The post Compare Online Brokers by Luke Jacobi appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.
Benzinga readers often choose Interactive Brokers, eToro or FOREX.com as the best online brokerages.
If you’ve never traded stocks before, you might imagine trading to be like the old cliché: dozens of brokers in suits yelling at clients over the phone. It may be difficult to picture yourself in the chaos, especially if you’re a beginner.
Online stock trading removes you from the scene. You don’t have to deal with phone calls, broken promises and mayhem. Instead, you can trade from the comfort of your own home or on-the-go.
Like many other industries, brokerages anticipated the need for great online experiences and delivery. Firms created desktop platforms and mobile experiences with built-in trading tools, educational resources, and analytics all at your fingertips. Compare the top online brokers to find your platform and open a brokerage account today.
Table of contents
[Show]
Compare Online Brokers
IQcent is a comprehensive online trading center that offers you a single place to trade stocks, indexes, digital currencies and more. IQcent offers its own proprietary platform, which supports 24/7 trading on any type of major device — no download necessary. Customer service is also available around the clock and in multiple languages, which can be a major benefit for international traders.
IQcent’s commission-free trading, wide selection of more than 100 tradable assets and low $500 account minimum can make the broker appealing to frequent traders and new investors alike. However, it’s important to note that IQcent’s services are currently not available in any part of the United States nor is it regulated by any domestic financial body. This means that if you experience a funding problem with your account, your recourse routes are limited — so always be sure to avoid investing more than you can afford to lose.
Best For
- Casual investors looking for an all-in-one place to trade
- Traders looking for quick withdrawals
- Experienced traders looking for higher leverage limits
- Provides copy trading features that help you mimic professional trading strategies
- Offers up to 1:500 leverage
- Guaranteed withdrawal processing one hour after you settle a trade
- Not registered with any U.S.-based regulatory body; does not provide account services to U.S. citizens
Moomoo is a commission-free mobile trading app available on Apple, Google and Windows devices. A subsidiary of Futu Holdings Ltd., it’s backed by venture capital affiliates of Matrix, Sequoia, and Tencent (NASDAQ: FUTU). Securities offered by Futu Inc., regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Moomoo is another great alternative for Robinhood. This is an outstanding trading platform if you want to dive deep into smart trading. It offers impressive trading tools and opportunities for both new and advanced traders, including advanced charting, pre and post-market trading, international trading, research and analysis tools, and most popular of all, free Level 2 quotes.
Get started right away by downloading Moomoo to your phone, tablet or another mobile device.
Best For
- Cost-conscious traders
- Active and Advanced traders
- Over 8,000 different stocks that can be sold short
- Access trading and quotes in pre-market (4 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET) and post-market hours (4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET)
- No minimum deposit to open an account.
- No chat support
Interactive Brokers is a comprehensive trading platform that gives you access to a massive range of securities at affordable prices. You can buy assets from all around the world from the comfort of your home or office with access to over 150 global markets. Options, futures, forex and fund trading are also available, and most traders won’t pay a commission on any purchase or sale.
IBKR is geared primarily toward experienced traders and investors but now with the availability of free trades with IBKR Lite, casual traders can also acclimate to IBKR’s offerings. Learn more about why you should choose IBKR by clicking above.
Best For
- Active traders
- Access to international markets
- Mobile and desktop platforms dovetail well
- Fractional trading
- SmartRouting for better pricing
- Low margin rates
- Novices may prefer to use a simpler platform
This publicly listed discount broker, which is in existence for over four decades, is service-intensive, offering intuitive and powerful investment tools. Especially, with equity investing, a flat fee is charged, with the firm claiming that it charges no trade minimum, no data fees, and no platform fees. Though it is pricier than many other discount brokers, what tilts the scales in its favor is its well-rounded service offerings and the quality and value it offers its clients.
