TD Ameritrade Review 2023: Pros, Cons and How It Compares - NerdWallet (2024)

Where TD Ameritrade shines

Where TD Ameritrade falls short

What TD Ameritrade is best for

TD Ameritrade at a glance

Full details about TD Ameritrade

Is TD Ameritrade right for you?

How we review: our methodology

Where TD Ameritrade shines

Free research: TD Ameritrade offers a wide range of third-party research from highly reputable sources, including the Federal Reserve Economic Database, Center for Financial Research and Analysis, and Morningstar, all free to users.

High-quality trading platforms: In addition to its TD Ameritrade web and mobile platforms, the highly rated thinkorswim platform offers professional-level trading on desktop and mobile.

Customer support: With 24/7 support via phone, text, fax, live chat, email or social media, plus in-person meetings at more than 250 branches, TDAmeritrade’s customer support is hard to beat.

Large investment selection: TD Ameritrade has something for everyone: from a large selection of low-cost mutual funds to advanced products like futures and forex trading.

Where TD Ameritrade falls short

Fractional shares: Fractional shares were once a niche offering, but now major players such as Fidelity and Schwab are offering fractional trading. TD Ameritrade still isn’t, however, so investors with limited capital to invest may want to look elsewhere. Fractional shares allow you to invest by the dollar amount — not by the share — letting you build a portfolio of stocks that may be too expensive otherwise.

Crypto and over-the-counter (OTC) stocks: TD Ameritrade does not offer direct access to cryptocurrencies, although exchange-traded cryptocurrency trusts and bitcoin futures are available to some users. It also charges a hefty commission on OTC stock trades.

TD Ameritrade is best for:

  • Beginner investors.

  • Advanced traders.

  • Investor education/advice.

  • Fund investors.

TD Ameritrade at a glance

Account minimum

$0

Stock trading costs

$0

Options trades

$0.65 per contract.

Account fees (annual, transfer, closing, inactivity)

No annual or inactivity fee. $75 full transfer; $0 partial transfer.

Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds

More than 1,600.

Tradable securities

  • Stocks.

  • Bonds.

  • Options.

  • Mutual funds.

  • ETFs.

  • Futures.

  • Forex.

  • Foreign ADRs.

  • IPOs for qualified accounts.

Crypto availability

No direct access to cryptocurrencies, but crypto coin trusts are available over-the-counter, and qualified clients can trade Bitcoin futures from CME.

Trading platform

Two platforms: TD Ameritrade web and thinkorswim (desktop).

Mobile app

TD Ameritrade mobile app, TDA thinkorswim app.

Research and data

Research, analysis, commentary and news available from 15 providers, including Argus, CFRA, Reuters, Vickers and Morningstar.

Customer support options (includes how easy it is to find key details on the website).

Phone, email and live chat support 24/7. In person at local branches. Support also available via text, Facebook Messenger, Twitter direct message, Apple Business Chat and Amazon Alexa.

More details about TD Ameritrade's ratings

Account minimum: 5 out of 5 stars

TD Ameritrade does not have an account minimum.

Stock trading costs: 5 out of 5 stars

There is no commission on exchange-listed stock trading at TD Ameritrade, although OTC trades will cost you $6.95.

Options trading costs: 4 out of 5 stars

TD Ameritrade charges no base commission for option trades and $0.65 per contract, a fairly typical price level among major brokers.

Account fees: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The only fee at TD Ameritrade worth mentioning is its full account transfer fee; if you transfer all of your assets to another brokerage, you’ll have to pay a $75 fee, which is on the high end for this type of charge. However, the broker doesn't charge for partial transfers, nor are there annual or inactivity fees.

Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds: 3 out of 5 stars

Though the selection of 1,600 no-transaction-fee mutual funds isn't quite as large as at some other brokers, you’ll still have plenty of choice in this category.

TD Ameritrade also excels at offering low-cost and low-minimum funds, with over 5,300 mutual funds on its platform with expense ratios of 0.50% or less, and over 3,600 with investment minimums of $100 or less. It's an ideal broker for beginner mutual fund investors.

