Top 4 Apps for Traders.
Consumers are increasingly shifting towards mobile platforms as new tools can help investors gain insight, hone their skills without risking a dime and ultimately trade their portfolio. Below are the top four apps that gained popularity and positive reviews among users in 2016. (StockTouch, a visual stock analysis and tracking app, was also among the most popular in 2016, but after shutting down and restarting during the year, it was shut down again in the first quarter of 2017 and is currently not available.)
Robinhood allows investors to trade stocks with no commission fee. While more experienced traders may be skeptical about the simplicity of the app and the newbies it attracts, there is no denying that it is a game changer. Launched in 2014, Robinhood's target audience is the younger generation of traders with an average age of 26 years old, 25% of whom are first-time investors.
In 2015, Robinhood became the first financial app of any kind to win an Apple Design Award, thanks to its quick sign-up process and easy-to-use interface. The app uses geolocation to suggest relevant stocks. It provides an innovative crowd-sourced, social approach that shares insight and trends from other Robinhood users, looking to build a following. Latest updated versions of the app both for iOS and Android were uploaded in October 2016 and so far have been receiving positive reviews from the users.
In September 2016, the company announced the launch of Robinhood Gold – an advanced version of the platform with a set of premium features, such as extended trading hours, a line of credit and a faster option for making deposits and withdrawals. The company considers Robinhood to be a limited margin account and Robinhood Gold to be a margin account; so to use the Gold feature, an investor must have a minimum balance of $2,000, as per regulations. Access to Robinhood Gold will cost the users a flat fee per month, with the amount varying depending on what level of account you sign up for. (For more details on the service, click here.)
TD Ameritrade Mobile.
TD Ameritrade Mobile is offering customers several applications for monitoring the market and making trades. TD Ameritrade Mobile Trader enables the trading of equities, options, futures and forex. Traders can keep the track of the news through integrated live streams from several CNBC regional channels and a financial news service. With access to comprehensive research materials, traders of any level benefit from TD Ameritrade's expertise. Users of this app can chat with other traders and learn about the upcoming events through the interactive market calendar.
TD Ameritrade Mobile app, the second tool offered by the mobile division of the company, is mostly focused on analysis of trends and keeping track of the trader's positions and orders. It provides an opportunity to transfer cash and deposit checks by taking the pictures of them with the phone camera. Moreover, users can find out market information about the companies by simply scanning the bar code of the consumer products in the store. The iOS version of the application is rated higher by mobile store users than the version for Android devices.
E*Trade Mobile.
E*Trade Mobile's easy-to-use interface helps users locate stocks quickly through a voice search function. Similar to TD Ameritrade applications, E*Trade Mobile provides an opportunity to trade a variety of securities: stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and options. With real-time quotes and news from Morningstar, MarketWatch, Briefing, and various wires, along with CNBC Video on Demand, users have access to a wealth of information. Users can select information that is displayed on the customizable dashboard and have access to educational tools and comparison charts. E*trade Mobile's application is available on mobile phones with both operating systems and can be connected to Apple Watch.
TradeHero is a learning app that allows investors to practice trading in a safe environment. Based on the real world data, the app is perfect for users looking to hone their skills or test new strategies without financial risk on simulated stock exchanges from around the world.
Users receive $100,000 to build their fantasy portfolios and compete against each other. The winners have a chance to be listed on the leaderboard as a hero and receive a real cash prize. Participants receive alerts about the performance of their favorite stocks and can get access to the video tutorials and the tips from experienced users.
The most recent updates for the app were launched in October 2016 with predominantly positive reviews from users. Currently the iOS and Android versions of the app slightly differ by functionality, however the company promised to add the missing features in the next versions.

Option trading applications

Prior to providing the options application we are required to provide you with the options disclosure brochure which helps to ensure you are aware of the characteristics and risks associated with trading standardized options.
When signing the Options Application, you are acknowledging that you have received and read the options disclosure brochure entitled Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . By clicking this link you will access this document and any necessary supplements.
We recommend that save a copy of the brochure. A physical copy of this brochure can be obtained from your local Scottrade В® team.