Best For
- Novice investors
- Retirement savers
- Day traders
- World-class trading platforms
- Detailed research reports and Education Center
- Assets ranging from stocks and ETFs to derivatives like futures and options
- Thinkorswim can be overwhelming to inexperienced traders
- Derivatives trading more costly than some competitors
- Expensive margin rates
TradeStation is for advanced traders who need a comprehensive platform. The brokerage offers an impressive range of investable assets as frequent and professional traders appreciate its wide range of analysis tools. TradeStation’s app is also equally effective, offering full platform capabilities.
Best For
- Advanced traders
- Options and futures traders
- Active stock traders
- Comprehensive trading platform and professional-grade tools
- Wide range of tradable securities
- Fully-operational mobile app
- Confusing pricing structure to leave new traders with a weak understanding of what they pay
- Cluttered layout to make navigating TradeStation’s platform more difficult than it should be
Cobra Trading is a direct access broker focused on access to short opportunities and order execution. Cobra has multiple short locate sources, giving traders access to the best short opportunities in the market. Cobra Trading also specializes in offering comprehensive, responsive customer service throughout the trading day. We recommend Cobra Trading to high-volume traders and short sellers.
Best For
- Short Sellers
- Day Traders and Scalpers
- Traders who are tired of using a “Big Broker”
- Affordable commissions
- The DAS Platform
- Excellent customer service
- No trading under 25K
- Not a self-clearing firm
NinjaTrader is a powerful derivatives trading platform specializing in futures, forex and options. The platform has a number of unique trading tools. A free version does exist without the extra goodies provided by Trader + and OrderFlow + but users can still break down charts, backtest strategies and trade without upfront payment. NinjaTrader hosts its own brokerage services but users have their choice of several different brokerage options. Accounts have minimums depending on the securities traded and commissions vary depending on the version of the platform. Advanced derivatives traders will have endless fun with the platform’s mighty array of tools and analyzers.
The free version, which is included with all brokerage accounts is a great starting platform for new traders without the financial commitment. As you grow in your trading and are ready for more tools and functionality, you can add more complexity.
Best For
- Futures Traders
- Traders looking for 24/7 action
- Advanced Traders
- Powerful analysis tools
- Free download and simulated trading
- Open source trading apps to enhance experience
- Can only trade derivatives like futures and options
eToro is a broker that offers access to over 25 of the world’s most popular cryptocurrencies and 1600 stocks. They have a few unique education and useability tools. Traders can begin buying and selling in as little as 10 minutes.
eToro’s unique CopyTrader feature allows new investors to “copy” the buy orders of professional investors, while the company’s eToro Club feature provides investors with a range of additional education tools and resources.
Best For
- Traders looking for an easy-to-use platform
- Traders who want to practice their trades using a virtual account before entering the market
- Simple platform that is easy to master
- CopyTrader feature that allows new traders to copy the same strategies used by professionals
- Virtual dummy account that gives you $100,000 to practice trades
- High non-trading fees
Robinhood is a broker designed for traders who want a simple and easy-to-use platform. It takes out all the bells and whistles that can be confusing to the modern day trader, serving as the perfect place for beginners to learn the markets. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, streamlined to ensure you don’t get distracted as you build a portfolio. Though advanced traders might like more thorough analysis tools, Robinhood gives you everything you need to start trading and learn the ropes.
Best For
- Beginner traders
- Mobile traders
- Streamlined, easy-to-understand interface
- Mobile app with full capabilities
- Can buy and sell cryptocurrency
- Fewer analysis tools than most
FOREX.com is a one-stop shop for forex traders. With a massive range of tradable currencies, low account minimums and an impressive trading platform, FOREX.com is an excellent choice for brokers searching for a home base for their currency trading. New traders and seasoned veterans alike will love FOREX.com’s extensive education and research center that provides free, informative forex trading courses at multiple skill levels. While FOREX.com is impressive, remember that it isn’t a standard broker.
