Charles Schwab
Interactive Brokers
Fidelity
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
Webull
TradeStation
tastytrade
Finviz
Stock Rover
TrendSpider
Trade Ideas
TraderSync
TradingView
TradervueMKN TESTING
Reviewed by Blain Reinkensmeyer
Edited by Jeff Anberg
Written by Sam Levine, CFA, CMT
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam turpis ante, sollicitudin dignissim ornare eu, dictum et sem. In nec malesuada arcu, vehicula pretium metus. Praesent porta, lectus sit amet imperdiet venenatis, mi massa vehicula odio, a imperdiet sem nunc id ligula. Aenean sollicitudin lectus ante, sit amet rhoncus quam maximus non. Aenean sed scelerisque libero. Duis sit amet tempor lorem. Donec turpis justo, convallis a gravida et, interdum quis turpis. In porta mauris sed risus scelerisque elementum. Fusce lobortis facilisis neque non fringilla. Phasellus neque enim, vestibulum vel luctus sed, viverra nec eros. Morbi et congue mi, id gravida ligula. Sed vitae laoreet nisi. Nunc a varius leo.
Top picks for AI Stock Trading Bots
Best AI stock trading bot service - Trade Ideas
| Company | Overall |
 Trade Ideas
|
|
Trade Ideas, also known as Trade-Ideas™ (or TI) is a long-established provider of charting and market analysis software for stock traders since 2003. Over the years, it has expanded its offering to include AI-powered tools like its first-generation AI system “Holly” and the newer Money Machine, both of which provide AI-generated trading signals and real-time strategies that adapt daily based on market conditions. These tools help traders scan for opportunities, backtest strategies, and automate trading ideas through integrated brokers, all delivered through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription model.
Software interface: Overall, I’ve found the Trade Ideas platform comprehensive enough that it can take time to learn all its features, especially on the desktop version, which unlocks the full AI capabilities. The web version is more user-friendly for beginners. One unique feature is the Stock Race widget, which lets you visualize stocks competing to see which performs best over a given time. It may not be a core analytical tool, but it does add a fun, visual layer for spotting movers.
Subscription plans: Trade Ideas now offers a free “Par Plan,” which includes delayed market data along with visualizations like Stock Racing, PiP Charts, and basic alerts. For real-time data and more advanced tools, the Birdie Bundle (TI Basic) costs $127 per month or drops to $89 with an annual subscription. The highest tier, Eagle Elite (TI Premium), runs $254 per month or $178 with annual pricing and unlocks full access to Holly AI, The Money Machine, backtesting, Smart Risk Levels, and daily AI-optimized strategies.
Based on my experience, the premium features are where Trade Ideas delivers the most value for active traders who want daily AI-optimized signals and strategy automation. Just keep in mind that there’s a learning curve, especially on the desktop version, and it takes time and focus to get the full benefit from everything the platform can do. Learn more about my thoughts on its features and overall quality at my full review of Trade Ideas.
Great AI-powered bot creation wizard - StockHero
| Company | Overall |
 StockHero
|
|
StockHero lets you create automated trading bots that connect to your brokerage account via API, using either your own trading strategy or by renting one from its marketplace. StockHero’s list of supported brokers includes TradeStation, Webull, and beta integration with E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood Crypto, among other providers.
Trading signals: If there is no broker API connection to your broker, you can use the StockHero service as a signal provider, without any trade automation. Upon logging into the StockHero platform you are prompted to connect to a brokerage account and set up a sample trading bot (in my case using a demo account to make trades on AAPL/USD with $2,000 of virtual money allocated), before redirecting you to its bot marketplace.
The StockHero marketplace is reminiscent of the MetaTrader Signals market and is similar to social copy trading, creating an exchange where traders share their strategies for other investors to copy.
Subscription plans: On StockHero there are three subscription tiers: $29.99 for the “Lite” plan which allows only one active bot, $49.99 for the “Premium” plan which provides up to 15 active bots and other support perks, and $99.99 per month for the “Professional” plan which provides up to 50 active bots and the ability to trade on smaller time frames, including 1-minute intervals, as well as the ability to perform custom backtests.
Bot rental costs: One random bot I checked on the marketplace cost $499.99 per year to rent, but the performance metrics lacked depth, providing only basic information like overall performance, number of trades, and average win-loss ratio, with no detailed historical performance data.
Overall, the quality of the results you may achieve depends on the quality of the trading strategy and market conditions, and while I didn’t use StockHero for any real trades, I found its platform well-designed with a modern user interface. Following the launch of StockHero Version 3, you can now access AI-powered insights and use AI to create trading strategies more easily. That said, just because you use AI to create a strategy, doesn’t mean it will be profitable or outperform non-AI strategies.
Excellent selection of bot trading tools - TrendSpider
| Company | Overall |
 TrendSpider
|
|
TrendSpider offers a comprehensive suite of tools as part of its market research and analysis Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application, covering multiple asset classes, including U.S. equities and ETFs, U.S. futures, forex and cryptocurrency markets. Tools that TrendSpider offers include idea generation, charting and analysis, and strategy development for more advanced users.
Subscription plans: TrendSpider offers a “Standard” plan for $107 per month (or discounted to $642 for an annual plan), which allows up to 5 active windows, 30 simultaneous alerts, and access to other standard features. The “Enhanced” plan for $197 per month (discounted to $1,182 per year) adds the ability to use up to 30 trading bots running one at a time, 100 simultaneous alerts, phone support, and other expanded perks. Finally, its “Advanced” plan costs $447 per month (discounted to $2,682 per year) and adds priority support, higher limits for alerts and bots, and other added features such as the ability to export data and use custom data feeds.
Market scanners: TrendSpider offers six free market scanners, each functioning as pre-defined screeners designed to identify potential trading opportunities. These scanners cover a broad range of technical and fundamental analysis, helping traders spot trends, breakouts, momentum shifts, and key value indicators. Whether you're focusing on price action, volume, or fundamental growth stories, these scanners can save time and provide valuable insights across different market conditions. There are dozens of other dynamic pages, such as recent 52-week highs on the S&P 500 and popular stocks trending on StockTwits. TrendSpider also recently launched the ability for traders to publish custom indicators, scanners, and strategies directly to the Store.
Trading bots: TrendSpider largely automates the process of creating rudimentary strategies using natural language, and lets you backtest them using its Strategy Tester to run simulations on historical data. TrendSpider also offers an excellent selection of calculators and well-organized educational content, helping to round out its comprehensive set of features and services across its website and web application for subscribers.
Charles Schwab has earned its crown as the best overall brokerage firm, scoring top marks in nearly every category we evaluate. With the acquisition and seamless integration of TD Ameritrade, Schwab has entered a new era, delivering an unbeatable combination of advanced trading platforms, robust research, and investor-focused tools.
Schwab has something for every investor, and that’s no small feat. Need in-depth research? Schwab delivers. Fixed-income tools or advanced trading platforms? Check and check. Looking for education that’s not only top-notch but actually makes sense? Done. Schwab doesn’t just keep pace with the industry — it sets the standard, blending substance and value to be the best overall brokerage firm in the industry.
-
Minimum Deposit:
$0.00 -
Stock Trades:
$0.00 -
Options (Per Contract):
$0.65
| Mobile Trading Apps | |
| Platforms & Tools | |
| Research | |
| Commissions & Fees | N/A |
| Ease of Use | |
| Education |
Check out StockBrokers.com's picks for the best stock brokers in 2025.
| 2025 | #4 |
| 2024 | #2 |
| 2023 | #3 |
-
Minimum Deposit:
$0.00 -
Stock Trades:
$0.00 -
Options (Per Contract):
$0.65
| Mobile Trading Apps | |
| Platforms & Tools | |
| Research | |
| Commissions & Fees | N/A |
| Ease of Use | |
| Education |
Check out StockBrokers.com's picks for the best stock brokers in 2025.
| #1 Client Dashboard | Winner |
| #1 Investor App | Winner |
| #1 Desktop Trading Platform | Winner |
| 2025 | #1 |
| 2024 | #3 |
| 2023 | #5 |
-
Minimum Deposit:
$0.00 -
Stock Trades:
$0.00 -
Options (Per Contract):
$0.65
| Mobile Trading Apps | |
| Platforms & Tools | |
| Research | |
| Commissions & Fees | N/A |
| Ease of Use | |
| Education |
Check out StockBrokers.com's picks for the best stock brokers in 2025.
