i use IB and TS as my two. i had a third with non-direct access, but decided i couldn't deal with the slippage. i will probably use a firm like genesis as my third.
point taken, but you are not giving me any good alternatives. You just complained about IB, what do you use dude...
Take a look at thinkorswim. I am considering going back to "investing" and away from trading. I opened a papermoney account, and I like the platform. The commissions are very low as well. No monthlies. Check it out.
For direct access equity trading, you might want to look at opening an Assent retail account. Yes, they are the platform used mostly by prop firms, but they also take retail accounts. Solid platform too. If you want the ability to trade various assets, then IB is the best choice.
Thank you, Ted! I was looking for a broker about two years ago --> http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66119&perpage=6&pagenumber=1 . Thank you for your post, http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65260 , which scared me away from IB. I certainly didn't want that happen to me because I had similar account size with yours. I totally agree with your comparison between IB and OEC. I have chosen OEC like you did and couldn't be happier with it. I notice you had a half million account when you left IB two years ago. I also notice you have over a million now from this post--> http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1831633#post1831633 . It seems to me that the switch from IB to OEC has brought you quite bit of fortune. Congratulation!
If you want be a successful trader, you better listen to some veteran trader with over a million dollar account like Ted. If you want be an undercover salesman posing as a trader working on this site, there are plenty of them here you can listen to
I am a quant really who has nothing better to do in free time, but to trade from his own account. Not a salesman, but I do not blame you, I can smell some of the suggestions are coming from the sales people...