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Option Friendly Brokers
August 4th, 2009 
Genius Not all brokers are created equal.
In order to trade for a living or even trade profitably, you must have a good set of tools. One the tools that is essential is a good broker. With so many to choose from, there is no excuse for having a lousy broker.
As option sellers, we need to have an option friendly broker. This is a broker than either specializes in options, or considers option traders a very important customer base.
By using an option friendly broker you will get
- better commissions
- better margin requirements
- better prices on your orders
- better software/platforms to trade on
- better information
- and better education
How do you tell if your broker is an option friendly broker?
- If your broker advertises on national tv, it’s probably not an option friendly broker.
- If your broker is a household name ( they have their name on a stadium), they are probably not an option friendly broker.
- If your broker’s main sales pitch is how low their stock commissions are, they are probably not an option friendly broker.
So how do you find an option friendly broker?
- A broker with the word “option” in their name probably IS an option friendly broker.
- If your broker charges less than $2 for a single option or less than $30 for a dozen, they probably ARE an option friendly broker.
- If you can trade options from their own software, on the internet, or from your cell phone, you probably have an option friendly broker.
- If your broker puts on seminars and webinars teaching option strategies, you probably have an option friendly broker.
- If you can call their help desk and have them walk you through an iron condor trade, without them asking you what an iron condor is – you probably have an option friendly broker.
Finding a broker is not hard. Finding an good option broker is a little trickier. But if you ask option traders you will get many suggestions. Of if you join my site, I will show you which ones I think are the best.
Having a broker that is not option friendly, is like trading with one hand tied behind your back. Don’t do it.
Hi,
I am curious about what option broker you are using. I am currently using IB for everything but don’t really know whether it makes your requirements.
Myself is doing option selling started about this April. Let’s discuss it further if you would like.
Charles
IB is fine. I have never had an account there so I am not sure how their prices work. Per option they are the cheapest but then they have added charges that make it harder to compare. I use think or swim for most of my accounts. I like their desktop platform.
Allen
Yes, you are right. I also find the customer service is not that good – many times I couldn’t even get through the call (nobody is picking up). But like you said, it’s really cheap. In your comment, you talked about never trading future options. Can you tell me why?
I personally find futures option is a far better utilizing the margin. I trade E-mini, oil, EUR/USD options currently. Well, the liquidity may not be as good as equity options – bid/ask is pretty wide if you are used to equity side.
Thanks for your valuable advise! I have started 3 months ago virtual trading on optionsxpress.com. I understand they charge $14.95 on every transaction irrespective of stock quantity.
optionsxpress has local account in Australia and this suits me.
Trading options is new to me therefore any information comparing other option trading platforms would help.
I AM USING OPTIONS EXPRESS AND AM SATISFIED WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING.
CHARLES B
OPTIONSXPRESS is the best out of all.
But if you are buying only 1 contract you can go to TRADEKING.
All others companies are not comparable to these two. Best of the best.
I use TD Waterhouse in Canada. They charge $1.25 per option plus $9.99 regardless number of contract.
Can anybody tell me is it good price. Thanks!
I find Interactive Brokers (IB) is much cheaper. No base commition and $0.75 per contract. i f you trade large number of contracts it can be much lower. you can check their web site. There TWS platform is also good for spread, option strategy, or contigent orders trading. Their interest on loan is cheaper. They give you 4 times more the buying power for trading.
Kim says “IB is charging 70 cents per contract. I have a difficult time to understand why someone would pay $9.95 PLUS 75 cents per contract or 1.25 per contract. If you trade decent volumes, it is a huge difference.”
If you trade 10 Iron Condors IB charges 70c per contract if you smart route it and IF the exchange that executes it has no fees….BIG IF…even so at $28 for 10 Iron Condors and from experience more like $40-$45, then I can name at least 3 brokers that are far more cost effective….also goes to the previous hype of IB being $0.75c per contract and “much lower if you trade large number of contracts”…much lower (if it exists) starts at 10,000 contracts a month, and you get to deal with their customer support
Hi Mark,
You mention “I can name at least 3 brokers that are far more cost effective” without mentioning the names. It’d be nice to release them. Th a lot
I have used optionsxpress for a long time and they are great and you can push them down on there commissions if you ask, but if people are interested with trading condors on dollar strike where it takes alot of contracts you need to check out options house At options xpress a 50 contract iron condor which would be a total of 200 contracts which is not a stretch when trading dollar strikes, The commission 1 way would be 200.00 and at options house its 12.50 flat plus .15 cents a contract which would be 42.50 total thats a savings and will allow you to go further out of the money and take trades you couldnt even take before and the .15cents is good up to 4000 contracts it also makes adjustments easier. there platform is fine for condors and spreads not as good for straight option plays that would require brackets orders. may be worth a check though
Well, Interactive Brokers has been imposing Extreme Margin Model on my short strangle positions, which basically increases 30% above regular margin requirements from exchange. Do you guys have similar experiences with other brokers on this Extreme Margin Model or it’s just IB thing?
