TD Ameritrade caters to both beginners and active traders by offering quality trading platforms, $0 commissions online for ETF and stock trades and a large range of mutual fund options.
TD Ameritrade offers a great deal with their $0 minimum deposit, free research tools and tools, as well as multiple trading platforms aimed towards both beginners and experts.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Commission-free ETF trading and stock trades
- Free research.
- High-quality trading platform.
- No minimum account.
- Good customer support.
- Large investment options
Cons
- No fractional share.
TD Ameritrade shines
Free research by TD Ameritrade: TD Ameritrade offers a wide variety of third-party analysis from highly reputable resources, including the Federal Reserve Economic Database and Center for Financial Research and Analysis. This research is completely free for users.
High-quality trading portals: In addition TD Ameritrade mobile and web platforms, the highly rated Thinkorswim platform offers professional-level trades on desktop or mobile.
TDAmeritrade’s customer assistance is exceptional. We offer 24 hour support via phone, text and fax. Live chat, email and social media are all available. In-person meetings can also be arranged at more than 250 branches.
Large selection of investments: TD Ameritrade’s portfolio includes everything you need, from low-cost mutual money to advanced products like forex trading or futures.
TD Ameritrade fails where it counts
Fractional Shares: Fractional securities were once an exclusive offering. But major players like Fidelity, Schwab and Schwab now offer fractional brokerage. TD Ameritrade remains a non-profit, but investors with limited resources may wish to look elsewhere. Fractional share allow you the flexibility to invest in dollars, and not by shares. This makes it possible to create a portfolio of stocks which may otherwise be too expensive.
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TD Ameritrade excels at:
- Investors starting from scratch
- Advanced traders
- Advice/education for investors
- Fund investors
TD Ameritrade in a glance
Account minimum – $0
Stock trading costs – $0
Account fees (annual, transfer, closing, inactivity)
No annual, inactivity or late fee. $75 transfer total; $0 partial
There are many mutual funds with no transaction fees
More than 3,700
Tradable securities
* Stocks. * Bonds. * Mutual funds. * ETFs. * Futures. * Forex. * Foreign ADRs. * IPOs to qualified accounts
Crypto availability
Cryptocurrencies are not available directly, but crypto-coin trusts are available over the counter. Qualified clients can trade Bitcoin futures with CME.
Trading platform
Two platforms are available: TD Ameritrade web, and thinkorswim(desktop).
Mobile app
TD Ameritrade’s mobile app, TDA thoughtorswim app
Research and data
Research, analysis as well as commentary and news are available from 15 companies, including Argus.
The customer support options include how easy it’s to find key information on your website.
Phone, email, live chat support 24/7. Technical phone support Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. Eastern – 6 p.m. Eastern. In-person support at 250+ branches. Support is also available via text and Facebook Messenger as well as Twitter direct message, Apple Business chat, and Amazon Alexa.
More details about TD Ameritrade’s rating
Minimum account: 5 stars
TD Ameritrade does have a minimum account.
Stock trading costs: 5/5 stars
TD Ameritrade has no commission for stock trading. There is a $6.95 charge if your plan is to trade non-listed securities like the NYSE.
Account fees: 5 out of 5 stars
TD Ameritrade’s only significant fee to mention is its $75 full account transfer charge. If you wish to transfer all of the assets to another brokerage this fee will be charged. The broker doesn’t charge any fees for partial transfer, nor do they charge annual or inactivity fee.
4 out 5 stars: No-transaction-fee mutual fund
Although the number 3700 mutual funds that are free of transaction fees isn’t as big as some brokers, it’s still a wide selection.
TD Ameritrade excels also in low-cost and minimal-minimum fund offerings. It offers over 500 mutual accounts with expense ratios as low as 0.50% and over 1000 with investment minimums between $100 and $100. It’s a good broker for novice mutual fund investors.
5 out Of 5 Stars for Tradable Securities
TD Ameritrade has the best investment selection because it offers all types of investments, including futures forex and bitcoin futures trading, to its clients.
Crypto availability: 2/5 stars
TD Ameritrade cannot offer direct access for cryptocurrencies. However there are crypto-based product options, such as Grayscale Bitcoin Trust through TD Ameritrade. Qualified TD Ameritrade Clients can trade Bitcoin Futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
5 stars out of 5 for Trading Platform
TD Ameritrade’s two main trading platforms offer a mobile version.
TDAmeritrade.com is an on-ramp that provides all the tools that average investors need to find, research, screen, and trade stocks. This platform is free and includes:
- Screeners.
- A customizable landing page.
- GainsKeeper by brokers, which allows you to track capital gains as well as losses for tax season.
The company also has thinkorswim, a desktop trading platform that is targeted at serious stock, ETF futures, forex and forex traders. It features all the features needed by active traders, including customized screeners, charting and backtesting capabilities.
If you are unable to reach your laptop or don’t have any mobile apps installed, You can also place code-red, emergency trades on third-party platforms through Twitter Direct Messaging, Facebook Messenger, or Apple Business Chat. TD Ameritrade’s voice-enabled investments with Google Assistant are now available. It also offers in-vehicle smartphone experiences and voice-enabled buying, which allows investors to stay on top of market developments while driving.
The company also offers a virtual simulator for trading. This mock trading account is unusual as few brokers offer it. TD Ameritrade paperMoney is a platform for advanced and frequent traders. It gives you $100,000 in practice money, as well as access to a margin fund. It’s accessible free via the broker’s two platforms, as well its Mobile Trader mobile app. Non-customers are welcome to register for a free 60 days trial. This gives them the opportunity to evaluate a new platform and to determine if it is worth setting up a real account.
App for mobile phones – 4 stars out of 5
The broker has the option to choose between a number of platforms. TD Ameritrade Mobile for Android and iOS is a companion application to the desktop platform. The TD Ameritrade thoughtorswim mobile app is for advanced traders. It’s a companion app to its desktop platform. TD Ameritrade Mobile Web – a mobile-optimized web platform – is also available.
TD Ameritrade Mobile includes much of its trading functionality, as well as Level II quotes (which are not available via the web platform). The app offers custom watchlists as well as educational videos and many alert options so investors are notified when their holdings change.
Thinkorswim includes options and forex trading, as well complex order capabilities (three and four legs), and chat support at TD’s trade desk.
Data and research: 5 stars
TD Ameritrade’s unique research selection sets it apart from other brokerages. With research, analysis, commentary or news from 15 providers (including FREDE, FREDE, CFRA, Vickers and Morningstar), TD Ameritrade is able to access research, commentary and news from all of them.
Customer support options: Rated 4.5 out Of 5 stars
TD Ameritrade has the best customer service. There are more then 250 branches throughout the country, which offer support in any medium (texting, social media, etc.).
Other TD Ameritrade details which you should know
Charles Schwab has completed the acquisition of TD Ameritrade by Charles Schwab in October 2020. Integration of the two companies is anticipated to take place over 18 to 36 more months.
Is TD Ameritrade right?
TD Ameritrade can be described as a rare broker that covers all the bases well. Clients can get a remarkable list of services, including portfolio building guidance, hands on investing courses, trading instruments, and a wide range of mutual funds with no transaction fees.
