Bartle Vs Td Ameritrade: A Comprehensive Comparison

Introduction

When it comes to choosing a brokerage firm, two of the most popular options are Bartle and TD Ameritrade. Both offer a wide range of investment options, but which one is the better choice? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both firms and compare them based on factors such as fees, investment options, ease of use, and more.

Background of Bartle and TD Ameritrade

Bartle was founded in 2014 and has quickly become a popular choice for investors. It offers a user-friendly platform, low fees, and a range of investment options. TD Ameritrade, on the other hand, has been around for much longer. It was founded in 1975 and has grown to become one of the largest brokerage firms in the world. It offers a wide range of investment options, advanced trading tools, and excellent customer support.

Fees

When it comes to fees, both Bartle and TD Ameritrade offer competitive pricing. Bartle charges a flat fee of $0.50 per contract for options trades, while TD Ameritrade charges $0.65 per contract. For stock trades, Bartle charges $0.005 per share, while TD Ameritrade charges $0.01 per share. Both firms also offer commission-free ETF trading. Overall, Bartle is slightly cheaper than TD Ameritrade, but the difference is not significant.

Investment Options

Both Bartle and TD Ameritrade offer a wide range of investment options. Bartle offers stocks, options, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. TD Ameritrade offers all of those options as well as futures and forex trading. TD Ameritrade also offers access to IPOs and international markets. If you’re looking for a wider range of investment options, TD Ameritrade is the better choice.

User-Friendliness

Both Bartle and TD Ameritrade offer user-friendly platforms. Bartle’s platform is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it a great choice for beginners. TD Ameritrade’s platform is also user-friendly, but it offers more advanced trading tools for experienced investors. Both platforms are available as mobile apps, making it easy to trade on-the-go.

Customer Support

When it comes to customer support, TD Ameritrade is the clear winner. It offers excellent customer support via phone, email, and chat. It also has a network of over 360 physical branches where you can get in-person support. Bartle offers customer support via phone and email, but it does not have any physical branches. If customer support is important to you, TD Ameritrade is the better choice.

Education and Research

Both Bartle and TD Ameritrade offer a range of educational resources and research tools. Bartle offers webinars, videos, and articles to help investors learn more about investing. TD Ameritrade offers all of those resources as well as access to third-party research from firms such as Morningstar and S&P Capital IQ. TD Ameritrade also offers a wide range of educational courses and workshops to help investors improve their skills.

Security

Both Bartle and TD Ameritrade take security very seriously. They use advanced encryption technologies to protect their clients’ data and funds. They also offer two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account. Overall, both firms are very secure and you can trust them with your investments.

Conclusion

So, which one is the better choice: Bartle or TD Ameritrade? It depends on your investment goals and preferences. If you’re looking for a user-friendly platform with low fees, Bartle is a great choice. If you’re an experienced investor looking for advanced trading tools and a wider range of investment options, TD Ameritrade is the better choice. Either way, you can’t go wrong with either firm.