Best Online Brokers and Trading Platforms (July 2024)

Are you paying too high fees for your securities account? In fact, many investors give away hundreds of dollars year after year when trading stocks and bonds because they keep their securities account with an expensive bank or online broker and shy away from switching to a perhaps better or cheaper Trading Platform. Switching to another - or even the best - online broker like the state of the art Trading Plattform can be done quickly and is quite uncomplicated.

If you compare the conditions of the most popular securities accounts and switch to a cheaper broker, you can quickly save hundreds of dollars on trading - year after year. Active shareholders can also save several thousand dollars - depending on the investment volume and the number of transactions. It is not only the custody account fees that differ. This Markets Insider comparison shows that the cost of an order to buy or sell securities also varies considerably. For example, a $10.000 order costs around $10 dollars in the most favorable case, and more than $50 in the most expensive.

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One of the most popular brokers Plus500, might be relevant for you if you are not only looking for a cheap broker, but also value a modern trading platform and want to trade not only stocks but also on other assets such as cryptocurrencies.

PREFERRED - MAYBE THE BEST ONLINE BROKER AND TRADING PLATFORM (Advertisement)

Trading Commissions $0 for stocks, cryptos, ETFs, commodities, forex, indices
Account Minimum $0
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Plus500. 80% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Why our first choice

Plus500 is one of the best brokers for US investors in our opinion for several reasons.

Firstly, its user-friendly trading platform makes it accessible to both beginners and experienced traders. The intuitive interface, coupled with real-time market data and advanced charting tools, allows traders to make informed decisions easily. Plus500 also offers a free demo account, enabling new traders to practice and hone their skills without risking real money.

Secondly, Plus500's competitive fee structure is appealing to US traders. The broker charges zero commissions on most trades and has tight spreads on various assets, making it cost-effective for active traders. Additionally, Plus500 does not impose deposit or withdrawal fees, which can save traders money over time.

Lastly, Plus500 offers a wide range of tradable assets. This diversity allows traders to access various financial markets, including stocks, crypto­currencies, commodities, forex and indices, all under one platform. Having such a diverse set of options can be advantageous for US traders looking to diversify their portfolios or take advantage of different market opportunities. Plus500's extensive asset selection provides flexibility and convenience to cater to the diverse trading needs of US traders. Explore Plus500

Pros & Cons
Wide product range (incl. crypto trading)
Leveraging and long/short trading via CFD
User-friendly trading platform
Free demo account and educational materials
Response times of support
Inactivity Fees

MORE ONLINE BROKERS AND TRADING PLATFORMS

Ameritrade Broker Logo
Trading Commissions $0 for stocks, ETFs, options
Account Minimum $0 (with a $0.65 fee per options contract)
Pros & Cons
Wide product range
Good educational resources
No commissions on stock and ETF trades
Research tools provided at no cost
Lacks fractional share trading
Marginally higher fees compared to competitors

 

Fidelity Investments Broker Logo
Trading Commissions $0 for stocks, ETFs, options (with a $0.65 fee per options contract)
Account Minimum $0
Pros & Cons
Competitive pricing with low commissions and fees
Outstanding research tools and resources
Robust portfolio analysis and account features
Strong customer service
Broker-assisted trades with higher fees
Futures trading not available

 

Interactive Brokers Logo
Trading Commissions $0 for stocks, ETFs, options (with $0.15 to a $0.65 fee per options contract)
Pros & Cons
Low commissions and fees
Powerful research and tools
Low margin interest rates
Over 18k funds without transaction fees
Platform complexity may be daunting to some
Tiered fee-based pricing a bit perplexing

 

Trading Commissions $0 for stocks, ETFs, options (with a $0.65 fee per options contract)
Account Minimum $0
Pros & Cons
No commissions on stocks and ETFs
Four fee-free trading platforms with no minimums
24/7 availability of live chat support
Extensive selection of funds
Complex fee structures in place
Trading platforms may seem less advanced than those of other brokers

 

Tastytrade Broker Logo
Trading Commissions $0 for stocks, ETFs, options (with a $1.00 fee per options contract)
Account Minimum $0
Pros & Cons
Attractive commissions for active options traders
Good educational resources
Exciting "follow feed" feature
Tools for options trade analysis and monitoring
No access to international markets
Investment options are somewhat limited

As of: 16 July 2024, all data without guarantee. This comparison takes into account a selection of popular providers. Our information is objectively researched and independently compiled. So that we can provide you with our information free of charge, clicks on links are sometimes remunerated.