Methodology: Investment Platforms

Our primary interactive tool is Broker trade-fee scenario. Compare two editable per-trade commission structures at an assumed trading frequency. Spreads and taxes are excluded.

Inputs in this model

Annual trades

Whole trades.

Shares per trade

Values entered by the user; not fetched from financial markets.

Broker A fee/trade ($)

Values entered by the user; not fetched from financial markets.

Broker A fee/share ($)

Values entered by the user; not fetched from financial markets.

Broker B fee/trade ($)

Values entered by the user; not fetched from financial markets.

Broker B fee/share ($)

Values entered by the user; not fetched from financial markets.

Data quality and limitations

Calculated values reflect the input assumptions, arithmetic and simplified model described next to results. A change to an input changes the projection, not a real market observation.

A quoted zero commission does not mean trading has no costs. Provider terms and eligibility may differ.

Security directories use a dated Nasdaq listing snapshot and are not live. Where separately labeled official SEC panels are displayed, companyfacts and filing links are matched to SEC CIK identifiers and carry their own reporting dates. No real-time quote feed is integrated.

Return to the calculator to run an alternative scenario.