Opinions on best brokerage online? (Etrade, Scottrade, Ameritrade, fees)

[JL]

Which one is the best in terms of commissions per trade, maintenance fees, etc in your opinion? I see Ameritrade, Etrade, Scottrade, Fidelity, Schwab, etc. Thanks.

[DasNootz]

I've used etrade in the past... I loved thier platform and tools. However at $13 or $14 per side on each transaction, it's pretty steep if you're not making sizable trades.

Now I use Tradeking at $5 per side. It doesn't have all of the bells and whistles (especially real-time numbers). I often use e-trades live streaming quotes while buying/selling using TradeKing.

[StealthRabbit]

a vote for Scottrade from me. (over the past bizillion years...I've also used, Etrade, td, Ameritrade, and Fidelity + a few others)
I also currently use ThinkorSwim for options, they have great free software and free training in 'a city near you!' (option planet dot com)

[Oildog]

Charles Schwab has done me well for over a decade. I am more of a buy and holder but they have good research and 12.95 a trade now.

[LongArm]

Scottrade is the cheapest of the ones you mentioned, but they all have their pros and cons.

[oleo]

I use E-trade because I also have my online savings account there. If I want to buy stock, I can transfer it immediately and purchase stock. $12.99 per transaction though. Higher than others, but I think it is worth it. Better customer service, better platform, easy to link other accounts to.