IB or Thinkorswim?

ozzie123 · Oct 11, 2006

Hello,

I have a hard time to choose between Interactive Brokers and Thinkorswim. Can you guys give me some input about how these two broker spar against each other (in terms of commissions, trading terminal, etc)?

I'm usually doing several trades (under 10) per week with around 2 weeks holding period.

StockApprentice · Oct 11, 2006

How about some information on WHAT you are trading...

MTE · Oct 11, 2006

Check out broker reviews for both, you'll get the idea.

damon_achey · Oct 11, 2006

I stated stocks with Fidelity (free gold account from my employer), then went with TOS for options.

Now I'm looking at moving my Fid to IB and keeping TOS. From what I've seen IB and TOS would complement each other well and provide most of what anyone could want retail.

ozzie123 · Oct 12, 2006

Quote from StockApprentice:

How about some information on WHAT you are trading...

Oops, I really forgot

I'm mainly trading options with occasionally buying stocks (for rental income that is -- but rarely).

MTE · Oct 12, 2006

Quote from ozzie123:

Oops, I really forgot

I'm mainly trading options with occasionally buying stocks (for rental income that is -- but rarely).

Opinions vary, but I doubt anyone can beat Thinkorswim when it come to options. True, commissions are higher than IB's, but commissions are not everything...

IBsoft · Oct 12, 2006

Quote from MTE:

Opinions vary, but I doubt anyone can beat Thinkorswim when it come to options. True, commissions are higher than IB's, but commissions are not everything...

Wow, I am surprised to hear this. Would you mind elaborating as to exactly what TOS does better for you than IB?

Thank you.

MTE · Oct 12, 2006

Quote from IBsoft:

Wow, I am surprised to hear this. Would you mind elaborating as to exactly what TOS does better for you than IB?

Thank you.

As I said, opinions vary.

I like their platform.

Gustaf · Oct 12, 2006

Quote from IBsoft:

Wow, I am surprised to hear this. Would you mind elaborating as to exactly what TOS does better for you than IB?

Thank you.

It would be nice to have the probability of expiration on options for example.

I like the overview better with IB, having all positions in one page.

Option Trader · Oct 29, 2006

Quote from IBsoft:

Wow, I am surprised to hear this. Would you mind elaborating as to exactly what TOS does better for you than IB?

Thank you.

No complaints, just prodding along IB:

No extra charge for direct routed option orders (and you might have a special negotiated rate with them) , no cancellation fees.