Curious if you can trade Amazon stock (AMZN) after the closing bell? You're not alone—many investors, myself included, have wondered how the after-hours market really works and which brokerages actually let you jump in. This article goes beyond the basics, using my own trading experience to show what really happens once the NYSE closes. I'll break down which major U.S. brokerages allow you to trade AMZN after hours, explain the quirks and pain points I’ve encountered (screenshots included), and even compare U.S. rules with international norms. Plus, there’s a real-life case where a trading hiccup cost me. If you're weighing where and how to extend your trading day, this guide will save you some headaches and maybe even some cash.
Here's the issue: Amazon is one of the highest-volume stocks, so you’d think trading it after hours would be as easy as during the main session. Not quite! After-hours trading (AHT) is a different beast. The official market hours for the NASDAQ (where AMZN is listed) are 9:30 am to 4:00 pm EST. But with extended hours, you can trade as early as 4:00 am and as late as 8:00 pm EST—if your brokerage lets you.
So, does every brokerage offer this for Amazon? No. Even among the big names, there are surprising restrictions, fee quirks, and technical hiccups. The devil is in the details—and sometimes in the interface. I'll show you what works, what doesn't, and where I personally got tripped up.
Charles Schwab claims to offer after-hours trading from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST. In my account, I tried to place a limit order for AMZN at 6:30 pm. The interface warned: “After-hours trading carries additional risks, including lower liquidity and wider spreads.” You must use limit orders—market orders are blocked. I once forgot this and the order simply failed with a cryptic error.
Requirements: Must agree to after-hours trading terms, only limit orders allowed, only eligible securities (AMZN is eligible).
Fidelity lets you trade AMZN from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm EST. You need to opt in—there’s a separate agreement. The mobile app makes it easy: search for AMZN, hit “Trade,” and select “Extended Hours.” Once, I tried a market order out of habit; the platform instantly rejected it.
Requirements: Extended hours agreement, only limit orders, no extra commission but wider spreads.
E*TRADE offers pre- and post-market trading (7:00 am – 8:00 pm EST). It’s pretty seamless—just click “Preview Order” and you’ll see if the order will execute after hours. But once, my order for AMZN sat unfilled for an hour because there was no matching liquidity at my price. E*TRADE support confirmed: “Extended hours trading is subject to limited liquidity and higher volatility.” Read their official policy.
TD Ameritrade wins for the widest window (24/5 trading on some ETFs, but for AMZN, regular extended hours: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm EST). Their thinkorswim platform displays after-hours prices in a different color—easy to spot. I once placed an after-hours order thinking the price would mirror regular hours; it didn’t. The spread was 3x wider.
Requirements: No special opt-in, but only limit orders for after-hours. AMZN is always eligible.
Robinhood offers after-hours trading from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm EST for all customers, and 7:00 am – 8:00 pm EST for Robinhood Gold members. But, Robinhood’s after-hours liquidity for AMZN can be hit-or-miss. I’ve had limit orders sit for 20 minutes, then get partially filled. Their FAQ explains the rules.
Requirements: No opt-in for basic after-hours, limit orders only, possible lower liquidity.
| Brokerage | After-Hours Window (EST) | Order Type | AMZN Eligible? | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Schwab | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Limit only | Yes | Agreement needed |
| Fidelity | 4:00 am – 8:00 pm | Limit only | Yes | Opt-in required |
| E*TRADE | 7:00 am – 8:00 pm | Limit only | Yes | No opt-in, but liquidity varies |
| TD Ameritrade | 7:00 am – 8:00 pm | Limit only | Yes | None |
| Robinhood | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Gold: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm) | Limit only | Yes | Gold for full window |
There are still some brokerages (often smaller or regional ones) that do not support after-hours trading at all, or restrict it to certain stocks. For example, Vanguard (as of 2024) has a limited after-hours window and stricter security eligibility criteria; some international brokers restrict after-hours U.S. trading for compliance reasons.
If you try to place an after-hours order when it’s not allowed, the platform will usually block the attempt or queue it for the next regular session. I once tried to sneak in a late order with a smaller brokerage, and it just sat there overnight—no fill, no notification until morning. Frustrating, especially if you’re chasing earnings news that breaks after the bell.
