25k needed to trade in ThinkorSwim?

[Lukhy11]

Hi, I have a TD Direct account in Canada and using thinkorswim for my trading my question is today I tried to buy an option on SPX I got a message that said rejected: option trading is not allowed on this account. Any other Canadian’s having this problem? I asked support and they said that I need 25k in account to be able to trade US options going forward even though I’ve been with them over 10yrs.

 

[Trader Raider]

Anyway, how does TradeStation compare to ToS? Is it programmable? Thanks very much . . . .

@stellar0645, just wanted to give you another thumbs up for TradeStation. I made the switch more than a year ago after experiencing too much delay with TOS orders. TS occasionally has a delay of a few seconds during high volatility, but it's nothing like I had with TOS.

Like @MerryDay, I'm waiting to see what happens with TOS. I hate to think of losing it because I do most of my analysis in TOS and my trading in TS. But I think it's risky to rely on a single platform.

I'm not a programmer, so I cannot speak to the differences between EasyLanguage and Thinkscript. I struggle with both.

Regarding pros and cons, I agree everything @Slippage stated. Here are a few other things I like about TS:

1- It's faster and uses fewer system resources
2- MTF analysis in a single window is supported
3- Multiple layouts can be open at once and easily opened or closed via tabs
4- Once I get a chart with indicators and settings to my liking, I can copy the chart and paste it anywhere across multiple other layouts. With TOS, I have to save it as a style or study set, which is more cumbersome.
5- Auto trading (which I have NOT tried yet) is supported
6- Reports analyzing strategies are helpful, as is the strategy optimizing tool
7- Chart trading (drag and drop stops, targets, etc.) similar to TOS
8- Customer support is fast, friendly, and helpful


A couple things I don't like:

1- Unlike TOS, contracts must be rolled over manually
2- Data isn't free; you may have to purchase a data plan

For futures, all my trading is done at TS. For stocks, I prefer Fidelity, which is my favorite overall broker. I haven't traded options at Fidelity yet but have that on my list of things to start this summer. I'm taking their platform (Active Trader Pro) for a spin this week on my stock trades. If Fidelity is an option for you in Canada, I encourage you to check them out in addition to TS. Fidelity executions are lightning fast and support is outstanding.

Best wishes and happy trading!

 

[stellar0645]

@stellar0645, just wanted to give you another thumbs up for TradeStation. I made the switch more than a year ago after experiencing too much delay with TOS orders. TS occasionally has a delay of a few seconds during high volatility, but it's nothing like I had with TOS.

Like @MerryDay, I'm waiting to see what happens with TOS. I hate to think of losing it because I do most of my analysis in TOS and my trading in TS. But I think it's risky to rely on a single platform.

I'm not a programmer, so I cannot speak to the differences between EasyLanguage and Thinkscript. I struggle with both.

Regarding pros and cons, I agree everything @Slippage stated. Here are a few other things I like about TS:

1- It's faster and uses fewer system resources
2- MTF analysis in a single window is supported
3- Multiple layouts can be open at once and easily opened or closed via tabs
4- Once I get a chart with indicators and settings to my liking, I can copy the chart and paste it anywhere across multiple other layouts. With TOS, I have to save it as a style or study set, which is more cumbersome.
5- Auto trading (which I have NOT tried yet) is supported
6- Reports analyzing strategies are helpful, as is the strategy optimizing tool
7- Chart trading (drag and drop stops, targets, etc.) similar to TOS
8- Customer support is fast, friendly, and helpful


A couple things I don't like:

1- Unlike TOS, contracts must be rolled over manually
2- Data isn't free; you may have to purchase a data plan

For futures, all my trading is done at TS. For stocks, I prefer Fidelity, which is my favorite overall broker. I haven't traded options at Fidelity yet but have that on my list of things to start this summer. I'm taking their platform (Active Trader Pro) for a spin this week on my stock trades. If Fidelity is an option for you in Canada, I encourage you to check them out in addition to TS. Fidelity executions are lightning fast and support is outstanding.

Best wishes and happy trading!

OK, thanks for that helpful advice. TS seems to have a fair bit of horsepower. BUT . . .
not available in Canada, BUT . . .
TradeStation Global may be: https://www.tradestation-international.com/global/open-an-account/:
"The TradeStation Global platform is available exclusively with a TradeStation enabled Interactive Brokers account." I have an IB account so will look into this further. Apparently TS left Canada in about 2010 but this TS Global option may be viable. Will report back.

Has anyone had experience with the TS Global/Interactive Brokers bundle? Thanks very much . . .