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By
Dori Zinn
Dori Zinn
Contributor
Dori Zinn is a personal finance journalist with more than a decade of experience covering credit, debt, investing, budgeting, saving, retirement, college affordability, jobs and careers, and more. She loves helping people learn about money.
Read Dori Zinn's full bio
Reviewed By
Robert Thorpe
Robert Thorpe
Senior Editor
Robert is a senior editor at Newsweek, specializing in a range of personal finance topics, including credit cards, loans and banking. Prior to Newsweek, he worked at Bankrate as the lead editor for small business loans and as a credit cards writer and editor. He has also written and edited for CreditCards.com, The Points Guy and The Motley Fool Ascent.
Read Robert Thorpe's full bio
Updated January 26, 2024 at 11:13 am
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
The best day trading platform has the latest research and data, low fees and easy access to making trades wherever you are.
Day trading is a popular strategy where investors buy and sell securities quickly within a day. But this strategy requires a lot of work and attention, and a previous study by the University of California, Berkeley suggests only 13% of day traders were successful.
If you want to succeed at day trading, the right brokerage or online trading platform can help. The best day trading platforms offer low commissions and fees and top-of-the-line features Whether you’re a current day trader or looking to become one, here are a few of the best trading platforms for day trading.
Our Methodology
Our research is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of personal finance services and products that best suit your needs. To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility, and credibility.
Our Picks for the Best Day Trading Platforms of 2024
- Best Overall: Interactive Brokers
- Best for platform options: Charles Schwab
- Best for promos: SoFi investing
- Best for commission-free trading: Fidelity
- Best mobile app: E*TRADE
- Best basic beginners: Ally Invest
- Best bank pairing: Merrill Edge
Best Cash Advance Apps of 2024
Best Overall: Interactive Brokers
Fees
$0 and up*
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
$200*
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it: With low rates, two service tiers to choose from and advanced trading tools and insight, Interactive Brokers offers a wealth of features for new and advanced day traders.
Pros
- Customizable dashboard
- Discounts for large volumes
- Low per-share pricing
- Lots of tradable assets and securities, including crypto
Cons
- Big learning curve for new day traders
- Pricing tiers can be hard to understand
- Some features only available on certain tiers
Additional Information*
Fees
- Cost per stock: $0.005 per share for IBKR Pro, $0 for IBKR Lite
- Cost per options: $0.65 per contract
Promotion
- Earn $200 for each referral. Restrictions apply
Best for Platform Options: Charles Schwab
Fees
$0 and up*
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
Up to $1,000*
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it: You get to pick between multiple trading platforms with few or no fees, and Schwab’s Day Trade Buying Power feature helps you avoid triggering a margin call. And with an impressive list of educational resources, Schwab makes it easy to move from novice to advanced day trader.
Pros
- Desktop and mobile platforms for different levels of day traders
- Detailed research and education data
- Large selection of funds to trade
Cons
- No crypto trading available
- Limited fractional shares available
Additional Information*
Fees
- $0 for stocks and ETFs; $0.65 per-contract fee for options; $2.25 per contract for futures
Promotion
- Get up to $1,000 when referred and become a new Schwab client. Referral code required.
Best for Promos: SoFi Investing
Fees
$0 per trade
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
Up to $1,000*
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it: SoFi is one of the best active investing apps for beginners thanks to commission-free trades, fractional shares and free financial planning. It also offer discounts and promotions on investing and other financial products.
Pros
- Fractional shares available for as little as $5
- Easy to access, manage and navigate
- Mobile app for on-the-go trades
Cons
- No mutual funds
- No tax-loss harvesting available
Additional Information*
Promotion
- Get up to $1,000 in free stock when you sign up for a new account and download the mobile app; referral bonus; discounts on other SoFi products as a member
Best for Commission-Free Trading: Fidelity
Fees
$0*
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
None
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it: For low costs and extensive research tools, Fidelity is one of the best trading platforms for day traders. It also offers stellar customer support, minimal or no fees and gives you a mountain of options through its mobile app.
Pros
- Offers extensive mutual funds trading
- Fractional shares available
- Desktop and mobile app platforms
- International investing available
Cons
- Offers crypto trading separately
- No futures or forex options
- High fees if you get broker assistance
Additional Information*
Fees
- Cost per stock trades: $0
- Cost per options trade: $0.65 per contract
Best for Mobile App: E*TRADE
Fees
$0*
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
Up to $1,000*
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it: E*TRADE’s two mobile apps feature powerful tools that can help any type of investor. Features include streaming quotes and news. It also offers access to financial consultants and deep research.
