Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (2024)

Proprietary Trading Groups
Welcome Center

IBKR offers trading, clearing, custody and reporting with no long-term contract required.

This page provides information and resources to help you configure and customize your account, onboard, and manage clients, fund accounts, subscribe to market data, run reports, trade and more.

Getting Started

Configuring Account

Account Security

Configuring Market Data

Trade Your Account

Other Features

Support Resources

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (10)

Getting Started

Portal serves as a one-stop destination for managing accounts, viewing account balances, P&L and key performance metrics, funding accounts, reporting, and more. Portal is always available from the Login button on our website.

Learn More

Log In

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Configuring Your Account

User Access Rights

Once your account is approved and opened, your organization's security officer(s) can create and add users to an account, manage user access to account trading, reporting, funding, and settings, and configure client-specific access.

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Account Funding

The Transfer & Pay menu in Portal provides resources to let you transfer funds, transfer positions, and check transaction status and history. Additionally, you can submit withdrawals for both your master account and sub accounts.

Our website provides an overview of funding methods available to clients.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Prop Trading Account Structure

IBKR offers Proprietary Trading Group accounts for corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and unincorporated legal structures.

Organization Account

A single trading account with one or more users. Multiple users can view and modify other traders' activity.

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (14)

Separate Trading Limit Account

Multiple, linked accounts all in the name of a single entity. Assets in all accounts are owned by the entity account holder. Each account has its own trading limits and can have its own trading strategy.

Master, sub accounts and users are part of the same legal entity.

Funds are deposited in the master account and transferred between the master and sub accounts to control individual trader limits.

Initial margining is determined for each individual account, while maintenance margining is determined at a consolidated account level.

Master users can set trading limits on individual sub accounts based on order size and value.

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (15)

Performance & Statements

Performance & Statements

The Performance & Statements menu in Portal provides access to PortfolioAnalyst®, standard Statements, Flex Queries, Tax Documents and more.

  • Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA): TCA tracks the quality of your orders' transaction prices versus market conditions either at the time the orders were submitted or after the trade executes.
  • Tax Optimizer: Tax Optimizer lets you change your tax lot-matching method to optimize your gains and losses.

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Account Security

Account Security

We are committed to protecting accounts from fraudulent practices. Prop Traders need to be authenticated with our Digital Security Card+.

iOS Tutorial:

Please note that Clients of Prop Traders can download the iOS Mobile App, however, Prop Traders do not have direct access to this tool.

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (18) Video Tutorial iOS Notes iOS User Guide

Android Tutorial:

Please note that Clients of Prop Traders can download the Android Mobile App, however, Prop Traders do not have direct access to this tool.

Configuring Market Data

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (21)

Market Data

Use the Settings menu in Portal to manage your market data, research and news subscriptions. We provide real-time streaming market data for free or at the price we are charged by the exchange and offer access to dozens of free and premium market research and news providers.

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Trade Your Account

Trading Platforms

Your username and password provide access to our award-winning platforms that are powerful enough for professional traders but designed for everyone.

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (23)

Trader Workstation (TWS)

Our flagship desktop platform designed for active traders and investors who trade multiple products and require power and flexibility.

Trader Workstation (TWS)

Our flagship desktop platform designed for active traders and investors who trade multiple products and require power and flexibility.

TWS Layout/Customization Tutorial:

Video Tutorial Read Notes

TWS Setup Window Tutorial:

Video Tutorial Read Notes

IBKR ATS

Customers can direct US stock orders to the IBKR ATS destination to add liquidity. Orders directed to IBKR ATS are automatically tagged as "not held" orders, and are posted in IBKR's order book where they are eligible to trade against incoming SmartRouted orders that are marketable against them.

A variety of order types are available for posting liquidity in IBKR ATS, including Pegged-to-Midpoint, Pegged-to-Best, Relative/Pegged-to-Primary, and Pegged-to-Market, as well as priced limit orders.

IBKR ATS for Prop Traders:

Video Tutorial Learn More

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (27)

IBKR Mobile

Easily trade and monitor your IBKR account on-the-go from your iOS or Android device (tablet or smartphone).

Learn More

Download

User Guide – iOS

User Guide – Android

IBKR Mobile

Easily trade and monitor your IBKR account on-the-go from your iOS or Android device (tablet or smartphone).

IBKR Mobile for Prop Traders:

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (29)

IBKR APIs

From easy-to-use Excel API to IBKR’s industrial strength FIX API, IBKR offers APIs for every experience level.

Learn More

IBKR APIs

From easy-to-use Excel API to IBKR’s industrial strength FIX API, IBKR offers APIs for every experience level.

Video Tutorial

Other Features

Account Window

A configurable window in TWS for monitoring every aspect of your account activity.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Monitor Positions

The Monitor panel on the TWS houses your watch lists and your Portfolio page so you can quickly access a real-time view of your positions, P&L, liquidity, margin requirements, etc.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Rebalance Portfolio

Use the TWS Rebalance window to rebalance your portfolio based on the target percentages you enter.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Pre-Trade Compliance

Use the Pre-Trade Compliance (PTC) tool to set trading restrictions and controls on the account or individual users with account access.

Video Tutorial Read Notes

Paper Trading Account

Use the full range of trading facilities in a simulated environment using real market conditions.

Video Tutorial Read Notes User Guide

Investors' Marketplace

The Investors’ Marketplace lets brokers advertise their services to IBKR clients and connect with third party suppliers of technology, research, consulting and investment services. Our website provides an overview of funding methods available to clients.

About Search Money Managers

PortfolioAnalyst

Use Portal to access PortfolioAnalyst, a comprehensive portfolio management tool that helps you quickly and easily consolidate clients’ financial information from any financial institution to gain a complete portfolio view, including assets held-away.

