Best Online Trading Site
- Details
- Category: Online Trade
Best online stock trading sites offer investors access to a variety of tools and research that just a few years ago were only available through full service brokerage accounts. There are many online stock trading sites to choose from, but narrowing down the field may seem time consuming and overwhelming. Ultimately, your choice is a personal one based on a number of factors and how you rank them in importance. Not every online stock trading site on this list will work for you because some are stronger in one area, while weaker in another. All of these sites encourage you to browse through their pages, although some parts will be off limits unless you have an account.
Schwab is the granddaddy of discount brokerage and is carrying this tradition to its online offering - although it is looking more like a traditional brokerage all the time. It offers its own research and clients can work with an investment advisor or Schwab will manage their account for them. E*Trade gets high marks for its range of offerings including banking and mutual funds. The company has absorbed several other brokerage firms and is now a significant player in the online stock trading market. Like its competitors, active traders get lower rates on their trades.
Fidelity shows up at the top or near the top of almost every ranking of online stock trading brokers. They are not the least expensive, but top most lists in customer satisfaction. Fidelity is known for its research and investors can talk to advisors face-to-face at one of the many Fidelity investment centers. One of the advantages of a brokerage account is consolidating your investment activity in one account cutting down paperwork. Firstrade topped a survey by Kiplinger as the online stock trading broker offering the most no-load mutual funds without a transaction fee.
Online stock trading sites offer investors a wide range of tools, research and services. Finding the right one for your style of investing and that meets your needs is a matter of visiting the sites to get a feel for the interface. Pay attention to the fee structure and how it works with your trading style. If you are an infrequent trader, look for maintenance or inactivity fees.
