Gone are the days when we had to visit a broker to trade options. Now, you can trade options online without ever leaving your home. There are so many websites, and it can be hard to choose one. You shouldn't trust your finances just any company out there. These sites are the best of the best.
OptionsHouse
OptionsHouse has plenty of tools for the rookie trader, but it’s also useful for experienced traders. It has an easy-to-use platform that’s great for beginners and alerts that inform you when there’s a change in your assets. Trading is also incredibly affordable with a $4.95 flat-rate for stocks, a $0.50 options price per contract, and a $4.95 base fee. You can also trade futures for $2.00 per contract. The margins for OptionsHouse are 3.25%-7.75%.
TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade has excellent customer service and a user-friendly website that nearly anyone can use. It allows clients plenty of research and education offerings to further their experience in options trading. It also has 24/7 customer service and a mobile app for iPads and other devices. TD Ameritrade charges a $9.99 fee plus $0.75 to start trading options. It also has options exercises and assignments to help you get better at trading for $19.99. For those who are not experienced, you can get help from a broker for a fee of $44.99 plus $0.75 per contract.
TradeStation Securities
TradeStation Securities has a highly advanced trade platform that supports third-party development via EasyLanguage. It may not be the best website for those who aren’t experienced with options trading, but it’s perfect for the seasoned veteran. It offers industry-leading historical data sets for deep analysis so you can make educated decisions. Options trading is priced per trade depending on how many trades you make per month. Prices per trade are set between $4.99 and $9.99 while the price per contract is $0.20-$0.70.
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is a household name for trading because of the investment advisors who are readily available to offer guidance with a vast range of products. The industry leading experience can help you make the best decision for your portfolio. Trading options are priced at $0.75 per contract with an $8.95 commission on single and multi-leg orders. You can also make broker-assisted trades for the online pricing plus a $25.00 service charge. Automated phone deals are also available for the online pricing plus a $5.00 fee.
Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments is designed for people who are getting ready to retire. This company offers fixed income investments and research, as well as international trading that doesn’t require secondary accounts. There is no fee to start your account, and margins are competitive with rates as low as 3.75%. Stocks and options tradings are priced at $7.95 per trade plus $0.75 per contract for options. The mobile app makes it easy for you to buy and sell on the go. You can download the Fidelity app on six platforms including Android, Apple, Windows, and Kindle devices.
