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Online Stock Brokers Compared

Online stock brokers make it fast, easy and affordable for anybody to start investing. Many have no minimum deposit requirements and provide trades for less than $10 each. Here’s a look at Money Under 30’s most recommended online stock brokers.

Whether you want to open a regular, taxable investment account or set up a traditional, Roth, or rollover IRA, these discount online stock brokers will have you up and trading in just minutes.

Scottrade

Editor’s Pick! Scottrade offers unlimited trades for just $7, no maintenance or inactivity fees, and the convenience of 467 physical branches nationwide (something no other discount brokers match). Get started trading with a low minimum $500 opening deposit.

Start investing with Scottrade now

Zecco

Zecco features no minimum balance requirement and inexpensive $4.50 trades, but they do charge a $30 annual fee. If you have a balance of at least $25,000 or make 25 trades a month, however, you get 10 free trades per month, making Zecco a great deal, fee notwithstanding. Also a SmartMoney Magazine “best discount broker”.

Start investing with Zecco now

TradeKing

Also voted a SmartMoney best online broker, TradeKing does not have minimum balance requirement or an annual fee and trades are only $4.95. If your old broker charges you “transfer-out” fees, TradeKing will also reimburse you, up to $150.

Start investing with TradeKing now

OptionsXpress

OptionsXpress is more than just options; it’s a full-service online brokerage that has no minimum account balance requirements or annual fees. Trades cost $14.95 with no additional charge for broker-assisted trades. Experts often rank OptionsExpress’ online trading tools among the best.

Start investing with OptionsXpress now

tradeMONSTER

tradeMONSTER has no annual fees, no minimum balance requirement, and $7.50 trades. You can also practice trading using real stock data (but not real money) using their feature paperTRADE.

Start investing with tradeMONSTER now

E*Trade

E*Trade gives new accounts 100 commission-free trades that can be used within 30 days of account opening; subsequent trades cost $12.99 each.

Start investing with E*Trade now