Updated September 29, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team
Interactive Brokers vs Lightyear
Lightyear
Interactive Brokers
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Interactive BrokersReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | LightyearReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0 | €1 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Bonds, ETFs, Forex, Funds, Futures, Options, Stocks | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | SEC, FCA, SIPC | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Account types | ISA, SIPP, IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more | Corporate |
| Interest on cash | 3.38%Higher | 2.42% |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35% |
| Margin rate | 4.38% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free bank transfers in and out |
| Platforms | Client Portal, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Trader Workstation | Not confirmed |
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
- Interactive Brokers scores higher overall: 9.6 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Interactive Brokers offers SEC, FCA, SIPC.
- Regulators: only Lightyear offers Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA).
- Interactive Brokers is licensed in 1 more country.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Interactive Brokers: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Interactive Brokers offers Forex, Futures, Options.
- Markets: only Lightyear offers Crypto.
- Account types: only Interactive Brokers offers ISA, SIPP, IRA.
- Interest on cash is higher at Interactive Brokers: 3.38% vs 2.42%.
- Features: only Interactive Brokers offers Mobile app.
Our verdict on each
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.
Lightyear
Lightyear suits you if you want stocks, ETFs, crypto, bonds and funds alongside easy access cash in a low-fees model. You pay stock trade fees of $1 with account fees of €0 and inactivity fees of €0 while keeping transfers simple.
Score breakdown
| Area | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock trades cost $0 on commissions and there is no minimum deposit, with options at $0.65. | 9.1Account fees of €0 with inactivity fees of €0 anchor holding costs. |
| Offer | 9.6HigherCovers bonds, etfs and forex plus isa, sipp and ira accounts, fractional shares and a mobile app. | 8.9Markets of stocks, ETFs and crypto span shares, funds, bonds and crypto alongside cash. |
| Trust | 9.8Higher | 8.7Licence MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 under Estonian supervision frames oversight. |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | No |
| SIPP | Yes | No |
| IRA | Yes | No |
| Joint | Yes | No |
| Corporate | Yes | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Investing | 55 of 654 | 51 of 654 |
| Stock and ETF brokers | 33 of 358 | 29 of 358 |
| Robo-advisors | 9 of 154 | 6 of 154 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | Not confirmed | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 |
| United Kingdom | FCA 208159 | Not confirmed |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 53615 | Not confirmed |
Where these facts come from
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
Lightyear
- lightyear.com: 13 facts, checked September 29, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares |
| Pricing model | Commission free, Low feesCovers more | Low fees |
| Legal entity | INTERACTIVE BROKERS LLC | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1978 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Community | Not confirmed |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | €1 |
| Portfolio types | ETF | ETF, Cash, CryptoCovers more |
Savings
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Not confirmed | 2.42% |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Variable |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | Easy access: interest accrues daily and is paid monthly; withdrawal within 2 business days |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Interactive Brokers | Lightyear | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | €0at the median | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | €0below the median | €2.45 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.35%below the median | 0.4% |
| Margin rate | 4.38%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 8.83% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65at the median | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
Median across 94 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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
Lightyear
Pros
- Account fees of €0 and monthly fees of €0 keep ongoing holding costs low
- Inactivity fees of €0 suit buy and hold investors who trade at intervals
- Markets of stocks, ETFs and crypto give broad choice across shares, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto
Cons
- Stock trade fees of $1 look pricey next to ActivTrades at $0 and XTB at €0
- Currency conversion is 0.35%, which adds cost when you deal across currencies
- Support runs on email and help centre only, which limits how you can get help
Who each suits
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
Lightyear
Who it suits
- You invest at intervals across shares and funds and prefer Lightyear over DKB for lower per trade dealing costs
- You hold spare cash alongside shares and prefer Lightyear over ActivTrades for Vault interest paired with broking
- You start modestly and prefer Lightyear over XTB for low entry balances with broad market access
Who should look elsewhere
- You want commission free share dealing on every trade, so XTB may suit better given stock trade fees of €0 against Lightyear at $1
- You want phone based help, so DKB may suit better as Lightyear support runs on email and help centre only
Questions about each
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.
Lightyear
What does Lightyear charge for investing?+
Stock trade fees are $1 per execution. Account fees are €0 and inactivity fees are €0, while monthly fees are €0. Currency conversion is 0.35%, so cross currency dealing adds a separate charge to weigh.
How is Lightyear regulated and protected?+
Lightyear holds licence MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 and names Estonian Financial Supervision Authority as regulator. Investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 and deposit protection is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. Cover applies within stated limits and eligibility rules.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Lightyear
Interactive Brokers