Intro
TradeStation is a top-rated online broker that makes it easy to trade stocks, ETFs, options, and futures. With its award-winning platform and powerful tools, TradeStation provides an excellent trading experience for investors of all levels.
Features
- Low Commissions & Fees- TradeStation offers competitively low commissions and fees, making it an affordable choice for traders.
- Advanced Order Types- TradeStation provides traders with access to a variety of advanced order types, including trailing stops, OCO (one cancels other) orders, and conditional orders.
- Comprehensive Research Tools- TradeStation has some of the best research tools in the brokerage industry, including market analysis reports from top financial institutions like S&P Global Market Intelligence and Macroaxis.
- Excellent Customer Support- The customer support team at TradeStation is available 24/7 via phone, email, or live chat to answer any questions you may have about your account or trading strategies.
- Streamlined Trading Platform- TradeStation’s platform is easy to use and offers traders access to real-time market data and advanced charting tools.
Pricing
Here’s an overview of TradeStation’s pricing:
- Equities: Commission-free trading for equities.
- Options: $0.50 per contract.
- Futures: $1.50 per contract.
- Cryptocurrencies: $0.50 per contract or 1% of trade value (whichever is higher).
In addition to these trading fees, TradeStation charges a monthly platform fee of $99.95 for its desktop platform, $0 for its web and mobile platforms, and an additional $10 per month for market data fees.
There are no account maintenance or inactivity fees, but traders should be aware of potential fees for wire transfers, data feeds, and other services.
TradeStation may offer promotions and discounts on trading fees, so it’s important to check their website for current offers.
Commission & Fees
When it comes to trading, one important factor to consider is the cost of commissions and fees. In this review, we will take a close look at TradeStation’s commission and fee structures.
Stock and ETF Trading Commissions
TradeStation offers a flat-rate commission structure for stock and ETF trades. The commission is $0.50 per share, with a minimum commission of $5 per trade. This means that for trades of 10 shares or less, the commission will be $5.
Option Trading Commissions
For options trades, TradeStation charges a commission of $0.50 per contract, with a minimum commission of $5 per trade. This is in addition to the base stock commission of $5 per trade.
Futures Trading Commissions
TradeStation offers a tiered commission structure for futures trades. The commission ranges from $1.20 to $0.25 per contract, depending on the monthly volume of trades. There is also a clearing fee of $0.25 per contract.
Forex Trading Commissions
TradeStation charges a commission of $0.0002 per unit (minimum of $2.00) on forex trades. This commission is in addition to the pip spread on the trade.
Account Fees
TradeStation does not charge any account maintenance or inactivity fees. However, there are other fees to be aware of, including:
- Wire transfer fee: $30 for domestic transfers, $50 for international transfers
- Paper statement fee: $5 per statement
- Overnight check fee: $35 per check
Customer Support
Customer support is an important factor to consider when choosing a brokerage platform, as traders need reliable support to help them navigate the platform and resolve any issues that may arise. In this review, we will take a close look at TradeStation’s customer support.
Phone Support
TradeStation offers 24/7 phone support for traders in the United States. The support team is knowledgeable and responsive, able to answer questions and provide guidance on trading-related issues. Additionally, TradeStation provides dedicated phone lines for international clients to ensure support is available regardless of location.
Email Support
Traders can also reach out to TradeStation’s support team via email. The response time is usually within 24 hours, and support agents are adept at providing detailed answers to traders’ questions and concerns.
Live Chat Support
TradeStation offers live chat support through their website during business hours. This is a quick and efficient way to get answers to basic questions or concerns, without the need to pick up the phone or send an email.
Knowledge Base and Community
TradeStation provides a comprehensive knowledge base that includes articles, tutorials, and FAQs to help users navigate the platform and its features. Additionally, TradeStation has a community forum where users can exchange ideas and ask questions of each other in a peer-to-peer environment.
Summary
Summary-
Commission Rates5/5 Amazing
-
Trading Platform5/5 Amazing
-
Customer Support4/5 Good
-
Mutual Funds/Bonds Offering3/5 Neutral
-
Cryptocurrency & Forex Offerings3/5 Neutral
Advantages
- Low commission rates
- Advanced trading tools and features
- Comprehensive customer support
Disadvantages
- No mutual fund or bond trading
- Limited forex and cryptocurrency offerings
- Tiered pricing structure for futures trades can be confusing to navigate