Invest · Broker review
Interactive Brokers
The lowest FX spreads of any mainstream broker — 0.08–0.2% mid-market margin across all major corridors.
Not financial advice.This is a comparison of FX costs only. We don't recommend specific investments. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before investing.
Verdict
Interactive Brokers has the best FX pricing of any mainstream broker by a wide margin. Their FX spread is 0.08% mid-market (or ~$2 fixed minimum per conversion), which means a $10,000 INR→USD conversion costs ~$10 — vs $50-150 at Indian domestic brokers. If you're serious about investing globally and want to minimise the FX drag, IBKR is the answer. The interface is complex, but worth learning.
FX cost breakdown
FX cost comparison on $10,000 investment
Pros & cons
Pros
- Lowest FX spread of any mainstream broker: 0.08% (IBKR Pro) or ~0.2% (IBKR Lite)
- Access to 150+ markets globally — US, UK, EU, Asia, EM
- Commission-free US stock trading (IBKR Lite)
- Fractional shares available for US stocks
- Available to investors from India, UK, EU, Australia, Singapore, Canada
- Strong regulatory standing: FINRA, SEC, FCA, ASIC, MAS
Cons
- $2 minimum per FX conversion — not ideal for very small amounts
- Complex platform — steep learning curve for new investors
- Onboarding can take 1-2 weeks for non-US residents
- India accounts have LRS ($250,000/year) limit compliance requirements
- Customer support response times longer than neo-brokers
Who can use it
Markets available
Supported corridors
Regulated by
Frequently asked questions
Can Indian investors use Interactive Brokers?
Yes. Indian residents can open an IBKR account and invest in US stocks under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), which allows up to $250,000/year in foreign investments. You'll need PAN card, Aadhaar, and a bank account for the LRS remittance.
What FX rate does IBKR use for INR to USD conversion?
IBKR charges approximately 0.08% above the interbank mid-market rate (minimum $2 per conversion). On $10,000 INR→USD, that's a ~$10 FX cost. Compare: Zerodha and most Indian brokers charge 0.5-1.5% for the same conversion ($50-150).
How does IBKR compare to Zerodha for US stocks?
IBKR is far cheaper on FX. Zerodha uses a bank partner for the LRS transfer which typically charges 0.5-1% FX margin. IBKR handles the FX conversion internally at 0.08%, saving $40-90 per $10,000 invested. IBKR also has direct access to US markets; Zerodha uses Vested as an intermediary.
Is there a minimum investment for IBKR?
No. IBKR removed its minimum account balance requirement. You can start with any amount. However, the $2 minimum FX conversion fee means very small conversions (under $1,000) have disproportionately high FX costs — at that scale, a fractional share platform may be more cost-effective.
Invest by market & home country
See how Interactive Brokers compares for your specific home country and target market — with FX cost, regulation, and tax notes.
US stocks
S&P 500
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global ETFs
MSCI World / FTSE All-World
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UK stocks
FTSE 100
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emerging markets
MSCI Emerging Markets
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Indian stocks
Nifty 50
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European stocks
EURO STOXX 50
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bonds and fixed income
Bloomberg Global Aggregate
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REITs
FTSE NAREIT All REITs
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