Interactive Brokers FAQ: 160+ Answers on TWS API, Fees & TradingView Automation
The definitive Interactive Brokers reference for traders — covering TWS and Client Portal API, account types, margin, fees, TradingView automation, and how to connect with PickMyTrade.
Table of Contents
PickMyTrade + Interactive Brokers Automation
21 answersCan I automate my TradingView strategy to Interactive Brokers?
Yes. PickMyTrade connects TradingView webhook alerts straight into your Interactive Brokers account, so every alert becomes a live order with sub-200ms execution. No coding required — connect once, trade automatically.
Does Interactive Brokers have a built-in TradingView connection?
Most brokers do not offer a direct, no-code TradingView webhook integration. PickMyTrade bridges that gap by accepting TradingView webhook alerts and routing them to Interactive Brokers on your behalf.
How does PickMyTrade connect TradingView to Interactive Brokers?
Go to pickmytrade.io, add Interactive Brokers as your broker connection, and authenticate with your credentials. In PickMyTrade, click "Generate Alert" to create a JSON payload and webhook URL. Paste both into your TradingView alert. PickMyTrade routes each alert in sub-200ms on typical setups.
Will automated orders still fire if my PC is asleep?
Yes, when you use PickMyTrade. The webhook and the connection to Interactive Brokers both live in the cloud, so your PC can be off.
Can I backtest on TradingView and go live on Interactive Brokers with the same strategy?
Yes, that is the main use case. You backtest a Pine Script strategy on TradingView, then wire the strategy's buy/sell alerts into PickMyTrade, which forwards them to Interactive Brokers. Be aware that backtest fills are idealised — real fills depend on liquidity and your broker's routing.
How much does it cost to automate TradingView to Interactive Brokers with PickMyTrade?
PickMyTrade is $50/month per broker connection with unlimited strategies and alerts, and a free trial. That is on top of any fees you already pay Interactive Brokers.
Do I need to know Python or any coding to automate Interactive Brokers?
No coding is required. PickMyTrade is a no-code automation platform — choose your symbol, strategy, and risk settings, then paste the generated alert into TradingView. The heavy API work is handled server-side.
Can I run the same TradingView alert to multiple Interactive Brokers accounts?
PickMyTrade supports multi-account routing — you can attach one webhook to multiple Interactive Brokers logins and route the same alert to all of them simultaneously.
What happens if a TradingView alert fires while Interactive Brokers is disconnected?
The order will not reach the exchange. PickMyTrade will log the failed send. Most traders use conditional logic (e.g. market-hours filter) in their Pine Script to avoid firing during maintenance windows.
Why would I use PickMyTrade instead of building my own Interactive Brokers API bot?
Building and maintaining an API client means managing credentials, redundancy, VPS hosting, and order state — usually hundreds of hours. PickMyTrade bundles all of that into a $50/month service so you can focus on the strategy.
Account Setup & Onboarding
14 answersHow do I open an account with Interactive Brokers?
Visit Interactive Brokers's official website, complete the registration form, verify your identity per KYC requirements, and fund your account. Account activation times vary — check the current onboarding guide on Interactive Brokers's support pages.
What documents do I need to open a Interactive Brokers account?
Typically a government-issued photo ID and proof of address. Regulated brokers follow standard KYC/AML rules. Requirements vary by country — check Interactive Brokers's current account opening page for the exact document list.
Is there a demo or paper trading account available?
Many brokers including Interactive Brokers offer a demo or simulated trading environment. Check Interactive Brokers's platform directly for their current demo offering and any time or feature limitations.
How long does account activation take?
Activation times vary. Some accounts are live within minutes; others require manual KYC review that can take hours to a few business days. Check Interactive Brokers's current onboarding timeline.
Can I open a Interactive Brokers account from outside the US?
Interactive Brokers availability varies by country. Always check the current list of supported countries on Interactive Brokers's website before applying, as exclusions change.
How do I generate API keys for Interactive Brokers?
Log into your Interactive Brokers account, navigate to the API or Developer settings section, and create a new key pair. Store your secret key securely — it is typically shown only once. Follow Interactive Brokers's API documentation for the current steps.
Can I connect my Interactive Brokers API keys to PickMyTrade?
Yes. After generating your API keys, add Interactive Brokers as a broker in PickMyTrade and paste your key and secret. PickMyTrade uses them only to place orders under your direction. Enable trading permissions and set IP restrictions to PickMyTrade's servers for best security.
Fees, Commissions & Pricing
14 answersWhat are Interactive Brokers's trading fees?
Fee structures change regularly. Always verify the current fee schedule directly on Interactive Brokers's official fee or pricing page before trading — do not rely on third-party sources alone.
Does Interactive Brokers charge fees for using the API?
