Alpaca MCP vs IBKR MCP
Alpaca's server runs locally with your API keys, defaults to paper trading and can place orders directly; you can scope it with toolsets. IBKR's integration is hosted, uses IBKR login with single-account authorization, and in the current release the AI drafts instructions that you review and convert into an order on an IBKR platform.
| Field | Alpaca MCP Server | Interactive Brokers AI Integration (MCP) |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Broker MCP servers | Broker MCP servers |
| Assets | US stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, fixed income quotes | global multi-asset (account/portfolio, market data) |
| Live vs paper | live and paper (paper with simulated $100K) | live account |
| Order approval / safety | local server; 65 tools incl. order placement; toolsets can be scoped | hosted at api.ibkr.com/v1/api/mcp-public; IBKR login, single-account authorization; order instructions require IBKR approval |
| Pricing / free tier | free account, no minimum deposit; free IEX data, $99/mo SIP+OPRA | unknown |
| Rate limits | 200 trading req/min | unknown |
| Official / community | official | official |
| Last checked | 2026-10-16 | 2026-10-16 |
| Source | alpaca.markets | www.interactivebrokers.com |
Related
- Safety controls of every broker MCP
- All comparisons
- tastytrade MCP vs Robinhood MCP
- Databento vs Massive (Polygon)
- TradeStation MCP vs NinjaTrader MCP
- NautilusTrader vs QuantConnect LEAN
- Alpaca API vs Interactive Brokers API