RANKING THE ONLINE BROKERS
Kiplinger's Personal Finance|October 2022
Use our survey to compare investment offerings, tools, apps, advice and more to find the best broker for you.
NELLIE S. HUANG
RANKING THE ONLINE BROKERS

It is understandable if you are paying less attention to your brokerage account these days, given the current market malaise. But the recent slide in stock and bond prices may represent a "generational investment opportunity," Ron Baron, a manager of several Baron funds and founder of Baron Capital, recently wrote in a letter to shareholders.

In short, it's a good time to be active as an investor. But it also pays to be selective in times like these, which makes the services offered by your online broker highly important, whether for you that means plying your brokerage's tools to sift for hidden gems in the stock bargain bin, finding smart fixed-income strategies or even getting professional investment guidance. With that in mind, we conducted our annual review of online brokers. This year, we have 10 contenders. Five are large, well-known brokers that cater to all kinds of investors, from novices to active day traders: Charles Schwab, E*Trade, Fidelity, Merrill Edge and TD Ameritrade. Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade in 2020, but the brokerages still work independently, and the firms asked to be reviewed separately, except in the category of advisory services. The remaining five firms are smaller in stature, but each has something to offer: Ally Invest, Firstrade, Interactive Brokers, J.P. Morgan SelfDirected Investing and Wells Trade, the brokerage arm of financial firm Wells Fargo.

Each company answered dozens of questions in seven categories, including commissions and fees; investment choices; advisory services; tools; research; and mobile, which tested the functionality of each firm's app. We also measured what we call user experience a general category for how many ways, and how well, a company interacts with its customers. The score in each category was based on information provided to us by the brokerage firms, which we vetted to the best of our abilities.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2022 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2022 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE مشاهدة الكل
HOW INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR TAXES
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

HOW INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT YOUR TAXES

We looked at IRS rules for 2025 on everything from tax brackets to how much you can save in retirement accounts.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEW YEAR
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

GUARD AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT IN THE NEW YEAR

Scammers are getting better at impersonating legitimate businesses.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
SHOULD YOU BUY PET HEALTH INSURANCE?
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

SHOULD YOU BUY PET HEALTH INSURANCE?

You can fend off big veterinary bills with a policy that covers your furry companion.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A VACATION HOME
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

THE LOWDOWN ON BUYING A VACATION HOME

If you return to a beloved destination again and again, purchasing a home there may be a smart move-but don't overlook the costs and effort that go into it.

time-read
8 mins  |
January 2025
HOW COUPLES CAN MANAGE DIFFERING RETIREMENT TIME LINES
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

HOW COUPLES CAN MANAGE DIFFERING RETIREMENT TIME LINES

Staggered retirement is increasingly common, but it can create financial and emotional challenges.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2025
AVOID THESE CREDIT MISSTEPS
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

AVOID THESE CREDIT MISSTEPS

KIPLINGER ADVISOR COLLECTIVE

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING FOR YOURSELF
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING FOR YOURSELF

Whether you're looking for a side gig or planning to start your own business, it has never been easier to strike out on your own.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January 2025
My Top 10 Stock Picks for 2025
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

My Top 10 Stock Picks for 2025

SINCE 1993, I have offered an annual list of 10 stocks with the potential to beat the market in the 12 months ahead. My 2024 selections notched the highest return ever: an average of 48.9%. I beat the S&P 500 index by 10.8 percentage points, and every one of my stocks was up-six by more than 30%.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025
WHAT MAKES AN ETF SUCCESSFUL?
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

WHAT MAKES AN ETF SUCCESSFUL?

EXCHANGE-traded funds have exploded in popularity, with the industry now reaching the milestone of $10 trillion in assets.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
TIPS FROM INSIDERS
Kiplinger's Personal Finance

TIPS FROM INSIDERS

When corporate insiders buy or sell, it can offer clues on whether you should do the same.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025