Here are the 4 most widely used online trading platforms today

Online stock trading platforms offer great flexibility and choice to investors. They provide more utility to retail investors who are either trading casually or not willing to have a broker whom they can call every time to make the trade.

The popularity of the internet has led to the rise of online tools which now execute trades, provide investment advice and offer other comprehensive sets of services.

The advent of robo advisors is another significant achievement in the domain of online trading. Robo advisors are being used to provide remote financial advisory services without the involvement of the humans.

As such, the field of online trading and financial advisory has become high tech and sophisticated tools are now being widely used. Most users are home-based investors who do not use traditional brokerage services or too busy to read all the commentary and analyst reviews of various companies.

When choosing a trading platform, it is always important to consider the cost as well as the features offered. What distinguishes online trading platforms from the traditional platforms is the fact that online tools are readily available at a fraction of the cost.

Some online trading platforms also offer quality features. Better research quality, interactive charts, live quotes are some of the highlights, which distinguish a good online trading platform from others.

Here are four of the most widely used online trading tools and their pros and cons:

E*Trade

Are you a self-directed investor? If yes, E*Trade might be the tool for you. It calls itself a discount online brokerage service providing online services to self-directed investors.

Managing over 3.5 million brokerage accounts, E*Trade is considered as the leader in the market for beginners. It has a very comprehensive set of videos, which are ideal for the beginners who want to learn how to use online trading platforms.

TD Ameritrade may charge higher fees than other online trading platforms but you sure get above average customer services. (Source)

TD Ameritrade

Ameritrade is a U.S.-based trading platform offering a variety of trade options to the investors who are trading online.

Probably the most significant advantages of this platform are better services, top quality research and the choice of investments. It is because of these reasons that this trading platform is charging higher than average commission rates and is a bit expensive for a retail customer.

Its broker-related trades are relatively more expensive, however, TD Ameritrade is able to charge such high rates due to above average customer services.

FXGM South Africa

South Africa is part of the BRICS, and its stock markets are defying the recessionary impacts.

FXGM South Africa is one of the leading trading platforms of the country offering online trades of individual stocks, forex, commodities and indices. The platform requires a $200 deposit and provides various levels of memberships for high-end investors.

FXGM is offering international trade services and is authorized by South African Financial Services Board. All its trade are protected under the insurance arrangements.

Trade Station

Trade Station is unique in the sense that it offers algorithmic trading and is relatively for high tech investors.

Trade Station can execute orders through specially coded scripts which are not only automatic but also fast. It can complete the trade in lightning-fast speeds, thus giving the advantage of the time to the investors.

Trade Station, however, charges a hefty monthly fee if an investor is unable to meet the monthly minimum requirements. This platform is restricted in the sense that it does not offer commission-free exchange-traded funds or even no transaction fee mutual funds.

Trading platforms can be a lot beneficial due to the quality of the research they offer along with other tools, which, if used correctly, can help investors to make good returns. However, they can be expensive if minimum monthly requirements are not established, so choose wisely.

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DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.