Best For
- MetaTrader 4 users
- Beginner forex traders
- Active forex traders
- Impressive, easy-to-navigate platform
- Wide range of education and research tools
- Access to over 80 currencies to buy and sell
- Leverage available up to 50:1
- Cannot buy and sell other securities (like stocks and bonds)
Tradovate is an innovative futures broker offering a tiered pricing structure and a comprehensive proprietary trading platform you can access with additional fees. Tradovate offers a community tab that allows you to connect with other traders and exchange trading ideas. New users can test out Tradovate’s platform with a demo account and free trial, which allows new investors to master the learning curve before opening an account. Though the platform might be too complicated for traders who prefer a simplified experience, it can be a strong choice for more experienced users.
Best For
- Experienced and intermediate futures investors
- High-volume traders
- Mobile traders
- Free trading platform packed with unique features
- Community tab allows users to connect with other traders
- Tiered pricing structure
- Easy to use out of the box for experienced futures traders
- Currently only supports futures trading
- Platform can be overwhelming for new traders
IG is a comprehensive forex broker that offers full access to the currency market and support for over 80 currency pairs. The broker only offers forex trading to its U.S.-based customers, the brokerage does it spectacularly well. Novice traders will love IG’s intuitive mobile and desktop platforms, while advanced traders will revel in the platform’s selection of indicators and charting tools. Though IG could work on its customer service and fees, the broker is an asset to new forex traders and those who prefer a more streamlined interface.
Best For
- New forex traders who are still learning the ropes
- Traders who prefer a simple, clean interface
- Forex traders who trade primarily on a tablet
- Easy-to-navigate platform is easy for beginners to master
- Mobile and tablet platforms offer full functionality of the desktop version
- Margin rates are easy to understand and affordable
- Access to over 80 currency pairs
- U.S. traders can currently only trade forex
- Customer service options are lacking
- No 2-factor authentication on mobile
Webull, founded in 2017, is a mobile app-based brokerage that features commission-free stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading. It’s regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Webull offers active traders technical indicators, economic calendars, ratings from research agencies, margin trading and short-selling. Webull’s trading platform is designed for intermediate and experienced traders, although beginning traders can also benefit.
Webull is widely considered one of the best Robinhood alternatives.
Best For
- Active traders
- Intermediate traders
- Advanced traders
- No account maintenance fees or software platform fees
- No charges to open and maintain an account
- Intuitive trading platform with technical and fundamental analysis tools
- Does not support trading in mutual funds, bonds or OTC stocks
86% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Plus500 is a European derivatives broker focusing on contracts for difference (CFDs). CFDs are similar to binary options in the U.S. where traders take all-or-nothing speculation on the prices of certain securities like indices, commodities or currencies. While not legal to trade in the U.S., CFDs are legal in many jurisdictions across the globe and Plus500 offers a wide array of tradable markets using these instruments.
Plus500 doesn’t charge commission and only profits off the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price of a specific security. But Plus500 is not a broker for beginners — the education materials are sparse and CFDs are risky derivatives capable of sapping out all of an investor’s capital. Only trade these instruments if you understand how they operate and the risks involved with buying them.
Best For
- Traders looking for a smooth mobile experience
- Great mobile app
- Low spreads and commissions
- Unlimited demo account
- Only derivatives are available
- Not open to U.S. residents
Ally Invest is a comprehensive broker offering easy access to domestic markets. Combining a wide range of charting tools with an easy-to-master platform, Ally is a solid choice for both new and experienced investors. Ally’s mobile app is particularly impressive for investors who already bank with Ally, offering seamless compatibility between accounts. While more experienced investors might be disappointed with Ally’s beginner-oriented educational center, they’re bound to love Ally’s wide range of technical tools and rock-bottom pricing.
Best For
- Investors who already bank with Ally and want to streamline between accounts
- Beginners looking for easy-to-follow educational tools
- Stock investors looking for affordable access to low-priced options and commission-free stock trading
- Streamlined interface that’s easy to use and quick to master — even for beginners
- Wide range of unique tools that makes analyzing securities simple
- Seamless integration between mobile and desktop offerings, especially for Ally Bank account holders
- Diversified managed investment portfolios with a low minimum and no advisory fees
- Impressive ETF screening tools that make it easy to find your next fund
- No fee-free mutual funds
- No access to futures trading
Capital.com is an award-winning global contract for difference (CFD) broker offering more than 2,700+ tradable markets using instruments like CFDs, and spread bets for U.K. clients. Ideal for day traders, Capital.com has an app available for both Apple and Android smartphones, and trading is always commission-free. With 24/7 customer service and a wealth of trading guides and educational materials, Capital.com is a great CFD broker for novices and those with experience alike, although you’ll need to make sure the product you wish to trade is available in your particular location.
