Introduction
Third Party Software
Third party software vendors make use of the TWS’ programming interface (API) to integrate their platforms with Interactive Broker’s. Thanks to the TWS API, well known platforms such as Ninja Trader or Multicharts can interact with the TWS to fetch market data, place orders and/or manage account and portfolio information.
It is important to keep in mind that most third party API platforms are not compatible with all IBKR account structures. Always check first with the software vendor before opening a specific account type or converting an IBKR account type. For instance, many third party API platforms such as NinjaTrader and TradeNavigator are not compatible with IBKR linked account structures, so it is highly recommended to first check with the third party vendor before linking your IBKR accounts.
An ongoing list of common Third Party Connections are available within our documentation. This resource will also link out to connection guides detailing how a user can connect with a given platform.
A non-exhaustive list of third party platforms implementing our interface can be found in our Investor’s Marketplace. As stated in the marketplace, the vendors’ list is in no way a recommendation from Interactive Brokers. If you are interested in a given platform that is not listed, please contact the platform’s vendor directly for further information.
Third-Party API Distributions
Noted further through our Architecture section, the TWS API is built using standardized socket protocol with Google’s Protocol Buffers. As a result, users may develop or access alternative third party modules and classes in place of Interactive Brokers default modules through the TWS API Download. While the API is adaptable for client implementations, please understand that Interactive Brokers API Support cannot provide support for non-standard implementations. We can review your API logs to affirm what content is being submitted; however, any further assistance will need to take place with the module’s original developer.
This is neither an endorsement or admonishment of third party implementations. Interactive Brokers will always advise clients use our direct TWS API implementation whenever possible.
ib_insync and ib_async
Interactive Brokers’ API Support is aware of the ib_insync package, however we do not provide coding assistance for the package.
Users should be aware that the original ib_insync package is built using a legacy release of the TWS API and is no longer updated. Users who wish to implement the ib_insync structure using supported releases of the Trader Workstation should migrate to the ib_async package, which is a more recent, though still legacy, implementation of the package by one of its original developers.
This is neither an endorsement or admonishment of either the ib_insync or ib_async library. Interactive Brokers will always advise clients use our direct TWS API implementation whenever possible.