Broker

Best Online Trading Platforms For Day Traders 2020

As an active trader, two considerations above all are most important when selecting a broker: Transaction Costs, Execution Speed. Secondary, but also important, considerations include...Read more ›

InvestorMint provides personal finance tools and insights to better inform your financial decisions. Our research is comprehensive, independent and well researched so you can have greater confidence in your choices.

As an active trader, two considerations above all are most important when selecting a broker:

  • Transaction Costs
  • Execution Speed

Secondary, but also important, considerations include:

  • Research Tools
  • Screening Tools
  • Strategy Tools
  • Educational Webinars & Resources
  • Customer support responsiveness and knowledge
  • Wealth advisors

Based on those criteria, we have summarized the best online trading platforms for day trading as follows:

Best Online Trading Platforms For Day Trading

Best For Online Broker Special Commission Costs Rating
Options Trading $0 on closing trades $5 for stocks
$1 for options
Options Trading thinkorswim® Trade Free for 60 Days $6.95 stocks $0.75 options
Options Trading 50 commission-free trades $4.95
Options Trading 20% off trade commissions $4.99-9.99
Stock Trading $100-500 Cash bonus $4.95
Low Margin N/A $3
Stock & Options Trading $1,000 in commission-free trades $4.95
Low Margin Balance limits $0.005 per share minimum. 0.5% of trade value

Best online brokers for day trading

These are the best overall trading platforms based on price, executions and tools.

tastyworks is a diamond in the rough when it comes to online trading platforms. tastyworks features $0 commissions cost on all closing trades, which is a huge win for price sensitive customers.

thinkorswim® is a highly powerful platform for day traders who wish to customize screeners and chart studies to personal trading preferences.

  • Standout Feature
    Closing trades for Stocks & ETFs and Options are commission-free
  • Commissions
    $0 flat rate for stocks
  • Account Balance Minimum
    $0

thinkorswim®

Interactive Brokers targets clients with at least $10,000 and has a $10 monthly commission minimum. It also facilitates trading on a wide range of securities, including forex, futures and precious metals.

OptionsHouse has no minimum balance requirement but does not offer forex trading. It does have a good combination of advanced trading tools and low commissions.

  • Standout Feature
    Customer Service and Local Branches
  • Commissions
    $4.95 for stock trades; $4.95 + $0.50 per contract for options trades
  • Account Balance Minimum
    $0

What Are The Best Trading Platforms?

Streetsmart.com and StreetSmart Edge from Charles Schwab are also top trading platforms with stellar charting. Minimum balance requirements are not an issue with either broker.

Best Online Options Trading Brokers

These brokers offer great execution, research tools at competitive prices.

  • Standout Feature
    Closing trades for Stocks & ETFs and Options are commission-free
  • Commissions
    $0 flat rate for stocks
  • Account Balance Minimum
    $0

thinkorswim®

Options traders know that when selling call and put options, they can avoid closing transaction costs when the options expire.

However, buying call and put options almost always results in closing transaction costs unless the options are exercised.

tastyworks exploits the fact that expiring sold options have no closing transaction cost by advertising a $0 commission on all closing trades.

Their pricing is highly competitive, rivaling and even beating that of thinkorswim®.

thinkorswim® pioneered fast execution, outstanding support, and competitive pricing in options trading, and remains true to its roots with extensive customizable research tools and charts.

Online Brokers with Low Margin Rates

These brokers are offer competitive margin rates.

The best online broker for competitive margin rates is Interactive Brokers, by far.

Margin is attractive to traders seeking to amplify rates of return by borrowing capital at low rates. Depending on the capital traded, different rates apply, and can be viewe quickly via Interactive Brokers’ website calculator.

EOption may be a better online broker for traders wishing to avoid Interactive Brokers minimum monthly fees.

EOption charges a $50 inactivity fee when balances fall below $10,000, or fewer than two trades have been placed in the prior 12 month period.

Best Online Day Trading Platforms Spotlight

George Windsor

Recent Posts

Jen Psaki Net Worth: How Many Millions?

Jen Psaki Net Worth: Jen Psaki earns about $183,000 per year in her role as…

2 years ago

Personal Capital Review 2021 – Pros, Cons & Fees

Personal Capital pairs clients who enroll in its robo-advisory service with dedicated financial advisors. This…

2 years ago

YieldStreet Review

YieldStreet Review: YieldStreet was ranked among the most rapidly expanding financial services firm in the…

2 years ago

2 Chainz Net Worth and How He Got Rich

2 Chainz Net Worth: 2 Chainz net worth is estimated at around $9 million.Read more…

2 years ago

SoFi Personal Loan Review 2021 – Get $5,000 to $100,000 Fast

SoFi Personal Loans Review: Borrowers with excellent credit histories can get fixed or variable rate…

2 years ago

Tee Grizzley’s Net Worth: How He Made His Money

Tee Grizzley’s net worth is about $1.5 million. He's a prominent rapper and won best…

3 years ago

This website uses cookies.