Total dollars our trader saved 615

ShareBuilder Review

Broker Profile


ShareBuilder is an online broker that is an extension of ING Direct. It is well known for its proprietary software that provides automatic investing programs with stocks, options, and mutual funds for its investors. ShareBuilder is continuously improving their trading system to make it as easy and yet effective as possible to successfully invest.

Our ShareBuilder review provides trade platform screenshots, detailed commissions information, and online broker ratings. Also discover how ShareBuilder placed in the most recent 2010 Barron’s Review of Online Brokers as well as the 2010 SmartMoney Broker Review**.

Open an account at ShareBuilder

Commission Notes

ShareBuilder offers two different plans that allow for not only automatic investing but also regular equities trades. The Basic plan does not have a cost while the Advantage plan costs $12 per month. Full commissions schedule breakdown below.

Stock Trades - Automatic investments - For the Basic plan, automatic investments are $4 per trade, and with the Advantage plan 12 trades are included each month with each additional costing $1. It should be noted that all automatic trades are made on Tuesdays.

Non-automatic investments - For non-automatic trades, market orders cost $9.95 for the Basic plan and $7.95 for the Advantage plan. For stocks priced under $1.00, add $.007 per share. Phone orders are available for $19.95 per trade.

Options Trades - For the Basic plan, options trades are $9.95 + $1.25 per contract, and with the Advantage plan options trades are $7.95 + $.75 per contract. Assignments cost $20 per assignment. This $20 rate also applies to any automatic exercise.

Mutual Funds - ShareBuilder offers access to 170 different funds. Cost per transaction is $19.95.

Other Investments - ShareBuilder does not currently offer futures, bonds, or forex trading.

Open an account at ShareBuilder

Broker Site Preview


View the full ShareBuilder screenshots gallery.

** Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company 2010. SmartMoney is a registered trademark of SmartMoney, a joint publishing venture between Dow Jones & Company, Inc. and HearstSM Partnership. Kiplinger is a registered trademark of the Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. 2010.

* For stock trade rates, advertised pricing is for a standard order size of 500 shares of stock priced at $30 per share. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply. Pricing and rates are based on basic services and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. The trade WISER staff is constantly working with its online broker representatives to obtain the latest pricing data.