Tastytrade vs Thinkorswim: A Comprehensive Comparison

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p.article.infoBox.posted Feb 3, 2025

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Tastytrade and Thinkorswim are two popular trading platforms that cater to different needs and preferences. Tastytrade is known for its unique approach to trading, offering a mix of education and entertainment.

Tastytrade's platform is designed for beginners and experienced traders alike, with a user-friendly interface and a wide range of tools and resources. One of the standout features of Tastytrade is its focus on education, with a vast library of video tutorials and live sessions.

Thinkorswim, on the other hand, is a more advanced platform that offers a wide range of features and tools for active traders. Thinkorswim is known for its flexibility and customization options, allowing traders to tailor their experience to their specific needs.

Thinkorswim's platform is designed for traders who are looking for a high level of control and flexibility, with features like customizable charts and a wide range of technical indicators.

Tastytrade

Tastytrade is a great platform for options traders, offering tons of customizability in their options chains. This allows you to view the option data that matters to you, whether it's delta, volume, or open interest.

Tastytrade also offers competitive pricing options and futures options, making it a strong contender for traders.

Their platform is designed to provide traders with the tools they need to succeed, and it's clear that they've put a lot of thought into what traders really need.

Here's an interesting read: Thinkorswim Options Chart

Analysis

p.article.credit youtube.com, Tastytrade (Tastyworks) vs Thinkorswim - (Which is the Best Online Broker?)

Tastytrade's platform offers a wide range of educational resources, including a library of over 1,000 videos and a live trading room where users can learn from experienced traders.

One of the key differences between Tastytrade and Thinkorswim is the cost. Tastytrade offers a free trading platform, while Thinkorswim charges a monthly fee of $99.95.

Tastytrade's platform also has a more user-friendly interface, making it easier for beginners to navigate and start trading quickly.

Pros

When choosing a trading platform, it's essential to consider the tools and resources available to help you make informed decisions. thinkorswim offers advanced charting and analytical tools that cater to traders of all levels.

One of the standout features of thinkorswim is its wide range of investable assets, including stocks, options, futures, and more. This gives you the flexibility to diversify your portfolio and explore different investment opportunities.

thinkorswim's highly customizable interface and trading environment make it easy to tailor your experience to your specific needs. This can be a major advantage for traders who value flexibility and control.

Here's a breakdown of thinkorswim's pricing structure:

Trade TypeCost
Stock Trades$0
Options Trades$0.65 per contract
Mutual Fund Trades$49.99 for no-load funds

Options Trading

p.article.credit youtube.com, TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF OPTION TRADING ➜ OPTIONS TRADING STRATEGIES | BINARY TRADING LINA BINARY

Options trading is a way to manage risk in your investments.

You can buy or sell options contracts, which give you the right to buy or sell a specific asset at a predetermined price.

Options trading involves using calls and puts to speculate on price movements.

A call option gives you the right to buy an asset at a certain price, while a put option gives you the right to sell an asset at a certain price.

Options trading can be used to generate income or to hedge against potential losses.

For example, you can sell call options on a stock you already own, collecting the premium and reducing your potential losses if the stock price falls.

For another approach, see: Spot vs Futures Price

Technical

Technical analysis is a crucial aspect of trading, and it's essential to have the right tools to make informed decisions. thinkorswim takes the lead in technical analysis and charting, offering a more extensive array of tools and indicators than tastytrade.

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thinkorswim's platform is designed to accommodate the needs of technical traders, with customizable charts that allow you to tailor your analysis to your specific needs. Its wide range of technical indicators and drawing tools give you a comprehensive view of the market.

tastytrade does provide some solid charting tools, but it lacks advanced indicators like the volume profile and level II data. This means that technical traders may find thinkorswim's platform more suitable for their needs.

For your interest: Thinkorswim Indicators

Fundamental Data

Fundamental data is crucial for making informed investment decisions. thinkorswim provides real-time fundamental data like market cap and shares outstanding.

Both thinkorswim and tastytrade offer similar features, but thinkorswim seems to be more consistent in its data.

tastytrade has some news available on its dashboard, but it doesn’t offer company-specific news. This can be a limitation for traders who rely on up-to-date information about specific companies.

thinkorswim's news widget is an excellent feature that allows you to type a ticker and view relevant news stories for any company.

Data Execution

p.article.credit youtube.com, Execution Analysis

When analyzing data, having the right tools can make all the difference. thinkorswim offers level II data, giving it an edge over tastytrade in terms of advanced data availability.

Both thinkorswim and tastytrade offer real-time data for free with a funded account, which is a huge plus for active traders. This allows you to stay on top of market movements and make informed decisions quickly.

thinkorswim's active trader tab enables you to get in and out of trades quickly, which is essential for day traders. This feature is also available on tastytrade, making it a great option for those who want to trade actively.

