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TD Ameritrade vs Lightspeed 2019
The StockBrokers.com annual review (9 years running) takes six months to complete and produces over 30,000 words of research each year. Here's how we test.
Is Lightspeed better than TD Ameritrade? After scoring brokers on over 4,000 data points for our 2019 review, TD Ameritrade (86.98%) is better than Lightspeed (51.8%). The extra cost of trading with TD Ameritrade is worth every cent – the brokerage delivers fantastic platforms, research, mobile apps, education, and customer service. This outstanding all-round experience makes TD Ameritrade our No. 1 overall broker in 2019.
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| Open Account |
Overall Rating
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
| Overall | ||
| TD Ameritrade Review | Lightspeed Review |
Trading Fees
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
| Stock Trade Fee (per trade) | $6.95 | $4.50 |
| ETF Trade Fee | $6.95 | $4.50 |
| Options Base Fee | $6.95 | $0.00 |
| Options Per Contract Fee | $0.75 | $0.60 |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $49.99 | N/A |
| Broker Assisted Trades Fee | $44.99 | $25.00 |
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Margin Rates
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
| Under $24,999.99 | 10.25% | 8.50% |
| $25,000.00 to $49,999.99 | 10.00% | 8.50% |
| $50,000.00 to $99,999.99 | 9.00% | 7.50% |
| $100,000.00 to $249,999.99 | 8.75% | 7.50% |
| $250,000.00 to $499,999.99 | 8.50% | 6.75% |
| $500,000.00 to $999,999.99 | 8.50% | 6.25% |
| Above $1,000,000.00 | 7.75% | 6.00% |
| Commissions & Fees | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Account Fees
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
| IRA Annual Fee | 0 | 35 |
| IRA Closure Fee | 0 | 95 |
| Returned ACH Fee | 25 | 30 |
| Returned Wire Fee | 25 | 30 |
| Stock Certificate Processing Fee | 0 | 75 |
| Stock Certificate Delivery Fee | 500 | 50 |
| Paper Statement Fee | 0 | 5 |
| Paper Confirmation Fee | 0 | 2 |
| Domestic Wire Fee | 25 | 20 |
| International Wire Fee | 25 | 50 |
| Commissions & Fees |
Investment Options
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
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Stock Trading |
Yes | Yes |
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OTCBB / Pink Sheets |
Yes | Yes |
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Options Trading |
Yes | Yes |
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Complex Options Max Legs |
4 | 6 |
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Futures Trading |
Yes | Yes |
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Forex Trading |
Yes | No |
| Commission-Free ETFs | 571 | 0 |
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Mutual Funds (No Load) |
5185 | 0 |
|
Mutual Funds (Total) |
12418 | 0 |
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Bonds (US Treasury) |
Yes | Yes |
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Bonds (Corporate) |
Yes | No |
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Bonds (Municipal) |
Yes | No |
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Advisor Services |
Yes | No |
|
International Trading |
Yes | No |
| Offering of Investments | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Order Types
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Order Type - Market |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Limit |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Stop |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Trailing Stop |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - Contingent |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - MultiContingent |
Yes | Yes |
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Order Type - OCO |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - OTO |
Yes | Yes |
|
Order Type - OTOCO |
Yes | Yes |
| Offering of Investments | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Trading Platforms
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Desktop Platform (Windows) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Desktop Platform (Mac) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Web Platform |
Yes | Yes |
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Paper Trading |
Yes | Yes |
|
Trade Journal |
Yes | No |
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Watch Lists - Total Fields |
514 | 141 |
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Two-Factor Authentication Login |
Yes | Yes |
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Heat Mapping |
Yes | No |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Charting Features
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Charting - Trade Off Chart |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Indicators / Studies |
411 | 20 |
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Charting - Drawing Tools |
22 | 8 |
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Charting - Historical Trades |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Corporate Events |
Yes | No |
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Charting - Automated Analysis |
Yes | No |
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Charting - Save Profiles |
Yes | Yes |
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Charting - Study Customizations |
9 | 4 |
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Charting - Custom Studies |
Yes | No |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Day Trading
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Stock Alerts - Basic Fields |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields |
Yes | No |
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Streaming Time & Sales |
Yes | Yes |
|
Streaming TV |
Yes | No |
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Direct Market Routing - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Direct Market Routing - Options |
Yes | Yes |
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Ladder Trading |
Yes | No |
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Trade Hot Keys |
Yes | Yes |
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Level 2 Quotes - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Level 2 Quotes - Options |
Yes | Yes |
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Trade Ideas - Backtesting |
Yes | No |
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Short Locator |
No | Yes |
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Client Liquidity Rebates |
No | Yes |
| Winner | check_circle |
Mobile Trading Apps
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
iPhone App |
Yes | Yes |
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Android App |
Yes | Yes |
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Apple Watch App |
Yes | No |
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Trading - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Trading - After-Hours |
Yes | No |
