Are You Familiar with Online Stock Brokers?
Online brokers are all over so it's hard to figure out which one is really the best. I've compiled a list of the different ones out there and give a brief description of my thoughts on each.
Etrade used to be my brokerage of choice but the mortgage mess really spooked me. Add to the fact that there are cheaper alternatives out there and I'm in the process of switching to different broker accounts.
I don't really like TD Ameritrade because it's user interface is really bad. However, the commercials obviously is working because many people use them to trade stocks. The one price trading fee makes things less confusing though which is welcomed when everyone else has a ton of different pricing structure.
Charles Schwab is a full fledge solution like Etrade (they offer a bank, client services as well as credit cards along with their trading platform). Ever since Etrade went into trouble with its mortgage business, Charles Schwab have been on fire, taking market share and everything else.
TradeKing is a smaller player in the space but it's solid. In fact, it's won many awards from the likes of Barons and Smart Money for its interface, customer support and fast execution.
Zecco used to offer free trades (actually it still does with restrictions) and their marketing just sucks. They actually changed the commission structure like 3-4 times in the past few years and many people are just pissed at how everything is handled.
I was looking forward to SogoTrade until I can't seem to find a way to trade options. Huh? The stock trade is cheap at $3 per trade but your cash earn no interest (yes, 0%). Protection seems to be good though with up to $5 million protected but still, probably not my cup of tea.
Wells Fargo offers a trading platform in its WellsTrade as well. It's free for people with over $25,000 of combined assets with them so it's worth a look (if you have the money). My personal experience is that the platform is lacking but for retirement accounts and/or investors who don't trade often, free trades are a good alternative.
Bank of America came to the self trading platform a few years ago when it offered free stock trades for its clients who have more than $25,000 in assets with them (it could be savings, checking among others). A few years later, you don't hear much about them but I'm sure some of their customers are using them since it's free.
OptionsXpress has a weird name because it's not just a options house. It's not the cheapest and it's not the bigger. Everything is just middle of the pack but then if you are into options, they have the most comprehensive tools. - 23196
Etrade used to be my brokerage of choice but the mortgage mess really spooked me. Add to the fact that there are cheaper alternatives out there and I'm in the process of switching to different broker accounts.
I don't really like TD Ameritrade because it's user interface is really bad. However, the commercials obviously is working because many people use them to trade stocks. The one price trading fee makes things less confusing though which is welcomed when everyone else has a ton of different pricing structure.
Charles Schwab is a full fledge solution like Etrade (they offer a bank, client services as well as credit cards along with their trading platform). Ever since Etrade went into trouble with its mortgage business, Charles Schwab have been on fire, taking market share and everything else.
TradeKing is a smaller player in the space but it's solid. In fact, it's won many awards from the likes of Barons and Smart Money for its interface, customer support and fast execution.
Zecco used to offer free trades (actually it still does with restrictions) and their marketing just sucks. They actually changed the commission structure like 3-4 times in the past few years and many people are just pissed at how everything is handled.
I was looking forward to SogoTrade until I can't seem to find a way to trade options. Huh? The stock trade is cheap at $3 per trade but your cash earn no interest (yes, 0%). Protection seems to be good though with up to $5 million protected but still, probably not my cup of tea.
Wells Fargo offers a trading platform in its WellsTrade as well. It's free for people with over $25,000 of combined assets with them so it's worth a look (if you have the money). My personal experience is that the platform is lacking but for retirement accounts and/or investors who don't trade often, free trades are a good alternative.
Bank of America came to the self trading platform a few years ago when it offered free stock trades for its clients who have more than $25,000 in assets with them (it could be savings, checking among others). A few years later, you don't hear much about them but I'm sure some of their customers are using them since it's free.
OptionsXpress has a weird name because it's not just a options house. It's not the cheapest and it's not the bigger. Everything is just middle of the pack but then if you are into options, they have the most comprehensive tools. - 23196
About the Author:
OptionsXpress is obviously into options trading. Find out why it's the best options trading broker.
posted by X - Men @ 4:32 AM
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