Online Brokerage Comparison

    Find the best online broker that fits your investment needs.  Whether you’re ready to open your first brokerage account or looking for a new broker, keep a few things in mind.  A top online broker not only has competitive trade commissions, but also great trading tools, offers a variety of investment choices, and provides great customer service.

    Since brokers can change their commissions and fees at any given time, it’s best to visit the site and review all the information carefully before opening an account.


    TradeKing

    Open Account

    • Named #1 in customer service for 2011 as a discount broker by SmartMoney magazine
    • Connect with other investors in the Trader Network
    • Over 8,000 mutual funds to invest in
    • Mobile App for investors on the go
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $4.95$9.95$4.95$0.65NoneNone

    Scottrade

    Open Account

    • Offers a full line of investment products
    • Over 500 local branches nationwide for that face-to-face service
    • Trade or research anywhere with the mobile app or mobile website
    • Offers commission-free ETF trading with Focus Morningstar ETFs
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $7.00$0 – $17$7.00$1.25$500None

    E*Trade

    Open Account

    • Industry leader for over 20 years
    • Offers free easy-to-use research, education and investing tools
    • Trade on the go with the E*Trade Mobile Pro app for all mobile platforms
    • Offers discounted commissions for high volume traders
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $9.99$19.99$9.99$0.75$500None

    Betterment

    Open Account

    • Betterment is a broker alternative offering simple asset allocations to fit your needs
    • Straightforward fee of 0.15% to 0.35%, depending on your balance
    • No transaction fees
    • No minimum balance
    • Automatic account rebalancing
    • Check out our Betterment review

    optionshouse

    Open Account

    • Rated “Best for Options Traders” by Barron’s in ’09, ’10, ’11
    • Trade with an award-winning cutting edge trading platform developed by professionals
    • Virtual stock and options trading platform to test your strategies first
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $3.95$9.95$5 – $8.50$0 – $0.15NoneNone

    optionsXpress

    Open Account

    • Free trading education with XpressMethod
    • Full access trading on the go from any mobile device with OX Mobile
    • Rated at least 4 stars out of 5 by Barron’s from 2002 – 2011
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $9.95$9.95$0$1.50NoneNone

    tradeMONSTER

    Open Account

    • Rated “Best for Options Traders” by Barron’s in ’10, ’11
    • become a proactive investor with tradeCYCLE
    • Offers competitive rates with no hidden fees
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $7.50$15.00$7.50$0.50NoneNone

    Zecco

    Open Account

    • Comprehensive tools allow you to identify, analyze, trade and monitor your investments
    • Follow star performers in the ZeccoShare Community
    • Forex trading through Zecco Forex
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $4.95$10.00$4.95$0.65None$30.00

    Firstrade

    Open Account

    • 250 free trades when you open a new Firstrade account
    • Trade 10 popular ETFs commission-free
    • Over 11,000 mutual funds to choose from
    Stock TradeMutual Fund Trade
    Options TradeOptions ContractMinimum DepositIRA Annual Fees
    $6.95$9.95$6.95$0.75NoneNone