Brokers with
Options brokers with an API
12 brokers have an API for residents of the United States. The same facts for each: fees, approvals, countries.
An API lets your own program read your positions and place orders at the broker without clicking through the platform. Traders use it to automate a strategy, log every fill or connect a tool. Some APIs only read data, so check that it places options orders and what it costs. 12 brokers have an API for residents of the United States.
At a glance: 12 brokers, 5 at $0 per contract, 4 with $0 exercise and assignment, 10 approving naked options, 11 working with QuantWheel; median fee $0.39 per contract, lowest margin rate at $50,000 5.15%.
| Broker | QuantWheel | Exercise | Approval | 0DTE | Margin | Offers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 TradeStation | Trade & Sync | $0 via QuantWheelIndex options add $0.75 per contract | $0 | Naked | Yes | Negotiable | |
 Alpaca | Coming | $0 per contractPartner, index and professional rates differ | Not published | Spreads | Yes | 6.25% | |
 E*Trade | Trade & Sync | $0.65 per contract$0.50 at 30+ trades per quarter | $0 | Naked | Yes | 11.70% | |
 Interactive Brokers | Sync-only | $0.65 per contract$1 minimum; additional fees | $0 | Naked | Yes | 5.38% | |
 Moomoo | Trade & Sync | $0 per contractIndex, non-retail and other fees extra | Not published | Naked | Yes | 6.80% | |
 Public | Trade & Sync | $0 per contractIndex options $0.35 plus exchange fees | Not published | Naked | Yes | 5.15% | |
 Schwab | Sync-only | $0.65 per contractAdditional fees may apply | $0 | Naked | Yes | 10.63% | |
 tastytrade | Trade & Sync | $1 open / $0 close$10 opening cap per leg; other fees apply | $5 | Naked | Yes | 10.00% | |
 TradeZero | Coming | $0.42 per contract$20 order cap; index contracts excluded | Exercise $10 auto / $35 manual, assignment $10 per line | Not published | Not published | 9.00% | |
 Tradier | Coming | $0.35 per contractPaid plans differ; other fees apply | $9 | Naked | Yes | 9.75% | |
 Webull | Trade & Sync | $0 per contractOversized and index orders cost extra | Not published | Naked | Yes | 8.74% | |
 Lightspeed | $0.50 per contractWeb and mobile orders have a $1 minimum; other fees apply | $15 | Naked | Not published | 10.00% |
The brokers one by one
What qualifies each for this page, from its fee schedule and options agreement, and the one fact that sets it apart.TradeStation$0 via QuantWheel · $0 exercise and assignment · naked
TradeStation has an API. It charges $0 via QuantWheel (Index options add $0.75 per contract). Exercise and assignment cost $0. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; with Trade & Sync the orders you approve go to the broker from QuantWheel.
Alpaca$0 per contract · exercise fee not published · spreads
Alpaca has an API. It charges $0 per contract (Partner, index and professional rates differ). It does not publish its exercise and assignment fees. It approves up to defined-risk spreads. It trades on Web, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; placing orders from QuantWheel is coming soon, so today you place them at the broker.
E*Trade$0.65 per contract · $0 exercise and assignment · naked
E*Trade has an API. It charges $0.65 per contract ($0.50 at 30+ trades per quarter). Exercise and assignment cost $0. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; with Trade & Sync the orders you approve go to the broker from QuantWheel.
Interactive Brokers$0.65 per contract · $0 exercise and assignment · naked
Interactive Brokers has an API. It charges $0.65 per contract ($1 minimum; additional fees). Exercise and assignment cost $0. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; you place the orders at the broker.
Moomoo$0 per contract · exercise fee not published · naked
Moomoo has an API. It charges $0 per contract (Index, non-retail and other fees extra). It does not publish its exercise and assignment fees. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; with Trade & Sync the orders you approve go to the broker from QuantWheel.
Public$0 per contract · exercise fee not published · naked
Public has an API. It charges $0 per contract (Index options $0.35 plus exchange fees). It does not publish its exercise and assignment fees. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; with Trade & Sync the orders you approve go to the broker from QuantWheel.
Schwab$0.65 per contract · $0 exercise and assignment · naked
Schwab has an API. It charges $0.65 per contract (Additional fees may apply). Exercise and assignment cost $0. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; you place the orders at the broker.
tastytrade$1 open / $0 close · $5 per event · naked
tastytrade has an API. It charges $1 open / $0 close ($10 opening cap per leg; other fees apply). Exercise and assignment cost $5 each. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; with Trade & Sync the orders you approve go to the broker from QuantWheel.
TradeZero$0.42 per contract · $10 per event · not published
TradeZero has an API. It charges $0.42 per contract ($20 order cap; index contracts excluded). Exercise and assignment cost $10 each. It does not publish its highest options level. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; placing orders from QuantWheel is coming soon, so today you place them at the broker.
Tradier$0.35 per contract · $9 per event · naked
Tradier has an API. It charges $0.35 per contract (Paid plans differ; other fees apply). Exercise and assignment cost $9 each. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; placing orders from QuantWheel is coming soon, so today you place them at the broker.
Webull$0 per contract · exercise fee not published · naked
Webull has an API. It charges $0 per contract (Oversized and index orders cost extra). It does not publish its exercise and assignment fees. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. QuantWheel syncs positions and trades from the account and suggests; with Trade & Sync the orders you approve go to the broker from QuantWheel.
Lightspeed$0.50 per contract · $15 per event · naked
Lightspeed has an API. It charges $0.50 per contract (Web and mobile orders have a $1 minimum; other fees apply). Exercise and assignment cost $15 each. It approves up to naked short options. It trades on Web, Desktop, Mobile, API. It is not connected to QuantWheel.
Compare two of them
The pair pages among these brokers, with a verdict.More by what you need
Every page in this folder lists the brokers that qualify, with the same facts.Related pages
The same page for other countries, then the facets traders pair with this one.Questions people ask
API