Best For
- Derivatives traders
- Day traders
- Traders located in the United Kingdom or Ireland
- Traders with expertise in complex instruments like CFDs
- Zero commissions on CFDs
- Competitive bid/ask spreads
- 24/7 customer service
- Intuitive mobile app available at Google Play and Apple App Stores
- Not available for United States residents
- High-risk investments for retail traders
- No leverage or fractional shares available in stockbroking accounts
Billing itself as the world’s 1st eco-friendly broker, CedarFX makes it easy to trade and give back to the planet. You can choose a 0% Commission Account or an Eco Account — or open multiple accounts to meet all your needs.
CedarFX offers access to a wide range of tradable securities, including stocks, futures, major and exotic forex pairs, cryptocurrencies and more. Though CedarFX could introduce a few additional educational resources, the broker remains a unique option for traders invested in giving back.
Best For
- Forex investors
- Investors interested in 0% commission or eco conscious trading
- Investors looking for 24/7 customer service
- Allows users to offset their carbon footprint
- 0% commission investing
- Offers demo account access
- 24/7 customer service available through live chat
- Eco Account Option (10 trees planted for each lot traded)
- Fast deposits/withdrawals with Bitcoin
- Limited number of educational resources for new investors
CenterPoint Securities is ideal for active traders who demand access to advanced tools and services. While investors and casual traders are likely to be content with the basic offerings of traditional online brokerages, active traders will benefit from CenterPoint’s suite of advanced trading tools. If you value execution quality, access to short inventory, advanced trading platforms, and accessible customer service, CenterPoint is an excellent choice.
Best For
- Intermediate to Advanced traders
- High-volume traders
- Momentum traders
- Short sellers
- Unrivaled access to short inventory
- Flexible order routing for improved executions
- Discounts for active traders
- Advanced platform with fast executions
- Reliable customer service
- Not designed for beginner or low-volume traders
Charles Schwab is a solid choice for traders of all skill levels. It offers full access to the U.S. equity and options markets as well as 30 international markets. Traders can create a diverse portfolio with $0 commissions and no account minimums. Schwab’s margin trading is expensive but Schwab makes up for it with affordable futures and options trades, along with a comprehensive mobile offering.
Best For
- 3 trading platforms perfectly in sync makes matching your platform to your skill level a snap
- Excellent futures trading education for new traders
- $0 account minimum means anyone can start trading
- Wide range of available assets to trade, including futures and 30 global markets
- SmartStreet Edge platform is powerful enough for advanced traders, yet easy enough for new traders to utilize
- Unique educational resources (like infographics and podcasts) make learning fun
- Margin rates are more expensive than competitors
- More limitations on available margin than competitors
- Expensive mutual funds
CIBC Investor’s Edge offers brokerage services to Canadian residents and is one of the best Canadian brokerages. The CIBC is the result of the merger of the Canadian Bank of Commerce (est. 1867) and the Imperial Bank of Canada (est. 1875) in 1961. The Investor’s Edge brokerage arm offers Canadian residents access to Canadian and U.S. stock and options markets, guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds and mutual funds at low commission rates. The broker provides a platform with web-based, desktop and mobile trading options and gives clients access to 3rd-party research resources that can really help a self-directed investor or trader.
Best For
- Self-directed and active traders
- Self-directed and active traders Traders looking for reduced commissions
- Students
- Investors who require linked bank accounts
- Low commission schedule
- No fees on registered education savings plans (RESPs)
- Able to integrate brokerage and bank accounts
- Student-friendly commissions
- Only for Canadian residents
- Annual maintenance fee
- No forex trading
- No forex trading No demo account
Discount trading is a no thrills futures trading broker that offers a multitude of options available to start trading. Low commissions, no inactivity fees, and powerful platforms to start trading.
