Interactive Brokers vs Webull: Which Broker Suits You?
Interactive Brokers scores 4.8 and Webull 3.6 out of 5 on our published methodology. Interactive Brokers leads on Platform & Tools, Regulation & Trust, Asset Range and Account Access & Support, and they tie on Costs & Fees. Both accept clients in the US and other countries.
Higher overall score
Interactive Brokers
4.8/5
Best for: Active & globally-minded traders
Read the full Interactive Brokers review →Overall score
Webull
3.6/5
Best for: Commission-free US trading & charting
Read the full Webull review →Score by score
Each category is scored 1–5 using our published methodology. The overall score is the plain average of the first five; ease of use is shown separately.
Key facts side by side
| Interactive Brokers | Webull | |
|---|---|---|
| What you own | Real assets | Real assets |
| Available assets | Stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, forex, crypto across 170+ markets | Stocks, ETFs, options, plus some crypto and bonds |
| Regulated by | SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC, CIRO and others | SEC, FINRA, SIPC |
| Stands out for | Unmatched global market access from a single account | Charting and paper trading well beyond what a free app usually offers |
| Watch out for | Trader Workstation has a genuinely steep learning curve | No mutual funds, and its ownership history has drawn US scrutiny |
| Accepts clients in | The US, the UK, the EU and other countries | The US and other countries |
Is Interactive Brokers cheaper than Webull?
Both score 5/5 on Costs & Fees, so neither has a clear overall cost advantage on our measures; which is cheaper for you depends on what you trade, how often, and in which currency. Fees differ by country and account type and change often, so check both brokers’ current price lists before you choose.
Which is safer, Interactive Brokers or Webull?
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FINRA, FCA, ASIC, CIRO and others; Webull by SEC, FINRA, SIPC. Interactive Brokers scores higher on our Regulation & Trust measure (5/5 against 3/5). Which company holds your account, and which investor compensation scheme covers it, depends on where you live. Compensation schemes cover a broker failing, never investment losses.
Which is better for beginners?
On ease of use for a beginner, which sits outside the overall score, Interactive Brokers scores 2/5 and Webull 3/5. Webull is the gentler place to start.
Who each one tends to suit
Interactive Brokers
- Tends to suit
- Active & globally-minded traders
- Stands out for
- Unmatched global market access from a single account
- Watch out for
- Trader Workstation has a genuinely steep learning curve
Webull
- Tends to suit
- Commission-free US trading & charting
- Stands out for
- Charting and paper trading well beyond what a free app usually offers
- Watch out for
- No mutual funds, and its ownership history has drawn US scrutiny
More head-to-heads
Scores and facts come from our own reviews as of September 2026 and follow one published methodology. Plain Investor has no commercial relationship with either broker. This is general education, not personal financial advice. Fees, features and regulation change, so confirm current terms with each broker before opening an account.