Tradable securities: 4.5 out of 5 stars

TD Ameritrade aces the investment selection category by offering the full range of investments, including futures, forex and IPO and bitcoin futures trading for approved clients.

Crypto availability: 2 out of 5 stars

TD Ameritrade doesn't offer direct access to cryptocurrencies; however, crypto-based products, such as Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, are available through TD Ameritrade on the over-the-counter market. Qualified TD Ameritrade clients can also trade Bitcoin futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).

Trading platform: 5 out of 5 stars

TD Ameritrade offers two main trading platforms, each with a corresponding mobile version.

TDAmeritrade.com is the on-ramp platform that offers pretty much everything an average investor needs to identify, research, screen and trade stocks, funds, bonds and CDs. Baked into the free platform are:

  • Screeners.

  • A customizable landing page.

  • The broker's GainsKeeper tool, to track capital gains and losses for tax season.

Separately, the company has a desktop trading platform called thinkorswim that's aimed at serious stock, ETF, futures and forex traders. It has all the features active traders need, including advanced trading capabilities, a robust lineup of technical analysis tools and studies, customizable screeners and charting, backtesting capabilities, real-time news, quotes, market heat maps and more.

The company also offers a virtual trading simulator. Surprisingly, few online brokers offer mock trading accounts on their platforms, so this is fairly unique. TD Ameritrade's paperMoney virtual simulator is a desktop-based platform geared toward advanced and frequent traders. It provides $100,000 in practice "money" along with access to a margin account. It's available for free through the broker's two platforms, and its Mobile Trader app, although non-customers can register for a free 60-day trial — a good way to test a new platform before committing to setting up a real-money account.

Mobile app: 5 out of 5 stars

The choice of platforms extends to the broker's mobile products. TD Ameritrade Mobile (iOS and Android) is a companion to the desktop platform. The TD Ameritrade thinkorswim app is aimed at the advanced trading crowd and is a companion app to the desktop platform of the same name. The company also has TD Ameritrade Mobile Web, the browser-based platform optimized for mobile devices.

TD Ameritrade Mobile has much of the trading functionality of the web-based platform and also provides Level II quotes (not available on the web platform). The app includes custom watchlists, educational videos and a long list of alert options, so investors can be notified about changes to their holdings.

The thinkorswim app includes futures and forex trading, complex option ordering capabilities (three or four legs) and chat support from TD's trading desk.

Both TD Ameritrade Mobile and the thinkorswim app get high average ratings from users — but in both cases, the iOS version gets significantly better marks than the Android version.

Research and data: 5 out of 5 stars

TD Ameritrade’s research selection really stands out from other brokerages, with research, analysis, commentary and news available from 15 providers, including FRED, Argus, CFRA, Reuters, Vickers and Morningstar.

Customer support options: 4.5 out of 5 stars

TD Ameritrade’s customer support is second to none. Virtually every medium you can think of (from texting to social media) offers support 24/7, and if you’re the type who wants to talk to someone in person, there are more than 250 branches nationwide. Its website, however, leaves a bit to be desired in terms of ease of navigation.

Other TD Ameritrade details you should know

In October 2020, Charles Schwab completed its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, but integration of the two companies is expected to occur over the next six to 24 months.

Is TD Ameritrade right for you?

TD Ameritrade is a rare broker that covers all of the bases and does it very well. For a broker with no commission on stock and ETF trades, clients get an impressive list of services including portfolio-building guidance, hands-on investing courses, high-quality research, trading tools and a fairly wide selection of no-transaction-fee mutual funds.

How do we review brokers?

NerdWallet’s comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks the largest U.S. brokers by assets under management, along with emerging industry players. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of providers to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which ones will best meet your needs. We adhere to strict guidelines for editorial integrity.

We collect data directly from providers through detailed questionnaires, and conduct first-hand testing and observation through provider demonstrations. The questionnaire answers, combined with demonstrations, interviews of personnel at the providers and our specialists’ hands-on research, fuel our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance across more than 20 factors. The final output produces star ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).

