Choosing a trading platform

When I was a young child my grandmother used to purchase shares for her grandcildren through a stock broker as she had done for many years in the pre internet era....

Now I can trade any market I want almost 24 hours a day during the week from the comefort of my own home. I can place orders that appear on the listed exchanges from New York to Tokyo paying very small brokerage commissions and trade against any other market participants including huge banks and hedge funds.

The last 5 to 10 years has seen an avalanche of online trading platforms for the home investor, they vary in terms of the number of products offered and the complexity of using the platform; generally speaking the more products, the less user friendly to a home trader it is but thats not always the case.

My first experience of an online platform was over 15 years ago and came in the form of ig index. Index, commonly referred to simply as IG, is a global online tr IG Index, commonly referred to simply as IG, is a global online trading platform based in the UK. It specializes in providing spread betting, contracts for difference (CFDs), forex trading, and other financial derivative products. Founded in 1974, IG was one of the first companies to offer spread betting, and it has since evolved to include a wide range of trading instruments across various markets, including stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, educational resources, and extensive market analysis tools, catering to both beginner and experienced traders.

Robinhood is a commission-free trading platform that allows users to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies through a mobile app and website. Launched in 2013, it gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and accessibility to a younger demographic, promoting a more democratic approach to investing. The platform features real-time market data, educational resources, and the ability for users to create fractional shares, making investing more approachable. However, it has faced scrutiny over issues like gamification of trading, outages during high volatility, and regulatory challenges.

Interactive Brokers is a global brokerage firm known for its extensive range of investment products, competitive pricing, and advanced trading platforms. It caters primarily to professional traders and institutions but also offers services to individual investor clients. The firm is recognized for its robust trading tools, access to international markets, and a range of asset classes including stocks, options, futures, foreign exchange, and bonds. Additionally, Interactive Brokers emphasizes low transaction costs and comprehensive research and educational resources for its users.

Webull is an online brokerage platform that offers commission-free trading of stocks, options, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. It features advanced trading tools, real-time market data, and comprehensive analytical resources, appealing to both novice and experienced investors. Additionally, Webull provides a paper trading feature for users to practice trading strategies without financial risk and has a mobile app for trading on the go.

Tastytrade is a financial network and platform focused on educating investors about trading options and other derivatives. Founded by entrepreneurs Tom Sosnoff and Kristi Ross, it provides a variety of resources, including live shows, podcasts, and a trading platform, aimed at promoting effective trading strategies. Tastytrade emphasizes a hands-on approach, encouraging users to experiment and learn by doing, while also delivering insights on market trends and strategies.

Fidelity Investments offers a comprehensive trading platform that caters to a wide range of investors, from beginners to experienced traders. Its platform features advanced trading tools, real-time analytics, research resources, and customizable dashboards. Fidelity provides access to a variety of asset classes, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, and fixed income. Users also benefit from commission-free trades on stocks and ETFs, along with robust educational materials and dedicated customer support, making it a popular choice for those looking to manage their investment portfolios effectively.

Opinions and comparisons to follow......

platform based in the UK. It specializes in providing spread betting, contracts for difference (CFDs), forex trading, and other financial derivative products. Founded in 1974, IG was one of the first companies to offer spread betting, and it has since evolved to include a wide range of trading instruments across various markets, including stocks, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, educational resources, and extensive market analysis tools, catering to both beginner and experienced traders