In this SpeedTrader review, we look at its ECN routing, DAS-based platform options, pricing tiers, shorting tools, and execution strengths .
One of the reasons you’ll find SpeedTrader in your Google results is likely because it has been around for a long time, servicing the day trading industry. It’s one of the best brokerage firms and has been loved by day traders for over 20 years.
In 1999, Guy Gentile, one of the youngest persons to own a licensed broker dealership, launched the trading brokerage service to provide direct access to trading with added value compared to a typical online broker.
Today, this company continues to be a leading online stock trading platform. Barron’s has ranked it among the best online brokerages for multiple years.
SpeedTrader Review Rating: 4.0/5
Pricing ranges from $2.49 to $4.49 per trade
What Is SpeedTrader? (2026 Review)
When you’re searching for a day trading-friendly broker for the first time, you’re bound to come across many popular brokers’ names, such as Lightspeed Trader, Interactive Brokers, TradeStation, Charles Schwab, Fidelity, and most likely SpeedTrader.
SpeedTrader ECN
SpeedTrader routing options can generate ECN rebates, which may lower your commission costs. Indeed, they have a good selection of ECN and exchange routes from ARCA, INET, BATS, and EDGX to less-known routes such as CUTC (Citadel), XALL, LQPT, and ONXX.
With a broker like SpeedTrader, you control your order routing. You can find out more about routing via ECNs on the SpeedTrader website. Having multiple routing options, over 25 with this company, is important when the speed of trade executions and liquidity often determine the success of a trading plan. SpeedTrader also caters to financial institutions such as hedge funds and Proprietary Trading Firms (Prop Firms).
If you are a trader focused on shorting stocks, you may find that SpeedTrader has a more extensive shortlist than a traditional broker. Integrated locates allow you to search for locates directly within the SpeedTrader PRO Platform.
Key Takeaways
- SpeedTrader is one of the best day trading platforms
- Lightning-fast trade executions
- Integrates with the DAS Trader platform
- Customization of hotkeys
- Large ECN order routes
Pros & Cons
- Pros
- Speedy executions and efficient order routing
- Low commissions for active traders
- Robust trading platform with advanced features
- Cons
- Software fees are higher than those of most other brokers
- No Forex or Futures trading
- The minimum deposit to open an account is $30,000 (USD)
- Had to pay a fine to FINRA in 2024
- Limited non-equity offerings
- Education
- Customer support
SpeedTrader Pricing (2026 Fees & Costs)
- 500 or more trades per month = $2.95 rate per trade
- 200 to 499 = $3.95 per trade
- Under 200 = $4.49 per trade
- Per share pricing: over 500K = $0.0025, 250K to 500K = $0.003, Under 250K = $0.0044 per share
- Options pricing: 1000 contracts or more – $0.30 per contract, 500 to 1000 – $0.35, Under 500 – $0.40
You can visit SpeedTrader’s website for updated pricing here. (Updated 1/16/26).
SpeedTrader Features and Trading Platform
When opening an account with SpeedTrader, you can choose between COR Clearing, ETC Clearing. The COR account has the option of per-trade commission, which is more cost-efficient for those trading larger orders. The ETC choice only has a per-share commission option. ETC (Electronic Transaction Clearing) is available through the SpeedTrader PRO service.
The SpeedTrader platforms have monthly fees ranging from $25 to over $100. As for commission fees, the per-trade pricing starts at $4.49/trade, the per-share pricing starts at $0.0044/share, and pricing starts at $0.40/contract if you trade options.
Keep in mind that there are other account fees and routing fees.
Like many of its peers in the trading industry, SpeedTrader offers three types of platform access. The standalone software (SpeedTrader Pro), the web interface (ActiveWeb), and the mobile option (Mobile Trading) come free with the desktop Pro version.
These platforms are licensed products of DAS INC., a provider of electronic trading solutions. The desktop program may be called SpeedTrader Pro, but it’s running on the Das Trader Pro platform. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course.
Our SpeedTrader review found that its flexible commission structure, deep route options, and performance via DAS makes it a serious pick for professional equity and options traders.
DAS Trader Integration
The DAS Trader products are powerful and liked by many day traders. Let’s review some of the options:
SpeedTrader PRO: While labeled, the software from DAS Trader comes with advanced features that professional traders cannot live without. Here’s what you get:
- Ability to create, save, and load custom multi-screen layouts
- Build and organize custom watch lists
- Speed up your order entries with over 100 hotkey options
- All your trading accounts are managed within the trading platform
- Customized stock scanners
- Over 25 direct access order routing options
- Advanced Level 2 screens
- Real-time charts
- You can trade off the charts
Web-Based Trading Interface
ActiveWeb Platform: The web-based interface of SpeedTrader may be more suited for part-time traders. It does cost less than the desktop application and offers basic options such as:
- Level 1 quotes
- Streaming news
- Real-time charting
- Option trading
- Tools for risk management
Short Selling and Borrow Availability
SpeedTrader is one of the best brokers for shorting. They have four new pools called CURV, CUTL, STCK, and CWEN. This feature helps you find shares that everyone desires to short but cannot find on many other brokers.
Is SpeedTrader Good for Day Trading?
According to Guy Gentile, the company Speedtrader.com, Inc., ultimately became “Stock USA Investments, Inc.” and later on “Stock USA Execution Services,” which is now Mint Global Markets, Inc. As a result, if you are doing business with SpeedTrader, you are doing business with Mint Global Markets, Inc., a New York-based online stockbroker that is a member of FINRA & SIPC. If you have not heard of Mint Global Markets, it’s likely because it conducts its business of online trading services under the name SpeedTrader.
Those looking for a direct-access online broker will likely consider SpeedTrader among other brokers. Direct Market Access (DMA) is not usually available to individual traders. Brokerage firms will typically have direct market access to facilitate trade orders.
As a trader, direct market access allows you to view an exchange’s order book and all its trade orders. It is intended for active traders who want more powerful solutions while being sensitive to cost savings.
SpeedTrader Fine
In 2024, SpeedTrader had to pay a fine to FINRA. From 2017 to 2020, their system, which is supposed to watch potentially manipulative trading, wasn’t doing its job like it should.
They used the default setting on their third-party surveillance instead of tailoring it to what they needed to be watching. They didn’t review their exception alerts. They also didn’t have any clarity in the procedures in place to watch for manipulative trading.
SpeedTrader Alternatives
- Lightspeed Trading
- TradeStation
- Interactive Brokers (TWS)
- Cobra Trading
- CenterPoint Securities
- ChoiceTrade
- TradeZero
- DAS Trader Pro
- NinjaTrader
Bottom Line: Is SpeedTrader Worth It?
SpeedTrader is a direct market access broker. Their commission structure is in line with other discount brokers. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to trade futures or Forex.
Although there is nothing that necessarily sets SpeedTrader apart from the competition offering direct market access, it is nonetheless a solid broker that has stood the test of time, offering all the basic features professional traders need to succeed.
Our SpeedTrader review concludes that if you’re an active day trader who needs speed, routing control, and integrated locates, SpeedTrader still holds its place — just be sure you understand the platform fees and locate costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guy Gentile founded SpeedTrader in 1999. They are currently owned by Stock USA Investments, Inc.
SpeedTrader Pro platform requires $10,000 and $2500 for the Active Web platform to open an account. They require a minimum deposit of $30,000 to day trade.
SpeedTrader is a legitimate trading platform. Their platform is geared towards day traders.
- SpeedTrader ActiveWeb and Mobile: $35 per month (waived for users who pay over $199 per month in commissions)
- SpeedTrader Pro: $49 per month (waived for users who pay over $199 per month in commissions)
