There are quite a few reasons why some experts prefer online brokerages to traditional brick-and-mortar brokerage firms. Some reasons for using online brokerage sites include: Ability for an investor to buy and sell an investment vehicle online (as opposed to speaking with a physical broker, who then enters a trade into a system); discounted commissions to be paid when trades are executed; sometimes free or heavily discounted investment services; instant updating of account activity and investment performance information; online education and information services available to account holders and/or users; ease of use of the interface; and ease of setting up/managing an account.