Compare Online Broker - Online Brokers Comparison

Charles Schwab

Best online broker overall

Pros: Easy-to-use website, broad range of investment offerings, good customer service, over 300 branch locations, banking services.

Cons: Higher commissions than others, $1,000 minimum initial investment.

not avail.

$1,000

Yes

$8.95 to $12.95 per trade

N/A

Best discount broker

Pros: Low-cost trades, great customer service, no minimum-deposit requirement, good research tools.

Cons: Relatively narrow range of products offered, no in-person help.

not avail.

TradeKing

No Minimum Required

yes

$4.95 per trade for trades of any type, 65 cents per option contract

N/A

Best for active traders

Pros: Low trading costs, sophisticated trading tools, direct-access trading, access to 70 foreign markets.

Cons: $10,000 minimum to open most accounts, customer service not the best, may offer more than the average investor wants.

not avail.

N/A

Yes

$.005 per share for trades of up to 1,000 shares

N/A