TradeStation was originally created in 1982 as a trading software, and evolved into a online brokerage in 2001 combining their software platform with real time data and trade execution. Fast forward to today, and Tradestation now offers a wide range of tradeable assets on both powerful mobile and desktop platform versions. The platform is best suited for self directed and active traders who are in the intermediate to advanced experience level.

TradeStation currently offers the following account types:

Individual or joint brokerage account: A brokerage account simply allows you to deposit funds and start investing.  You can own this account as an individual or jointly with another person.

Traditional IRA: IRAs are individual retirement accounts. A traditional IRA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to the account to save for retirement. In general, the amounts in your traditional IRA, as well as earnings and gains are not taxed until you take a withdrawal.

Roth IRA: A roth IRA is just the opposite of a traditional IRA. You pay taxes up front on the money you contribute to this account, but when you make a withdrawal you don't pay taxes.  

401k Rollover IRA: A rollover IRA allows you to transfer funds from an old employer sponsored plan to an IRA.

Custodial account: A custodial account is a brokerage account for a minor typically managed by a parent until the child comes of legal age.

Please note: You must qualify for an IRA and there are limits to these accounts. Consult a licensed financial advisor or visit the IRS website below to learn more.  

TradeStation's platforms offer a variety of technical analysis tools to help you make informed decisions and execute trades as you would like. These tools include:

Radar Screen: RadarScreen continuously monitors and ranks up to 1,000 symbols in real-time, based on more than 180 fully customizable technical and fundamental indicators, as well as virtually unlimited amounts of your own custom criteria, through EasyLanguage.

Easy Language: TradeStation’s proprietary easy-to-learn programming language designed for traders allows you to design customized indicators and trading strategies using English-like statements.

Stragegy Back Testing: Through TradeStation, you can back-test, optimize, and fully automate your trade ideas across any stock or future with decades of historical market data – before you ever make your first trade.

Matrix: The Matrix is the “Swiss Army Knife” of trading tools, combining the benefits of a detailed market depth window, a highly advanced order-entry tool, and a precise order-tracking system – all in one, single view.

Option Station Pro: Visualize the options markets in a new way with visual options chains that highlight your strategy’s probability to break even across a series of expirations.

Simulated Trading: Simulated tradinggives you the ability to design and test your trading plan, hone your trading skills, and execute simulated demo trades with the same high-quality market data – without risking a penny.

In addition to the tools listed above, TradeStation also offers advanced features designed specifically to help you trade crypto. Tradestation provides real time market data, as well as the option to customize your trading interface. You can use the quick trade bar to quickly get in and out of trades, or the order form if you want more control over your order type, quantity, duration, price, and expiration. Market orders are routed to the best available prices across TradeStation's connected venue.

TradeStation currently offers the following tradeable securities:

TradeStation currently has three trading platforms.

Desktop 10: This is TradeStation's flagship platform that can be downloaded to your desktop. The platforms offers great technical analysis tools and charts to help you make informed decisions which we reviewed in the key features section.

Web Trading: The web trading platform is simply the online version of the Desktop 10 platform if you don't have your desktop on you. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access this platform and it comes with all of the same core features as the Desktop 10 platform.

Mobile Apps: TradeStation offers both Android and iOS apps for mobile trading. The trading apps come with the same core features as the desktop platforms, but in a simplified format for ease of use on your mobile device.

Securities pricing. This pricing is only available in the US and only applies to orders 10,000 shares and less.

Crypto pricing. TradeStation uses a volume tiered fee structure. In other words, a high trade volume results in lower fees and vice versa.

TradeStation has decent customer support by offering both phone support and live chat. These channels of support are available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm ET.

One final detail that is worth mentioning is the FuturesPlus feature. This is an advanced feature designed to help traders who specifically want to trade futures options. Within the FuturesPlus platform you can see available options prices in an industry standard view. You can also create pre-built strategies and then enter and manage your orders from an order ticket once you are ready to enter the market.

The primary advantage to TradeStation is that the platform can keep up if you are an active or advanced trader. There is an array of advanced features including a programming language to build custom indicators, and a platform specifically built for crypto. TradeStation also allows you to trade more advanced securities such as options and has an entire platform to help you trade futures options. The desktop, web, and mobile platforms all work well to offer these adanced features.

The primary disadvantage of using TradeStation is the steep learning curve since the platform is designed for advanced traders. This is not a platform that should be used by beginners as it does not offer an easy to use interface. In order to get the best out of TradeStation, you should be an advanced trader that can take the time to master the complex features.

TradeStation is right for you if: