Train Guy, I like Schwab. Before Schwab I used Datek and E-trade. Both were cheaper than Schwab. I started with Datek but soon my most my trading to E-trade with a small account at Schwab. I would that Schwab was getting me better fills, almost no down time, and better availability of short shares. When Schwab came out with Street Smart Pro I switched 80-90% of all my trading to Schwab.
You seem to have a good grasp of Schwab's different offerings. I trade 6 accounts at Schwab. I can do them all from same platform, moving from one account to another very easily. From what I Understand CT does not allow that. Cyber trader is $9.95 plus ecn fees. So there is not much savings over a straight $14.95.
You know I talk alot about following the NAS NMS tick. I haven't found another platform that offers that. I use that so much now i would feel lost without it. The NYSE and the Nas ticks are much harder to see trends on. ( the NAS NMS tick eliminates the small caps.)
I do not do futures so that is not a consideration for me.
Another thing I like about Schwab is that they are always up during the fastest of markets. That use to be an issue much more in the past it seems. With my Schwab account I can trade at two other sites if Street Smart Pro is down. that doesn't happen often. Probably 2-3 times in the last year.
Schwab's service can't be beat IMO. If you are a platinum trader you get you own trade team. It's nice to have someone on the phone without any wait to speak of if you have a problem.
Street Smart Pro also provides direct ECN trading. The Charts are the best with more bells and whistles than anything I am aware of.
I like Schwab. I have an account also at E-trade that I do about 300 trades a year on. What I like about e-trade is that I can 'box positions' there. Schwab does not allow that. Also E-trade does a better job in keeping up with my tax records. They match every trade lot at time of trade. I haven't used E-trades latest platform.
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