Barrons Broker Review 2012

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View results and highlights from the Barron's 2012 review of online brokers. The Barron's annual broker review covers 27 brokers with commissions, tools, technology, mobile trading, and other broker related topics.

Published by Blain Reinkensmeyer on Friday, April 19, 2013.

Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Review

Trade on over 100 market centers in 19 countries - Learn More
Equity trades are $.005 per share with a minimum of $1.00 and a maximum of .5% of trade value.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$0.0050	$0.00	$0.70	$10,000.00

MB Trading

MB Trading Review

1000 Commission Free Trades

Rated Best in Class for active trading in the StockBrokers.com's 2012 Review of Online Brokers.
One of few online brokers offering flat per contract options trades with no base fees.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$4.95	$0.00	$0.95	$1,000.00

tradeMONSTER

tradeMONSTER Review

Special Offer: Trade free for 30 days - Learn More
Rated "Best in Class: Options Trading" in the 2012 StockBrokers.com Broker Review.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$7.50	$0.00	$0.50	$2,000.00

TradeStation Securities

TradeStation Securities Review

Special Offer: Trade free for 90 days - Learn More
Direct market access for equity, options, futures, and forex trading.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$9.99	$0.00	$1.00	$5,000.00

OptionsHouse

OptionsHouse Review

Receive 150 Free Trades - Promo Code: SBCOM

Trade Options up to 5 contracts for $5 ($1 each thereafter) or $8.50 + $.15 per contract.
Rated 5 Stars for "Ease of Use" and "Commissions & Fees" in the 2012 Review.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$3.95	$8.50	$0.15	$1,000.00

TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade Review

Trade free for 90 days + get up to $600 - Learn More

Gain access to over 100 commission free ETFs.
Investment research from S&P, Morningstar Associates, and Minyanville.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$9.99	$9.99	$0.75	$2,500.00

optionsXpress

optionsXpress Review

Special Offer: Receive $100 when you fund a new optionsXpress account with $500 - Learn More.
Acquired by Charles Schwab, giving clients an even more thorough broker offering.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$8.95	$0.00	$1.50	$0.00

TradeKing

TradeKing Review

Special Offer: Get $150 in transfer fees reimbursed - Learn More
Rated #1 Online Broker for Customer Service in the StockBrokers.com 2012 Review.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$4.95	$4.95	$0.65	$0.00

ETRADE

ETRADE Review

Special Offer: Trade free for 60 days + Get up to $500 - Learn More
Rated the #1 Online Broker 2011 by StockBrokers.com

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$9.99	$9.99	$0.75	$500.00

Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments Review

Online trades only $7.95, all the time.
25 different iShares ETFs available for commission-free trading.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$7.95	$7.95	$0.75	$2,500.00

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab Review

Offers $8.95 flat-rate trades regardless of trade size, account balance, or share price.
Was rated highest in investor satisfaction with self-directed services by J.D. Power and Associates, 2009.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$8.95	$8.95	$0.75	$1,000.00

ChoiceTrade

ChoiceTrade Review

Rated Four Stars for five straight years (2005 - 2009) in the Barron's Annual Broker Review**
Flat fee trading with unlimited shares as well as no Penny Stock surcharges

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$5.00	$5.00	$0.15	$0.00

Zecco

Zecco Review

As of 2012, Zecco has merged with TradeKing to form TradeKing Group.
Get $150 in transfer fees reimbursed when you open an account today (Learn More).

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$4.95	$4.95	$0.65	$0.00

Scottrade

Scottrade Review

Special Offer - Get $100 in transfer fees reimbursed - Learn More
Straight forward commissions for both stocks and options.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$7.00	$7.00	$1.25	$500.00

Merrill Edge

Merrill Edge Review

Receive up to 30 free trades per month with a $25,000 minimum balance.
Link any Merrill Edge account to any Bank of America bank account.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$6.95	$6.95	$0.75	$2,000.00

Lightspeed Trading

Lightspeed Trading Review

Special Offer: Free trading platform trial - Learn More
A leading provider of direct market access trading technology.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$2.25	$0.00	$0.60	$5,000.00

Just2Trade

Just2Trade Review

$2.50 equity trades.
Trade platform updated in January 2011.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$2.50	$2.50	$0.50	$2,500.00

SogoTrade

SogoTrade Review

100 Free Trades when you open a new Sogotrade Account.
$100 Account Transfer refund when you move your account to Sogotrade.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$3.00	$5.00	$0.50	$0.00

SpeedTrader

SpeedTrader Review

Commissions as low as $2.95 if trading 1500+ times per month.
Options only $1 per contract with no base fee.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$6.95	N/A	$1.00	$500.00

Cobra Trading

Cobra Trading Review

No additional charge for broker assisted trades.
Six trade platforms supported.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$5.00	$5.00	$0.95	$500.00

Firstrade

Firstrade Review

Special Offer: Receive 250 free trades and up to $250 cash - Learn More
Over 11,000 mutual funds to choose from.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$6.95	$6.95	$0.75	$0.00

ShareBuilder

ShareBuilder Review

Special Offer: Receive $100 with any New Account - Learn More
One Month Free Trial with all new accounts.

Stocks*	Options Base*	Options Contract*	Minimum Deposit
$6.95	$6.95	$0.75	$0.00

View results and highlights from the Barron's 2012 review of online brokers. The Barron's annual broker review covers 27 brokers with commissions, tools, technology, and other broker topics. (Not reviewed by StockBrokers.com: Place Trade (9th), eOption (22nd), TradingBlock (23rd), SureTrader (26th), and Kapitall (27th))