## Is Trading Stocks Free on TD Ameritrade?
The answer to whether trading stocks is free on TD Ameritrade depends on a number of factors, including the type of account you have, the type of order you place, and the number of shares you trade.
### Account Types
TD Ameritrade offers a variety of account types, each with its own set of fees and commissions. The most popular account types for individual investors are the Individual Brokerage Account (IBA) and the Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
* **Individual Brokerage Account (IBA)**: IBAs are the most basic type of account offered by TD Ameritrade. They are available to both individual and joint investors. There is no minimum deposit required to open an IBA, and you can trade stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. However, there is a $6.95 commission per trade for online equity and ETF trades.
* **Individual Retirement Account (IRA)**: IRAs are designed for retirement savings. They offer tax advantages, such as tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. There are two main types of IRAs: traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. Traditional IRAs are funded with pre-tax dollars, which means that you can deduct your contributions from your taxable income. Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars, but you can withdraw your earnings tax-free in retirement. TD Ameritrade offers a variety of IRAs, including Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs. There is no minimum deposit required to open an IRA, and you can trade stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. However, there is a $6.95 commission per trade for online equity and ETF trades.
### Order Types
The type of order you place can also affect the commission you pay. TD Ameritrade offers a variety of order types, including market orders, limit orders, and stop orders.
* **Market Orders:** Market orders are the most basic type of order. They are executed at the best available price at the time the order is placed. There is no guarantee of the execution price with a market order.
* **Limit Orders:** Limit orders are orders to buy or sell a stock at a specific price or better. If the stock does not reach the specified price, the order will not be executed.
* **Stop Orders:** Stop orders are orders to buy or sell a stock when it reaches a specific price. Stop orders are used to protect against losses or to lock in profits.
TD Ameritrade charges a $6.95 commission per trade for online equity and ETF trades, regardless of the order type. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, TD Ameritrade offers a commission-free trading program for active traders who meet certain criteria.
### Number of Shares
The number of shares you trade can also affect the commission you pay. TD Ameritrade charges a per-share commission on all stock trades. The commission rate varies depending on the number of shares you trade. For example, the commission rate for trades of 100 shares or less is $6.95 per trade. The commission rate for trades of 101 to 500 shares is $4.95 per trade. The commission rate for trades of 501 to 1,000 shares is $3.95 per trade. And the commission rate for trades of 1,001 shares or more is $2.95 per trade.
### Conclusion
So, is trading stocks free on TD Ameritrade? The answer is yes and no. There are some cases where you can trade stocks for free on TD Ameritrade, but there are also some cases where you will have to pay a commission. The amount of commission you pay will depend on the type of account you have, the type of order you place, and the number of shares you trade.
### Here are some tips for saving money on stock trades:
* Open an account with a broker that offers commission-free trading.
* Use a discount broker.
* Place limit orders instead of market orders.
* Trade larger blocks of shares.