Broker fees can vary significantly depending on the platform and the services provided. Here’s a comparison of some common brokers:

1. TD Ameritrade
TD Ameritrade offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, and options, with no account minimum. However, they charge for managed accounts, mutual fund transactions, and other services.

2. E*TRADE
E*TRADE also offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs, with $0 fees for online trades. Options trades come with a $0.65 per contract fee. Managed account services have their Comparison of broker fees own fees, and mutual fund transactions may also come with costs.

3. Charles Schwab
Schwab provides commission-free trades for stocks, ETFs, and options with no account minimum. However, there are fees for certain mutual fund purchases, and margin interest rates apply if borrowing funds.

4. Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
IBKR has one of the lowest commission structures, with a per-share fee for stock trades starting at $0.005. They charge for margin interest and market data subscriptions, but the fees are generally lower than many other brokers, making it ideal for frequent traders.

5. Robinhood
Robinhood offers commission-free trading for stocks, options, and ETFs, making it a very cost-effective platform for casual traders. However, some services, such as margin trading (Robinhood Gold), come with additional costs.

Comparison Summary

• Best for Low Fees: Interactive Brokers
• Best for Commission-Free Trades: TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Schwab, and Robinhood
• Best for Margin Trading: Interactive Brokers (due to lower margin rates)