By default, most market data subscriptions available through Interactive Brokers (IBKR) are designed to function within the Trader Workstation (TWS)/Client Portal platform UI. This means that while they will deliver real-time market data when using TWS directly, the same subscriptions may not stream real-time data through the API by default.
For clients who utilize the IBKR API (whether that is the TWS API or Web API), it is worth noting that there is a specific subscription called the "US Equity and Options Add-On Streaming Bundle". Here is what this subscription entails:
- It is a paid market data subscription available through the IBKR Client Portal.
- It is specifically structured to enable real-time streaming market data access via the API.
- Unlike other market data subscriptions that are limited to the TWS UI, this bundle is the subscription that carries API compatibility for real-time data streaming.
- Without it, API users may find themselves receiving delayed data or limited real-time data through their API connection, depending on their existing subscriptions.
You can review and manage all available market data subscriptions into your Client Portal where full details including pricing, prerequisite subscriptions and coverage are listed for your reference. To manage your market data subcriptions go to: How do I subscribe to live market data quotes?.