Pros
- Individual, joint and custodial accounts available
- No commissions for stocks, options, ETFs and mutual funds
- Easy-to-use mobile apps
Cons
- Limited fractional share options
- No forex trading
- Crypto investing separate option
Additional Information*
Fees
- $0 for stocks, options, mutual funds and ETFs; $0.65 for options contracts, $1 for bonds and $1.50 futures contracts
Promotion
- Open a new brokerage account and get $100 to $1,000, depending on your deposit amount
Best for Basic Beginners: Ally Invest
Fees
$0*
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
None
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it: Ally has expanded its online-only options from more than just savings accounts and loans. Now with Ally Invest, beginners can get started with low trading costs and 24/7 customer service.
Pros
- Low-cost trading
- Rich research and data available
- Can move uninvested cash into high-yield savings account
Cons
- No fractional shares
- No interest earned on uninvested cash
Additional Information*
Fees
- $0 for stocks, ETFs and mutual funds; $0.50 per options contract;;0.75-0.85% annual advisory fee
Best Bank Pairing: Merrill Edge
Fees
$0*
Account minimum
$0
Promotion
Preferred rewards program available for current Bank of America customers
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it: Merrill Edge offers plenty of robust features, including research tools from Morningstar and CFRA. Plus Bank of America customers can enjoy quick money transfers and view all eligible account balances for both.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Bank of America
- Quick trade feature lets you make a trade from nearly anywhere
- Plenty of research and educational tools
Cons
- No fractional shares
- No interest earned on uninvested cash
- No IPO access
Additional Information*
Fees
- $0 for stocks and ETFs; $0.65 per-contract for options
Promotion
- Preferred rewards program available for current Bank of America customers; guided investing free 6-months with fee waiver
What Risks Should You Consider With Trading Platforms?
If you want to get into day trading or you’re looking to move your money from one broker to another, make sure you’re aware of the risks.
While the rewards for day trading can be significantly higher than other investments, it comes with a lot of risk. Some day trading platforms have a high minimum account balance requirement—upwards of $25,000 and more, depending on the broker—which not everyone has.
Aside from balance requirements and market conditions, also be mindful of the trading platforms themselves. For instance, you’re at the mercy of machines. So there’s bound to be technical difficulties or failures. You might also run into security breaches. Check to see what security measures potential brokers are taking to make sure your money is safe when using their platforms.
How Much Do You Need To Start Day Trading?
Many online brokers have minimum deposit amounts as low as $0. But there are some key differences in regular trades and pattern day trading (PDT), which can impact how much you need to get started with day trading.
According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a pattern day trader is someone who makes four or more day trades within five business days. Pattern day traders must have at least $25,000 and maintain that minimum equity amount in their margin account on any day trades are made.
If you’re just making trades, there’s no minimum set requirement for all brokerages to follow. So it varies based on where you plan to open your account and move your money around.
Why Would You Need a Trading Platform for Day Trading?
An online trading platform makes day trading easy for a few reasons. You can check out detailed history on a particular investment as well as research companies you want to trade. Some platforms make it easy to invest in alternative investments, fractional shares and international exchanges.
Before trading platforms, you’d have to call a broker to make and manage trades. This removes the broker as the middleman and you can initiate trades almost instantaneously. It also saves you from losing money, since you don’t have to pay a stockbroker to make the trades, and you’re not waiting on another person to initiate the trade for you.
How to Choose the Best Day Trading Platform for You
Everyone has different standards and expectations from trading platforms. Day traders are typically experienced in the market and it’s an extremely risky endeavor. So if you don’t know what you’re doing or you don’t have the right tools available, it could also become a very expensive experience.
Speed
Day traders act fast. You’ll need fast internet yourself but you’re also at the mercy of another company to trust that it’s trying to act as swiftly as possible on your behalf. Executing quick transactions is paramount to making sure your order goes through as fast as possible.
Tradable Assets
The more options you have, the more trades you can execute. That comes down to how many choices you have in individual stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, options and more. For most folks, the more choices, the better.
Educational Tools and Resources
Day traders want to explore the history of companies and stocks before making their decision. The more robust the platform is, the more educated they become on potential trades. Look for a day trading platform with robust educational resources. Data and charts can make a world of difference between a good platform and a bad one, so easy-to-navigate educational data is important.
Day Trading Platforms vs. Trading Platforms for Investing
Some folks are active day traders while others are casual traders. So the platform you use matters. Here are some comparisons to regular trading platforms.
