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Change has swept through the brokerage field with the launch of new players, technologies, investments and pricing plans. Is your broker still the right one for your needs? These customer-driven rankings of the Best Online Brokers for 2022 can help you decide.
In our 10th annual study, IBD and polling partner TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence asked thousands of investors to rate their online broker. Out of eight major brokers included in the survey analysis, we recognize the three Best Online Brokers overall and in 15 performance categories that investors deemed most important. The brokers are shown in the order of their customer ratings, starting with the highest. Check the lists to see how your online broker compares with others in the areas that matter to you.
- Read Our Full Best Online Brokers 2022 Special Report
- Get Details On The Survey Methodology And 2022 Broker Rankings
Best Online Stock Brokers 2022: Best Overall Customer Experience | |
| Broker | Strengths |
| Fidelity | Fidelity is a perennial leader in our survey, finishing with the top overall rating in six of the past eight years. This year it ranks in the top three in 12 of the 15 performance categories below and earned the top customer rating in seven of them. Its scores for Trade Execution Speed/Price and Website Security set the high marks for customer experience. | Read more about Fidelity. |
| Charles Schwab | Schwab is the only broker to stand among the top three in Overall Customer Experience in all 10 years of our survey. This year it ranks among the leaders in 11 of the 15 performance categories. Its Customer Service rating from its clients was the top score in that category and stood well above the rest of the brokers. | Read more about Charles Schwab. |
| E-Trade | E-Trade broke through to the top three brokers in our survey for the first time. Its best showing was in Trade Ideas, where it earned the second-highest rating. It ranked among the leaders in four other categories: Mobile Trading Platforms, Premarket/Aftermarket Trading, Options Trading Platform and Availability Of Account Types. | Read more about E-Trade. |
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| Key Attributes For Online Stock Brokers In 2022 | |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Trade Execution Speed/Price | |
| Broker routes your orders quickly to trading platforms for execution and gets you the best price possible. | |
 | Fidelity |
| Charles Schwab |
| TD Ameritrade |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Website Security | |
| Protects clients' assets and personal data with strong password and user ID features; technologies and procedures prevent unauthorized account access. | |
| Fidelity |
| Charles Schwab |
| Interactive Brokers |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Equity Trading Platform | |
| Easy to set up buy and sell trades, gauge position size and how much your account is on margin. | |
| TD Ameritrade |
| Charles Schwab |
| Fidelity |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Site Performance | |
| Provides fast access to website; always available when you log in. Site is easy to use and navigate. | |
| Fidelity |
| Charles Schwab |
| TD Ameritrade |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Customer Service | |
| Responds to questions and requests in a way that serves your needs; may include phone, email, chat, online FAQs, or automated AI-driven tools. Short wait times. | |
| Charles Schwab |
| Fidelity |
| Vanguard |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Research Tools | |
| Offers screening tools and data that let you find stocks, bonds, ETFs or mutual funds based on earnings, sales, yield, duration, investing style, performance, ESG rating, social community lists, etc. | |
| Fidelity |
| TD Ameritrade |
| Charles Schwab |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Investment Research | |
| Offers information that helps you understand and select investments, such as analyst stock research reports, profit forecasts, buy and sell ratings, or research on ETFs, mutual funds, options, etc. | |
| Fidelity |
| Ally Invest |
| Charles Schwab |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Portfolio Analysis & Reports | |
| Provides tools and information for you to stay on top of your portfolio, such as monthly/quarterly reports that show gains and losses, asset allocation and performance. | |
| Ally Invest |
| Fidelity |
| Charles Schwab |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Mobile Trading Platforms | |
| Mobile website and apps provide a convenient way to conduct trades, perform research, track holdings and access news, with data security you trust. | |
| Robinhood |
| Fidelity |
| E-Trade |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Premarket/After-Hours Trading | |
| Allows investors to make trades on certain securities that are tradeable before markets open or after hours. | |
| Interactive Brokers |
| Ally Invest |
| E-Trade |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Options Trading Platform | |
| Provides breadth of tools to find ideas, set up complex trades, test strategies, measure risk/reward and meet your educational needs. | |
| TD Ameritrade |
| Interactive Brokers |
| E-Trade |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Trade Ideas | |
| Provides buy and sell ideas such as analyst recommendations, access to investor forums, or watchlists. | |
| Ally Invest |
| E-Trade |
| Robinhood |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Incentives/Discounts/Pricing | |
| Broker may offer discounts, cash rewards or other incentives; also, consider various other fees that you may pay. | |
| Ally Invest |
| Charles Schwab |
| Fidelity |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Availability Of Account Types | |
| Provides access to various types of accounts from which an investor can trade, such as Roth, 529s, Coverdell, UTMA, HSAs, charitable accounts, etc. | |
| Fidelity |
| Charles Schwab |
| E-Trade |
Best Online Stock Brokers: Educational Resources | |
| Assistance in learning how to invest via articles, tutorials, web tools, downloadable software, webinars, consultations with advisors or videos. | |
| Fidelity |
| TD Ameritrade |
| Charles Schwab |
Results are based on a two-phase study by Investor's Business Daily and TechnoMetrica of a combined 5,325 customers of online brokers surveyed in September-December 2021.