Best For
- High volume / High frequency futures day traders
- Futures investors looking for the lowest futures margins
- Traders needing ultra-low commission rates
- Traders looking for great customer service and fast account opening
- Ultra-low commission rates ($0.49 or less)
- $500 (or less) Day Trading Margin on most markets
- No monthly inactivity fee
- Five different trade routing solutions
- Over 20 of the most popular platforms in the industry
- A completely free trading platform that includes free Level 1 Streaming Futures Quotes ● Support team that answers phone calls quickly
- Tough to find the best platform for your needs, due to the sheer number of options available
- Geared for traders with at least some experience trading the futures markets
E*TRADE is an online discount trading house that offers brokerage and banking services to individuals and businesses. One of the first brokers to embrace online trading, E*TRADE not only survived both the dot-com bubble and Recession — it thrived. You can choose from two different platforms (one basic, one advanced). E*TRADE is a suitable broker for traders of most skill levels, whether you want to buy mutual funds and hold them for decades or dabble in options swing trading. E*TRADE offers a library of research and education materials to help you out.
Best For
- Active traders
- Derivatives traders
- Retirement savers
- Sophisticated trading platforms
- Wide range of tradable assets
- Exceptional customer service
- Limited currency trading
- Higher margin rates than competitors
- No paper trading on its standard platform
Fidelity is a comprehensive and responsive brokerage suitable for both new and experienced traders alike. With complete access to the full U.S. stock and options markets, a set of state-of-the-art education and research tools, as well as a wide fee-free fund selection, Fidelity is equally useful for the veteran swing traders to novices opening their first accounts. Mobile traders will be especially happy with Fidelity’s app, which mirrors full capabilities of the platform. Though there isn’t much to criticize about Fidelity, the broker does have a few areas where it can afford to improve. Margin rates are significantly higher than most other brokers, especially for traders borrowing less than $25,000. It also doesn’t offer any access to the futures markets. Despite these minor flaws, Fidelity remains a strong choice for most investors.
Best For
- Easy-to-navigate yet functional platform strikes the perfect balance between expert tools and comfort for beginners
- Mobile trading app is fully-optimized and mirrors full functionality of the desktop platform
- Wide range of education and research options make learning more about securities and the market easier and less time-consuming
- Complete range of both independent and managed services available at exceptionally affordable prices
- Offers access to both domestic markets and 25 foreign markets, as well as a wide range of options contracts and over 10,000 mutual funds
- Mobile app that is well-integrated and works just as well as the desktop platform
- Wide selection of education tools and resources available free of charge
- Margin rates higher than many other competing brokerages
- No access to futures trading
- High fees for buying a non-Fidelity mutual fund (with over 3,300 fee-free funds available)
Gatsby brings stock trading and options trading to the hands of users with a simple, user-friendly app. The platform incorporates several distinctive benefits, including a social feed, intuitive design and zero-commission fee structure. Traders can earn rewards on trades or referrals that they can then convert to cash.
Gatsby does fall short in some aspects when compared to other mobile trading platforms. It does not provide the analytical tools or educational resources you can find on similar apps. Additionally, some users may find the investment options too limited since the only assets available to be traded are options for stocks and ETFs, as well as a limited number of stocks. As a Social Security number is required for registration, only U.S. investors can benefit from the app at the current time.
For the right trader, Gatsby is an excellent mobile trading platform, as it delivers on its intended services with a straightforward and intuitive design. While some beginning traders may be better off choosing a platform with more educational resources, the design of the app and easy-to-understand terminology simplifies the process of options trading, making it suitable for newer traders. More experienced investors may be restricted by the platform as there are no analytical charting tools, and special permission must be obtained to change the account from a cash account to a margin account. Gatsby would be most appropriate for traders with some understanding of options seeking a zero-commission mobile trading platform that offers social features and rewards.
