Thinkorswim took top honors in Barron's annual ranking of online brokers.
The magazine rated brokers on a variety of factors, including range of investments, start-up process, tools, ease of use, customization, costs and others. In addition to price cuts, industry players have introduced an array of new or improved products and services, including social networking and mobile trading with iPhone and BlackBerry applications.
Thinkorswim stood out for its innovation and wide variety of tools, as well as its customer service and educational resources. The broker was recently acquired by TDAmeritrade, which ranked further down the pack, and the two operations maintain separate clearing platforms. Thinkorswim was also rated best for options traders.
Here's how the Barron's ranking shakes out:
1.Thinkorswim
2.MB Trading
3.Interactive Brokers
4.TradeStation
5.OptionsXpress
6.Fidelity
7.Trade Station
8.Trade King
9.TradeMonster
10.OptionsHouse
11.TD Ameritrade
12.E*Trade
13.ChoiceTrade
14.Muriel Siebert & Co.
15.Lightspeed Trading
16.Charles Schwab
17.Scottrade
18.Zecco
19.SogoTrade
20.Terra Nova
21.Just2Trade
22.Firstrade
23.Cobra Trading