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When you compare stock brokers, there are many factors that come into play.The features that you should consider are option/stock trades, trading/research tools, customer service, community features among others.

You must also take note that each online stockbroker has specializations or niches. For example, TradeKing is best for online traders while Scottrade offers the option of local offices.

Your choices vary depending on your needs without worrying what other people want. Of course, you can keep accounts with different brokers to satisfy your different trading needs!

TradeKing

With TradeKing, you need not maintain a minimum balance. The $4.95 lowest transaction fee is very reasonable although it must be emphasized that an additional fee of 0.01per share is imposed on stocks valued under a dollar.

On the bright side, TradeKing does give you the option of broker-assisted trades for $4.95 for every trade executed.You will like the savings because you wont be charged inactivity fees.

Scottrade

As mentioned earlier, Scottrade is for traders who want more high touch or personalized service. Its lowest transaction fee of $7 is offset by the fact that a $500 minimum deposit is required.

Scottrade deals in Pink Sheets, too, although said trades must be broker-assisted with additional fees on the penny stocks priced below $1. Touchstone IVR trades are priced at $17 per trade.Thank goodness, there arent extra fees levied.

Charles Schwab firm

Considered the granddaddy of discount brokerage houses, Charles Schwab brokerage is surprisingly on the expensive side. You have to maintain a minimum balance of $2,500 or $2,000 for IRAs, which is in contrast with the zero policy of TradeKing and Zecco.

Extra fees of $12 will also be charged.50 per quarter on accounts that fall below the minimum. Indeed, when you start to compare stock brokers, keep in mind that Charles Schwab takes plenty of money to use.

TD Ameritrade firm

A top-rated online stockbroker for many industry organizations, TD Ameritrade firm requires a minimum deposit of $2,000 although IRA accounts require half of that amount. There is no catch to the minimum deposit although telephone IVR trades are charged a flat fee of $34.$99 per trade.

Its $44.$99 fees on broker-assited trades is definitely on the higher side in the world of brokerages. You should also take note that additional charges on mail statements and trade confirmations in the US will be charged $2-$5 each.

Zecco

If you are an infrequent long-term trader, then Zecco is the right choice.With the broker Tradking, you dont have to maintain a minimum balance and there are transactions that dont have any fees associated with them.

There is a catch, however. You must trade for 25 times per month, of which the first 10 trades are free. After said free trades, a flat fee of $4.50 per trade is levied. This is equally true if you maintain a $25,000 balance.

When you compare stock brokers, you will begin to see small and large differences in the fees, services and fine print by all these firms.Make it a point to check the differences to get the best bang for your buck. In the end, you want an ally in your side when building your wealth as a stock trader and investor.

Whether you are looking for discount stock brokers or want to invest for a slightly longer period, it all starts with good but cheap stock broker.

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