Top 5 TD Ameritrade competitors

• Commission-free stocks, ETFs, options and crypto
• User-friendly interface
• Fractional-share trading

While commission-free trading is commonplace, there's a reason investors have stuck around with Robinhood: it's easy. Instant deposits give investors immediate cash to invest and fractional shares let investors buy stocks and crypto with as little as $1. To compare, an impressive 22.8 million people used Robinhood as of spring 2022, compared to TD Ameritrade's 11 million.

Those looking for margin investing, more in-depth research and Level II market data can subscribe to Robinhood Gold for $5 per month. But active traders won't find the most sophisticated research tools, like advanced stock screeners and charting. And investors won't have access to securities like mutual funds, forex and precious metals.

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per year
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get a free stock
  Cash sweep APY	4%

• Advanced traders
• Investors who want access to global markets
• Investors who want access to a wide variety of securities

IB offers a variety of advanced research tools and investment options, making it a solid choice for advanced traders and investors looking to expand their portfolios. You can also place more than 100 different order types and access complex trading algorithms.

CSFB Crossfinder+, for example, identifies liquidity among independent and broker-owned dark pools while offering continuous crossing capabilities. According to its website, CrossFinder+ will spread your order over multiple destinations and fill at the midpoint or better.

IB should give the experienced, active investor much to tinker with, which should feel familiar to TD Ameritrade customers or customers coming from other advanced trading platforms. But depending on your skill level, some features may be overwhelming. IB's fee structure for its Pro level can also be complex. Beginners may be interested in the broker's IB Lite platform, which offers commission-free trading on US-listed stocks and ETFs.

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Forex, Treasury Bills, Precious metals
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per year
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	N/A
  Cash sweep APY	3.83% Lite 4.83% Pro

• Fractional share trading
• Automated investing

Like other discount brokers, SoFi lets you trade stocks and ETFs no-fee commission, and there are no account minimums to get started. SoFi also offers an automated investing account, or robo-advisor, with just a $50 minimum investment. As we mentioned earlier, investors who stick with TD Ameritrade through the integration will need to pay $5,000 to use Charles Schwab's robo-advisory service.

SoFi doesn't offer futures, forex or mutual funds

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives
  Account types	Brokerage
  Annual fee	$0 per month
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	Get up to $1,000 in stock
  Cash sweep APY	0.01%

• Partner terms and conditions

  INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
  
  Other fees, such as exchange fees, may apply. Please view our fee disclosure to view a full listing of fees.
  
  Investing in alternative investments and/or strategies may not be suitable for all investors and involves unique risks, including the risk of loss. An investor should consider their individual circumstances and any investment information, such as a prospectus, prior to investing. Interval Funds are illiquid instruments, the ability to trade on your timeline may be restricted. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA(www.finra.org) /SIPC(www.sipc.org).
  
  There are limitations with fractional shares to consider before investing. During market hours fractional share orders are transmitted immediately in the order received. There may be system delays from receipt of your order until execution and market conditions may adversely impact execution prices. Outside of market hours orders are received on a not held basis and will be aggregated for each security then executed in the morning trade window of the next business day at market open. Share will be delivered at an average price received for executing the securities through a single batched order. Fractional shares may not be transferred to another firm. Fractional shares will be sold when a transfer or closure request is initiated. Please consider that selling securities is a taxable event.
  
  Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire investment Before trading options please review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options
  
  Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
  
  Utilizing a margin loan is generally considered more appropriate for experienced investors as there are additional costs and risks associated. It is possible to lose more than your initial investment when using margin. Please see https://www.sofi.com/wealth/assets/documents/brokerage-margin-disclosure-statement.pdf for detailed disclosure information
  
  Up to $1,000 in stock. Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $50 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.
  
  SoFi Plus members can schedule an unlimited number of appointments with a financial planner during periods in which the SoFi Plus member meets the eligibility criteria set forth in section 10(a) of the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions. SoFi members who are not members of SoFi Plus can schedule one (1) appointment with a financial planner. The ability to schedule appointments is subject to financial planner availability. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this benefit at any time with or without notice. Advisory services are offered by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information about SoFi Wealth’s advisory operations, services, and fees is set forth in SoFi Wealth’s current Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure), a copy of which is available upon request and at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
  
  Robo Advisor:
  Automated investing is offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.
  0.25% fee is based on your account value. The wrap program fee may cost more or less than purchasing brokerage, custodial, and record keeping services separately.

• Fractional share trading
• Robust research tools
• No minimum and expense-ratio-free index funds

While TD Ameritrade offers numerous low-cost funds, Fidelity Investments takes it a step further by offering several no expense ratio and no minimum mutual index funds. Fidelity also offers fractional share trading — something TD Ameritrade customers won't get until their account moves to Charles Schwab. However, like TD Ameritrade, Fidelity doesn't offer direct access to cryptocurrency.

Fidelity clients can invest on their own or open an account with Fidelity Go, the firm's robo-advisor. TD Ameritrade clients will have access to Schwab's robo-advisor after the merger, but it requires a $5,000 minimum deposit. Fidelity Go lets you get started with $10, and the management fee is waived for accounts holding less than $10,000.

Those used to TD Ameritrade's excellent research capabilities should be pleased with Fidelity's library of research tools, including stock screeners with more than 140 criteria and access to more than a dozen third-party research providers, including Recognia, Refinitiv and McLean Capital Management.

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Gold/Commodities, CDs, Treasury Bills
  Account types	Brokerage, IRA, Custodial, Joint brokerage, Trust
  Annual fee	$0 per year
  Minimum deposit	$0
  Signup bonus	N/A
  Cash sweep APY	4.95%

• Its large selection of quality ETFs and mutual funds
• Its long-term investment options
• Its low-fee index funds

As a leader in low-cost investing, Vanguard is an ideal choice for the buy-and-hold investor. But active traders can also benefit from commission-free stock trading.

Those saving for retirement will find a selection of more than 160 no-transaction-fee mutual funds from Vanguard and other companies and thousands of commission-free ETFs. The most passive investors can use Vanguard's digital advisor when their account reaches $3,000. Long-term investors with an eligible 401(k) retirement account can enroll with as little as $5. Vanguard charges 0.20% in advisory fees for its robo-advisory services.

But active investors may want more out of Vanguard, which lacks the research tools offered by TD Ameritrade and other competitors.

• More details

  Available asset types	Stocks, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs
  Account types	Brokerage, IRA, Education (529), Custodial, Trust
  Annual fee	$20 per year
  Minimum deposit	$50,000
  Signup bonus	N/A
  Cash sweep APY