I don’t know why, but the brokers have been playing with margin requirements lately. Thinkorswim started charging margin for both sides of a double diagonal. By charging both sides, it makes the trade not worth it on a risk/reward standpoint. Also a member told me that in his portfolio margin account they have changed the way they are evaluating margin for trades.
that’s bad indeed. What about iron condor or straight strangle? Does that happen to your account as well?
I am actually switching from IB to TOS at the moment. At least from my initial evaluation, TOS charges normal margin on futures side. I’ll watch closely once trading starts.
Is Interactive Brokers a “good” options broker?
Yes. I find it is very cheap as well as their TWS platform is very good for creative traders who look for delta/ Vega trades.
I am using ThinkorSwim. At first, I thought their prices were cway too high, but I called them and they lowered my commission rate. Plus, they have the best charting tools, which is really necessary for setting up an Iron Condor the right way. I find that it is easier to see the setup visually, so I can see what my profit points are.
I use TOS as well, but I don’t find their commission cheap at all. They maybe cheaper than OptionsXpress or Charles Schwab, but there are broker has even cheaper commission.
I stay with TOS also because their power desktop software. They also have better service.
I’m using Trade Monster. Good easy-to-use tools. I wrote some Matlab-based software to do what Trade Monster tools don’t.
I’ve tried IB’s demo tools a few times but found them confusing, especially option spreads like condors. In a fast-moving market, with large positions, I’d be frightened of making a mistake and blowing up a year or more of hard-earned profits.
I’ve been using IB for about 5 years and I’ve had no problems. Fills are great and commissions are very cheap. $1.00 or less for equity options, period.
For doing spreads and other strategies it takes some time to learn the platform. But, that is probably true with any broker.
I currently use trade king for my iron condors and I pay $0.65 per contract and a $5 flat fee. The customer service is great they will help you out in placing the trades until you get the hang of it for no extra charge. They also answer the phones even two thursdays ago when the dow dropped 1000 points.The trades are very easy to place and take only 5-10 minutes to learn.
I opened an account with TOS several years ago and found I was paying higher commissions than at OptionsXpress. A phone call got me a flat 1.25/contract with no minimum or other charges. I’ve been told that TOS will no longer grant such a rate, but I have 2 accounts there and there has been no change in either.
Is anyone getting better than $14.95 from OptionsXPress by calling to ask for a better rate? Spread trades can get pretty pricy with them after more than 5 contracts.
Think or Swim was just aquired by td Ameritrade.they claim
to still have $1.50 per spread. I agree the platform is
impressive. I started with TOS while learning options
from Investools out of Utah a few years ago.
I use IB for options as they are the cheapest and I like the option trader platform , I have had both friendly and non friendly agents on the phone , I think they are working on that as there has bean alot of mention about it
I’m sticking with IB . I have chatted with top traders that trade for a living with large accounts and they say IB is the best. Saving the commissions adds up over time and the execution is the quickest
think or swim in canada is not like in US we have to pay 9.99 per transaction plus 1.25 per contract…and when i closed the adjustment this month it cost me $69.00 canadian dollars…this is way too much and i tried to ask them why they said that’s the way canadian eh…it’s very frustrating but the platform is excellent so i will try IB this time
Wow! $69 for a simple spread?
That is way more than 9.99 plus 1.25?
Why so much?
Did they help you with the trade? Is that why it was so much? Because even at 9.99 it should not have cost so much.
I use TD and pay $9.99 Plus $1.25 for each contract. Service is good. Is this okay commission. I live in Canada.
@syed did you find a good broker here in canada? i am still looking for the best one i tried IB and it’s so confusing, besides TOS most of Allen recommendation don’t accept canadian, only OPTION EXPRESS. share it if you find the best platform and good commissions.
I am still having trouble keeping Dr. appointments and
reading and trying to understand what i read. Basically
i am certain i will be paper trading for the next month.
who is IB?
IB is Interactive Brokers
What is your recommendation? For auto trading?
Fidelity is a BIG name and is NOT on your recommendation list. It charges $7.95/transaction plus $0.75/contract. I think it is a good price if you are no doing too few contracts. I wonder why it is not recommended.
Fidelity is not listed because they are not option friendly.
IB is charging 70 cents per contract. I have a difficult time to understand why someone would pay $9.95 PLUS 75 cents per contract or 1.25 per contract. If you trade decent volumes, it is a huge difference.
BTW, I was able to get $1 per contract from TOS with no special effort. Still higher than IB
I am using Eoption, they charge $3 +.10 per contract. Their fills are OK. I feel that their commissions are better then anyone above mencioned.
I am considering using OptionsHouse brokerage. I have been using them for papertrading, but not real money. They charge $5 flat fee for up to 5 options trades and $2.95 for stock trades. Anyone have any real money experience with them? (I’m especially interested in execution of trades and customer service.)
