SpeedTrader Review: One of the reasons you’ll find SpeedTrader in your googling results is likely because it has been around for a long time, servicing the day trading industry. It’s one of the best brokerage firms and has been loved by day traders for over 20 years. In 1999, Guy Gentile, one of the youngest persons to own a licensed broker dealership, launched the trading brokerage service to provide direct access to trading with added value compared to a typical online broker.
Today, this company continues to be a leading online stock trading platform. Barron’s has ranked it among the best online brokerages for multiple years. “I feel the need … the need for speed – a SpeedTrader Review, that is!”
Table of Contents
SpeedTrader Review Introduction
When you’re searching for a day trading-friendly broker for the first time, you’re bound to come across many popular brokers’ names such as Lightspeed (Lightspeed Trader), Interactive Brokers (Trader Workstation – TWS), TradeStation (TradeStation 10), TD Ameritrade (thinkorswim), Fidelity (Active Trader Pro), and most likely SpeedTrader.
SpeedTrader ECN Review
SpeedTrader routing options can generate ECN rebates, which may lower your commission costs. Indeed, they have a good selection of ECN and exchange routes from ARCA, INET, BATS, and EDGX to less-known routes such as CUTC (Citadel), XALL, LQPT, and ONXX.
With a broker like SpeedTrader, you control your order routing. Find out more about routing via ECNs on the SpeedTrader website here. Having multiple routing options, over 25 with this company, is important when the speed of trade executions and liquidity often determine the success of a trading plan. SpeedTrader also caters to financial institutions such as hedge funds and Proprietary Trading Firms (Prop Firms).
If you are a trader focused on shorting stocks, you may find that SpeedTrader has a more extensive shortlist than a traditional broker. Integrated locates allow you to search for locates directly within the SpeedTrader PRO Platform.
Is SpeedTrader the Best Day Trading Platform?
- SpeedTrader is one of the best day trading platforms
- Lightening fast trade executions
- Integrates with the DAS Trader platform
- Customization of hotkeys
- Large ECN order routes
According to Guy Gentile, the company Speedtrader.com, Inc. ultimately became “Stock USA Investments, Inc.” and later on “Stock USA Execution Services,” which is now Mint Global Markets, Inc.
As a result, if you are doing business with SpeedTrader, you are doing business with Mint Global Markets, Inc., a New York-based online stock broker that is a member of FINRA & SIPC. If you have not heard of Mint Global Markets, it’s likely because it conducts its business of online trading services under the name SpeedTrader.
Those looking for a direct-access online broker will likely consider SpeedTrader among other brokers. Direct Market Access (DMA) is not usually available to individual traders. Brokerage firms will typically have direct market access to facilitate trade orders.
As a trader, direct market access allows you to view an exchange’s order book and all its trade orders. It is intended for active traders who want more powerful solutions while being sensitive to cost savings.
Platform Options
Like many of its peers in the trading industry, SpeedTrader offers three types of platform access. The standalone software (SpeedTrader Pro), the web interface (ActiveWeb), and the mobile option (Mobile Trading) come free with the desktop Pro version.
These platforms are licensed products of DAS INC., a provider of electronic trading solutions. The desktop program may be called SpeedTrader Pro, but it’s running on the Das Trader Pro platform. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course.
Das Trader
The Das Trader products are powerful and liked by many day traders. Let’s review some of the options:
SpeedTrader PRO: While labeled, software from DAS Trader comes with advanced features that professional traders cannot live without. Here’s a taste:
- Ability to create, save, and load custom multi-screen layouts.
- Build and organize custom watch lists.
- Speed up your order entries with over 100 hotkey options
- All your trading accounts are managed within the trading platform
- Customized stock scanners
- Over 25 direct access order routing options
- Advanced Level 2 screens
- Real-time charts
- You can trade off the charts
Web Interface
ActiveWeb Platform: the web-based interface of SpeedTrader may be more suited for part-time traders. It does cost less than the desktop application and offers basic options such as:
- Level 1 quotes
- Streaming news
- Real-time charting
- Option trading
- Tools for risk management
SERVICES |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESCRIPTION | Bullish Bears offer trade rooms in our Discord. Our chat rooms include penny stocks, large caps, options, and futures | We offer stock signals and trade alerts through our watch lists and Discord bots using Tradytics | Swing trade and day trade watch lists with hand-picked symbols that have the best chance of breakouts. These are stocks to watch |
| INCLUDED | Trading courses • Live streaming • Discord • Real Time Teaching • Scanners & Bots Trade Rooms | Watch lists • Symbols • Support and resistance levels • Discord bots and scanners Trade Alerts | Swing trade watchlist • Day trade watchlist • Alert levels mapped out • Watch lists updated daily Watch Lists |
SpeedTrader Fees and Pricing Review
- 500 or more trades per month = $2.95 rate per trade
- 200 to 499 = $3.95 per trade
- Under 200 = $4.49 per trade
- Per share pricing: over 500K = $0.0025, 250K to 500K = $0.003, Under 250K = $0.0044 per share
- Options pricing: 1000 contracts or more – $0.30 per contract, 500 to 1000 – $0.35, Under 500 – $0.40
Get updated pricing here.
Offerings
When opening an account with SpeedTrader, you can choose between COR Clearing and ETC Clearing. Check out a list of the top trading companies.
The COR account has the option of per trade commission, which is more cost-efficient for those trading larger orders. The ETC choice only has a per-share commission option. ETC (Electronic Transaction Clearing) is available through the SpeedTrader PRO service.
The SpeedTrader platforms have monthly fees ranging from $25 to over $100 monthly. As for commission fees, the per-trade pricing starts at $4.49/trade, the per-share pricing starts at $0.0044/share, and pricing starts at $0.40/contract if you trade options.
Keep in mind that there are other account fees and routing fees. You can find the details here.
SpeedTrader Short List
SpeedTrader is one of the best brokers for shorting. Check this out! SpeedTrader has just increased its ability to find hard-to-borrow (HTB) stocks! That’s right! They now have four new pools called CURV, CUTL, STCK, and CWEN. This new feature will help you find shares that everyone desires to short but cannot find on many other brokers.
Pros & Cons
SpeedTrader is a broker for very active day traders. If you are starting in the trading world, you won’t appreciate this company as much.
Pros
Speedy executions and efficient order routing
Low commissions for active traders.
Robust trading platform with advanced features
Cons
Software fees are higher than most other brokers
No Forex, ETFs, or Futures trading.
The minimum deposit to open an account is $30,000 (USD).
Final Thoughts: SpeedTrader Review
SpeedTrader distinguishes itself by offering direct market access. Their commission structure is in line with other discount brokers. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to trade futures or Forex.
Although there is nothing that necessarily sets SpeedTrader apart from the competition offering direct market access, it is nonetheless a solid broker that has stood the test of time offering all the basic features professional traders need to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Investors cannot purchase shares of SpeedTrader because the company is privately held.
Guy Gentile founded SpeedTrader in 1999. They are currently owned by Stock USA Investments, Inc.
SpeedTrader Pro platform requires $10,000 and $2500 for the Active Web platform to open an account. They require a minimum deposit of $30,000 to day trade.
SpeedTrader is a legitimate trading platform that is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Their platform is geared towards day traders.
- SpeedTrader ActiveWeb and Mobile: $35 per month (waived for users that pay over $199 per month in commissions)
- SpeedTrader Pro: $49 per month (waived for users that pay over $199 per month in commissions)
