IB API
Our proprietary API solutions let you create your own trading programs that take advantage of our high-speed order routing and broad market depth.
IB API Software
Use our proprietary Application Program Interface (API) to build your own automated rules-based trading application in your favorite programming language or protocol, including:
- Java – Our most popular API technology;
- C++ (POSIX-compliant);
- Python;
- .NET (C#) - You can use the C# library with any .NET supported language;
- C++ (MFC);
- ActiveX – Integrate our ActiveX control into other programs such as Excel and Matlab;
- DDE – Use our Excel sample application to get you started, or any DDE-aware program.
Our API requires connectivity via Trader Workstation (TWS) or IB Gateway. Always test your API components with your Paper Trading account or the TWS Demo System before you actually implement any new API system.
Use the following table to see which API technology best fits your needs.
| Access Technology | Performance | Platform | Has Sample Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Java | Very robust and reliable; high performance. | Platform-independent | Yes |
| C++ (POSIX-compliant) | Very robust and reliable; high performance. | Platform-independent | Yes (limited functionality) |
| Python | Very robust and reliable; high performance. | Platform-independent | Yes |
| .NET (C#) | Very robust and reliable; high performance. | Windows only | Yes |
| C++ (MFC) 1 | Very robust and reliable; high performance. | Windows only | Yes |
| ActiveX 2 | Somewhat robust and reliable (ActiveX can lose events); fairly high performance. | Windows only | Yes |
| DDE | Limited; uses obsolete technologies; lower performance. | Windows only | Yes (limited functionality) |
Notes:
- The C++ (MFC) API is deprecated as of API Version 9.72.
- Also included in our API software is ActiveX for Excel sample application for our clients who want to take advantage of our ActiveX API in an easy-to-use spreadsheet interface.