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Trading - Conditional Orders |
Yes | No |
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Trading - Mutual Funds |
No | No |
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Trading - Simple Options |
Yes | No |
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Trading - Complex Options |
Yes | No |
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Trading - Option Rolling |
Yes | No |
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Touch / Face ID |
Yes | No |
| Winner | check_circle |
Mobile App Features
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
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Watch List Syncing |
Yes | No |
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Stock Alerts - Basic Fields |
Yes | No |
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Stock Alerts - Advanced Fields |
No | No |
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Charting - After Hours |
Yes | No |
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Charting - Drawing |
Yes | No |
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Charting - Study Customizations |
Yes | No |
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Customizable Homescreen |
No | No |
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Heatmapping |
No | No |
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Stream Live TV |
Yes | No |
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Barcode Lookup |
Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Research Overview
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Research - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Research - ETFs |
Yes | No |
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Research - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
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Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB |
Yes | No |
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Research - Fixed Income |
Yes | No |
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Research - Futures |
Yes | No |
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Research - Forex |
Yes | No |
|
Screener - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Screener - ETFs |
Yes | No |
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Screener - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
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Screener - Options |
Yes | No |
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Screener - Bonds |
Yes | No |
|
Misc - Portfolio Builder |
Yes | No |
|
Misc - Portfolio Allocation |
Yes | No |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Stock Research
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Stock Research - Reports |
7 | 0 |
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Stock Research - Earnings |
Yes | No |
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Stock Research - Insiders |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - Metric Comp |
Yes | No |
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Stock Research - SEC Filings |
Yes | No |
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Stock Research - Social |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - Balance Sheet |
Yes | No |
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Stock Research - Cash Flows |
Yes | No |
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Stock Research - News |
Yes | Yes |
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Stock Research - ESG |
No | No |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
ETF Research
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
ETFs - Strategy Overview |
Yes | No |
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ETFs - Top 10 Holdings |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Sector Exposure |
Yes | No |
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ETFs - Risk Analysis |
Yes | No |
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ETFs - Performance Analysis |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Ratings |
Yes | No |
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ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap |
Yes | No |
|
ETFs - Reports |
Yes | No |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Mutual Fund Research
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Prospectus |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Reports |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - Country Allocation |
No | No |
|
Mutual Funds - StyleMap |
Yes | No |
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Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings |
Yes | No |
| Research | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Options Trading
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Option Chains - Streaming |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Chains - Total Columns |
33 | 60 |
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Option Chains - Greeks |
5 | 5 |
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Option Chains - Quick Analysis |
Yes | Yes |
|
Option Analysis - P&L Charts |
Yes | Yes |
|
Option Probability Analysis |
Yes | No |
|
Option Probability Analysis Adv |
Yes | No |
|
Option Positions - Greeks |
Yes | Yes |
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Option Positions - Adv Analysis |
Yes | No |
|
Option Positions - Rolling |
Yes | Yes |
|
Option Positions - Grouping |
Yes | Yes |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Beginners
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Has Education - Stocks |
Yes | Yes |
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Has Education - ETFs |
Yes | No |
|
Has Education - Options |
Yes | Yes |
|
Has Education - Mutual Funds |
Yes | No |
|
Has Education - Fixed Income |
Yes | No |
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Has Education - Retirement |
Yes | No |
|
Paper Trading |
Yes | Yes |
|
Videos |
Yes | Yes |
|
Webinars (Monthly Avg) |
500 | 1 |
|
Webinars (Archived) |
Yes | Yes |
|
Live Seminars |
Yes | No |
|
Progress Tracking |
Yes | No |
|
Interactive Learning - Quizzes |
Yes | No |
|
Investor Magazine |
Yes | No |
| Education | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Banking
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
|
Retail Locations |
364 | 0 |
|
Member FDIC |
No | No |
|
Checking Accounts |
Yes | No |
|
Savings Accounts |
No | No |
|
Credit Cards |
Yes | No |
|
Debit Cards |
Yes | No |
|
Mortgage Loans |
No | No |
|
No Fee Banking |
Yes | No |
| Banking | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Overall
| Feature | TD Ameritrade | Lightspeed |
| TD Ameritrade Review | Lightspeed Review | |
| Overall | ||
| Winner | check_circle |
Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. For our annual broker review, we assess over a dozen brokers on hundreds of different variables to find the best online broker. Yielding a database of over 4,000 data points, let's compare Lightspeed vs TD Ameritrade.
