volume and large accounts.
When I contacted the broker to lower my commissions, my ‘angle’ was that of a medium-sized account holder with a history of consistently successful trades. Unfortunately for me, it wasn’t enough to spark a conversation.
That is not to say that achieving lower commissions on a per-customer basis is impossible, though.
Considerations for Negotiating Commissions
Here are a few things you can try when making your case.
Age of the Account
If you have been with Interactive Brokers for more than a year, getting a meaningful conversation going about commissions is more likely. Brokers usually appreciate long-term customers and can be more accommodating to them.
Account Size
Another thing that you can consider is your account size. As mentioned, it is clear that IBKR is ready to offer deals to customers with large accounts. Cheaper rates are already baked in. Bringing your balance up (even if it doesn’t quite meet the minimum threshold requirements for a price break) can help tip the scales in your favor.
Trading Activity
Trade volume and frequency are also built into the commission-reduction system at IBKR. Even if you aren’t making 10,000 plus options transactions each month, securing a personal deal on commissions may be possible if your volume is higher than average.
Trading History
The quality of your trading may also play a role in convincing the broker to help you with trading costs. Trading in a consistent way that is both predictable and profitable shows the broker that giving you a break on commissions could make good business sense.
Updated on 1/23/2026.
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