OT: Best online trading platform?

[Ole Cabbagehead]

I'm curious what everyone's opinion is as to the best online trading platform. I am currently using Scottrade, an account I've had for many years. I'm finally at the point where I am sick of it. The updating and information are terrible, as is the user interface. Last week, it was posting stale option contract prices for a trade I was trying to make (i know because I had a bid in that was higher than the posted bid)...and that was the last straw.

I am considering switching to Etrade or Tradeking at this point, but Ive never used either. Any recommendations from people who have used them all? I only trade stocks and typical option contracts.

TIA.

 

[Leonard23]

What makes these sites better than say using Fidelity's website or app? Thanks

 

[jason21psu]

I like optionsxpress. $8.95 stock trades $14.95 options trades. App is easy to use an I like the web interface. Here's and handy review site I just found:

http://online-stock-trading-review.toptenreviews.com/

 

[RCTrooper]

It depends on what you trade and how sophisticated you are. If you are a somewhat novice/intermediate trader and don't trade a ton, I'd say ETrade. Their web and desktop platform is excellent and they probably have the best support.

Tradeking looks like it was designed in the 90's.

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

I am definitely an amateur, but I am active. I will go through periods where I am making 5-7 trades a week, and then periods where I don't touch anything for a month or 2, depending on what I am doing. I trade oil ETFs a lot, so when there are opportunities in oil I will be on there constantly.

I hate that Scottrade's main page doesn't update automatically, and only includes the last price, not the bid and ask. I want to see at a glance where something is trading currently, without going through the trouble to set up the Scottrade Elite interface. For low volume stocks, the last price is often irrelevant. It is very difficult for me to get to my gain/loss on a particular position. I also think it is difficult to click through to get to the daily news for the stocks in my portfolio. As it stands now, I wind up using Yahoo finance for all the daily news, and then Scottrade solely to make the trades.

 

[Scarlett Sammy]

Take a look at TD Ameritrade. I use it for charts (5 min, daily, & weekly, but you could do most anything), but I trade in my Fidelity account.

 

[rutgersguy1]

I've used Fidelity and TD Ameritrade. They're both fine. I tend to stick with the known names and larger companies so in case anything goes wrong, I think there's a better chance for a reasonable resolution. Mind you that's not always the case but that's just my thinking. I do like the charts/tools for TD Ameritrade.

Hope you made a nice profit on the run up in oil recently. I myself traded XOM/CVX a few times during the ups/downs and made a nice gain. Kept a core position in both. I prefer selected majors vs the basket in the ETFs mainly because of the dividend. In case I'm wrong and there was more downside, I think it provides a sort of safety net as people will eventually come in for the yield and despite what some talking heads out there said, I don't think they were ever in danger.

Good luck trading.

 

[superfan01]

Td ameritDe has a think or swim platform that has gotten great reviews for trade ideas and charts.
Barron's just did a breakdown of online brokerage shops and rates each one based on numerous categories. Worth a look if you have Barron's subscription.

 

[wasiman]

I use TD AMERITRADE and Merrill Lynch Edge. Like them both .

 

[J.L. Gotrocks]

Barron's just did a breakdown of online brokerage shops and rates each one based on numerous categories. Worth a look if you have Barron's subscription.

The recent Barron's rankings can actually be accessed without a subscription.

http://online.barrons.com/articles/SB51367578116875004693704580502703510707706

 

[RUMcMahon]

Have used TDAmeritade for a long time and I'm fairly active. No issues and I do appreciate that they continue to update the offerings provided.

 

[RU in IM]

I use schwab and TD Ameritrade, and prefer schwab. It's easier to use and has better options from my mobile device. Further, today they released the finger print recognition, so if you have the iPhone 6, you can log in similar to the way you log into your phone.

 

[higgins3]

Doesn't the Robinhood app offer commission less trades?

 

[OntheBanks]

I'm curious what everyone's opinion is as to the best online trading platform. I am currently using Scottrade, an account I've had for many years. I'm finally at the point where I am sick of it. The updating and information are terrible, as is the user interface. Last week, it was posting stale option contract prices for a trade I was trying to make (i know because I had a bid in that was higher than the posted bid)...and that was the last straw.

I am considering switching to Etrade or Tradeking at this point, but Ive never used either. Any recommendations from people who have used them all? I only trade stocks and typical option contracts.

TIA.

I've been using Fidelity since the '80's and I've never had any problems with them.

 

[hoquat63]

Use ETrade (I own there stock!). However, my own accounts are with Options Xpress and Scott Trade. Only an occaisional trader (mostly a buy and hold guy).

 

[UMRU]

I currently use Fidelity, Vanguard, Morgan Stanley and ETrade. ETrade is by far the best. I also do all my banking with ETrade.

 

[beaced]

Take a look at E-Options,Very low fees.Do not know much more about them .