Interactive Brokers iPhone App Review
Interactive Brokers iPad App Review
Interactive Brokers Android App Review
OptionsHouse iPhone App Review
OptionsHouse iPad App Review
OptionsHouse Android App Review
We have updated our commission free ETF list with the lastest funds. Of note, Scottrade dropped their commission free ETF program while Schwab greatly expanded theirs. Go here for the full details:
We have added reviews for the Merrill Edge and TradeKing Android apps. Both apps are very similar to their iPhone counterparts. Because of the new reviews, TradeKing and Merrill Edge have moved up in our rankings, to #7 and #9 respectively.
Merrill Edge Android App Review
TradeKing Android App Review
ShareBuilder has announced that as of March 1st, stock and options trading commissions are changing. Here is how ShareBuilder describes those changes…
Which trade prices are changing?
Our online trade and options prices.
| Basic Pricing Before 3/1/13 |
Advantage Pricing Before 3/1/13 |
All Pricing Programs 3/1/13 and After |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Trades | $9.95 | $7.95 | $6.95 |
| Options Trades | $9.95 + $1.25/contract |
$7.95 + $0.75/contract |
$6.95 + $0.75/contract |
For regular account holders this is a very nice price drop! ShareBuilder has gone from very average to offering some of the lowest stock and options trading commissions among all brokers. For advantage account holders, this means commissions drop for you too, though the incentive to be an advantage account holder is now much less since you are no longer getting a better deal. Go here to view our full stock broker stock trading and options trading commissions comparison articles:
Stock Broker Stock Trading Commissions
Stock Broker Options Trading Commissions
ShareBuilder has announced that as of April 1st, margin rates are changing. Here is how ShareBuilder describes the changes…
How are margin rates changing?
We are moving from four tiers of rates to eight tiers on April 1, 2013. Each tier will still have its own interest rate, which is based on the amount of money you borrow. There will no longer be a discounted margin rate for Advantage customers. If you’re using margin, you may be affected, depending on your balance.
Here’s how it’ll be, starting April 1, 2013:
| Margin Balance | Basic Pricing Program Before 4/1/13 |
Advantage Pricing Program Before 4/1/13 |
Both Pricing Programs 4/1/13 and After |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 - less than $10,000 | 7.70% | 7.20% | 7.70% |
| $10,000 - $25,000 | 7.70% | 7.20% | 7.50% |
| $25,000.01 - $50,000 | 7.70% | 7.20% | 7.25% |
| $50,000.01 - $100,000 | 6.70% | 6.20% | 6.70% |
| $100,000.01 - $250,000 | 6.70% | 6.20% | 6.50% |
| $250,000.01 - $500,000 | 4.70% | 4.20% | 5.25% |
| $500,000.01 - $1,000,000 | 4.70% | 4.20% | 4.90% |
| More than $1,000,000 | 4.70% | 4.20% | 4.70% |
The real effect for regular customers is minimal and for advantage customers, this is a jump in every tier. ShareBuilder is certainly not among the stock brokers that offer the lowest margin rates. Go here to view our full stock broker margin rate comparison article: