Best Online Trading Platforms

O nline trading is a process which allows traders and investors to buy and sell financial products through a trading platform. When choosing the best platform to work with, one should look into factors like: low commissions, account minimums, free research, tools, customer support as well as quality of the platform. The following are some of the best trading platforms one could consider when venturing into investing online based on the aforementioned factors. E*TRADE This one has been considered best for beginners. It was founded in 1982 and currently services over 3.6 million clients. It offers two platforms namely E*TRADE Pro and OptionsHouse. E*TRADE offers great research tools, user friendly website and excellent mobile apps. The minimum deposit for an account is $500. Stock Trades are at $6.95 and Option Trades at $6.95 +$.75 per contract. Merrill Edge Launched in 2010, their accounts can be linked to any Bank of America account. They offer excellent customer support, research, user friendly website, and mobile trading apps. Minimum deposit is $0 and Stock Trades are at $6.95 and Option Trades at $6.95 +$0.75 per contract. TD Ameritrade With 24/7 customer support, real time streaming quotes, this publicly traded online platform has over 11 million customers. By far the best in the country, it offers a user friendly website, advanced research and tools, mobile trading as well as timely order execution. The minimum account deposit is $0, with stock trade going for $6.95 and Option Trades at $6.95 +$.75 per contract. Fidelity Fidelity Investments was founded in 1946 and offers Stock trades at $4.95, and Option Trades at $4.95+$.65 per contract. With over 19 million accounts, this platform is credited with timely order execution, personalized mobile trading, user friendly website, industry leading research, customer support, retirement packages as well as excellent trading tools. Its minimum account deposit is $2,500 and you get up to 500 free trades. Ally Invest Minimum account deposit with Ally Invest is $0, and Stock trades at $4.95, and Option Trades at $4.95+$0.65 per contract. The website is easy to use, easy mobile trading, trading tools, excellent research, customer support and good order execution.