Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Ally Bank vs Interactive Brokers
Ally Bank
Higher score in this comparison
Interactive Brokers
Ally Bank vs Interactive Brokers: the differences
| Compare | Ally BankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Interactive BrokersReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds, Bonds | Bonds, ETFs, Forex, Funds, Futures, Options, StocksCovers more |
| Regulators | SEC, FINRA, FDIC | SEC, FCA, SIPC |
| Options contract fee | $0.50Lower | $0.65 |
| Account types | Joint, IRA, Roth IRA | ISA, SIPP, IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.38% |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Client Portal, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Trader Workstation |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 3.38% |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Regulators: only Ally Bank offers FINRA, FDIC.
- Regulators: only Interactive Brokers offers FCA, SIPC.
- Founded is lower at Ally Bank: 1919 vs 1978.
- Interactive Brokers is licensed in 1 more country.
- Options contract fee is lower at Ally Bank: $0.50 vs $0.65.
- Markets: only Interactive Brokers offers Forex, Futures.
- Account types: only Ally Bank offers Roth IRA.
- Account types: only Interactive Brokers offers ISA, SIPP, Corporate.
- Support channels: only Ally Bank offers Email, Chat, Phone.
- Support channels: only Interactive Brokers offers Community.
Our verdict on each
Ally Bank
Ally Bank suits US savers who want easy-access cash and self-directed investing in one place. Savings pay 3.1% at a variable rate, the brokerage side covers stocks, etfs and options, and the trading platform is ranked 1 of 166 brands on what a trade costs.
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers suits active, self-directed investors who trade often and want low costs across many markets. Stock trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, with SEC, FCA and SIPC oversight. Set aside time for a dense platform and remember most retail accounts lose money, 70.15% on site figures.
Score breakdown
| Area | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherAccount fee $0, inactivity fee $0 and stock trade fee $0, with savings paying 3.1%. | 9.3Stock trades cost $0 on commissions and there is no minimum deposit, with options at $0.65. |
| Offer | 9.6 | 9.6Covers bonds, etfs and forex plus isa, sipp and ira accounts, fractional shares and a mobile app. |
| Trust | 9.8 | 9.8 |
What each covers
| Markets | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | No | Yes |
| SIPP | No | Yes |
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate | No | Yes |
Choosing between them
Pick Ally Bank if options contract fee matter most.
Pick Interactive Brokers if markets matter most.
What we checked
Ally Bank
- ally.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- banks.data.fdic.gov: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- files.brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Interactive Brokers
- interactivebrokers.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokersway.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- toponlineforexbrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- euinvestinghub.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- eupersonalfinance.eu: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 53 of 654 | 55 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 31 of 358 | 33 of 358 |
| Robo-advisors | 8 of 154 | 9 of 154 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Legal entity | Ally Bank | INTERACTIVE BROKERS LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1919Lower | 1978 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre | Help centre, Community |
Savings
| Fact | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.1% | Not confirmed |
| Rate type | Variable | Not confirmed |
| Deposit protection | FDIC insured (certificate 57803) | Not confirmed |
| Access terms | 10 limited withdrawals and transfers per statement cycle | Not confirmed |
| Monthly fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account kind | Easy access | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% to 0.3% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $100 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, ESG, CashCovers more | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $23.50 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 4.38%lowest quarter | 8.83% |
| Options contract fee | $0.50below the median | $0.65at the median | $0.65 |
Median across 138 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Ally Bank
Pros
- Savings pay 3.1% at a variable rate, a little above the site median of 3%.
- Trading covers stocks, etfs and options with a commission free model and a minimum deposit of $0.
- Cash is FDIC insured (certificate 57803), and investments are covered by SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Cons
- Savings access stops at 10 limited withdrawals and transfers per statement cycle, so a large emergency fund is awkward to hold here.
- Options are the exception to commission free trading, with a charge of $0.50.
- Robo portfolios charge a management fee of 0% to 0.3% and start at $100.
Interactive Brokers
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is $0
- Options contracts cost $0.65 and cash earns 3.38%
- Covers bonds, etfs and forex with isa, sipp and ira account types
Cons
- Support runs on help centre and community only, with no phone line listed
- Fractional shares and a mobile app are the only extras listed, so portfolio building is limited to etf
- Most retail accounts lose money, 70.15% on site figures
Who each suits
Ally Bank
Who it suits
- US households, since the bank is headquartered in the United States and its savings pay 3.1%.
- First-time investors, who can start trading at $0 on a commission free model.
- Retirement savers, who can hold joint, IRA and Roth IRA accounts.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, for readers who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto: its markets are stocks, etfs and forex, against stocks, etfs and options here.
- bunq, for euro savers who prefer an account in euros, since its minimum deposit is set at €10.
- Fiesta Credito MX, for readers in Mexico who want a lender regulated by CONDUSEF rather than SEC, FINRA and FDIC.
Interactive Brokers
Who it suits
- Investors who place many trades and care more about the fee than the interface
- Anyone holding several markets at once, given bonds, etfs and forex
- Retirement savers, as isa, sipp and ira includes ISA, SIPP and IRA options
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants phone or chat support, since Interactive Brokers runs on help centre and community
- CFI, if you want a single app alongside stocks, etfs and forex
- bunq, if you want a bank account with a minimum deposit of €10 rather than trading
Country by country
| Country | Ally Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Ally Bank
What does it cost to keep an account open?+
The brokerage account fee is $0 and the online savings account carries a monthly fee of $0. The inactivity fee is also $0, so an unused account is not quietly charged. The one regular trading charge is on options, at $0.50.
Is there a minimum deposit to start?+
Self-directed trading opens at a minimum deposit of $0, and Ally Bank ranks 1 of 218 brands on that measure. Automated investing is the exception, with a minimum investment of $100 before the first purchase.
Interactive Brokers
What does it cost to trade stocks?+
Commissions are tiered, with the headline level listed as $0 for US stocks. Options contracts are charged at $0.65. Uninvested cash earns interest at 3.38%, and margin is available at a base rate of 4.38%.
Is there a minimum deposit?+
The listed minimum deposit is $0, so you can open and fund an account at a small starting balance. It ranks first on the site for the lowest entry point. Fractional shares also let you hold a slice of a share rather than a full unit.
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Ally Bank
Interactive Brokers