Back in the days buying stock in companies was nearly as complicated as performing a kulbit manoeuvre in a jumbo jet! Now, however, with ever-ceaseless advances in the tech world and the increasing ease of doing business all you have to do is to carelessly tap on a screen from anywhere on the globe and get to be the proud part-owner of some obscure or renowned company. Or have some company do that for you in return for a consideration.
So, at present, the challenge is not in actually buying stocks but in picking which to buy and the most suitable broker to buy them from. At this time the former is beyond our purview, but we do know a few things about the latter that we are prepared to let you in on. Picking the best broker to make your fame and fortune with is important. If you wish to be a successful trader that is, make the proverbial killing, buy an island in the Bermuda and spend your days drinking margaritas.
With that in mind, we did a top 10 online broker comparison and compiled this top 10 list of the best online brokers out there offering the best combination of outstanding customer services, low fees, class-leading trading tools, user customizability and usability and lots more. Here goes the list of the best websites to invest in stocks.
1. TD Ameritrade
In any listing of the top 5 online brokers TD Ameritrade always manages to make the list. And for good reason too. The folks over at Ameritrade offer a bewildering but eminently useful array of tools for their clients on a diverse range of web-connected devices. As well, they solidly tick the boxes in such eminently desirable categories like low fees per trade -$6.95- research, education, customer service and the like. All in all, they remain the broker to beat for the foreseeable future and a top choice if you are thinking of switching brokers, getting a new insight on stock market trading and boosting your bank account balance.
2. Fidelity
Fidelity is next in line to the throne and nearly as good at what they do as Ameritrade. Where they do excel at is ease of use, research, and education. As well, they charge a measly $4.95 per trade and have an army of investment advisers strategically located at numerous locations worldwide to advise and help future and present clients. You can’t really go wrong with them if you tried!
3. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is deservedly third in this lineup, but no 1 when ranked on retirement services alone. As well, they charge $4.95 per trade, offer a long list of tools, superb market reports, excellent customer services and comprehensive research access. These all combine to make them a firm to be admired, especially if you are getting gray-haired and wondering about the viability of your retirement fund.
4. E*Trade
E*Trade might lack the clout of the heavies up there, but it’s still no 1 in mobile app trading. This is important considering that increasing numbers of people rather than being desk-bound are doing their trading on hand-held devices. As well, E*trade charge $6.95 per trade and positively don’t stint on research, education and other aids to their appreciative clientele.
5. Scottrade
When it comes to dedication to customer services few can beat Scottrade. This is especially important if you are a beginner dipping your toes for the first time into the murky and shark-infested waters of the stock market. While other companies might throw you into the water in a tough-love sink-or-swim gesture, Scottrade cuddles and guides you. However, other aspects of their user experience might not be top-notch, but their platform is still one to watch and beat.
6. TradeStation
TradeStation has a trading platform so forward-looking it’s nearly alien-like in efficiency and customization. Over the years this has garnered it the best awards in the industry. And what’s more, it comes loaded down with tons of tools, functionality and the delightful option of coding your own apps just like you wish with their own proprietary software. More, trades are $5 each and the overall effect is near-magical. However, this trading website is way too complicated to recommend to newbies.
7. Merrill Edge
This is the preeminent firm in banking services and boasts no less an illustrious parent as the Bank Of America. With such heavy backing it offers the most robust rewards package of most firms on this list, including such goodies as discounted mortgage rates, $0 stock trades and lots more. Overall, it’s quite a bargain.
8. Interactive Brokers
If you are the type who can’t seem to go a day without trading, then InteractiveBrokers is perfectly tailored for you. As well, the site offers low fees, and a wide variety of useful trading software. However, its minimum account requirements are hefty and the inactivity fees are murder!
9. CapitalOne Investing
If automatic and hassle-free trades are your thing, then Sharebuilder has it in sinful abundance. As well, its fees are competitive with the rest of the industry and new investors stand to gain a maximum of $600 once they sign up and dump some money into their accounts. The reason it’s not higher up on this list are due to a mix of shortcomings. These include lack of broker-assisted trading and its unavailability outside the US.
10. Tradezero
At Tradezero clients are offered direct access routing, hotkeys and the convenience of using the platform on both mobile and desk-bound devices. More, it charges very competitive commission rates and is suitable for beginners with small accounts.
While the above list is by no means exhaustive it does feature the best of the best brokers to buy stocks online. It is completely upto you which website to choose for buying some stocks. However, any of the above websites will not make you lose your money. They are legit websites tested by many experts on line. So, you can also trust them. However, we recommend doing an extra research on any of your choices. With your eye on your trading style pick the one most suitable for your needs and go, be rich.