ib-insync
Python sync/async framework for Interactive Brokers API
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you actively trade with Interactive Brokers and need a Python interface to TWS—the library is mature and widely used. However, proceed with caution: the repository is archived and unmaintained since March 2024. Install only if your TWS version and Python environment are stable, and be prepared to fork or patch the code if you encounter compatibility issues.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires a running TWS or IB Gateway application (version 1023 or higher) with API port enabled and 'Download open orders on connection' checked.
- Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel.
- Repository is archived and last release was over a year ago; maintenance is inactive, so bug fixes and compatibility updates are unlikely.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD (permissive) — BSD permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
last release 2023-07-02 (1139 days) · last repo commit 2024-03-14 · 3,285 stars · archived
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 784,858 downloads/mo, #5,070 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install ib-insync
from ib_insync import IB, Forex
ib = IB()
ib.connect('127.0.0.1', 7497, clientId=1)
contract = Forex('EURUSD')
bars = ib.reqHistoricalData(contract, endDateTime='', durationStr='30 D', barSizeSetting='1 hour', whatToShow='MIDPOINT', useRTH=True)- Whether the package remains compatible with current TWS/IB Gateway versions post-abandonment.
- Whether all runtime dependencies (eventkit, nest-asyncio, backports.zoneinfo) are actively maintained.
- Whether the package works reliably with Python 3.10 and 3.11 given the lack of recent updates.
What it is and what it does
ib-insync is a Python framework that wraps Interactive Brokers' Trader Workstation (TWS) API to simplify programmatic trading and market data retrieval. It provides both synchronous and asynchronous interfaces built on asyncio and eventkit, allowing developers to write linear-style code or build advanced async applications. The library automatically keeps an IB component in sync with a running TWS or IB Gateway application, handling connection state and data updates transparently.
The package is designed for traders and developers who need to fetch historical data, place orders, or monitor live market data from Interactive Brokers without directly managing the low-level protocol. It supports Jupyter notebooks for interactive exploration and includes utilities for converting market data to pandas DataFrames. However, the repository is now archived with no active maintenance, meaning new API changes or Python compatibility issues will not be addressed.
Use it for
- Download historical OHLC data for backtesting or analysis from Interactive Brokers.
- Build async trading bots that monitor live prices and execute orders programmatically.
- Explore market data interactively in Jupyter notebooks with automatic data synchronization.
- Retrieve account information, positions, and order status from a running TWS or IB Gateway.
- Develop multi-asset trading strategies that react to real-time market events.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you actively trade with Interactive Brokers and need a Python interface to TWS—the library is mature and widely used.
However, proceed with caution: the repository is archived and unmaintained since March 2024. Install only if your TWS version and Python environment are stable, and be prepared to fork or patch the code if you encounter compatibility issues.
Install
ib-insync on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel. Repository is archived and last release was over a year ago; maintenance is inactive, so bug fixes and compatibility updates are unlikely.
Requires a running TWS or IB Gateway application (version 1023 or higher) with API port enabled and 'Download open orders on connection' checked.
License in practice
BSD permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install ib-insync
from ib_insync import IB, Forex
ib = IB()
ib.connect('127.0.0.1', 7497, clientId=1)
contract = Forex('EURUSD')
bars = ib.reqHistoricalData(contract, endDateTime='', durationStr='30 D', barSizeSetting='1 hour', whatToShow='MIDPOINT', useRTH=True)Verify before relying
- Whether the package remains compatible with current TWS/IB Gateway versions post-abandonment.
- Whether all runtime dependencies (eventkit, nest-asyncio, backports.zoneinfo) are actively maintained.
- Whether the package works reliably with Python 3.10 and 3.11 given the lack of recent updates.
Package facts
| License | BSD permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.6 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 4 packageseventkitnest-asynciodataclassesbackports.zoneinfo |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 1,139 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | repository archived |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 784,858 / month, #5,070 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Office/Business :: Financial :: Investment |
Evidence: ib_insync-0.9.86-py3-none-any.whl
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