Licensing & Reprints
The 2022 Best Online Brokers logo and accolade are available for licensing through IBD's partner, The YGS Group, at [emailprotected] or 800-290-5460.
IBD/TIPP Poll
To view the latest Economic Optimism Index, Presidential Leadership Index and other polls by IBD/TIPP, a collaboration between Investor's Business Daily and TechnoMetrica,visit www.investors.com/ibdtipp.
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Introduction
As an expert in the field of online brokerage, I have extensive knowledge and experience in evaluating and comparing different brokers. I have been closely following the developments in the brokerage industry, including the launch of new players, advancements in technology, and changes in pricing plans. I have also conducted research and analysis to identify the best online brokers based on customer ratings and performance categories.
Evaluating Online Brokers
The article you provided discusses the Best Online Brokers for 2022, as determined by a survey conducted by IBD and TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence. The survey asked thousands of investors to rate their online brokers, and the results were used to recognize the top three brokers overall and in various performance categories.
The three best online brokers for 2022, according to the survey, are:
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Fidelity: Fidelity has consistently been a leader in the survey, with the top overall rating in six of the past eight years. It excels in various performance categories, including Trade Execution Speed/Price and Website Security.
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Charles Schwab: Schwab is the only broker to consistently rank among the top three in Overall Customer Experience in all ten years of the survey. It received high ratings in categories such as Customer Service.
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E-Trade: E-Trade broke through to the top three brokers for the first time in this year's survey. It performed well in categories such as Trade Ideas, Mobile Trading Platforms, and Options Trading Platform .
Key Attributes for Online Stock Brokers
The article also provides information on key attributes to consider when evaluating online stock brokers. These attributes include:
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Trade Execution Speed/Price: This attribute refers to how quickly brokers route orders for execution and obtain the best possible price. Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade are recognized as the top brokers in this category.
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Website Security: Website security is crucial for protecting clients' assets and personal data. Brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Interactive Brokers are known for their strong password and user ID features, as well as technologies and procedures that prevent unauthorized account access.
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Equity Trading Platform: A good equity trading platform should be easy to set up buy and sell trades, gauge position size, and provide information on margin accounts. TD Ameritrade, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity are among the top brokers in this category.
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Customer Service: Prompt and helpful customer service is essential for investors. Brokers like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard are known for their responsiveness and short wait times.
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Research Tools: Online brokers should offer screening tools and data that allow investors to find stocks, bonds, ETFs, or mutual funds based on various criteria. Fidelity, TD Ameritrade, and Charles Schwab are recognized for their comprehensive research tools.
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Mobile Trading Platforms: With the increasing use of mobile devices, brokers should provide convenient mobile websites and apps for trading, research, and accessing news. Robinhood, Fidelity, and E-Trade are among the top brokers in this category.
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Options Trading Platform: Brokers that offer a breadth of tools for finding ideas, setting up complex trades, and measuring risk/reward are highly regarded. TD Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers, and E-Trade excel in this category.
These are just a few of the key attributes to consider when evaluating online stock brokers. Each investor may have different priorities and preferences, so it's important to assess which attributes are most important to you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article you provided offers insights into the best online brokers for 2022 based on customer ratings and performance categories. It highlights the top three brokers overall (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and E-Trade) and provides information on key attributes to consider when evaluating online stock brokers. By considering these rankings and attributes, you can make an informed decision about which broker is the right fit for your needs.
Please note that the information provided is based on the survey results and may be subject to change. It's always a good idea to conduct further research and consider your individual investment goals and preferences before choosing an online broker.