For more details about the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

TD Ameritrade Review 2023: Pros, Cons and How It Compares - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

TD Ameritrade Review 2023: Pros, Cons and How It Compares - NerdWallet? ›

Drawbacks include a lack of fractional shares and international trading; TD Ameritrade customers can only trade U.S. and Canadian-listed securities. Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin are not available to trade at TD Ameritrade.

What is the downside of TD Ameritrade? ›

Drawbacks include a lack of fractional shares and international trading; TD Ameritrade customers can only trade U.S. and Canadian-listed securities. Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin are not available to trade at TD Ameritrade.

Does TD Ameritrade have a good reputation? ›

TD Ameritrade stands out as a top rated all-around brokerages with outstanding tools and products, in-depth and comprehensive research, $0 commissions, and no account minimums.

What platform is better than TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade alternatives recommendations

E*TRADE is recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research and a great mobile trading platform. Charles Schwab is recommended for investors and traders looking for solid research, low fees and great customer service.

Is TD Ameritrade going under? ›

If you've been trading on TD Ameritrade, get ready to say goodbye. TD Ameritrade clients are being notified now their accounts are being moved into Charles Schwab (SCHW) starting next year. It's a long-awaited move after Schwab announced it would buy TD Ameritrade in 2019.

Is TD Ameritrade in financial trouble? ›

Our capital structure and liquidity are strong and stable, and our clients' assets remain secure. TD AMERITRADE continues to have no exposure to the U.S. real estate market and the associated complex financial securities that are at the root of this liquidity crisis.

Are there hidden fees with TD Ameritrade? ›

Best Online Brokers

TD Ameritrade does not charge a commission to trade stocks, options or ETFs. There are also no inactivity or annual fees, nor is there a fee to make partial transfers out of your account. If you want to transfer out your full balance, you'll pay $75.

How safe is my money at TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC"), which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash).

Why can't I withdraw money from TD Ameritrade? ›

Only settled funds may be withdrawn

After signing in, navigate to My Money>Withdrawals, or for a shortcut click here. If you just closed a trade and see a $0.00 Available to Withdraw, then chances are your position has not settled yet. Depending on what you are trading, settlement times can vary.

Which is better Vanguard or TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade: Costs. Overall, Vanguard is considerably cheaper if mutual funds are your focus. Alternatively, you might save money at TD Ameritrade if you trade a lot of options.

Do billionaires use TD Ameritrade? ›

What brokerage firms do billionaires use? Many very wealthy individuals use the top brokerage firms, such as Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and TD Ameritrade, among others. They invest in private equity and hedge funds.

What company is taking over TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade accounts are moving to Schwab. Here's what you need to know. Since Charles Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade, we've been working together to build something special for clients.

Who is the competitor of TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade's competitors and similar companies include Legg Mason, E*TRADE, BlackRock, BNY Mellon's Pershing, Tastyworks and Donnelley Financial Solutions. TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation is a company that provides securities brokerage and related technology-based financial services.

What is going to happen to TD Ameritrade? ›

As a TD Ameritrade client, you can expect your account to be moved to Charles Schwab sometime in 2023. This means you'll have to learn how to use a completely new product and platform. Now is a good time to explore your options instead of being forced to a new platform you didn't choose. M1 is one such option.

Is it safe to invest in TD Ameritrade? ›

We work hard to make TD Ameritrade a secure and safe place for your money. Whether you hold securities like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, money market funds, or cash deposits, we have your assets protected.

Why is Charles Schwab buying TD Ameritrade? ›

A: This transaction is squarely in line with Schwab's long-term strategy. It allows Schwab to continue to add scale on top of its organic growth, with the addition of approximately 12 million client accounts, $1.3 trillion in client assets and $5 billion in annual revenue.

What happens to my money if TD Ameritrade goes out of business? ›

“Your money is also protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) in the event the institution you invest with goes out of business,” he says. The SIPC provides insurance for consumers that covers up to $500,000 for securities and up to $250,000 of that amount can be in cash.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade denies the allegations but agreed to pay $2.325 million to settle the class action lawsuit. Payments will automatically be sent to eligible class members who do not exclude themselves from the TD Ameritrade settlement.

Has TD Ameritrade been hacked? ›

OMAHA -- TD Ameritrade amtd said Friday that one of its databases was hacked and contact information for its more than 6.3 million customers was stolen.

How much does TD Ameritrade charge to withdraw money? ›

THE ESSENCE: TD Ameritrade charges $0 for withdrawal. The withdrawal process is usually executed within 2 days. TD Ameritrade is a reliable broker, regulated by at least one top-tier regulator.

How much is the withdrawal fee in TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade will not charge a fee for the use of ATMs at TD Bank locations in the U.S. and Canada. TD Ameritrade will not charge a fee for withdrawing funds at any other ATM in the U.S., but the ATM operator may charge a fee.

Does Ameritrade charge a monthly fee? ›

No platform fees. No data fees. No trade minimums. Introducing $0 commissions on online stock, ETF, and option trades.* When you add this to our best-in-class platforms, award-winning education and service, and a network of over 175 branches, you'll see why TD Ameritrade is the smarter way to trade.

What are the pros and cons of Ameritrade? ›

Our take on TD Ameritrade
ProsCons
• Low trading fees (free stock and ETF trading)• You can trade only on US markets
• Superb desktop trading platform• Accounts mostly limited to US residents
• Great customer support• No credit/debit cards and electronic wallets for money transfer

What is the average account balance on TD Ameritrade? ›

Going into the summer of 2020, though, the average account balance of TD Ameritrade users dipped from its peak at $15.598. 50 to a low of $13,104.00 in July. In spite of the more volatile growth, TD Ameritrade users ended the 12-month period with an 835% increase (from $1,574.90 to $14,718.80) in average balances.

Where do I want my cash held when it's not invested? ›

A checking account can help cover daily spending needs, check-writing, and ATM usage. Bank checking accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an independent agency of the US government, against the loss of up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, based on account ownership type.

Do you get taxed when you withdraw from TD Ameritrade? ›

Withholding will apply to the entire withdrawal since the entire withdrawal may be included in your income that is subject to federal income tax. You may elect not to have withholding apply to your withdrawal payments by completing and dating this election and returning it to TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.

Are withdrawals from TD Ameritrade taxable? ›

Qualified distributions from Traditional IRAs are taxed as income and withdrawals before age 59½ may also be subject to a 10% penalty. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are tax free and withdrawals from accounts held less than five years or before age 59½ may be subject to taxes and a 10% penalty.

Why is Fidelity better than TD Ameritrade? ›

Fidelity offers excellent value to investors of all experience levels, and it may be a good fit for some active traders (remember, it doesn't support futures trading). Due to its comprehensive educational offerings, live events, and intuitive platforms, TD Ameritrade is our top choice for beginners.

Which is better Robinhood or Ameritrade? ›

Mobile users with straightforward trading needs may prefer Robinhood's experience, but investors needing more comprehensive tools and resources will gravitate to TD Ameritrade's platform.

Is it better to invest in Robinhood or TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade has a wider variety of account types and offers a full-service brokerage. Whereas Robinhood enables investors to purchase fractional shares of stocks, commission-free ETFs, and other investments without a large financial commitment.

Why do people use TD Ameritrade? ›

With TD Ameritrade, not only can you trade commission-free online, but you get access to all our platforms and products with no deposit minimums, trading minimums, or hidden fees.

What banks do millionaires keep their money? ›

Best Private Banks For Millionaires
  • Bank of America: Private Banking.
  • Citi: Private Banking.
  • HSBC: Private Banking.
  • JP Morgan: Private Bank.
  • Morgan Stanley.
  • UBS.
  • Wells Fargo: Private Bank.

How much do I need to invest with Ameritrade? ›

There is no minimum funding required to open an account. However, special promotional offers may have requirements. Electronic funding minimum is $50. Margin or option privileges on the account require a minimum of $2,000.

Is TD Ameritrade FDIC insured? ›

In addition, cash in your account can be held in a TD Ameritrade FDIC Insured Deposit Account (IDA). Balances in an IDA are held at one or more banks (“Program Banks”), where they are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) against bank failure for up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank.

