TD Ameritrade vs TradeStation Comparison
Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. For our 2023 annual broker review, we spent hundreds of hours assessing 17 brokerages to find the best online broker. Let's compare TD Ameritrade vs TradeStation.
Is TD Ameritrade or TradeStation better for beginners?
TD Ameritrade offers more comprehensive new investor education for beginner investors than TradeStation. TD Ameritrade offers investors access to Paper Trading, Videos, Education (Stocks), Education (ETFs), Education (Options), Education (Mutual Funds), Education (Bonds) and Education (Retirement), while TradeStation offers investors access to Paper Trading, Videos, Education (Stocks) and Education (Options). See our guide to Best Paper Trading Platforms for more.
What about TD Ameritrade vs TradeStation pricing?
TD Ameritrade and TradeStation charge the same amount for regular stock trades, $0.00. Option contracts are pricier at TD Ameritrade, costing $0.65 per contract versus $0.60 per contract at TradeStation. For a complete commissions summary, see our best brokers for free stock trading guide.
Does TD Ameritrade or TradeStation offer a wider range of investment options?
TD Ameritrade offers investors access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds, Futures Trading, Forex Trading and Advisor Services, while TradeStation offers investors access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. Neither have Fractional Shares. Looking at Mutual Funds, TradeStation trails TD Ameritrade in its offering of no transaction fee (NTF) mutual funds, with TD Ameritrade offering 3610 and TradeStation offering 0.
Which trading platform is better: TD Ameritrade or TradeStation?
To compare the trading platforms of TD Ameritrade and TradeStation, we tested each broker's trading tools, research capabilities, and mobile apps. For trading tools, TD Ameritrade offers a better experience. With research, TD Ameritrade offers superior market research. Finally, we found TD Ameritrade to provide better mobile trading apps.
Does either broker offer banking?
Online banking can be a benefit for investors, and some brokerages do provide banking services to customers. Checking Accounts, Debit Cards and Credit Cards are offered by TD Ameritrade while TradeStation offers neither of these. Neither have Savings Accounts and Mortgage Loans.
Is TD Ameritrade good?
TD Ameritrade delivers $0 trades, fantastic trading platforms, excellent market research, industry-leading education for beginners and reliable customer service. This outstanding all-around experience makes TD Ameritrade one of our top overall brokers in 2023, in which it placed among Best in Class in several categories including options trading and best for beginners.
Is TradeStation good?
TradeStation supports casual traders through its web-based platform and active traders through its desktop platform. We like the web-based platform and mobile app, but the flagship desktop platform could use a refresh. TradeStation ranked among Best in Class in the Commissions and Fees and Investment Options categories in our 2023 Annual Review of online stockbrokers.
TD Ameritrade vs TradeStation Winner
Overall winner: TD Ameritrade
Read Next
Explore our other online trading guides: