The NASDAQ is sometimes called «screen-based» because buyers and sellers are connected only by computers over a telecommunications network. Market makers, also known as dealers, carry their own inventory of stock. They stand ready to buy and sell NASDAQ stocks, and they are required to post their bid and ask prices. Although the NYSE has a far greater total market capitalization, NASDAQ has surpassed the NYSE in the number of both listed companies and shares traded.

NASDAQ has listing and governance requirements that are similar but slightly less stringent than those of the NYSE. For example, a stock must maintain a price of $1 and the value of the public float must be at least $1.1 million. If a company does not maintain these requirements, it can be delisted to one of the OTC markets.