I use both OptionsHouse and eOption. OH has a great platform, reasonable rates, and good customer service. eOption is the exact opposite – crappy platform, double charging of margin, incompetent customer service, and problems with their website. I only stick with them for one of my accounts for the cheap trades for SPY contracts.
Fidelity refused to approve Covered Call option trading on an ordinary stock account – 2 times.
Office agent says that Fidelity is very conservative.
Sat. Radio program advocating covered call option writing for income states that brokers who refuse covered call writing are ignorant and that a different broker should be selected.
Fidelity is not an “option friendly” broker, but they do allow covered calls. In fact I have an IRA there and I do covered calls in it. Their software makes it much harder to do but it is possible.
The brokers decide to let you trade options based on the experience you list on the application and the amount of money you have in your account. If you have tried talking to Fidelity and they still refuse, try another broker. There are many brokers that will be happy to have your business.
I use optionsxpress.ca because i’m canadian but…as a canuck my short option margin requirements are crazy! instead of the exchange 20% of the Underlying Market Value they enforce 35% of the underlying market value! That is insane I had to fight hard just to get it to 30% and have to make a special request on a trade by trade basis to get 25%.
Hi Allen,
I recently switch to Interactive Brokers, from TD Ameritrade, but the problem is they don’t provide after hours options data. i.e. the bid and ask is blank after hours, whereas TD used to still show it. Do you know any way i can get this information?
Thanks.
nevermind, i figured this out. Thanks.
Tradestation. $1 per contract. About $100 Monthly fee for access but if you trade 50+ contracts per month then monthly access is waived
can anybody give us any option rather than TOS brokerage here in Canada!!! they are all in US and not able to open an account.
thanks
I have been with thinkorswim since 2008 and have liked their service very much. Their platform has every whitsle and bell known to man but it has a learning curve.You can get help readily from their technical desk by phone or email. In general, their customer service is top notch.
They will start you out at options commissions of $2.95 per trade, but as an Options Genius subscriber and got $1.50 trades immediately. The lower fees make a big difference when you are doing ultra conservative trades when selling small premiums like 20 cents or so. Don’t forget to ask them to do the same for your virtual accounts. You will probably want the commissions there to mimick your real account.
Are there any “Option Friendly Brokers” in Canada?
Brokers were I could open an Autotrading account?
My Broker charges for 10 contracts,are always $22.49
this comes to $89.96 when I trade a 4 legged contract.
Help me; Out of OKC. Ok. Looking for a good option Broker. Monty
Tradeking is a very good broker for options. There commissions are very cheap. They have a excellent education center with on demand videos on all option strategies.
FIDELITY has been running ads lately, Dec. 2011, to get Option business – but
FIDELITY refused to allow covered Call writing on a stock account, not small, 2 times.
Fidelity Clerk says that Fidelity is very conservative with options.
The truth is that Fidelity is very ignorant about options.
Avoid Fidelity like the plague.
Even Fidelity Mutual Funds have very high management fees in general.
I have been trading with Trade King but now looking for another broker, considering Option Express. They charge a little more but there platform has more to offer and easier
to use. Trade King seems to over run my stops by excessive amounts. I also have a disputed trade pending, meaning during the investigation my account is inactive online.
Why would anybody pay $8.95, 12.50 or any other fixed base amount plus .75 to 1.25 per option trade? Eliminate the base charge, pay only the per option fee saving thousands annually if you are an active trader.
A depreciated option buy-back at .01 and any assignments are commission-free. Shop around, it will create a new and important profit center for your account!!
Has anyone had experience with ChoiceTrade.com??? If so I will appreciate all feed back.
Thanks and God Bless,
Jim
I use OptionHouse for nearly a year now and am satisfied. Stocks 3.95 and options $5 for up to 5 and no other charges. I think you can also trade up to 10 options for 8.95 but I never trade that many.
Canadians, what trading services do you find to be the best in Canada I have RBC account good service but high on the fee side Lets try to nail down the absolute best value
Thank you so much for this email and Blog. I have printed it out and will read through it all, especially all of the comments. I am currently with ScottradeOptions>First, and in most areas I am extremely happy. But recently, in exploring alternatives, such as one I am looking at seriously, being TradeMonster,I realize that with the volume of trades I do each month (Options)I can actually save almost $250 per month in Fees. So far, my research tells me that they are also at least equivelent or better in other areas as well, such as tutorials, charting, what ifs, and multi spread scenarios, etc. Any suggestions, comments, recommendations, etc., from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Gary (ganiello@aol.com)
I’m trying to compare optionshouse v/s eOption. For a credit spread, how much does it cost at eOption for, let’s say 25 spreads ?
optionshouse: $12.5 for spreads + 0.15/contract
For 25 spreads, this is 12.5 + (25*0.15*2) = $20
How about eOption ?
With $3/option and $0.10/contract, is it $8 ?
Can any of the eOption users confirm ?
Thanks !
One of the reasons I stay with tos is that there are no commissions when I buy back an option for a nickel or less. For option sellers like me this is a great feature
I trade using eoptions, it’s 10 cents an option but they do have hidden fees.