Interactive Brokers vs Paasa

Explore how the two platforms complement each other and what Indian HNIs, family offices, and institutions should consider.

Prafull Kumar

Prafull Kumar


INDmoney vs Paasa

If you’ve explored global investing, chances are you’ve come across Interactive Brokers (IBKR), one of the most trusted and widely used trading platforms in the world. It powers the execution for some of the largest institutions, hedge funds, and proprietary desks globally.

That’s why Paasa partnered with IBKR as the core execution layer. The platform is reliable, secure, and proven.

But for Indian investors, especially HNIs, family offices, and institutions, IBKR doesn’t solve everything. Things like FEMA compliance, tax reporting under Indian rules, INR-based returns, or remittance coordination often fall outside its scope.

Paasa was built around those needs. While IBKR handles the trades, Paasa handles everything that makes global investing compliant, and visible from an Indian perspective.

How Paasa & IBKR works together

This blog walks through how the two platforms work together and where each fits in your global investing journey.

Table of Contents

  • Infrastructure Overview
  • Feature Comparison
  • FEMA Compliance
  • Tax Reporting
  • Technology Features
  • Investor Fit
  • Client Support

Note: If you’ve already set up on IBKR but want help simplifying the India-facing side, Paasa team can help. Reach out at [email protected].

Infrastructure Overview

Attribute

IBKR

Paasa

Account Setup

Free

Free

Best class trading infrastructure

Custody of assets under client's name

FEMA & LRS Support

Tax Reporting (India)

INR-based Returns & Analytics

Human Advisory

Onboarding Support

Remittance Integration

SIPC Insurance

Note: With Paasa, accounts are held under your name at IBKR, ensuring full ownership, SIPC protection, and institutional-grade security.

Feature Comparison

Attribute

IBKR

Paasa

Direct trading

Real-time execution

Brokerage fee

Low

Low

Product Universe

Stocks

ETFs

Managed Portfolios

UCITS portfolios

AIFs

Auto-rebalanced UCITS portfolios

Interest on uninvested cash

Note: UCITS portfolios are preferred by many Indian investors for US estate tax protection and global diversification, and are available only through Paasa.

Note: Brokerage fees remain the same as IBKR, Paasa does not charge any additional commission on trades executed via IBKR.

FEMA Compliance

Attribute

IBKR

Paasa

Digital remittance under LRS

Self-declaration templates for Indian banks

Remittance support at low rates

Bank formalities & Holding Declaration

Tracking and Confirmation

Compliance queries

Note: FEMA compliance is critical when sending money abroad under LRS. Many Indian investors unknowingly use incorrect purpose codes during remittance which can lead to reporting issues, delays, or tax scrutiny later.

Tax Reporting

Attribute

IBKR

Paasa

Tax Analytics

Dividend Tax Tracking

Capital Gains Tax Calculation (STCG/LTCG)

Accumulating ETFs

Tax Loss Harvesting

Year-End Tax Statement for Indian Investors

UCITS portfolios for tax savings

Note: Global investing comes with added tax responsibilities for Indian investors, and platforms approach this differently. Paasa includes tools designed to support Indian tax reporting. 

Technology Features

Attribute

IBKR

Paasa

Mobile App & Web View

Market and Limit

Stop loss, Trailing stop loss

Withdraw funds to any bank account

Mutual funds tracking

XIRR calculation for position

Benchmarking & Backtesting

INR gain/loss computation (blended FX)

Web dashboard for reporting

Trader Workstation (TWS) for advanced traders

Note: Trader Workstation by IBKR is widely praised by experienced traders who prefer full control, speed, and advanced tools. Paasa is designed for long-term investors who prioritize simplicity, compliance, and guided support.

Investor Fit

Investor Type

IBKR

Paasa

HNIs

Powerful but requires technical know-how

Offers simplicity with control

Family Offices

Offers scale but needs internal support

End-to-end setup including remittance and tax

Institutional Investors

Requires external tech and compliance support

Concierge support for regulatory and operational needs

Client Support

Attribute

IBKR

Paasa

Onboarding Support

Large Scale, less hand holding

High-touch, personalised guidance

Dedicated relationship manager

Expert concierge (FEMA, Tax)

Customize features on request

Conclusion

Both IBKR, and Paasa offer access to global markets. But as an HNI, family office, or institutional investor, what you're really choosing is the kind of experience you want around that access: whether you prefer raw brokerage infrastructure or a complete global investing ecosystem.

The right fit depends on your investing style, comfort with complexity, and long-term priorities.

Note: The Paasa team also has deep expertise in Interactive Brokers. If you're an IBKR user and need support navigating your account from India, feel free to reach out at [email protected].

About Paasa

Paasa is a global investing platform built specifically for Indian HNIs, family offices, and institutional investors, helping them invest across the US, UK, Europe, and China with tools that simplify LRS, remittance, tax reporting, and cross-border complexity.

Disclaimer

This content is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or professional advice from Paasa. While we strive for accuracy, the information may change over time. Paasa makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. The comparison is based on publicly available data and is intended to assist users in making informed decisions. It is not a substitute for professional advice or consultation with financial experts. Please review the terms of use and product availability for your region, or visit the service provider's website for the latest pricing and service information.

Sources

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