Video Tutorial Learn More User Guide

For information on other features, including Trade in Fractions, IBKR GlobalAnalyst, the Bonds Marketplace and Mutual Fund Marketplace, visit our Features in Focus webpage.

View All Features in Focus

Support Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for an answer? Browse our extensive inventory of frequently asked questions.

IBKR Campus

Learn about the tools, markets and technology available to you as a broker on the IBKR Platform. Stay on top of market events at Traders Insight, learn about programming at the Quant Blog, subscribe to our Podcast channel for interviews and audio articles covering the world of finance, or sign up for a complimentary webinar.

Global Product Offering

Invest globally in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds from a single unified platform.

Margin Trading

IBKR offers margin rates from USD 5.83% - 6.83% , the lowest margin loan interest rates of any broker, according to the StockBrokers.com Online Broker Survey 2023 Read the full article .

Support for Institutions

Browse our support page for instructional videos, user guides, release notes and information on connecting with us.

Prop Trader Onboarding | Interactive Brokers LLC (2024)

FAQs

How many people pass prop firms? ›

5-15% pass rate

Across account levels, probably only around 5-15% of traders ultimately pass funded account evaluations at firms like FTMO and pass verification phases to trade with investor capital.

How do I pass a prop firm account? ›

Tips for Passing a Prop Firm Trading Challenge
  1. Understand the Rules of Engagement: ...
  2. Master Your Trading Strategy: ...
  3. Risk Management is Non-Negotiable: ...
  4. Leverage Your Analytical Skills: ...
  5. Stay Disciplined and Patient: ...
  6. Continuous Learning is the Key: ...
  7. Embrace Feedback and Adapt: ...
  8. Simulate Real Trading Conditions:
Feb 5, 2024

What is the success rate of prop traders? ›

The article from Lux Trading Firm provides slightly different results. According to it, 4% of traders, on average, pass prop firm challenges. But only 1% of traders kept their funded accounts for a reasonable amount of time.

Is Interactive Brokers LLC safe? ›

Client securities accounts at Interactive Brokers LLC are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") for a maximum coverage of $500,000 (with a cash sublimit of $250,000).

How hard is it to pass prop firm? ›

With the Prop Firm challenges, it's not just about failing or winning. You must be profitable and fulfill certain trading objectives which makes it even harder. Less than 1% of traders who attempt the challenge pass and get funded.

What is the failure rate for FTMO? ›

There is estimated to be a 90% fail rate of traders that take the FTMO challenge. The reason behind this is due to traders chasing the profit target with a time restriction in place. A trader doesnt know when a winning streak might occur, or when they may take a string of drawdowns.

How long does it take to pass prop firm? ›

In Summary – How Long Does It Take To Become A Funded Trader? In conclusion, it can take around 4-5 months to pass a prop firm trading challenge and become a funded trader. However, it can take much longer than that to become a profitable trader beforehand – which is a necessity.

How much does the average prop firm trader make? ›

In conclusion, the income of prop firm traders can vary greatly depending on several factors such as experience, performance, and the size of the firm. On average, a junior prop trader can expect to earn anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000 per year, while a senior trader can make upwards of $500,000 annually.

Is Prop firm worth it? ›

Is working with a prop firm worth it? There are many unique advantages that make working with a prop firm worth it. These include access to unique software and information, trading with the firm's capital, and cashing in a large portion of your winnings.

Can you make a living with prop trading? ›

Also known as “prop trading,” it offers higher earnings potential much earlier in your career than jobs like investment banking or private equity. It's arguably the most merit-based industry within finance: if you make millions of dollars for your firm, you'll earn some percentage of it.

How much money do you need to start a prop trading firm? ›

To summarize, the amount of money you need to open a prop firm can range from $10,000 to $1 million, depending on the type of prop firm, the technology, the registration, the liquidity, and the CRM tool.

How stressful is prop trading? ›

It's a competitive, high-stress field with drawbacks like any other career. It's also awash with less-than-reputable firms that offer zero base pay, limited profit sharing and often make new hires pay for training and tech. Avoid these types of firms as they're a ticket to plenty of risk with minimal reward.

Does Interactive Brokers report to IRS? ›

IBKR is required to report all income from WHFITs gross on Forms 1099 to the IRS and to you.

Do professional traders use Interactive Brokers? ›

"Because Interactive Brokers' core clientele are professional traders and institutional investors (e.g., hedge funds), it is crucial to provide the lowest commissions schedule available.

Which broker is better than Interactive Brokers? ›

Robinhood is an industry leader in app accessibility and low-cost trading. It's a strong choice for investors who value simplicity. Both brokers offer stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. However, Robinhood's zero-commission model beats the fees charged by Interactive Brokers.

Why do people fail prop firm challenges? ›

The most common reasons traders fail prop firm challenges are simply overleveraging their trades, not understanding the rules, and not having a profitable trading strategy.

How long does it take to pass a prop firm? ›

However, it can take a long time to achieve this goal – even with the fast paced nature of prop firm trading. It typically takes around 4-5 months to become a prop firm funded trader, if you're a consistently profitable trader. Some traders can achieve this much faster by using increased risk.

What percentage of traders fail? ›

Factors such as market competitiveness, the zero-sum nature of short-term trading, and the presence of experienced players contribute to the challenges faced by traders. Research suggests that approximately 70% to 90% of traders lose money.

How many times can you fail FTMO? ›

You will be removed from the Premium Programme if one of the following situations occurs: You fail the FTMO Account which is part of the Premium Programme. You fail 3 accounts regardless of the of the stage (FTMO Challenge, Verification, FTMO Account)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6058

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.