Most brokers do not charge separately for API access, but rate limits and tier restrictions apply. Check Interactive Brokers's API documentation for any access-level fees or rate limit tiers.
Are there inactivity fees on Interactive Brokers?
Some brokers charge inactivity fees if no trades are placed within a set period. Check Interactive Brokers's current fee schedule to confirm whether inactivity fees apply and what triggers them.
What is Interactive Brokers's maker/taker fee structure?
Interactive Brokers uses a tiered maker/taker model for most markets. Makers who add liquidity typically pay lower fees than takers who remove it. Exact rates depend on your 30-day volume tier — see Interactive Brokers's fee schedule for current figures.
Does Interactive Brokers charge withdrawal fees?
Withdrawal fees vary by asset and method. Crypto withdrawals typically have a network fee. Fiat withdrawals via wire or ACH may carry a flat fee. Always check the current fee schedule on Interactive Brokers's withdrawal page.
Is there a minimum trade size on Interactive Brokers?
Minimum order sizes vary by asset and market. Check Interactive Brokers's trading rules or market specifications for the minimum notional or lot size per instrument before placing orders through PickMyTrade.
How much does PickMyTrade add on top of Interactive Brokers's fees?
PickMyTrade is $50/month flat per broker connection with unlimited alerts and strategies. It does not add per-trade commissions. Your only per-trade cost is whatever Interactive Brokers charges directly.
Platform Features & Trading Tools
14 answersWhat order types does Interactive Brokers support?
Interactive Brokers supports standard order types including market, limit, and stop orders. Advanced order types such as stop-limit, OCO (One-Cancels-Other), and brackets may also be available depending on the market. Check Interactive Brokers's API docs for the full list.
Does Interactive Brokers have a mobile app?
Interactive Brokers offers mobile apps for iOS and Android. Feature parity with the desktop or web platform may vary — check the App Store or Google Play for the current version and user ratings.
What markets and instruments can I trade on Interactive Brokers?
Interactive Brokers offers Global multi-asset broker with deep futures, stocks, and options coverage. Exact instrument lists depend on your account type and regional availability. Check Interactive Brokers's markets page for the current offering.
Does Interactive Brokers support stop-loss and take-profit orders through the API?
Yes, Interactive Brokers's API typically supports stop-loss and take-profit parameters. PickMyTrade exposes these in its alert builder, so your TradingView JSON can carry SL/TP offsets and they will be submitted with your order.
Is there a Interactive Brokers web platform or is it desktop-only?
Interactive Brokers offers web-based access, meaning you can trade from any browser without installing software. A dedicated desktop app may also be available for lower latency. Check Interactive Brokers's platform page for current options.
Does Interactive Brokers provide market data and charting?
Interactive Brokers provides real-time market data and integrated charting for its supported markets. For advanced charting, most traders pair Interactive Brokers with TradingView and automate via PickMyTrade.
What API rate limits does Interactive Brokers have?
Rate limits vary by endpoint and account tier. PickMyTrade manages rate limit compliance server-side, so you generally do not need to worry about hitting limits for normal automated trading volumes. Check Interactive Brokers's API documentation for exact limits.
Deposits, Withdrawals & Funding
14 answersHow do I deposit money to Interactive Brokers?
Log into your Interactive Brokers account and navigate to Deposit or Funding. Supported methods vary by region and may include bank wire, ACH, credit/debit card, or crypto transfer. Check Interactive Brokers's current deposit page for available options and minimum amounts.
How do I withdraw from Interactive Brokers?
Navigate to Withdraw in your Interactive Brokers account. Withdrawals are typically processed to the same method used to deposit, per standard AML rules. Processing times and any fees are listed on Interactive Brokers's withdrawal page.
What is the minimum deposit for Interactive Brokers?
Minimum deposits vary by account type and funding method. Check Interactive Brokers's current account page — minimums change and differ between retail and professional accounts.
How long do deposits take to reflect in my Interactive Brokers account?
Crypto deposits usually confirm within minutes (depending on network congestion). Bank wires may take 1-3 business days. ACH transfers may take 2-5 business days. Check Interactive Brokers's current funding FAQ for up-to-date timelines.
Is my money safe at Interactive Brokers?
Regulated brokers follow client money segregation rules set by their regulator. Verify Interactive Brokers's regulatory status and check whether client funds are segregated or covered by any compensation scheme before depositing. PickMyTrade never holds your funds.
Can someone with my Interactive Brokers API keys withdraw my money?
API keys with trading-only permissions cannot initiate withdrawals on most platforms. Always generate keys with the minimum permissions needed (trading/read-only) and never enable withdrawal permissions unless absolutely necessary. PickMyTrade only requires trading permissions.
Security, Regulation & Safety
14 answersIs Interactive Brokers regulated?
