TD Ameritrade
Is This Your Business?4.3
4.3
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: March 9th, 2022
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Trading platforms
- Investment products
- Support options
Trading Platforms
TD Ameritrade also offers a multitude of powerful trading platforms and tools, such as:- Web Platform - this feature suits investors at any level and provides third-party research and planning tools, educational resources and you can also track social sentiment and volume with social signals that pull insights from Twitter. You will enjoy social signals, alerts, stocks overview, screeners, SnapTicket, calendars, watch lists and their GainsKeeper calculator.
- Trade Architect - this feature is an intuitive trading platform that offers live streaming news video from CNBC, generates ideas and identifies trends with stock and options screeners, as well as independent research. You can also manage trades from customizable, interactive charges that have a variety of technical studies. You will enjoy access to all their trading platform features, as well as access to Level II quotes, streaming news, and access to trading specialists.
- thinkorswim - this feature is a professional-level trading platform for serious traders who want an elite level of tools to use for analysis and testing strategies, idea generation with market scans and the ability to monitor their potential risk/reward. It also has on-boarding tools such as thinkManual and Swim Lessons to help you get started quickly and easily. You will enjoy a full charting package, live streaming media, free education and support, futures, calendar spreads, complex options trades, Forex global currency map, consistent and frequent innovations, trade and market scans and a stock hacker.
- Mobile Trading - TD Ameritrade is the leader in mobile trading and has powerful mobile offerings for investors and traders who want their choice of optimized mobile apps, such as iPad, iPhone, and Android for any mobile device and now includes the Apple Watch as well. You also have the ability to manage your investments and seize opportunities. Other popular features include idea generation, alerts, account monitoring, watch lists, events and a live market news option.
Investment Products
Additionally, TD Ameritrade offers a wide variety of investment products including Amerivest portfolios, annuities, bonds and fixed income, cash management, ETFs, Forex, futures, IPOs, mutual funds, options, and stocks. And their pricing is as follows: stocks $9.99 with broker assisted fees at $44.99 and interactive voice response (IVR) phone system fees at $34.99, ETFs with no commissions, internet at $9.99 and broker assisted fees at $44.99 and IVR at $34.99, options at $9.99 + 75¢ fee per contract, options exercises and assignments at $19.99 with broker assisted fees at $44.99 + 75¢ fee per contract and IVR at $34.99 + 75¢ fee per contract.Support Options
TD Ameritrade has some fantastic support options, which include 24-7 phone and email support, live chat, fax, mail and more than 100 local branches nationwide. That means no matter when you need them, they are there to help 24-7. And that's important, especially when you're talking about your money.Impressive History
TD Ameritrade has a very impressive timeline, which includes: 1988 - they were the first to offer automated trades via touch-tone phones,1995 - they acquired K. Aufhauser & Co,1997- they went public listing under the symbol, AMTD, 1998 - they launched their first national advertising campaign boasting a flat-rate commission offering of $8.00 per trade,1999 - they were the first to offer trading via mobile devices, 2001- they acquired National Discount Brokers Corporation, 2002 - they merged with Datek Online Holdings making them the largest brokerage firm in average trades per day, 2004 - they launched Amerivest, the first of its kind online investment advisor and QuoteScope as well, 2006 - they acquired TD Waterhouse USA from TD Bank Financial Group and became TD Ameritrade, 2009 - they acquired thinkorswim Group Inc. and announced the 20-year, $20 million naming rights agreement for Omaha's new baseball stadium to be named TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, 2010 - they brought complex options, futures and foreign exchange trading to their clients, 2011 - they unveiled Trade Architect and signed on as official sponsors of the United States Olympic Committee and in 2012 the U.S. Olympic Team and this has since been renewed through 2016 and includes the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, 2013 to present - they continue to grow and expand in leaps and bounds.The Bad
- Investigations
- Online navigation
- Client support
Investigations
The State of Texas Securities Board launched an investigation relating to wire transfers being made from customers' accounts on the Institutional Platform; however, it was stated that TD Ameritrade failed to send the relevant customer notifications of the said wire transfers. This conduct was entered into due to the manual process TD Ameritrade was using at the time and resulted in them violating a Texas State Securities Board rule requiring securities dealers to maintain and enforce procedures that were designed to achieve compliance with the securities laws.Online Navigation
