If you don’t meet that minimum and trade on the desktop platform, it costs you $10 per transaction. First, you need to deposit at least $2,000 to access the desktop platform for free. While there are also less complicated web and mobile TradeStation platforms, even they have some roadblocks for beginners. You can download hundreds of apps to create new strategies and tools, and if you know how to code, you can even write your own strategies directly on the platform.įor less sophisticated investors, the TradeStation desktop platform may be overwhelming. TradeStation’s desktop trading platform is incredibly sophisticated: Not only does it offer powerful charting, automated trading and real-time scanning of market indicators, it’s also highly customizable. Its trading platform is widely used by institutional investors, such as hedge funds, family offices and investment bank proprietary trading desks. TradeStation is a top choice for day traders and serious investors.