Regulation depends on your jurisdiction. Verify Interactive Brokers's current regulatory status with the relevant authority (CFTC/NFA, FCA, ASIC, etc.) before opening an account. Regulations and registrations change — always check official regulator websites.
Does Interactive Brokers support two-factor authentication (2FA)?
Yes, Interactive Brokers supports 2FA via an authenticator app (TOTP) and/or SMS. Always enable 2FA on your account and on your email address. Use an authenticator app rather than SMS where possible for better security.
Is it safe to give my Interactive Brokers API keys to PickMyTrade?
PickMyTrade stores API credentials encrypted and uses them only to submit orders under your direction. Best practice: generate keys with trading-only permissions (no withdrawal), set IP restrictions to PickMyTrade's servers, and rotate keys periodically.
What happens to my open positions if Interactive Brokers goes down?
Exchange-side positions typically remain open even if the platform is temporarily unavailable. For futures and derivatives, positions stay with the clearinghouse. If Interactive Brokers's systems are down, contact their support to manage open positions manually.
Does Interactive Brokers use cold storage for customer assets?
Most reputable exchanges hold the majority of customer assets in cold (offline) storage. Check Interactive Brokers's current security page for their exact custody and cold storage percentages.
What should I do if my Interactive Brokers account is compromised?
Immediately freeze or cancel your API keys, change your account password, enable or re-enable 2FA, and contact Interactive Brokers support. Also revoke PickMyTrade's connection and reconnect with new credentials once your account is secured.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
14 answersMy Interactive Brokers API key is not working — what should I check?
Common causes: (1) Key does not have trading permissions enabled, (2) IP restriction set to a different IP than PickMyTrade's servers, (3) Key was generated on a different account or sub-account, (4) Key was regenerated and the old one is now invalid. Regenerate with correct permissions and update in PickMyTrade.
Orders are not executing — what could be wrong?
Check: (1) TradingView alert message JSON is valid and matches PickMyTrade's expected format, (2) Webhook URL is correctly pasted in TradingView, (3) Interactive Brokers API keys are active and have trading permissions, (4) Market is open, (5) Account has sufficient balance/margin.
Why is my Interactive Brokers connection showing as disconnected in PickMyTrade?
API keys may have expired, been regenerated, or had permissions revoked. Re-enter your Interactive Brokers API credentials in PickMyTrade. Also check if Interactive Brokers has any ongoing outages on their status page.
Why am I getting "insufficient margin" errors?
Your account does not have enough free margin to open the position at the specified size. Reduce the quantity in your PickMyTrade strategy settings, deposit more funds, or close existing positions to free margin before retrying.
My alert fired but no order was placed — how do I debug this?
Check the PickMyTrade activity log for the alert — it will show whether the alert was received, what order was attempted, and any rejection message from Interactive Brokers. Common causes: invalid symbol format, market closed, or insufficient funds.
Where can I get Interactive Brokers support?
For Interactive Brokers-specific issues (account, funds, API access), contact Interactive Brokers's support team directly via their Help Center or live chat. For PickMyTrade automation issues, contact PickMyTrade support at pickmytrade.io or via the in-app chat.
Interactive Brokers vs Alternatives
14 answersHow does Interactive Brokers compare to other brokers for TradingView automation?
Interactive Brokers is one of the 12+ brokers supported by PickMyTrade for TradingView automation. The best choice depends on your markets (futures, crypto, equities, FX/CFD), fee tolerance, and regulatory requirements. Use the Broker FAQ Hub to compare.
Does PickMyTrade work the same way with all supported brokers?
The core workflow is identical: connect your broker, generate an alert in PickMyTrade, paste the JSON and webhook URL into TradingView, and go live. Broker-specific features (e.g. server-side brackets, specific order types) may vary by broker.
Can I switch from Interactive Brokers to another broker without rebuilding my TradingView strategies?
Yes. In PickMyTrade, add a new broker connection and update the strategy to point to the new broker. Your TradingView alert JSON and webhook URL stays the same — PickMyTrade routes it to the newly selected broker. This makes switching straightforward.
Is Interactive Brokers good for high-frequency or scalping strategies?
Suitability for high-frequency trading depends on Interactive Brokers's execution speed, rate limits, and fee structure. For webhook-driven automation via PickMyTrade, the end-to-end latency (TradingView alert to order acknowledgement) is typically sub-200ms on normal internet, making it suitable for most swing and intraday strategies but not tick-level HFT.
Which brokers does PickMyTrade support besides Interactive Brokers?
PickMyTrade supports 12+ brokers including Rithmic, Interactive Brokers, TradeStation, Binance, Bybit, Kraken, cTrader, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, Tradier, and ProjectX. See the full Broker FAQ Hub for the complete list.