TD Ameritrade is one of the largest online brokers in the United States, offering a wide range of financial products and services for investors of all levels. With its advanced trading platforms, comprehensive research tools, and educational resources, TD Ameritrade has become a popular choice among self-directed investors. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features and benefits of TD Ameritrade, as well as its fees and potential drawbacks, to help you decide if it is the right broker for your investment needs.
Features
TD Ameritrade offers a robust set of features that cater to investors of all levels. Here are some of the most notable features:
- Trading platforms: TD Ameritrade offers multiple trading platforms, including the flagship thinkorswim platform for advanced traders, the web-based platform for casual traders, and mobile apps for on-the-go trading.
- Comprehensive research: TD Ameritrade provides extensive research tools, including analyst reports, independent research, market news, and social sentiment analysis.
- Educational resources: TD Ameritrade offers a wide range of educational resources, including online courses, live events, and webinars, to help investors improve their knowledge and skills.
- Investment products: TD Ameritrade offers a diverse range of investment products, including stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, futures, and forex.
- Retirement planning: TD Ameritrade provides retirement planning resources and services, including IRA accounts, 401(k) rollovers, and retirement income planning.
- Customer support: TD Ameritrade offers 24/7 customer support through phone, email, live chat, and in-person at its branch locations.
Overall, TD Ameritrade provides a comprehensive set of features that can meet the needs of a wide range of investors.
Fees and commissions
TD Ameritrade offers a transparent and competitive pricing structure. For online equity trades, the commission fee is $0 per trade, which is in line with some of its major competitors. Options trades have a base fee of $0.65 per contract with no exercise or assignment fees. Mutual funds are available at no transaction fee (NTF) and without loads, while non-NTF mutual funds carry a transaction fee of $49.99.
However, it’s important to note that there may be additional fees for certain services, such as broker-assisted trades or wire transfers, and margin trading also carries interest charges. Additionally, there may be fees for inactive accounts or accounts that fall below a certain balance threshold.
Overall, TD Ameritrade’s commission and fee structure is competitive and transparent, making it an appealing option for investors looking for a reliable and affordable investment platform.
Research and Tools
TD Ameritrade provides a wide range of research and tools to help investors make informed decisions.
The platform offers several trading platforms, including the flagship thinkorswim platform, which provides advanced charting, technical analysis tools, and customizability options. TD Ameritrade also offers a mobile app that allows users to trade, monitor their accounts, and access news and educational resources on the go.
In terms of research, TD Ameritrade provides access to third-party research reports and analyses from respected industry sources, such as Morningstar and The Street. The platform also offers in-house research and market commentary, including daily market updates, investment strategy insights, and webcasts featuring prominent industry experts.
TD Ameritrade’s tools and resources also include a comprehensive education center, which features a variety of articles, videos, and online courses designed to help investors improve their knowledge and skills. The platform also provides a paper trading simulator that allows users to practice trading strategies without risking real money.
Overall, TD Ameritrade’s research and tools are robust and extensive, providing investors with the resources they need to make informed decisions and improve their investment performance.
Investment Options
TD Ameritrade offers a wide range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), futures, options, forex trading, and more.
The platform provides access to over 13,000 mutual funds, including those from leading fund companies such as Vanguard and Fidelity, with over 4,000+ NTF funds. TD Ameritrade also offers a large selection of ETFs from several providers, including its proprietary ETFs.
Stock traders can choose from a vast selection of individual stocks listed on major U.S. exchanges, as well as international stocks listed on foreign exchanges. TD Ameritrade also provides access to IPOs and secondary offerings for eligible account holders.
For advanced traders, TD Ameritrade offers futures trading, options trading, and forex trading. The thinkorswim platform provides advanced order types, risk management tools, and customizable analytics for these asset classes.
Overall, TD Ameritrade’s investment options are diverse and comprehensive, allowing investors to build and manage a well-diversified portfolio.
Customer Service
TD Ameritrade’s customer service is known for being responsive and helpful. The platform provides multiple ways to access customer support, including phone and email support, live chat, and in-person support at local branches.
Users can also find answers to common questions through TD Ameritrade’s extensive online help center, which features a searchable knowledge base, video tutorials, and user guides. The platform also offers a “Virtual Assistant” feature that utilizes AI technology to answer frequently asked questions.
Furthermore, TD Ameritrade provides educational resources and tools to help users learn more about investing and trading. These resources include webinars, video tutorials, articles, and even live events hosted by industry experts.
Overall, TD Ameritrade’s customer service is highly regarded among its users, and the platform’s commitment to providing robust educational resources and support helps to ensure a positive user experience.
Summary
Summary-
Investment Options5/5 Amazing
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Research and Tools5/5 Amazing
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Customer Service5/5 Amazing
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Education Resources4/5 Good
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Fees & Commissions4/5 Good
The Good
- Extensive research and tools to help investors make informed decisions
- Wide range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, options, and forex trading
- Excellent customer service with multiple ways to access support
- Comprehensive educational resources and tools to help users learn more about investing and trading
The Bad
- Trading fees are higher than some other online brokers
- Web-based platform is not as advanced as the thinkorswim platform for advanced traders
- No commission-free ETFs offered by TD Ameritrade
