Need a direct access platform (Canadian)

Discussion in 'Retail Brokers' started by anituchka, Jun 3, 2010.

  1. anituchka

    anituchka

    Hi, can anyone please help me? I am looking for a Canadian platform. I tried TD Waterhouse but didn't like it. I am thinking: Thinkorswim or IB. However I read a lot of bad reviews about IB (they steal money, poor execution, etc.) and I also read in one of the older posts that future for Thinkorswim is uncertain.

    Can somebody please provide some insight? I am just beginning to trade and have been struggling to find a decent Level II platform in Canada.
     
    #1     Jun 3, 2010
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  2. mindtrade

    mindtrade

    IB is by far your best bet in Canada.

    Those threads on IB stealing money and having poor execution are unfounded and backed by no evidence. Its a matter of when so many people use a broker there are just more people to complain about it, human nature.
     
    #2     Jun 3, 2010
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  3. anituchka

    anituchka

    Thanks, I will try IB.

    What about thinkorswim? I downloaded their demo and it seems complicated but I guess anything can be learnt. Is there anyone who uses this platform?
     
    #3     Jun 3, 2010
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  4. patinvest

    patinvest

    It depends if you want charting as well. ThinkSwim is a good all around but if you are looking for execution only then IB is the choice. No complains at all. IB simply works and you can do all account things online, transfer etc.
     
    #4     Jun 3, 2010
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  5. anituchka

    anituchka

    I am looking for "all in one". Is IB a good choice then?

    Guys, please help me! I've been trying to select a platform for over a month and am a bit stuck here.

    Is thinkorswim a good choice?

    Why is everybody leaning towards IB? What's so special about it?

    What about any other reasonable choices? I tried TD active trader and wasn't impressed at all.

    Please, give me your thoughts???:confused:
     
    #5     Jun 8, 2010
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  6. bstay

    bstay

    they already told you IB is your best choice, but you keep asking? just go with IB.
     
    #6     Jun 8, 2010
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  7. Cdntrader

    Cdntrader


    I use IB but you can also try:

    http://www.questrade.com/
     
    #7     Jun 8, 2010
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  8. Totantaz

    Totantaz

    Hi,

    Canadian here also

    go with IB, great execution

    charts are not good, so get some other program that gets real time data from IB TWS for charting, ninjatrader is free and charts are nice.

    I also used Quotetracker and IQchart, Investor RT for a while all of these are good options for charting

    regards,

    Totantaz
     
    #8     Jun 8, 2010
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  9. heiasafari

    heiasafari

    I've tried IB but didn't like it.

    Currently with optionsxpress's XTEND. So far so good but it hasn't been that long yet... Commissions are a bit higher than IB but worth it IMO
     
    #9     Jun 8, 2010
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  10. anituchka

    anituchka

    Thanks for replies! I just wanted a little bit more replies to make up my mind, but I guess I will go with IB as consensus is there! Thanks everyone
     
    #10     Jun 8, 2010
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