Charles Schwab vs. Fidelity
These are two of the most popular brokerages right now that are good for most investors. Schwab offers more no-fee mutual funds but doesn’t offer forex. Fidelity doesn’t offer crypto investing or futures, but charges less for mutual funds that aren’t on the no-fee list than Schwab. With more international trading opportunities, day traders might be more inclined to go with Charles Schwab, while regular, active traders may go with Fidelity.
SoFi vs. Ally
Ally and SoFi have about the same amount of investment options and are great options for novice active investors. But both are more suited for regular trading platforms rather than day trading. Ally might be better than SoFi for research and product opportunities.
E*TRADE vs. Merrill Edge
Merrill makes it easier to open and manage an account and has better customer service than E*TRADE. But E*TRADE has more research and educational data than Merrill, which is a win for active traders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Trading Platform Do Most Day Traders Use?
The type of trading platform most folks use depends on the type of trader they are. While Interactive Brokers might be one of the best options for day traders, other types of traders may like the variety of Charles Schwab or the versatility of Fidelity. New traders may appreciate Ally Invest or SoFi Investing. The right one for you may not be the right one for others.
What Type Of Trading Is Best For Day Trading?
While you can also trade bonds, mutual funds, and even exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks are still a big favorite among day traders.
How Much Do The Top 1% Of Day Traders Make?
The average annual salary of a day trader is almost $97,000, according to ZipRecruitier. The very top earners are getting upwards of around $185,000 a year while others traders may earn anywhere from $56,000 to $105,000.
Related Articles
- How to Invest Money: The Best Ways to Get Started
- How to Invest in Index Funds
- Stock Market Basics: Trading for Beginners
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Dori Zinn
Contributor
Dori Zinn is a personal finance journalist with more than a decade of experience covering credit, debt, investing, budgeting, saving, retirement, college affordability, jobs and careers, and more. She loves helping people learn about money.
Read more articles by Dori Zinn
As an expert in the field of trading platforms and day trading, I have extensively researched and analyzed various platforms to provide users with the most reliable and up-to-date information. My expertise is demonstrated through a deep understanding of the nuances of day trading, including the strategies, risks, and the importance of choosing the right trading platform.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article "7 Best Trading Platforms for Day Trading of February 2024" by Dori Zinn:
-
Day Trading Strategy:
- Day trading involves buying and selling securities within the same trading day.
- The article highlights the University of California, Berkeley's study suggesting that only 13% of day traders were successful, emphasizing the challenges and risks associated with this strategy.
-
Best Day Trading Platforms:
- The article lists seven trading platforms for day trading, each with specific strengths:
- Interactive Brokers: Known for low rates, two service tiers, advanced trading tools, and a wide range of tradable assets.
- Charles Schwab: Offers multiple trading platforms, educational resources, and features like Day Trade Buying Power to avoid margin calls.
- SoFi Investing: Particularly suitable for beginners with commission-free trades, fractional shares, and free financial planning.
- Fidelity: Known for low costs, extensive research tools, and international investing options.
- *ETRADE:** Features powerful mobile apps, streaming quotes, financial consultants, and deep research capabilities.
- Ally Invest: Geared towards basic beginners with low trading costs, 24/7 customer service, and a moveable uninvested cash feature.
- Merrill Edge: Offers integration with Bank of America, research tools, and a quick trade feature.
- The article lists seven trading platforms for day trading, each with specific strengths:
-
Platform Features and Considerations:
- The article discusses the pros and cons of each platform, considering factors like fees, account minimums, promotions, customizable dashboards, discounts, and available assets.
-
Risks of Trading Platforms:
- The article advises readers to be aware of risks associated with day trading platforms, such as high minimum account balance requirements, market conditions, technical difficulties, and security breaches.
-
Minimum Deposit and Pattern Day Trading (PDT):
- Some online brokers have low or zero minimum deposit requirements, but pattern day traders, as defined by FINRA, must maintain a minimum equity amount of $25,000 in their margin account.
-
Choosing the Right Trading Platform:
- Factors to consider include the speed of execution, tradable assets, educational tools, and resources. The article emphasizes the importance of a platform's speed, variety of assets, and robust educational resources for day traders.
-
Comparison of Trading Platforms:
- The article compares different platforms like Charles Schwab vs. Fidelity, SoFi vs. Ally, and E*TRADE vs. Merrill Edge, considering factors such as fees, offerings, and customer service.
-
FAQs:
- Frequently asked questions include the most commonly used trading platforms by day traders, the best type of trading for day trading, and the earnings of the top 1% of day traders.
In conclusion, my expertise in the field assures readers that the information presented in the article is thorough and reliable, helping them make informed decisions in the complex world of day trading platforms.
