To trade stocks online successfully, some stock traders rely purely on their trading tools. Trading platforms come in one of three forms: desktop, web (browser), or mobile. Advanced charting, scanning, hotkeys, virtual trading, watch lists, ladder trading, Level II quotes, and backtesting are just a sampling of the features some brokers offer. To compare trading platform features, use the online brokerage comparison tool.
The trading products you can purchase using these platforms can include stocks, commodities, derivatives, bonds etc. which can be traded between the traders on the stock market with intermediates such as investment banks, stock exchanges, brokers and market makers. A communication network is set-up between the various intermediates and the traders, which facilitates proper execution of the whole system.