thinkorswim Online Stock Trading Review
Seriously interested in online stock trading? Then, perhaps, you can consider thinkorswim. thinkorswim is actually not so popular as any other online brokers but it has actually made a big splash over the years and has already proven its worth in the whole of online stock trading industry.
As of now, thinkorswim is normally compared with one of the leaders in online stock trading, optionsXpress, mainly because of the similar categories and features. However, thinkorswim is still unique in its own way. Basically, thinkorswim is well dedicated to educating clients like you about investing in the stock market through web resources and even live seminars in near-by places.
Possible Costs
The good thing about thinkorswim perhaps is its flat commission rate of $9.95. Regardless of the account size or trade activity, you will just have to pay $9.95 per trade but with market or limit orders 5,000 shares maximum.
With thinkorswim, there is also no minimum account requirement, however, to be able to open an account you must have at least $500. Well, thinkorswim is still cheaper at $500. If you are a young investor or just a starting one, you can actually afford having an account with thinkorswim.
Investments Provided
Basically, thinkorswim focuses in options, however the nice thing is thinkorswim also extends some investment varieties like stocks, exchange–traded funds, mutual funds, mortgage–backed securities, and even bonds.
If you also want to fund your own or someone else’s higher education, you can also be able to do it with thinkorswim. All you have to do is to just set up an IRA for retirement or an education savings plan including Custodial Accounts, 529 Plans and Coverdell ESAs.
Tools and Features Offered
thinkorswim has actually made sure that all of its users will find efficiency in the tools and features provided in four “for free” different trading platforms – think desktop, webBased trading, think anywhere and think mobile.
Basically, Think Desktop is a comprehensive software-based platform that provides quotes, charts, alerts and a lot more, and is actually perfect for your home office computer or laptop.
WebBased trading on the other hand has the most powerful features and is suitable to any computer with an Internet connection. While Think Anywhere is a similar platform but is to be installed for your handheld device like Blackberry or Palm, perfect to work anywhere with cellphone signal.
Finally, Think Mobile, is a newer platform that is wireless and perfect for small quotes and order transactions.
Security and Ease of Use
Like most brokers, thinkorswim also handles its security very well. In fact, all personal data transactions that thinkorswim process are handled with 128–bit SSL encryption and with fraud protection. thinkorswim has also made itself a member of SIPC to make sure everything will be fine.
In terms of ease of use, there’s also no problem about it. thinkorswim has provided software platforms in tabs so you’d be rest assured you’d be able to do the navigation simply. Over-all, you’ll be guided all throughout by various demos on different topics on how things work starting to the simplest tools up to the most complexed ones.
Customer Support
Though thinkorswim is only located in one place, in Chicago, it still made sure that the users will be able to relay their concerns easier via email, telephone or live chat. thinkorswim will also answer your queries and all, in the fastest way possible.
Summary
Generally speaking, thinkorswim is one of the best aid one could ever have, not only for the purpose of trading but also for the purpose of learning how to trade efficiently and effectively.
As of now, thinkorswim is not yet that popular like other bigger brokers out there but the nice thing is thinkorswim is now gaining recognition that it actually long before deserves.