Day Trading Cost Calculator

This calculator applies structured pricing rules - commissions, per-contract fees, plan subscriptions, caps and minimums - to the trading activity you enter. Every plan in the database is run through the same engine, so first, average and last round-trip costs are directly comparable across platforms. The engine reads structured pricing records described in the methodology; a recorded source URL does not by itself make a rule verified.

Fees included in the estimate

• Per-share or per-contract commissions for the selected plan
• Commission caps and minimums where the plan defines them
• Monthly platform and market-data fees bundled into a plan
• First-month and ongoing (recurring) totals, including one-time fees where applicable

Fees excluded from the estimate

• Exchange, clearing and regulatory fees unless they are part of the recorded rule
• Routing fees, section 31 / TAF and other pass-through charges
• Interest, margin interest and borrow fees for short positions
• Region- or account-specific surcharges

Stock calculation example

With the default stock inputs (20 trading days, 20 round-trips per month, 100 shares per trade at a $50 average entry), the engine computes per-trade and monthly commission based on each platform's stock rule - for example a per-share rate or a flat commission - then compares the same scenario across every stock-compatible plan. Replace the defaults with your own share size, frequency and price to model your activity.

Options calculation example

With the default options inputs (a $2.50 entry premium, 5 contracts per leg, 1 leg), the engine applies each plan's per-contract fee and any commission cap on opening legs, then reports the round-trip and monthly cost. Plans that cap opening commissions but charge on close will show a different split between first and ongoing costs.

Futures calculation example

With the default futures inputs (micro contract class, 5 contracts), the engine applies each plan's per-contract commission and recurring platform/data fees. Tick size and tick value (under Advanced assumptions) only affect the fee break-even move, not the commission itself.

Estimates vs. broker statements

These are research estimates, not official broker quotes. Your actual fill prices, routing, exchange fees, data subscriptions and account type can change real costs. Always confirm current pricing directly with the platform before relying on any number.

Data verification dates

Each pricing rule keeps its own verification status and source. A rule labeled review-needed has a recorded source but has not yet been confirmed against the latest official schedule. The status and source for every applied rule are shown in the result card and the expandable details on the comparison table.

Calculation assumptions

• Round-trip means one opening and one closing trade of equal size
• Monthly recurring fees are the platform plus bundled market-data fees for the plan
• First-month totals include any one-time fees; ongoing totals do not
• Break-even calculations and cost sorting use precise internal values; rounding is for display only
• “Lowest estimated cost” sorts by the precise ongoing monthly total, including recorded recurring plan and bundled market-data fees

Read the full methodology or return to the homepage comparison table.