+1 to MDM's sentiment. Go. With. Vanguard.
Great question, illiterate. Here's a summary:
- OptionsHouse. Open Account. Stocks: $4.95. Options: $4.95 + $0.50 per contract.
- TradeKing. Open Account. Stocks: $4.95. Options: $4.95 + $0.65 per contract.
- Capital One Investing. Open Account. Stocks: $6.95. Options: $6.95 + $0.75 per contract.
- Firstrade. Open Account. Stocks: $6.95.
http://www.stockbrokers.com/reviews/cheaptradesVanguard's commissions are based on the amount of your holdings at Vanguard.
Online trades for investors w/$25K, first 25 trades $7, subsequent trades $20.
Online trades for investors w/$50K-$500K, all trades $7.
Online trades for investors with >$500k-$1M, all trades $2
etc.
https://investor.vanguard.com/investing/trading-fees-commissionsCapital One Investing, also has the 'ShareBuilder' plan (formerly 'Automatic Investments') for $3.95/trade. Those trades happen automatically at close-of-market on Tuesdays - whatever Tuesday's you want - whereby you purchase a fixed dollar amount of shares in whatever you want to purchase. In essence, you create your own ETF. Yes, this includes buying partial-shares of stocks. [NOTE: Mother Fussbudget formerly worked here, and held accounts here when growing the 'stache', but no longer has accounts here]
Another interesting comparison article from Barron's:
http://www.barrons.com/articles/barrons-2015-ranking-of-online-brokers-1425705011