At MutualFunds.com a large portion of our readership is of a discerning, self-directed nature. As such, we want to dedicate a prominent area of our site to informing our readers about the different options they have to execute their investment strategies in an efficient manner via online platforms.
As a starting point, please see the chart below.
| Online Broker | Stocks & ETFs | Options | Account Minimum | Open an Account | MutualFunds.com Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $4.95 / trade online | $4.95 + $0.65 / contract | $2,500 | Open an Account | |
 | $7.00 / trade online | $7.00 + $1 / contract | $0 | Open an Account | |
 | $4.95 / trade online | $4.95 + $0.65 / contract | $0 | Open an Account | |
 | $4.95 / trade online | $4.95 + $0.65 / contract | $1,000 | Open an Account | |
 | $6.95 / trade online | $6.95 + $0.75 / contract | $0 | Open an Account | |
 | $6.95 / trade online | $6.95 + $0.75 / contract | $500 | Open an Account | |
 | $0.005 / share traded ($1 min) | $0.70 / contract ($1 min) | $10,000 | Open an Account | |
 | $4.95 / trade online | $4.95 base + $0.50 / contract | $0 | Open an Account | |
 | $6.95 / trade online | $6.95 + $0.75 / contract | $2,500 | Open an Account | |
 | $0.01 / share, $5.00 per trade | $5.00 + $0.50/ contract | $5,000 | Open an Account |