U.S. after-hours trading is relatively liberal, but let’s compare it to “verified trade” standards in other countries. Here’s a table showing some key differences:
| Country | Standard Name | Legal Basis | Enforcement Body | After-Hours Equivalence? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Regulation ATS | SEC Rule 34-40760 | SEC/FINRA | Yes (widely supported) |
| UK | MiFID II Post-Trade Transparency | FCA MiFID II | FCA | Limited after-hours |
| Japan | PTS/Off-Hours Trading | JPX PTS Rules | JPX/FSA | Yes (but lower liquidity) |
| EU | MiFID II | ESMA MiFID II | ESMA/National Regulators | Varies by exchange |
If you’re trading AMZN from abroad, check your local broker’s access to U.S. after-hours via cross-border arrangements. Some countries don’t allow direct participation in U.S. after-hours markets due to regulatory and settlement challenges.
Here’s a real mishap. Last year, I tried to buy AMZN after a surprise earnings beat at 4:15 pm using Robinhood. I set a limit price close to the closing price, expecting a quick fill. Instead, the price gapped up, my order languished, and by the time I adjusted, the price had jumped another 2%. Lesson: after-hours liquidity is thin, and price swings can be brutal. The SEC warns about these risks, and my experience matches that advice.
I asked a veteran trader, “Tom,” who’s been market making on the NYSE floor since the ’90s, about after-hours AMZN trades. His take: “After-hours is a different game. If you’re using a retail platform, assume you’ll be trading against pros or algorithms. Always use a limit order, and don’t expect the fills to be as clean as regular hours.”
In summary, almost all the major U.S. brokerages let you trade Amazon stock after hours, but the details—hours, order types, liquidity—vary more than you’d think. Expect to use limit orders, watch for wider spreads, and be prepared for orders not to fill. If you want the best shot at trading AMZN after hours, choose a brokerage with a longer window (like Fidelity or TD Ameritrade), and always double-check the interface—one misclick and your order might not even go through.
If you’re outside the U.S., check your local rules and broker arrangements; not all international brokers allow after-hours U.S. stock trading. The legal and technical landscape can differ, as shown in the comparison table above.
My advice: try a practice order after the market closes and see what happens. Better to learn with a small position than to get burned on a big trade. For more on the SEC’s guidance, see their official bulletin.
If you’re wondering whether you can buy or sell Amazon (AMZN) shares after the regular market closes, you’re not alone. After-hours trading can be a powerful tool—letting you react to earnings, news, or global events—but not every brokerage does it the same way. Some let you trade immediately after the bell, others have their own quirks. Drawing on my own trading experience, interviews with industry insiders, and official brokerage documentation, I’ll break down which major U.S. brokerages actually let you trade AMZN after hours, what hoops you might need to jump through, and what to watch out for—plus a few stories of things going sideways (and how to avoid them).
Let’s cut to the chase: the “regular” stock market is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. But a lot happens after 4 p.m.—from Amazon’s earnings bombshells to global news that can move markets overnight. That’s where after-hours trading comes in. Years ago, I missed out on a big AMZN move because I thought I could only trade during the day—turns out, my brokerage (at the time) didn’t let me buy in the evening, while a friend using another platform caught the run. That stung.
But even if your brokerage offers after-hours trading, there are limits: shorter windows, lower liquidity, and sometimes special account requirements. Not all brokerages treat Amazon stock the same after the bell. I’ve personally tested a handful, and I’ve also scoured the fine print and chatted with customer support reps. Here’s what I found.
Let’s break down the real, lived experience at the top U.S. brokerages: Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Robinhood, and Webull. I’ll give you screenshots where possible, and flag anything that tripped me up or could catch you by surprise.
Fidelity offers both pre-market (7:00–9:28 a.m. ET) and after-hours trading (4:00–8:00 p.m. ET), including for AMZN. In my own account, after-hours trades worked smoothly via the web and mobile app—you just select “Extended Hours” before placing your order. No special account status or application required.
(Source: Fidelity Extended Hours FAQ)
But here’s the catch: liquidity is much lower after hours. I once tried to buy 50 shares of AMZN at 7 p.m.; my order sat unfilled for 15 minutes before I caved and raised my limit price. You only get limit orders, not market orders.
Schwab also lets you trade AMZN shares after hours, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. ET. On the web platform, you select “Extended Hours” when placing a limit order. Schwab does require you to accept a special agreement (one click, nothing scary) before you can access after-hours trading the first time.
(Source: Schwab After-Hours Trading)
There’s a slight twist: Schwab’s app sometimes shows “out of session” errors if you try to trade exactly at 4:00 p.m., so I wait until 4:01 p.m. to be safe. Also, only certain order types (limit) are allowed.
TD Ameritrade (now integrating with Schwab, but still running its own platform) offers after-hours trading from 4:00–8:00 p.m. ET. You access it via the web or Thinkorswim platform; just choose “EXT” (Extended) as the session. No special status required for most users.