eOption.
Account Applications and Forms.
Individual Brokerage Account.
For International Accounts, include:
For Resident Alien Accounts:
Option Account Forms.
Request Forms.
To request account forms, to be mailed to you, including IRA forms, please call our New Accounts Department at 888-793-5333.
Minimum Investment.
Domestic Accounts.
Cash accounts can be opened with a minimum of $500. New accounts must be funded within 30 days or the account will be closed.
International Accounts.
For International accounts we require a minimum of 25000.00 to open the account. Click here for details. New accounts must be funded within 30 days or the account will be closed.
The information on this web site is for discussion and information purposes only. All accounts accepted at the discretion of eOption which accepts customer orders only on an unsolicited basis, and does not make any recommendations regarding any security or securities product with the possible exception of orders executed by our full service bond desk. Nothing contained herein should be considered as an offer to buy or sell any security or securities product. Online trading has inherent risks due to loss of online services or delays from system performance, risk parameters, market conditions, and erroneous or unavailable market data.
FINRA BrokerCheck reports for Regal Securities and its investment professionals are available at finra. org/brokercheck.
Options Disclosure: Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Prior to trading options, you must be approved for options trading and read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. A copy may also be requested via at supporteoption or via mail to eOption, 950 Milwaukee Ave., Ste. 102, Glenview, IL 60025. Online trading has inherent risks due to loss of online services or delays from system performance, risk parameters, market conditions, and erroneous or unavailable market data.
eOption Commissions: Broker-assisted orders are an additional $6. Option strategies involve multiple purchases; therefore your transaction costs may be significant for option strategy trades. A commission rate of $5.00 for equities and $5.00 + $.15/contract for options, per execution, applies to orders entered and filled by eOption's Auto Trade Desk and does not apply to customers who enter their trades directly into the eOption platform and are not utilizing the Auto Trade desk.
Broker Comparison: The competitor rates from published websites were verified on 03/15/17 and are believed to be accurate, but not guaranteed. Commissions are subject to change without notice. At some firms, commissions may not reflect broker-assisted fees, orders over 1,000 shares, penny stock trades, OTCBB, pink sheet stocks or foreign stock orders. Firms may offer reduced commissions if additional criteria are met.

Options Trading.
Options are a flexible investment tool that can help you take advantage of any market condition. With the ability to generate income, help limit risk or take advantage of your bullish or bearish forecast, options can help you achieve your investment goals.
Best-in-class strategy and support.
Whether you are new to options or an experienced trader, Fidelity has the tools, expertise, and educational support to help improve your options trading. And with powerful research and idea generation at your fingertips, we can help you trade in the know.
Low, transparent costs.
Trade for just $4.95 per online trade, plus $0.65 per contract. See how our pricing compares. Plus, get additional savings with Fidelity's price improvement. 1 While the average industry savings per 1,000 shares is $1.66, our average savings with the same amount of shares is $11.25.
Be the first to know: Sign up to be notified of upcoming Education Events Log In Required . And visit our Learning Center for helpful videos and webinars, or contact our Strategy Desk Specialist anytime with questions.
Our independent research and insights help you scan the markets for opportunities. Help improve your trades, from idea to execution.
No matter where you trade or how you trade, we offer sophisticated options trading platforms to suit your needs at home, or on the go.
How to start trading options.
Fidelity was rated Best Online Broker in 2016 and 2017 by Barron's , 2 Investor's Business Daily , 3 and Kiplinger's . 4.
Get 500 free trades.
Fund a new or existing account and receive up to 500 commission-free trades* on U. S. equities, ETFs, and options, and get access to Active Trader Pro ® .
If you have questions about trading options,
$4.95 commission applies to online U. S. equity trades in a Fidelity retail account only for Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC retail clients. Certain accounts may require a minimum opening balance of $2,500. Sell orders are subject to an activity assessment fee (from $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal). Other conditions may apply. See Fidelity/commissions for details. Employee equity compensation transactions and accounts managed by advisors or intermediaries through Fidelity Clearing and Custody Solutions are subject to different commission schedules.
Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.
There are additional costs associated with option strategies that call for multiple purchases and sales of options, such as spreads, straddles, and collars, as compared with a single option trade.
There is an Options Regulatory Fee from $0.04 to $0.06 per contract, which applies to both option buy and sell transactions. The fee is subject to change.
System availability and response times may be subject to market conditions.
Active Trader Pro ® is automatically made available to customers trading 36 times or more in a rolling 12-month period. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, please contact Active Trader Services at 800-564-0211 to request access.
Stay Connected.
We make it easy to get started.
If you don’t have a Fidelity account already, you can open and fund an account now.
To trade options you’ll first need to complete an options application and get approval on your eligible accounts.