Webull vs. TD Ameritrade: 2023 Comparison

Webull and TD Ameritrade both offer impressive, easy-to-use platforms, but crypto availability and educational tools vary.
Pamela de la Fuente
By Pamela de la Fuente 
Updated

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Webull and TD Ameritrade are both impressive options for investors. But below, we'll compare these two brokers head-to-head to help you decide which is best for you. Webull offers crypto, and boasts some of the lowest fees among brokerages, but it lacks access to mutual funds. TD Ameritrade offers extensive educational materials and a wide variety of low-cost mutual funds, but no direct access to cryptocurrencies.

Webull
NerdWallet rating 

on Webull's website

Webull is best for

  • Intermediate investors.

  • Active traders.

  • Options traders.

  • Cryptocurrency traders.

Webull at a glance

Account minimum

$0.

Stock trading costs

$0.

Options trades

$0.

Account fees (annual, transfer, closing, inactivity)

No annual or inactivity fees; $75 full/partial transfer fee.

Tradable securities

  • Stocks.

  • ETFs.

  • Options.

  • ADRs.

Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds

Not rated.

Trading platform

Browser-based and downloadable desktop platforms available with advanced charts, indicators, screeners and customization.

Mobile app

Mobile app offers advanced features including charts and indicators, paper trading, price alerts and voice command.

Research and data

News, research and analysis available from several sources including Nasdaq Totalview, Morningstar and Dow Jones.

Customer support options (includes how easy it is to find key details on the website)

24/7 phone, email and chat.

TD Ameritrade
NerdWallet rating 

on TD Ameritrade's website

TD Ameritrade is best for:

  • Beginner investors.

  • Advanced traders.

  • Investor education/advice.

  • Fund investors.

TD Ameritrade at a glance

Account minimum

$0

Stock trading costs

$0

Options trades

$0.65 per contract.

Account fees (annual, transfer, closing, inactivity)

No annual or inactivity fee. $75 full transfer; $0 partial transfer.

Number of no-transaction-fee mutual funds

More than 1,600.

Tradable securities

  • Stocks.

  • Bonds.

  • Options.

  • Mutual funds.

  • ETFs.

  • Futures.

  • Forex.

  • Foreign ADRs.

  • IPOs for qualified accounts.

Crypto availability

No direct access to cryptocurrencies, but crypto coin trusts are available over-the-counter, and qualified clients can trade Bitcoin futures from CME.

Trading platform

Two platforms: TD Ameritrade web and thinkorswim (desktop).

Mobile app

TD Ameritrade mobile app, TDA thinkorswim app.

Research and data

Research, analysis, commentary and news available from 15 providers, including Argus, CFRA, Reuters, Vickers and Morningstar.

Customer support options (includes how easy it is to find key details on the website).

Phone, email and live chat support 24/7. In person at local branches. Support also available via text, Facebook Messenger, Twitter direct message, Apple Business Chat and Amazon Alexa.

Want to compare more brokerages? Here's our full list of the best brokers for stock trading.

Methodology

How do we review brokers?

NerdWallet’s comprehensive review process evaluates and ranks the largest U.S. brokers by assets under management, along with emerging industry players. Our aim is to provide an independent assessment of providers to help arm you with information to make sound, informed judgements on which ones will best meet your needs. We adhere to strict guidelines for editorial integrity.

We collect data directly from providers through detailed questionnaires, and conduct first-hand testing and observation through provider demonstrations. The questionnaire answers, combined with demonstrations, interviews of personnel at the providers and our specialists’ hands-on research, fuel our proprietary assessment process that scores each provider’s performance across more than 20 factors. The final output produces star ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars).

For more details about the categories considered when rating brokers and our process, read our full methodology.

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