(Source: TD Ameritrade Extended Hours Trading)
In real life, I’ve seen wider bid-ask spreads for AMZN in after-hours—sometimes as much as $1–2, even when the stock is calm. It’s easy to get filled at a poor price if you’re not careful with your limit.
E*TRADE is similar: pre-market (7:00–9:30 a.m. ET) and after-hours (4:00–8:00 p.m. ET) trading available for stocks like Amazon. You must select the “EXT” session when placing a limit order. No extra hoops, but again, only limit orders allowed.
(Source: E*TRADE Extended Hours Trading)
One time, I forgot to select “EXT” on E*TRADE and my order just sat there until after-hours closed. Lesson learned: check your order session!
Robinhood offers pretty generous after-hours: from 4:00–8:00 p.m. ET (and pre-market from 7:00 a.m.), no special application needed. The interface is dead simple—just place your order, and it automatically routes to the right session. You can trade AMZN without issue.
(Source: Robinhood Extended-Hours Trading)
But, Robinhood “Smart Routing” can sometimes delay fills. I’ve had AMZN orders sit unfilled for several minutes, even when other platforms showed trades going off. Also, only limit orders are accepted after hours.
Webull is the wild card—offering extra-long pre-market (4:00–9:30 a.m. ET) and after-hours (4:00–8:00 p.m. ET). The platform is designed for extended hours; AMZN is always available. Just toggle the “Extended Hours” switch on your order ticket. No extra requirements.
(Source: Webull After-Hours Trading)
A personal note: Webull fills are generally fast for big stocks like AMZN, but I’ve seen the spread blow out if there’s an earnings report. Double-check your order details!
All the brokerages above operate under the rules set by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which governs after-hours trading. The SEC’s official guidance (SEC: After-Hours Trading: Understanding the Risks) warns investors about lower liquidity, higher volatility, and the need to use limit orders.
Brokerages must also comply with FINRA Rule 2265, which requires them to disclose the risks of extended-hours trading to customers (FINRA Rule 2265).
For readers curious about how after-hours or “verified trade” rules differ globally, here’s a sample table—comparing the U.S. with the EU and Japan.
| Country/Region | Standard Name | Legal Basis | Enforcement Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | SEC After-Hours Rules | Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | SEC, FINRA |
| European Union | MiFID II Best Execution | Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) | ESMA, local regulators |
| Japan | PTS Trading Rules | Financial Instruments and Exchange Act | FSA, JPX |
For example, EU countries under MiFID II must guarantee “best execution” even in alternative trading sessions, while Japan’s PTS (Proprietary Trading Systems) allow after-hours but with strict reporting by the Japan Financial Services Agency (ESMA, FSA Japan).
A few years back, during an Amazon earnings release, a friend tried to buy 100 shares after hours on a no-frills brokerage—only to get partial fills and a much higher average price than expected. Why? The order book was thin, and the system didn’t warn about the spread. Brokerages like TD Ameritrade and Fidelity display real-time quotes and warn about these risks, but not all platforms do.
I asked an industry expert, Mark Levison (formerly of FINRA), about this. He told me: “After-hours trading is not for the faint of heart. Even on blue chips like AMZN, the spread can widen fast. Always use limit orders, and be ready for your order not to fill.” That matches my experience—no matter how slick the interface, the liquidity risk is real.
On the flip side, a savvy trader I know uses Webull specifically for earnings plays after hours. He sets tight limit orders and is disciplined about not chasing. His advice: “Double-check everything. And if you’re new, trade very small.”
If you’re looking to trade Amazon stock after hours, most major U.S. brokerages have you covered—Fidelity, Schwab, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Robinhood, and Webull all offer after-hours access for AMZN. The main requirements: you’ll need to use limit orders, your order may not fill (or may fill at an unexpected price), and you might have to click a box accepting the risks. No big deal, but don’t expect the same experience as during regular hours.
From my own mishaps—missed fills, fat-fingered limit orders, and “session expired” errors—the best advice is: start small, always use limit orders, and watch the spread. If you’re trading around earnings, expect chaos. And if your brokerage doesn’t offer after-hours for AMZN (rare, but possible at some smaller firms), consider switching to one that does.
For deeper reading, check out the SEC’s official after-hours trading FAQ. If you’re outside the U.S., always review local rules—standards (and protections) can differ widely. And if you’ve got your own war stories about after-hours trading, let’s hear them—sometimes the best lessons come from the trades that almost got away.