| 2025 | #3 |
| 2024 | #1 |
| 2023 | #1 |
-
Minimum Deposit:
$0.00 -
Stock Trades:
$0.00 -
Options (Per Contract):
$0.00
| Mobile Trading Apps | |
| Platforms & Tools | |
| Research | |
| Commissions & Fees | N/A |
| Ease of Use | |
| Education |
Check out StockBrokers.com's picks for the best stock brokers in 2025.
| 2025 | #12 |
| 2024 | #10 |
| 2023 | #10 |
-
Minimum Deposit:
$0.00 -
Stock Trades:
$0.00 -
Options (Per Contract):
$0.00
| Mobile Trading Apps | |
| Platforms & Tools | |
| Research | |
| Commissions & Fees | N/A |
| Ease of Use | |
| Education |
Check out StockBrokers.com's picks for the best stock brokers in 2025.
| 2025 | #8 |
| 2024 | #9 |
| 2023 | #8 |
STACKED CARD TESTING
- Minimum Deposit: $0.00
- Stock Trades: $0.00
- Options (Per Contract): $0.65
With the addition of TD Ameritrade's thinkorswim platforms and the enhancement of several features, Schwab is now a vigorous competitor with thought-provoking research and commentary and a client experience to fit any preference.
- TD Ameritrade’s excellent thinkorswim trading platforms now available
- Trading-friendly app and browser enhancements
- Exceptional high net worth services
- No cryptocurrency trading
- Mutual fund fees are complex
- Minimum Deposit: $0.00
- Stock Trades: $0.00
- Options (Per Contract): $0.65
Fidelity is a value-driven online broker offering $0 trades, industry-leading research, excellent trading tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.
- Excellent research and mobile app
- Top-notch education
- Decades of reliable client service
- No dedicated mobile app for active trading
- Minimum Deposit: $0.00
- Stock Trades: $0.00
- Options (Per Contract): $0.65
E*TRADE is a top-performing broker whose highlights include $0 trades, two excellent mobile apps and the Power E*TRADE platform. Crypto, however, is not available.
- Watch lists are the best in the business
- Smooth mobile navigation
- High-quality high-net-worth Morgan Stanley proprietary research
- Cryptocurrencies not currently available
- Margin rates are high compared to other brokers
- Minimum Deposit: $0.00
- Stock Trades: $0.00
- Options (Per Contract): $0.00
Webull is an excellent choice for beginning and intermediate traders. The user experience is outstanding, and Webull has better charts than its natural competitor, Robinhood. Options contracts are commission-free, but crypto markups and markdowns are on the high side. Experienced investors may eventually miss the features, research, and investment choices available at leading brokers.
- Terrific user experience across all devices
- Zero-cost option trading
- 44 cryptocurrencies
- Limited investment options
- 1% markups and markdowns on crypto trades
Table of Contents
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Schwab customers now get access to one of the most powerful trading platforms in the game: the thinkorswim suite.
- Schwab provides an extensive array of research tools, from in-depth stock analysis with analyst reports and valuation metrics to comprehensive fixed-income research supported with integrated contextual education.
- Schwab’s education center is fantastic. With live webinars, interactive courses, articles, and videos, you’ll quickly go from asking, “What’s a P/E ratio?” to confidently using it to choose stocks. Even better, Schwab integrates contextual education right into the platform.
Cons
- If crypto trading is your thing, Schwab isn’t your platform. The platform keeps the door firmly shut on direct cryptocurrency trading. No Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Dogecoin here. That said, you gain crypto exposure through ETFs at Schwab.
- Schwab’s “Stock Slices” are a great way to buy a piece of high-priced stocks, but only if they are companies in the S&P 500.
- Schwab charges $5 for trades placed through its automated phone system, a fee that feels like a penalty for those who prefer more traditional methods. It can be slightly inconvenient, especially for older or less tech-savvy clients who might rely on this option.
Range of Investments
From my point of view, Charles Schwab is the ultimate full-service brokerage firm, and that’s not a term I use lightly. When I think “full service,” I expect a wide array of investment products and account types, all of which Schwab delivers.