Here are some key differences in data execution between thinkorswim and tastytrade:

PlatformLevel II DataReal-Time Data
thinkorswimYesYes (with funded account)
tastytradeNoYes (with funded account)

Execution

When trading on either tastytrade or thinkorswim, execution speed is crucial for active traders. Both platforms offer an active trader tab, allowing you to get in and out of trades quickly.

Thinkorswim gives you level II data, a significant advantage when it comes to advanced data availability. This can be a game-changer for traders who need detailed market information.

Both platforms offer real-time data for free with a funded account, so you can stay on top of market movements without any extra costs.

If you're looking for a platform with robust execution capabilities, thinkorswim's level II data might be the deciding factor.

Key Features

p.article.credit youtube.com, ThinkOrSwim (TOS) vs TastyTrade - Which platform is better???

tastytrade's toolkit is specifically designed for options trading, making it a go-to choice for active traders in this space.

The platform's user-friendly interface is clean and intuitive, allowing traders to navigate with ease.

One of the standout features of tastytrade is its "follow feed" feature, which lets users see what their favorite traders are doing.

The platform also offers a wealth of educational content, including videos and articles on trading topics, to help users improve their skills.

Here are some key features of tastytrade at a glance:

  • Options Trading Focus
  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Follow Feed & Educational Content

Comparison

Tastytrade and Thinkorswim are two popular trading platforms, but they have some key differences.

Tastytrade offers a more comprehensive education platform, with over 1,500 educational videos and articles, whereas Thinkorswim's educational resources are more limited.

Thinkorswim has a wider range of trading tools and indicators available, including 300+ built-in indicators, compared to Tastytrade's 100+.

Tastytrade's commission-free trading model is a major draw for traders, but Thinkorswim's pricing model is more complex and can be more expensive for active traders.

Similarities

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Both tastytrade and ThinkorSwim are geared towards options traders, making them great choices for anyone looking to dive into options trading.

They share a common goal of providing low-cost trading options, with both platforms offering free stock trading. Tastytrade takes it a step further by offering slightly lower option trading fees.

Here's a quick comparison of the two platforms' fees:

PlatformOption Trading Fees
tastytradeLower fees
ThinkorSwimComparable fees

Differences

If you're considering using ThinkorSwim or tastytrade for your trading needs, it's essential to understand the differences between these two platforms. ThinkorSwim offers a comprehensive and feature-rich interface, but it may have a steeper learning curve for novices.

One of the main differences between the two platforms is the user interface and design. ThinkorSwim's interface is more feature-rich, while tastytrade's interface is more user-friendly and easier to navigate. ThinkorSwim's complex interface can be overwhelming for new traders, but it's a great option for those who want a wide range of features.

Person counting cash next to laptop and stock market charts on a white table.
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ThinkorSwim provides access to various investment options, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and more. This makes it a great option for traders who want to diversify their portfolios. tastytrade, on the other hand, focuses more specifically on options trading.

ThinkorSwim offers a wealth of educational resources, including a paper trading mode for practice. This is a great feature for new traders who want to test their skills without risking real money. tastytrade also provides educational content, including videos and articles, and a unique "follow feed" feature.

Here's a quick summary of the key differences between ThinkorSwim and tastytrade:

PlatformUser InterfaceRange of Investment OptionsEducational Content
ThinkorSwimComprehensive, feature-richStocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and morePaper trading mode, wealth of educational resources
tastytradeUser-friendly, easy to navigateOptions tradingVideos, articles, "follow feed" feature

Bottom Line

Tastytrade and thinkorswim are two popular trading platforms that cater to different needs and preferences. thinkorswim's comprehensive educational resources and vast community of traders make it a great choice for beginners and advanced traders alike.

Tastytrade's focus on options trading and its user-friendly interface make it an ideal platform for traders who want to focus on this specific area. Tastytrade's educational content is also top-notch, with a focus on options trading strategies and risk management.

Here's an interesting read: Options on Thinkorswim

p.article.credit youtube.com, Splash! From thinkorswim to tastytrade

The key difference between the two platforms is their fee structure. thinkorswim charges a commission of $0.65 per contract, while Tastytrade charges a commission of $1 per contract, with a minimum of $10 per month.

Ultimately, the choice between Tastytrade and thinkorswim depends on your individual trading needs and preferences. Both platforms offer a range of tools and resources to help you succeed in the markets.

p.article.sections.frequentlyAskedQuestions

Is tastytrade good for beginners?

Tastytrade is not recommended for beginners due to its advanced trading features. If you're new to trading, consider a more beginner-friendly platform

Is my money safe at tastytrade?

Your money is protected up to $500,000, including $250,000 in cash, through our membership in SIPC. However, please note that SIPC protection does not cover losses due to market fluctuations or trading decisions.

Teresa Halvorson

Teresa Halvorson

p.team.ranks.Senior Writer

Teresa Halvorson is a skilled writer with a passion for financial journalism. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex topics into engaging, easy-to-understand content. With a keen eye for detail, Teresa has successfully covered a range of article categories, including currency exchange rates and foreign exchange rates.

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