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Best online trading sites in the US

Having the right stock broker to meet your individual needs is very important for any investor. Some online stock brokers have built their reputation on excellent, award-winning customer service, while others are reputed for inexpensive stock trades or powerful trading tools.

The list below highlights some of the best online trading sites that offer investors the most value for their portfolios.

TD Ameritrade
Stock Trades: $6.95; Option Trades: $6.95 + $0.75 per contract; Minimum Deposit: $0

Current Offer: Trade free for 60 days + Get up to $600

StockBrokers.com ranked TD Ameritrade as the top Online Broker of 2017 with its $6.95 stock trades. It is famous for its platforms, tools, mobile apps, research, customer service, and education. TD Ameritrade offers two best-in-class platforms that are aimed at two types of investors.

  • Trade Architect has a simplified, streamlined, and educational interface that can walk beginning investors through the ordering process and explain potential strategies. It is one of the best online trading sites for novices. Users can switch between tabs opening featuring trading tools and their account overview illustrated by charts, stock screeners, heat maps, etc. It also has a Trade Finder feature that allows novices to make selections on the basis of direction, timing, and allocation. The feature helps them not only with the ordering process but also highlights different strategies relevant to their selected guidelines.
  • Thinkorswim, on the other hand, is preferred by advanced investors. It’s a desktop application with premium tools and features such as research reports, real-time data, charts, and technical studies that are free for customers. What’s more is that it offers customizable workspaces, third-party research, and a trader chat room where you can share tips with other investors. There is also a mobile app available, proving to be best among most online trading sites and apps.

Both platforms are free to use for any investor with a TD Ameritrade account, which is why investors overlook the expensive pricing structure and the $6.95 commission. It is one of the largest online trading platforms in the world and one of the best online trading sites, with nearly $740 billion in assets.

Fidelity
Stock Trades: $4.95; Option Trades: $4.95 + $0.65 per contract; Minimum Deposit: $2,500

Current Offer: Get up to 500 free trades for 2 years

Fidelity has a robust reputation in the market for its value-driven customer experience and was ranked first for order execution quality. It offers the best and easy-to-use tools for research as compared to the commissions. Regular stock trades are just $4.95.

Besides value and ease of use, Fidelity’s research tools such as Viewpoint articles are top-notch, making it to the list of the best online trading sites available now. It is also the only broker to offer 12 third-party research reports for individual equities. The quantity and quality of trading and investing research makes it ideal for self-driven investors looking to grow.

E*TRADE
Stock Trades: $6.95 | Option Trades: $6.95 + $0.75 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $500

Current Offer: Trade free for 60 days, get up to $600

E*TRADE is a well-rounded broker known for its OptionsHouse platform besides its mobile apps. OptionsHouse was rated the top platform for Options Trading the past six years. It is one of the best online trading sites for its quality service.

Similar to TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE charges $6.95 per trade. However, it offers a discounted rate of $4.95 (options $4.95 + $.50 per contract) when placing at least 30 trades per quarter.

Not only is it easy to use, with numerous educational videos, articles, and webinars to help you with the basics, there is plenty of room to grow. From entry-level IRAs to aggressive trading of stocks and options, E*Trade is equipped to manage everything.

Their team of market analysts, online chat tools, and 24-hour hotline, can help you stay up to date on investing news, reports, and commentary.

Ally Invest (previously TradeKing)
Stock Trades: $4.95 | Option Trades: $4.95 + $0.65 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $0

Current Offer: No current offers

Ally Invest is the industry leader in low-cost commission structure for all investors, from high-net-worth individuals to beginning buy-and-hold traders. It offers investors $4.95 stock trades, excellent customer service, and full banking services. It is, thus, one of the best online trading sites for easy and inexpensive trading.

Ally keeps its competitive edge with a zero account minimum and the discounts that are offered to active investors. Users with 30+ trades each quarter or a balance of $100,00 get the benefit of equity trades at $3.95. There are cheaper trades in the market, but none that offer similar quality research and tools, including access to online trader network. For example, Ally Invest LIVE is a mobile-friendly trading platform for investors.

Merrill Edge
Stock Trades: $6.95 | Option Trades: $6.95 + $0.75 per contract | Minimum Deposit: $0

Current Offer: Invest in a new account and get up to $600

Merrill Edge is the online broker of Bank of America. Its services are available to all investors, not just bank customers. Merrill Edge is balanced like TD Ameritrade and ETRADE; its standout feature is the outstanding Preferred Rewards program. Through this program, customers can earn free trades, credit cards bonus cash back, get priority customer service, etc. Their platform is our final addition to the list of the best online trading sites around today.

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