From an investment product perspective, you’ll find stocks (including fractional shares via “Stock Slices”), ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds, CDs, futures, and even access to forex through thinkorswim. The only noticeable gap is cryptocurrency trading, but for most investors, Schwab’s expansive range of offerings more than compensates for it.
Interested in the forex trading?
If you intend to trade forex, check out our comprehensive Charles Schwab forex review focusing primarily on this market at our sister site, ForexBrokers.com.
When it comes to account types, Schwab has too many to list. Individual accounts, traditional and Roth IRAs, rollover IRAs, spousal and beneficiary IRAs, 529 plans, custodial accounts, small business accounts, charitable accounts — you name it, they’ve got it. For even more details on its retirement services, head on over to our in-depth review of Charles Schwab's IRA.
One of Schwab’s standout features, though not unique to them, is their commitment to personalized support. Local branches, specialized representatives for fixed income and active trading, and dedicated high-net-worth advisors ensure you’re never left figuring things out on your own. Having spent years on an active trader desk myself, I know firsthand how invaluable access to these experts can be for investors navigating the market.
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I also found Schwab’s Investor Starter Kit intriguing. It’s Investing 101 with a clever twist. When you open and fund your account, Schwab gives you $101 to split equally across the top five stocks in the S&P 500, along with tools and education to guide your next steps. It’s a creative way to help new investors hit the ground running. Schwab also offers automated investing options and tax-efficient strategies, making it accessible to every type of investor.
| Feature |
 Charles Schwab
|
 Fidelity
|
 E*TRADE
|
 Webull
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Futures Trading | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forex Trading | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes | No | No |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
One of the best for high net worth
We analyzed online brokers' offerings for clients with over $1 million of liquid, investable assets. See our guide to the Best Brokerage Firms for High Net Worth Individuals.
Charles Schwab fees
At Schwab, listed stock and ETF trades are $0, and options trades are priced at $0.65 per contract, standard pricing that aligns with the rest of the industry. In my opinion, zero-dollar commissions on stocks and ETFs are the baseline these days. What really sets Schwab and other brokerages apart isn’t the price point but the tools and research they offer.
Penny stocks: Schwab charges $6.95 for OTC trades. If that’s what you gravitate toward, take a look at our penny stock trading guide, because some other brokers don’t tack on a fee.
Compare Robinhood to Top Competitors
Mobile Trading Apps
At Schwab, listed stock and ETF trades are $0, and options trades are priced at $0.65 per contract, standard pricing that aligns with the rest of the industry. In my opinion, zero-dollar commissions on stocks and ETFs are the baseline these days. What really sets Schwab and other brokerages apart isn’t the price point but the tools and research they offer.
Penny stocks: Schwab charges $6.95 for OTC trades. If that’s what you gravitate toward, take a look at our penny stock trading guide, because some other brokers don’t tack on a fee.
Trading Platform
Robinhood IRA Review
Robinhood Crypto Review
Research
Education
Banking Services
Final Thoughts
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
Fidelity
|
E*TRADE
|
Webull
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Futures Trading | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Forex Trading | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes | No | No |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advisor Services | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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FAQs
Stockbrokers.com Review Methodology
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About the Editorial Team
Blain Reinkensmeyer has 20 years of trading experience with over 2,500 trades placed during that time. He heads research for all U.S.-based brokerages on StockBrokers.com and is respected by executives as the leading expert covering the online broker industry. Blain’s insights have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Chicago Tribune, among other media outlets.
Jeff Anberg is a Senior Editor at StockBrokers.com. Along with years of experience in media distribution at a global newsroom, Jeff has a versatile knowledge base encompassing the technology and financial markets. He is a long-time active investor and engages in research on emerging markets like cryptocurrency. Jeff holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy from San Francisco State University.
Sam Levine has over 30 years of experience in the investing field as a portfolio manager, financial consultant, investment strategist and writer. He also taught investing as an adjunct professor of finance at Wayne State University. Sam holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and the Chartered Market Technician designations and is pursuing a master's in personal financial planning at the College for Financial Planning. Previously, he was a contributing editor at BetterInvesting Magazine and a contributor to The Penny Hoarder and other media outlets.