Does TD Bank own Charles Schwab? ›

According to the bank's financial statements for its fourth quarter of 2022, TD holds a 12% stake in Schwab.

What is Ameritrade called now? ›

Today, TD Ameritrade provides investing and trading services for 11 million client accounts that total more than $1 trillion in assets, and custodial services for more than 6,000 independent registered investment advisors.

Which trading platform is best? ›

Comparing the Best Online Brokers
BrokerStar Rating ▼Fractional Share Trading
Fidelity4.8 4.8 4.8Yes
TD Ameritrade4.5 4.5 4.5No
Interactive Brokers4.2 4.2 4.2Yes
tastyworks3.9 3.9 3.9No

Is TD Ameritrade good for beginners? ›

TD Ameritrade offers education for beginners on up — with live webcasts, news and analysis on almost any market-related topic. From basic “how to trade stocks” guides to arcane options trading sessions, you'll find many of the investing education resources you'll need to help make the most of TD Ameritrade.

How does Charles Schwab compare to TD Ameritrade? ›

TD Ameritrade: Range of Offerings. Schwab and TD Ameritrade each offer the typical asset classes found at large brokers, including stocks, fixed income, ETFs, mutual funds, options, forex, and futures. Schwab offers a wider range of international stocks than TD Ameritrade.

What is the downside to TD Ameritrade? ›

Drawbacks include a lack of fractional shares and international trading; TD Ameritrade customers can only trade U.S. and Canadian-listed securities. Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin are not available to trade at TD Ameritrade.

Can TD Ameritrade close your account? ›

TD Ameritrade may close your account automatically if your minimum balance falls below the required amount for more than two billing cycles, depending on the type of account you have.

Does Ameritrade have high fees? ›

TD Ameritrade charges no commissions for online equity or ETF trades. OTCBB trades incur a commission of $6.95/transaction - most other brokers have made these trades free. There is no per-leg commission on options trades. Per-contract commissions are $0.65.

How stable is TD Ameritrade? ›

TD AMERITRADE's capital structure and liquidity are strong and stable. TD AMERITRADE has no exposure to the U.S. real estate market and the associated complex financial securities that are at the root of this liquidity crisis.

Is the TD Ameritrade name going away? ›

Comparing Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade will soon be unnecessary: Schwab completed its acquisition of TD Ameritrade in 2020, and the brokers expect to combine operations in 2023.

Are all TD Ameritrade accounts moving to Schwab? ›

TD Ameritrade was acquired by Schwab in 2022, and they are starting to begin the process of migrating TD Ameritrade accounts over to Schwab. Schwab will notify you when your account is ready to be migrated.

Is TD Ameritrade converting to Schwab? ›

TDA clients will need to provide consent to have their accounts transitioned to the Schwab platform. Clients will be sent an Account Transition Notice on June 28, 2023, approximately 60 days prior to conversion, informing them that their accounts will be transitioned to Schwab.

Is my money in TD Ameritrade safe? ›

TD Ameritrade is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC"), which protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash).

Do millionaires use TD Ameritrade? ›

Many very wealthy individuals use the top brokerage firms, such as Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and TD Ameritrade, among others. They invest in private equity and hedge funds.

Can I withdraw all my money from TD Ameritrade? ›

At TD Ameritrade, the only available option to withdraw money to your account is via Bank transfer. Remember, you can only withdraw funds to accounts that are in your name.

How much money do I need to keep in TD Ameritrade? ›

There is no minimum funding required to open an account. However, special promotional offers may have requirements. Electronic funding minimum is $50. Margin or option privileges on account require a minimum of $2,000.

Is my money in TD Ameritrade FDIC insured? ›

In addition, cash in your account can be held in a TD Ameritrade FDIC Insured Deposit Account (IDA). Balances in an IDA are held at one or more banks (“Program Banks”), where they are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) against bank failure for up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank.

Does TD Ameritrade have monthly fees? ›

No platform fees. No data fees. No trade minimums. Introducing $0 commissions on online stock, ETF, and option trades.* When you add this to our best-in-class platforms, award-winning education and service, and a network of over 175 branches, you'll see why TD Ameritrade is the smarter way to trade.

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