What is the difference between online and direct access brokerage?
Designed for active investors, direct access brokerage is faster than online brokerage. It allows users to be in direct contact with ECNs, stock exchanges and market makers. Investors can place their orders on the most favorable market in the shortest amount of time. Online brokerage does not provide direct access to the markets because orders must be sent through market makers. In other words, direct access eliminates the middleman and gives you total control over your transactions.
