Lightspeed Financial is a SEC-regulated broker specializing in intraday trading on US markets. Traders can access the full range of NYSE stocks plus futures and options via a wide selection of professional-grade trading platforms and discounts for loyal traders.
TradeZero is a stock and ETF broker established in the Bahamas in 2015. Though the global entity is regulated offshore, the US subsidiary is overseen by FINRA with SIPC registration. The powerful proprietary trading software makes it a popular choice for active day traders.
Comment by Reviewer
"High-volume day traders will benefit from Lightspeed Financial's powerful tools and fast execution speeds. The broker stands out for its 15+ high-grade trading platforms."
"We recommend TradeZero for active stock traders looking for zero commissions, powerful software and extended hours trading."
Pros
Huge selection of deep trading platforms and tools to choose from
Low fees and tight spreads for active day traders
Regulated by FINRA, the CFTC and the NFA
Risk-assessment software packages
Full access to NYSE stocks
Futures and options trading
ZeroPro provides access to advanced charting features, instant alerts, customizable hotkeys and, for an extra monthly fee, OTC Level 2 markets
High intraday leverage up to 1:6 for global accounts with balances of $2,499+ and up to 1:4 for US clients
Four in-house platforms including a proprietary mobile app with real-time data streaming
Simple pricing structure; free or paid stock and options orders (eligibility requirements apply)
On-demand tutorial videos and live stream market insights
The US entity is registered with the FINRA and SIPC
Innovative solution to mark unused locates for credit
Pre-market and post-market trading hours
Cons
Not suitable for beginners with a high minimum deposit of $10,000 / $25,000
Limited range of asset classes with no forex trading
Trading platforms are complex for novice traders
Margin trading limited to max 1:4
TradeZero only facilitates trading US stocks, with UK, EU and other international markets unavailable
High deposit and withdrawal fees; $50 for outgoing and $25 for incoming (waived if over $500)
The TradeZero global entity has weaker regulatory oversight from the SCB of the Bahamas
A $59 monthly fee applies to the ZeroPro and ZeroWeb terminals
Customer support is available 24/7 with a responsive live chat
Use Lightspeed Crypto to trade BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC and USDC in pairs with USD with low commissions. On the negative side, the choice of cryptocurrencies is limited vs alternatives like eToro.