Top perks
Low options commissions with subscription option
Tradier gives options traders a choice between $0.35 per-contract fees or a $10 monthly subscription with unlimited free trading. For active options traders, this represents big savings compared to rivals.
Low margin interest rates
Tradier has a simple, flat-rate margin structure with a 9.5% interest rate. This is significantly lower than the margin interest charged by many competitors. That said, some competitors may offer better rates to traders with big balances.
Highly customizable trading experience
Over 100 trading platforms are available on Tradier, and there's even the ability for tech-savvy experienced traders to design their own custom platforms. Most other brokerages offer one platform, or two at the most.
Lots of investment choices
In addition to standard investment choices like stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options, there are other types of investments available via third-party platforms through Tradier accounts. Futures and forex trading are two examples, and some of the platforms allow access to international stock markets. And, depending on the platform you choose, you might be able to invest in fractional shares of stock.
As of early 2024, Tradier has announced it will be bringing futures trading onto the platform.
What could be improved
Stock and ETF commissions
Tradier has upped fees on the platform from $0 to $0.35 per equities trade. Users who want to trade without paying Tradier commissions must subscribe to the $10 per month pro plan. Casual traders, especially active ones, may want to check out commission-free brokers to save money.
Expensive mutual fund investing
Mutual funds are available through Tradier brokerage accounts, but with a big asterisk. The standard mutual fund commission is $30, and even funds on NTF lists cost $10 to trade. If mutual funds are going to be a primary focus for you, there's probably a better brokerage choice.
IRA account fees
You can open an individual retirement account, or IRA, through Tradier, but the platform isn't ideal for it. There's a $30 annual fee to keep an IRA at Tradier, and a $60 termination fee if you close it. If you want paper statements or paper trade confirmations, you face extra fees for those as well.
Account inactivity fees
Tradier isn't the best place to simply buy a few shares of stock and leave them alone. The broker has a $50 inactivity fee for accounts with less than $2,000 that have less than two executed trades in a year.