Best For
- Knowledgeable traders who do not need educational resources
- Traders focusing solely on stocks and options
- Traders looking for a zero-commission platform
- Does not charge trading commissions
- Only requires a $10 minimum deposit
- Provides social features to connect with other traders
- Uses simple terminology and clean design
- Lacks analytical tools found on most competing platforms
Generic Trade calls itself a “no bells, no whistles” broker, but that doesn’t mean it contains limited offerings. The company features trading for futures and options on futures. Research is limited, but customer support is available 24/7 and direct market access guarantees fast trades at optimal prices.
Generic Trade’s big selling point is its flat $0.59 commission on all trades. Better educational materials and platform varieties are available elsewhere but Generic Trade offers true bang for your buck — one of the most important variables when comparing brokers.
Best For
- Futures Traders
- Options Traders
- Low volume derivatives traders
- Flat $0.59 commission on all trades, regardless of account size or volume
- No minimum needed to open an account
- Exchange minimum margin and aggressive day trading margin
- Contracts available for most asset classes
- 24/7 tech support and customer service
- No volume discounts
- Must pay platform fee to use full suite of trading tech
- Even though the free Generic Trader Online offers real-time quotes and charts, they are not streaming and do not offer market depth. Also, the trading tools are not nearly as robust as the other platforms
Looking for a powerful financial tool that can help you manage and improve your finances? Revolut is a digital money app launched in 2015 that allows you to make instant international money transfers and spend in 140+ countries at excellent exchange rates. Revolut is the smart way to spend, send, manage and invest money – all in one app.
Designed with the needs of international students, travelers, and families in mind, Revolut is a comprehensive money management app that offers a wide range of features and benefits to meet your needs.
Best For
- Globally active consumers and businesses who need to transfer, send, and receive money across borders
- Travelers who want travel benefits and easy access to cash internationally
- Investors who want to stay updated with the market and invest without hidden fees
- Fast and seamless online international money transfers
- Spend and save money in 25 plus currencies
- Travel features such no charge lounge access and access to excellent exchange rates
- Money transfer between accounts
- International prepaid debit card
- Convenient hotel booking and no charge lounge access
- Excellent cashback offers from popular brands
- No physical branches
- Customer service chat support is limited at times
HYCM is 1 of the world’s leading forex brokers, offering investors access to over 69 unique currency pairs. However, forex isn’t the only thing the broker offers — HYCM also offers high rates of leverage, stock and ETF trading, commodity investing and much more. Getting started with HYCM is quick and easy, and most investors can open an account in as little as 10 minutes.
HYCM offers a varying fee structure, which allows investors to choose the spread option that’s best for them. A wide range of educational and investing tools are available, which can be equally beneficial to both experienced and novice traders. Though HYCM isn’t currently available in the United States, it can be a great choice for residents of the other 140 countries where it offers service.
Best For
- Investors who want a customizable fee schedule
- Traders comfortable using the MetaTrader platform
- Islamic traders who need swap-free accounts that don’t build interest
- Mobile app with a simple trading experience
- Wide range of currency pairs available
- Excellent selection of educational tools
- Not currently available to traders based in the U.S.
What is Online Stock Trading?
With online stock trading, you’re able to buy and sell securities over an online platform. It takes the place of the traditional method of making phone calls. There are 3 types of brokerage accounts.
The 1st is a full-service brokerage, which provides comprehensive services, tips, and education. A beginner may want to choose this. The 2nd is a discount brokerage. They provide their services for a lower fee but do not provide advice or research. At times, there are hybrids that might tickle your fancy. eToro offers crypto, stocks and ETFs, zero commissions and a multitude of information. In short, you don’t need to settle for a broker that offers low fees and no information when, clearly, there are better alternatives.
The last is robo advisors. Robo advisors collect client information and make trades based on algorithms. They’re usually inexpensive but will lack the personalized service of other brokers. These brokerages provide services on the web and mobile applications.
