The below broker ratings chart makes it easy to compare and find a new online broker. While most investors simply seek out low trade commissions it is important to note that trading tools, research, and customer service are also very important when comparing brokers.
This comparison table incorporates data from the StockBrokers.com 2013 Online Broker Review which I highly recommend reading through in conjunction with this chart. Please also refer to my stock brokerage guide here on the site for help, and feel free to email me if you have any specific broker questions.
 Poor Mediocre Good Excellent | ETRADE  | TD Ameritrade  | Options-
House  | Options-
Xpress  | TradeKing Group  | Scottrade  | trade
MONSTER  | ShareBuilder  | MB Trading  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open an Account |  | | | | | | | | | |
| Current Offers | Trade free 60 days + $500 Learn More | Trade free 60 days + $600 Learn More | 150 free trades Learn More | $100 cash bonus Learn More | $150 transfer fees reimbursed Learn More | $100 transfer fees reimbursed Learn More | Trade free 30 days Learn More | |||
| Reviews by StockBrokers.com | ||||||||||
| Open an Account | | | | | | | | | | |
| ETRADE | TD Ameritrade | Options House | Options Xpress | TradeKing | Scottrade | trade MONSTER | ShareBuilder | MB Trading | ||
| * - StockBrokers.com 2013 broker review included 17 brokers with ratings in eight categories: commissions & fees, ease of use, platforms & tools, research, customer service, offering of investments, investor education, and mobile trading. This page was written by and was last updated on 2013-05-02. | ||||||||||
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| Fees | ||||||||||
| Trade Commissions | $9.99 | $9.99 | $3.95 | $9.95 | $4.95 | $7.00 | $7.50 | $6.95 | $4.95 | |
| Options Trade Base | $9.99 | $9.99 | $8.50 | $0.00 | $4.95 | $7.00 | $7.50 | $6.95 | $0.00 | |
| Options Per Contract | $0.75 | $0.75 | $0.15 | $1.50 | $0.65 | $1.25 | $0.50 | $0.75 | $0.95 | |
| Broker Assisted | $54.99 | $44.99 | $3.95 | $9.95 | $4.95 | $27.00 | $7.50 | $19.95 | $4.95 | |
| Minimum Deposit | $500.00 | $2,500.00 | $1,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $500.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $1,000.00 | |
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| StockBrokers.com 2013 Review* Recommendations | ||||||||||
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| Recap | ||||||||||