Detailed comparison of all fees, features, and suitability — updated for 2026.
Interactive Brokers is the better choice for Professionals, while Kraken wins for Krypto-Anleger. Which one suits you depends on your strategy — the detailed comparison below shows every difference.
All fees, products, and platform features compared side-by-side. The "Winner" column shows which broker leads in each category.
| Feature | Interactive Brokers | Kraken | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | |||
| Order Fee | $0.005/Aktie (min $1) or Fixed $1 | 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro) | Kraken |
| ETF Savings Plan Fee | - | - | Tie |
| Account Fee | 0€/Year | 0€/Year | Tie |
| Minimum Deposit | 0€ | $1 | Tie |
| Interest on Cash | bis 4.33% (USD) | 0% | Interactive Brokers |
| Product Range | |||
| Stocks | Interactive Brokers | ||
| ETFs | Interactive Brokers | ||
| Crypto | Tie | ||
| Options | Interactive Brokers | ||
| CFDs | Tie | ||
| Fractional Shares | Tie | ||
| Number of Exchanges | 150+ Börsen in 33 Ländern | Krypto-Spot, Krypto-Futures | Kraken |
| Platform & Tools | |||
| Mobile App | Tie | ||
| Desktop Platform | Interactive Brokers | ||
| Demo Account | Tie | ||
| Security & Regulation | |||
| Regulated by | SEC / FCA / BaFin | FinCEN · FCA · BaFin | Tie |
| Deposit Protection | $500.000 (SIPC) | - | Tie |
| Founded | 1978 | 2011 | Tie |
| Overall Rating | |||
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Interactive Brokers |
Depending on your strategy and experience, one broker fits better. Here's how to decide:
Low barriers, simple app, demo account and no hidden costs — perfect to get started.
More about Interactive Brokers →Low per-order fees, many trading venues and derivatives access — important if you trade regularly.
More about Kraken →Free savings plans, interest on cash and no custody fee — what matters when you buy & hold.
More about Interactive Brokers →Interactive Brokers is the professional's choice with access to 150+ exchanges, all product classes, and the lowest fees for active traders.
Particularly suitable for: Professionals, Active Traders, International Investors, Options Trading.
Kraken was founded in 2011 and is one of the oldest crypto exchanges still operating. With 95% cold storage, quarterly proof-of-reserves and licenses in the US, UK and Germany, Kraken is the security benchmark of the industry.
Particularly suitable for: Krypto-Anleger, Bitcoin-Käufer, HODL-Investoren.
Answers to the most common questions about Interactive Brokers vs Kraken.
For order fees, Kraken leads at 0.16 % / 0.26 % (Pro), while Interactive Brokers charges $0.005/Aktie (min $1) oder Fixed $1. Note: with CFD brokers, spreads add hidden cost — the lower nominal price isn't always cheaper overall.
Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC / FCA / BaFin, Kraken by FinCEN · FCA · BaFin. Both fall under EU oversight. Deposit protection: Interactive Brokers $500.000 (SIPC), Kraken -.
For German/Austrian customers, language, BaFin regulation and tax-simple status often matter most. Check the 'Regulated by' and 'Languages' rows — DACH-focused brokers usually have the edge.
Neither Interactive Brokers nor Kraken offers free ETF savings plans. If recurring investing matters, check a savings-plan-focused broker.
Both are covered under their home regulator's deposit protection. Interactive Brokers: $500.000 (SIPC), Kraken: -. Securities are held in segregated accounts and protected in case of broker insolvency.
Interactive Brokers leads on cash interest at 4.33%. Watch the conditions — some brokers require a paid plan or cap the amount.
Both offer native mobile apps with good app-store ratings. Which is better depends on your needs — try both with a demo account if available.
A second broker makes sense when one offers features the other lacks (e.g. options, crypto, more exchanges). A full switch is only worth it if the cost difference or missing features are significant.
Sign up with the broker that fits your strategy. Both are regulated and offer a demo account to test risk-free.
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