Looking For Brokerage/Platforms For Equity Day-Trading

[CaptJohnny 10]

Hello, I am looking to move from Schwab Street Smart Pro into something a bit more serious for very actively day trading. I am averaging 20-40 trades a day, usually 30-40K lots in very liquid products.

 

I am looking for opinions on what trading systems you are using for manually executed trading, I am not into automated platforms just yet.

 

Thank you for your time and help in this matter, I appreciate your time.

 

Johnny

[MadMarketScientist 11]

I'm sure you'll get other opinions as well and they could be varied but a couple that come to mind for me are:

 

Think or Swim/TD Ameritrade

 

and

 

Interactive Brokers (and I might even suggest using the Ninja Trader front end for order placement/management)

[cuttshot 11]

I agree with MMS that thinkorswim is a nice option. They aren't going to be the cheapest with commissions up front but you can usually negotiate a lower rate with them.

 

Their active trader platform has come a long way over the last year or so. It might be worth a look.

 

Cuttshot

[lbj 10]

See next post by me below...

Edited August 6, 2010 by lbj

[lbj 10]

ProTrader PT Multistation which supports loads of markets including equities looks like a nice platform (although looks like the it was originally designed for FX)...

 

Another nice looking one is Saxo Bank's.

 

These 2 look the best I've found so far.

 

Note: I have demo-ed them both, but haven't used them live...

[lbj 10]

btw, just noticed nice couple of banner ads showing for me on this page by Velocity and Traders Trust - looks like they're both offering the same ProTrader platform by PFSoft!

[MadMarketScientist 11]

Would agree, Lightspeed and Velocity Futures are two to consider -- not to mention that they help make Traders Laboratory possible with their sponsorship here. Someone has to pay the server and bandwidth charges Anytime we can support the vendors in the TL family it helps us keep it going and expand TL further and keep it all free for all of us.

 

Broker choice is always an interesting topic - you have so many to choose from, in many ways you get very similar things from each so it usually comes down to a few core differences for comparison. And, I've found many times you ask one person who they like, then another and you get totally opposite answers. I just remind everyone when I'm asked that once you choose don't forget - it's easy to change. Never feel locked in unless your getting the total service, fees, executions you feel you deserve - if not, you can change in just a day or two. Never be locked in.

[vtktrader 10]

I would recommend you LightSpeed. I ended up using it after I used Scottrade and Tradestation. They have great rates and platform is very solid and really fast. You can get all rebates from ECN if you add liquidity. My average cost with them is $0.22 / 100 shares.

 

Happy trading

[MadMarketScientist 11]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like Lightspeed has taken care of you well -- nice commission rate especially given the platform speed/stability.

 

I'm with you on that part -- with Scottrade not really designed for those who want to daytrade. And, as much as I like the TS platform speed has never been its forte.

 

MMS

 

 

I would recommend you LightSpeed. I ended up using it after I used Scottrade and Tradestation. They have great rates and platform is very solid and really fast. You can get all rebates from ECN if you add liquidity. My average cost with them is $0.22 / 100 shares.

 

Happy trading

[max8ion 10]

In my opinion all the given suggestions are quite good, but you should try them and choose for yourself, not relying on other people's opinion