5 ms·

Interactive brokers are a cheap European shop. Not free to trade but very cheap and they give you access to a lot of big markets.

gst 8y ago
IB is not European but based in the US. I would also recommend it but tax could be somewhat more complicated (W-8BEN form, etc.).
- tomaha 8y ago
  IB has US and UK accounts (and likely more). For Switzerland (and Europe) you'll get a UK account and you will not have W-8BEN problems.
  - akvadrako 8y ago
    They also have local resellers in many countries, but avoid them because the rates are higher.
tehlike 8y ago
Interactive brokers is probably the best brokerage out there. Used 3-4 others, but IB is the simplest and also most featureful one for sure.
- peterbraden 8y ago
  I strongly disagree. Their reporting is convoluted, their interface terrible, their support is horrible. I've tried half a dozen brokerages over time, and IB is by far the worst.
  - tehlike 8y ago
    What's your favorite? I actually found their app pretty simple, but hat might be because i'm an engineer & tend to understand what i am seeing in IBKR app and web site. Reporting wise, they are the most capable - i needed to apply for a loan, and wanted to hide the list of all securities, i was able to create just that. Pretty flexible, and powerful.
    - peterbraden 8y ago
      Try getting a list of transactions, or working out what you are paying with a margin account. Their reporting is inscrutable. On top of this, their recommended way of buying USD securities with a foreign base currency account is to short the forex in order to tie your margin to the exchange rate at purchase. I'm also an engineer, but I know a bad UI when I see one. Pretty much any other brokerage lets you see a clear historical list of transactions, balances and fees, without having to configure a complex report or jump through any hoops.

5 ms·

Interactive brokers are a cheap European shop. Not free to trade but very cheap and they give you access to a lot of big markets.

by chillydawg 8y ago

gst 8y ago
IB is not European but based in the US. I would also recommend it but tax could be somewhat more complicated (W-8BEN form, etc.).
- tomaha 8y ago
  IB has US and UK accounts (and likely more). For Switzerland (and Europe) you'll get a UK account and you will not have W-8BEN problems.
  - akvadrako 8y ago
    They also have local resellers in many countries, but avoid them because the rates are higher.
tehlike 8y ago
Interactive brokers is probably the best brokerage out there. Used 3-4 others, but IB is the simplest and also most featureful one for sure.
- peterbraden 8y ago
  I strongly disagree. Their reporting is convoluted, their interface terrible, their support is horrible. I've tried half a dozen brokerages over time, and IB is by far the worst.
  - tehlike 8y ago
    What's your favorite? I actually found their app pretty simple, but hat might be because i'm an engineer & tend to understand what i am seeing in IBKR app and web site. Reporting wise, they are the most capable - i needed to apply for a loan, and wanted to hide the list of all securities, i was able to create just that. Pretty flexible, and powerful.
    - peterbraden 8y ago
      Try getting a list of transactions, or working out what you are paying with a margin account. Their reporting is inscrutable. On top of this, their recommended way of buying USD securities with a foreign base currency account is to short the forex in order to tie your margin to the exchange rate at purchase. I'm also an engineer, but I know a bad UI when I see one. Pretty much any other brokerage lets you see a clear historical list of transactions, balances and fees, without having to configure a complex report or jump through any hoops.