Good platform for active traders

Lightspeed is a good platform for active traders. Executions are very fast and commissions are low. The charting system is weak and you will have to supplement your platform with some 3rd party software. If you're an eSignal user, the platform has a feature that allows you to link their charts with the platform. Lightspeed Trading also has a special discount for eSignal/LS combo users. Check their website for details. Although they advertise $0.40 commissions per 100 shares, realize they will also charge you additional fees under certain conditions (i.e. - removing liquidity, SEC fees, etc...) making you feel like you're paying double in commissions. Although this is a little annoying, the commissions are still low. The platform does have known random disconnect issues and I have experienced them especially during heavy trading conditions. Sometimes my SSL platform will automatically reconnect or I have to restart the platform. If you use the VPN platform, you have to restart the platform no matter what since it is dependent on the VPN dialer. Technical support has been great and they recommend users trade over a wired connection rather than a wireless connection to enhance reliability. Overall, I believe this is a great broker for active traders and highly recommend them.

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02 March 2010

FL_Trader

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The only logical sense is with theme

I want everyone to know that I have never been so happy with a broker. This is what makes them the best: platform has no issues, execution is great, I have the unfair advantage, the data is raw and not filtered. Well, there is one regret; I didn’t come across them sooner.

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23 February 2010

Merio

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Lightspeed is an active traders dream!

I am a professional trader and have twelve years trading experience. I am actively trading with Lightspeed for the past seven years. Lightspeed is by far the premier trading platform for active traders in an extremely fast and demanding market enviornment we are in. Having a fast and reliable platofrm can make or even save a trader hundreds to thousands of dollars each day and thats why i depend on Lightspeed. Besides just the speed and reliability of the platform itself, Lightspeeds customer service and individual care is a needed tool that adds great value to a trader. Whenever I have a question, a Lightspeed customer service representative is a phone call away and "NEVER"do i wait on hold like most trading houses.

As far as pricing, Lightpseed has always worked with me as a trader. Obviously the more volume you do as a trader, the more Lightspeed works with you to help make you a more successful trader with deep pricing discounts.

I have had plenty of other firms inquire about me trading with them but I won't leave the Lightspeed family.

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27 January 2010

Atonysav

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Best there is, Best there was, Best there ever will be

All around A+++. The platform speaks for itself. On top of that the pricing cant be beat.

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27 January 2010

Mario66

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Best trading platform for active traders

I have traded on many platforms and Lightspeed is the best. It is always easy to get someone on the phone if you have questions. Executions are instantaneous. The price is great for active traders. No complaints.

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27 January 2010

Bjrdcr

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extremely happy

i've been trading with lightspeed for almost 7 years now. a few things you should know:

it's more than the software with these guys. customer service is SO IMPORTANT yet so underappreciated in this industry. one phone, one email, one IM and i have whatever stock i need to short; i have a reply INSTANTANEOUSLY. the reps here know the industry and they know what i need as a trader.

i can't say enough about how quick and easy it is to work with them.

as far as the software goes, it's the industry standard. it's what everyone other software provider strives to be. it's LIGHTNING fast on executions and allows me to configure it so that i can trade with whatever (and cheapest) ECN i want, when i want.

i wouldn't trade on anything else.

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16 January 2010

Timmy

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New to lightspeed but very impressed so far.

I "graduated" from another online broker and moved my account to Lightspeed about 6 months ago. The execution are unreal. Hit the button and you're filled (market orders, obviously). So many features it can become overwhelming but I found great resources including video tutorias in their social community which made setup much easier. Once my layout and orders were set up the way I wanted I didnt have to do anything other than trade. It really does feel now like it was custom built for me. Check out their trading reports too. So simpe and easy to read. Why doesnt every broker do this? Customer service has also been good. I especially like the fact that i dont have to go through 50 phone menu options to get a live person. What else can I say... 5 stars all around.

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15 January 2010

JDirt

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Lightspeed Trader

I am a professional trader with 19 years of experience in the equities markets, Lightspeed's platform is bar none the best execution platform available in the market place today. I have used several platforms in my career and find Lightspeed to be the fastest and most stable. They really do offer the professional trader " Unfair Advantages " with the many routes available for execution compounded by top notch customer service. The trade desk is there to support the trader if they experience technical difficulties and help with execution of your trades, and Technical support is as fast to get the trader up and running if they experience technical difficulties. All of this and alot more for the low rate of .00395 per share. And if I add liquidity, Lightspeed passes this back to me to further reduce my commission rate. Stability,Speed,Price,Service are truly Lightspeed's expertise. If you are an active trader, you owe it to yourself to visit www.lightspeed.com so you too can experience the world of " Unfair Advantages"

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14 January 2010

Gnostic44

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Fast and Reliable

I've been trading for 10+ years. Lightspeed is far and away the fastest, and most reliable system I've used. In addition to the speed, the trading reports are the most comprehensive and up to date that I've used. All in all Lightspeed has tremendously helped sustain my career as a trader.

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14 January 2010

Lifer

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great platform to trade with

I've traded with lightspeed for over 5 years now and have never considered switching to another platform. They are extremely competitve when they dont have to be. Their product is fast and their customer service is untouchable. I only know this because I have numerous friends in the business (who trade on various systems) and they all agree that Lightspeed is the best all around platform.

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13 January 2010

Jack5

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very efficient firm

Our automated trading group has used lightspeed for 5 years now and have been more than satisfied with their consistent level of support, technology, and competitive pricing. They are a great group of guys to work with.

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13 January 2010

Epsoho

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Best for active trdr

Best broker around for active traders. Unbeatable rates, a platform that will make you feel like Gordon Gekko, and support staff that seems to really know their stuff. What else is there to say? I've had my account here for years.

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25 November 2009

Godfrey

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The following review is from www.elitetrader.com

Above and Beyond - The Best Around

I was referred to this company. I hadn't heard about them before, but am now truly impressed. High recommendation! All around great experience.

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05 October 2009

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The following review is from www.elitetrader.com

Great for Equity Traders

If you are trading equties/ETFs lightspeed is hard to beat, unless you have access to RediPlus.
Be careful, they have issues locking up during periods of high volume, however they are no worse than any other broker.

Combine LightSpeed with eSignal and you have a combo that gives you an edge over others.

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05 October 2009

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A good alternative to IB

I nearly went with them based on their platform from other users and reviews at sites like Elite Trader.

They demand 30K in PDT accounts, but would take 26K upon negotiation. I later made a decision on IB due to short locates. The clearing firm I believe was Penson, which handles Think or Swim and others, so their list would match up pretty closely.

They have much better customer service, which I experienced first hand when I nearly went with them. They have similar fees, too, as compared to IB. They have tools and videos and other perk services to help traders. IB has crummy customer service, compared to LS. Lightspeed's tools are better than IB's although the third party development is rich with them if you really dig.

In short, I would have used them if not IB, they made the top 2 for active day trading in my list of broker options. Should be considered, but some have claimed they get quote freezes in high volume situations near the open of the market, especially. To be fair, IB has experienced this on my end using TWS, but that has been the exception, not the rule.

I do not know what the failure rate on this is at Lightspeed, but I suspect it is small given their support by several people I have come across...

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22 January 2010

BigT

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