Interactive Brokers vs Tastytrade 2026: Best for Active Options Traders?
The two platforms serious options traders debate most. IBKR offers the lowest margin rates and global access. Tastytrade is purpose-built for premium selling with free-to-close pricing. Both are elite — here's how to decide.
Interactive Brokers is the ceiling — if you need global market access, ultra-low margin rates, or algorithmic trading capabilities, there's no better choice. The complexity is worth it for sophisticated traders who use what it offers.
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Tastytrade is the top choice for anyone serious about options trading. The free-to-close model alone saves active traders hundreds per month. If you're trading more than 10 options contracts per week, this is your platform.
Open Tastytrade Account →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| Commissions | $0.65/contract | $1/contract |
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Options Trading | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Free to Close Options | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Paper Trading | — | — |
| Account Types | Individual, IRA, Trust | Individual, IRA, Joint |
| Regulated | FINRA / SIPC / FCA (global) | FINRA / SIPC |
Interactive Brokers — Full Review
Interactive Brokers has been the professional trader's broker since 1978. The platform's breadth is unmatched: 150+ global exchanges, forex, futures, bonds, and options all in a single account. The Trader Workstation (TWS) is the most powerful desktop trading platform available to retail traders, with strategy builder, risk navigator, and options analytics tools that rival institutional systems. IBKR's margin rates are consistently 2-3x lower than competitors — on a $500K margin balance, this saves thousands per year. The IBKR Lite tier (commission-free, simplified interface) makes the broker accessible to casual investors who still want the underlying infrastructure quality.
Tastytrade — Full Review
Tastytrade was founded by Tom Sosnoff and Tony Battista — the same team that built thinkorswim before selling it to TD Ameritrade. The platform shows its DNA: options analytics are first-class, with probability cones, expected moves, and real-time Greeks displayed prominently. The free-to-close model is transformative for active traders — on a 10-contract position, you save $6.50 every time you close, which adds up to thousands per year. The Follow Feed is a unique social feature that lets you see the live trades of experienced traders in the community. The education library is genuinely deep, covering everything from first options trade to advanced multi-leg strategies.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Interactive Brokers if you trade high volume, need the lowest margin rates available, or want access to international markets and complex multi-leg strategies.
Open IBKR Account →Choose Tastytrade if you focus on premium-selling strategies like covered calls and cash-secured puts, and want a platform built specifically for that style of trading.
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