AutoShares
AutoShares, a division of SEC-registered broker-dealer TradePro Securities, provides self-directed online trading in US stocks, ETFs, and options plus automated execution from newsletter signals, Collective2 strategy automation, and a cloud-native API enabling fintechs to embed brokerage and custody services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What AutoShares does
AutoShares is the retail-facing online brokerage division of TradePro Securities, Inc., a privately held SEC-registered broker-dealer founded in 2012 and headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with stated offices in Arlington and a clearing/data processing presence in New York. The platform provides self-directed trading in US equities, ETFs, and options through a web-based WebTrader interface and native iOS and Android applications, with execution-only positioning (no investment advice) and SIPC-membership customer protection. Layered on top of the core trading platform are three distinct extensions: an Autotrade Newsletter Alerts module that automates order execution from third-party newsletter signals, an Automated Trading Systems integration with Collective2 for subscription-based strategy automation, and a cloud-native AutoShares API with OAuth 2.0 that lets fintech firms embed brokerage functionality, fractional trading, and custody into their own products. Supporting infrastructure is provided by two clearing partners, RQD Clearing and Velocity Clearing, and AutoShares maintains exchange memberships on NYSE ARCA, NASDAQ, and multiple CBOE venues while being licensed across 51 US states and territories.
The business model is predominantly transaction- and subscription-based. Base commissions on stocks and ETFs are zero, options carry a $0.65 per-contract fee, automated trades add a $4.95 software fee, and a $10 monthly platform/access fee applies per account across standard, Autotrade, and API tiers. Additional revenue comes from pass-through regulatory and exchange fees (SEC Section 31, FINRA TAF, OCC, CBOE proprietary index surcharges on SPX/VIX/RUT/NDX) and from tiered margin interest (FFR plus 200-700 bps depending on debit size). Customer acquisition runs through a self-service 10-minute online application, inside sales phone support, an SEO-driven knowledge base, and a developer portal targeting fintechs. Reported headcount is 1-10 employees, the company has no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A history, and no public leadership team beyond founder Nick Theodorou, indicating a lean, bootstrapped operating model.
AutoShares firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AutoShares
- Legal name
- TradePro Securities, Inc.
- Website
- https://autoshares.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AutoShares, a division of SEC-registered broker-dealer TradePro Securities, provides self-directed online trading in US stocks, ETFs, and options plus automated execution from newsletter signals, Collective2 strategy automation, and a cloud-native API enabling fintechs to embed brokerage and custody services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where AutoShares is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AutoShares business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Stock and ETF Trading Commissions: Zero base commission for online stock and ETF trades, with regulatory, clearing, and exchange fees applied per transaction.
- Options Trading Commissions: Zero base commission plus $0.65 per contract fee for options trading, with additional clearing and regulatory fees applied.
- Platform and Access Fees: $10 monthly platform and access fee per account for self-directed trading accounts and API accounts.
- Autotrade Transaction Fees: $4.95 per transaction software fee for automated trading execution, in addition to standard commission rates and platform fees.
- Regulatory and Exchange Fees: Pass-through fees including SEC Section 31 fees, FINRA TAF fees, Options Regulatory Fee, OCC fees, and CBOE proprietary exchange fees for index products like SPX, VIX, RUT, NDX.
- Margin Interest: Tiered margin interest rates based on Federal Funds Rate plus basis points, ranging from FFR+700 bps for balances under $25,000 to FFR+200 bps for balances over $5 million.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Self-Directed Trading Account - Stocks and ETFs |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Self-Directed Options Trading |
| Subscription | Monthly | Platform and Access Fee |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Self-Directed Autotrade Execution |
| Subscription | Monthly | API Accounts |
| Other | Monthly | Margin Interest Rates |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Regulatory and Exchange Fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
AutoShares product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AutoShares is an online brokerage platform providing self-directed trading in U.S. stocks, options, and ETFs through its WebTrader web platform, mobile applications for iOS and Android, and automated trade execution from third-party newsletter signals. The company also offers a cloud-native REST-based API for fintech developers to embed investing and trading functionality, and brokerage account custody/order processing solutions for institutional and B2B financial services clients.
Product overview
AutoShares is an online brokerage platform built around a core self-directed trading platform (Webtrader) for U.S. stocks, options, and ETFs, with multiple product layers layered on top: the Autotrade Newsletter Alerts module automates trade execution from third-party newsletter signals; the Automated Trading Systems module connects third-party strategy platforms (Collective2); the AutoShares API enables fintech developers to embed trading and custody into their own applications; and the AutoShares for Business (Fintech Solutions) offering provides B2B agency execution, order management, risk management, and compliance tools for financial service firms. The platform is cloud-native, powered by clearing partners RQD Clearing and Velocity Clearing, and is available to retail investors, institutions, and developers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Webtrader Web-based self-directed online brokerage platform for trading U.S. stocks, options, and ETFs with commission-free base pricing. Features a customizable dashboard, market and limit orders, stop orders, trailing stops, one-cancels-other orders, screeners, and price alerts, accessible from Mac, PC, smartphone, iOS, and mobile tablet devices. Targeted at individual investors including casual investors, strategic planners, and tactical traders.
- AutoShares API
- AutoShares for Business (Fintech Solutions) B2B fintech platform providing agency trade execution, API connectivity, order management system integration, risk management, order monitoring, and transactional reporting services for U.S. and non-U.S. financial service firms. Targeted at broker-dealers, fintech startups, and financial services companies needing institutional-grade trading infrastructure and order routing.
- Brokerage Account Custody Solutions Custody and technology solutions for fintech developers and financial service companies, providing order processing, account management, API-driven flexibility, access to equities/options/ETF liquidity, and flexible commission models. Includes zero-commission trading options for clients and is delivered through clearing partners RQD Clearing, LLC and Velocity Clearing, LLC. Targeted at fintech firms, RIAs, and brokerages requiring third-party custody and clearing infrastructure.
Companies that use AutoShares
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AutoShares technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
AutoShares partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RQD Clearing, LLCcoreRQD Clearing provides correspondent clearing, cash management, margin lending, and back office services. Registered with SEC, member of FINRA, OCC, DTC, NSCC with exchange memberships at all major US equities and options market centers. Processes account transfers and provides clearing services for AutoShares customer accounts.
- Velocity Clearing, LLCcoreVelocity Clearing offers clearing and execution services with competitive pricing for professional traders, family offices, and retail brokerages. Provides fully disclosed clearing services with straight-through processing for matching, clearing, settlement, and custody. Offers margin financing and securities lending capabilities.
- BMO Harris BankminorBanking partner for wire transfer services. ABA# 071000288 for domestic wires; Swift Code HATRUS44XXX for international wires. Used for incoming fund transfers to AutoShares customer accounts.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
AutoShares competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- tastytrade: Options-focused retail broker with automated trading capabilities — overlapping AutoShares' emphasis on complex options strategies and self-directed active trading.
- TradeStation: Active-trader-focused online broker with complex options support, automated trading, and API connectivity — closely aligned with AutoShares' options-heavy, autotrade-enabled offering.
- Alpaca: API-first brokerage offering stocks, ETFs, options, and fractional trading to fintech developers — directly comparable to AutoShares' API product line and developer portal model.
- DriveWealth: API-first embedded investing infrastructure offering fractional shares, custody, and brokerage-as-a-service to fintechs — directly comparable to AutoShares' B2B fintech solutions.
- Tradier: Cloud-based brokerage API provider offering embedded trading, custody, and account management for fintechs and advisors — overlapping AutoShares' AutoShares for Business and API offerings.
- Robinhood: Zero-commission self-directed retail broker for stocks, options, and ETFs — directly competing for AutoShares' retail customer base with no account minimums and a much larger user base.
- Webull: Zero-commission retail broker with mobile/web platforms, options, and ETFs — directly comparable in product mix, pricing, and target customer (self-directed traders).
Broad incumbents
- Apex Clearing: Custody and clearing provider powering many fintech brokerages — comparable to AutoShares on the custody/clearing side but operating at a much larger scale.
- Interactive Brokers: Large global broker offering self-directed trading, APIs, and institutional services across a much broader product set — overlapping AutoShares on retail and API but vastly larger.
- Charles Schwab: Large incumbent broker-dealer offering self-directed trading, APIs (thinkorswim), and broad investment products — comparable in retail/API coverage but orders of magnitude larger.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AutoShares social profiles
Digital presenceAutoShares compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
AutoShares financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AutoShares leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
AutoShares funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AutoShares M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AutoShares
What does AutoShares do?
AutoShares is an online brokerage platform providing self-directed trading in U.S. stocks, options, and ETFs through its WebTrader web platform, mobile applications for iOS and Android, and automated trade execution from third-party newsletter signals. The company also offers a cloud-native REST-based API for fintech developers to embed investing and trading functionality, and brokerage account custody/order processing solutions for institutional and B2B financial services clients.
Is AutoShares a public or private company?
AutoShares is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AutoShares founded?
AutoShares was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AutoShares based?
AutoShares is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does AutoShares make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Stock and ETF Trading Commissions are the primary driver. The others are options Trading Commissions, platform and Access Fees, autotrade Transaction Fees, regulatory and Exchange Fees and margin Interest.
Who are AutoShares's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are tastytrade, TradeStation, Alpaca, DriveWealth, Tradier, Robinhood and Webull. Broad incumbents are Apex Clearing, Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab.
Does AutoShares have an API?
Yes. AutoShares API is a cloud-native, REST-based API platform enabling fintech businesses and developers to build applications for trading stocks, ETFs, options, and options spreads, with fractional/notional trading capabilities. It supports OAuth 2.0 authentication, offers both single and multiple endpoint access, and is scalable for automated trading systems, algos, and AI-powered trading applications. APIs cover brokerage account custody, onboarding solutions, order processing, compliance tools, and risk management. The platform claims 99.5% uptime and is positioned for fintech firms and startups to launch products globally. Developer documentation is at autoshares.com/api.