The TD Ameritrade's website is great. It's easy to use, has plenty of extremely helpful information, and everything you need to know seemed to be covered. However, the one thing we found that we didn't like about their website was the fact that the main navigation bar doesn't show you what's on each page as you hover over any given menu tab. That means you have to actually click on the tab to see what's on a page. And that's extremely inconvenient for customers who don't want to waste time clicking around a website just to find the information they need.Client Support
For being such a big, long-standing company, you would think they should have impeccable customer service. And although they have plenty of contact methods, their customer service, at least for now, is a bit poor. Many customers complain and lament that their employees are overbearing when it comes to their advice on making certain investment or trading decisions and this type of extreme pressure keeps customers from contacting customer service for assistance. This could ultimately cause those same customers to seek other trading options as no one likes to be pressured when they need trustworthy, honest, compassionate help the most.Broker Fees
TD Ameritrade's stock commissions and broker assisted trade fees are much higher than their competitors; however, you do receive access to their premium research, data, analysis and multi-platform trading features for free. Therefore, depending on how often you use those features, TD Ameritrade may or may not be worth the extra costs.The Bottom Line
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Eddie Rios Ogden, UT
TD Ameritrade is probably the best site I have ever used for online trading. It boasts tons of educational tools and helps you understands the markets and trading concepts. It is a full services organization that offers every type of trade allowed. They focus on guidance and financial strategies that work. The portal makes trading easy and safe. Most importantly the transactions are timely and secure. Grade A+ to TD Ameritrade.
6 years ago
Robyn Brady Kent, OH
My husband I just started some day trading with the help of our 20 year old son. He recommended TD because the app pretty easy to navigate compared to the others. We haven't had any issues and have enjoyed learning about the stock market through their very interesting and informative app.
5 years ago
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TTeep Smithfield, UT
I moved to TDAmeritrade from etrade for one reason. They make it very easy to create conditional sell orders. Of course I like the no commission trades. And their ThinkorSwim platform is a great tool for learning how to trade.
5 years ago
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AF ,
I'm definitely a novice when it comes to financing, but the TD Ameritrade website has some great information for beginners like me! Their website has some interesting and informative pages to help you understand more about their products/services. I like that.
6 years ago
Eban Beltran Arlington, TX
We used TD Ameritrade for an investment student club that had a $3M portfolio. It had all the features we wanted and expected at a low cost. Very easy to use and I heard good things about their customer service.
5 years ago
Mason Allen Provo, UT
TD Ameritrade makes it easy to trade stocks, mutual funds, etc. There are no trade fees, which is a big plus. Informative research tools are also available for free.
5 years ago
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J B Sandy, UT
I've used multiple platforms for online trading, TD stands out with first class service, and low trading fees, even on options.
4 years ago Edited January 21, 2022
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Doug Foerch Vernon Hills, IL
I have used them for the past 8 years. They have done a good job with my investments. Their website is easy for understand.
4 years ago Edited January 5, 2022
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Tomi Onikeku Tallahassee, FL
I currently have the app and it is easy to navigate. All of the information is in one place and it’s very convenient
4 years ago
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Vicki H. Poolesville, MD
I use TD Ameritrade to manage my investments online. I find their site very useful and easy to use.
5 years ago
Steve Knight Salt Lake City, UT
I've had accounts with TD Ameritrade for several years and find them to be great at presenting research and ideas.
5 years ago
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Amy N Sandy, UT
TD Ameritrade made it easy to track my investments. The website was easy to navigate.
4 years ago
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Devin McClellan Eagle Mountain, UT
I love how easy this website is to use. It is really help me with investment decisions
4 years ago
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Glenn Dalton Salt Lake City, UT
Easy to use site. Lots of support and information available to help make informed decisions.
4 years ago
Lizzie Billings West Valley City, UT
I love investing my money here and having the ability to be in full control of trading stocks.
5 years ago
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Julia Lian Rockville, MD
it is low fee and easy to trade stocks. good customer service.
5 years ago
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Jwat1213 New Market, MD
Easy to use. No charge for selling stock is great
5 years ago