Online Broker Reviews
Why Should I Trade Stocks Online?
Whether you’re just starting to trade or thinking of making the switch to an online brokerage, there are a few things you should know.
- Online platforms normally have lower fees than brick-and-mortar brokerages. This is because operating online only saves the brokerage both time and money. These savings are passed on to the traders through low or no fees commissions.
- Access to the latest trading news and trends. So, you won’t have to pay for another news subscription service. Education can come in the form of live news alerts, weekly news roundups, and more intensive trading guides. Brokerage firms also integrate this information into their platforms, providing a seamless trading experience.
- Because all of the trades happen online, they happen instantly instead of taking minutes. Over time, instant trades can make a huge impact on your portfolio, especially when trading volatile stocks.
But, if you have a great relationship with your current brokerage or are new to trading and want a more personal relationship with your broker, it may not be worth it to make the switch.
Who Trades Stocks Online?
Anyone from beginning traders to seasoned investors trades stocks online. With the recent improvements in online brokerage technology and lower fees, making the switch to online trading is easy. It can save money and time.
But online stock trading might not be right for everyone. While it’s true that you can make money trading online, you have to be willing to put in the work. It isn’t a get rich quick scheme; you have complete control of your success. If you’re not willing to put in the research, time, and money, you won’t see a return on your investments.
How to Start Trading Stocks Online
First, you’ll have to choose a brokerage. You’ll have to consider the following:
Self-Managed vs. Advisor-Managed
If you want your account self-managed or managed by an advisor. If you’re confident in trading, a self-managed account is worth the savings. If not, you’ll want an advisor. You will pay more in fees, but it may pay off if you have a great advisor.
Types of Securities You’ll Be Trading
You can pick from stocks, mutual funds, options, forex, bonds, ETFs and futures. If you’re new to stock trading, know the risks and rewards associated with each type of security before you commit.
Commissions and Fees
How much are you willing to pay? Many online platforms will have low fees, but you’ll need to do the math before you start trading, especially if you can’t commit a lot of money to stock trading. Consider annual fees, discounts for balances, and fees per share.
Brokerage Account Minimums
Some brokerages offer $0 minimums. Others may have higher account minimums, but more perks. If the brokerage does have account minimums, make sure to look into any penalties.
Market Data Needed
Certain brokerages will offer platforms with market data fully integrated into their user experience. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced trader, this may be crucial to your success.
Platform You See Yourself Trading On
At the minimum, brokerages offer access to a desktop platform. Most offer a mobile application. Some platforms are designed better than others, though. Watch out for reviews of clunky, slow, and hard-to-use platforms.
Customer Support
24/7 live customer support is the gold standard. Look out for supports via email and live chat as well.
Brokerage Account Opening
Once you choose a brokerage, you can usually sign up for an account online. You’ll need to collect a few things 1st:
- Social Security Number
- Taxpayer Identification Number
- Foreign tax ID, passport or visa number if you aren’t a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Proof of identity
- W-9
- Your employer’s information
- Method of funding your account
Now you’re ready to go! You should be able to sign up through the brokerage’s online portal. Depending on the online brokerage, you may even be able to start trading on the same day.
Creating a Wealth Strategy with the Best Stock Brokers
Online stock trading makes investing accessible to the masses. Brokerages provide low-to-no fees, user-friendly online brokerage platforms, and educational content to make trading simple – even for the beginning investor. But you still have to work hard, do your research, spend money, and be willing to put in the time to see a return on your investments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top 3 investment brokers?
Three of the best investment brokers include Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab and eToro.
What is the safest online stock broker?
When researching online stock brokers, safety is a top priority. The best and safest online stock broker will depend on the individual investor’s needs. To ensure safety, it is important to research brokers to make sure they have a good track record, a good financial standing, are registered with the appropriate regulatory bodies, and offer safe methods of transferring funds.
Which online broker has lowest fees?
Interactive Brokers, Webull and Fidelity all offer brokerage accounts with low fees.
The post Compare Online Brokers by Luke Jacobi appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this.