Is TD Ameritrade a retail broker or a direct access broker? Is there still a difference? If so what is it? Does it matter what trading platform Iâm using with TD Ameritrade, such as thinkorswim vs. StrategyDesk? I've asked the reps over their many times and have gotten many contradicting answers and am getting the feeling that they don't really know what I mean by direct access trading. Thank you in advance.