To start this comparison, first, we will take a look at the online broker commission rates for placing regular stock and options trades. TD Ameritrade charges $6.95 per stock trade which is $2.45 more than Lightspeed which charges customers $4.50 per trade. For options trading, TD Ameritrade has a base fee of $6.95, and Lightspeed a base fee of $0. Lightspeed's per contract rate of $0.60 is less than TD Ameritrade which charges $0.75. It's important to note that not all brokers charge a flat fee per trade. Thus, it is important to read the full commission notes for each broker, which we include with each online broker review.
Next to commission rates, being able to trade what you want is important. TD Ameritrade provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds, Forex Trading and Futures Trading while Lightspeed provides clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading and Futures Trading. Looking at mutual funds, TD Ameritrade boasts an offering of 12418 mutual funds compared to Lightspeed's 0 available funds.
Trading access aside, by comparing popular features and functionality, we can break down relevant differences between both brokers. Lightspeed and TD Ameritrade both offer virtual trading. Taking a look at mobile trading, Lightspeed along with TD Ameritrade both support the iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Not to be left out, online banking is also a nice benefit for many investors, and some brokerages provide these services to clients. Clients can have Checking Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards at TD Ameritrade while customers at Lightspeed can have none of these.
Overall, between Lightspeed and TD Ameritrade, TD Ameritrade is the winner.
Lightspeed Review
TD Ameritrade Review
To start this comparison, first, we will take a look at the online broker commission rates for placing regular stock and options trades. TD Ameritrade charges $6.95 per stock trade which is $2.45 more than Lightspeed which charges customers $4.50 per trade. For options trading, TD Ameritrade has a base fee of $6.95, and Lightspeed a base fee of $0. Lightspeed's per contract rate of $0.60 is less than TD Ameritrade which charges $0.75. It's important to note that not all brokers charge a flat fee per trade. Thus, it is important to read the full commission notes for each broker, which we include with each online broker review.
Next to commission rates, being able to trade what you want is important. TD Ameritrade provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds, Forex Trading and Futures Trading while Lightspeed provides clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading and Futures Trading. Looking at mutual funds, TD Ameritrade boasts an offering of 12418 mutual funds compared to Lightspeed's 0 available funds.
Trading access aside, by comparing popular features and functionality, we can break down relevant differences between both brokers. Lightspeed and TD Ameritrade both offer virtual trading. Taking a look at mobile trading, Lightspeed along with TD Ameritrade both support the iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Not to be left out, online banking is also a nice benefit for many investors, and some brokerages provide these services to clients. Clients can have Checking Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards at TD Ameritrade while customers at Lightspeed can have none of these.
Overall, between Lightspeed and TD Ameritrade, TD Ameritrade is the winner.
Lightspeed Review
TD Ameritrade Review
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 02/18/2019 and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. For stock trade rates, advertised pricing is for a standard order size of 500 shares of stock priced at $30 per share. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply.
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