E*TRADE review
- Stock trade fee
- $0
- Minimum deposit
- $0
Our verdict
Commission-free stocks, advanced tools and access to mutual funds, bonds and ETFs make E*TRADE a strong trading platform.
Consider E*TRADE if you want access to an extensive list of investment options and a comprehensive suite of research and trading tools, including a robo-advisor for passive investing. Look elsewhere if you're looking to trade cryptocurrencies or want access to fractional share trading.
Best for: Traders and investors who want a reputable big broker with numerous investment options and powerful trading tools.
Pros
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Wide range of tradable assets
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Commission-free stock, ETF and option trading
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Mobile, web browser and desktop trading platforms, with advanced trading tools and free research
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Robo-advisor available for automatic portfolio management
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Paper trading to practice trading with virtual money
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Extensive lineup of account types
Cons
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No crypto or forex trading
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No fractional share trading
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No instant buying power on ACH deposits
How we rated E*TRADE‘s features
| Investment options | ★★★★★ |
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| Trading platforms and technology | ★★★★★ |
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| Trading costs | ★★★★★ |
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| Account fees | ★★★★★ |
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| Customer support | ★★★★★ |
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| Mobile app rating and security | ★★★★★ |
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| Features and amenities | ★★★★★ |
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| Cash sweep rates | ★★★★★ | Offers a cash sweep program but rates of only 0.01%–0.15% APY. |
| Account types and minimums | ★★★★★ |
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To learn how our star ratings are calculated, read our methodology at the bottom of the page.
E*TRADE is best for all traders
E*TRADE can be an appealing option for most traders. Hands-off investors can put their portfolios on autopilot with E*TRADE’s robo-advisor, Core Portfolios, while plentiful resources exist for beginners to hone their skills through paper trading and educational material. Its suite of research and trading tools, coupled with $0 commission on stocks, ETFs and options, makes it a solid choice for day and short-term traders, proactive in managing their own portfolios.What you can trade on E*TRADE
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Options
- Bonds
- Mutual funds
- Futures
- CDs
Account types available with E*TRADE
- Individual, joint and custodial brokerage accounts
- Managed portfolios
- Retirement (several IRA types)
- Education
Where E*TRADE shines
E*TRADE offers customers the full investor package through sophisticated trading platforms, a wide range of securities and commission-free stock, ETF and options trading. Paper trading and a vast collection of educational resources make it ideal for newbies. And hands-off investors can make use of automatic portfolio management through a roboadvisor for a 0.3% annual fee. Individual brokerage accounts and retirement accounts are on offer as well as margin trading. And there’s advanced trading through Power E*TRADE.Where E*TRADE falls short
While it offers many securities, E*TRADE does not offer direct access to crypto. You can only gain indirect exposure to crypto through crypto trust ETFs. And the lack of fractional share trading can put off some beginner investors lacking a substantial starting capital.
E*TRADE’s fees
| Minimum deposit | $0 |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Stock, ETF and option trade fees | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 for up to 29 trades each quarter $0.50 for 30+ trades each quarter |
| Future contract fee | $1.50 |
| Crypto future contract fee | $2.50 per contract |
| Bonds | $1 per bond ($10 minimum $250 maximum) |
| Wire transfer fee (domestic and international) | $0 incoming $25 outgoing |
| Returned check or wire transfer due to insufficient funds fees | $25 |
| Paper statement fee | $2 for each paper statement mailed to a residential address |
| Outgoing account transfer fee | $75 for full transfers $25 for partial transfers (Customers making a partial transfer with a remaining account balance of $5,000+ will not be charged a transfer fee. |
Is E*TRADE legit?
E*TRADE is a legitimate trading platform created in the early ’80s. It now forms part of Morgan Stanley, having been bought in 2020. It is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Through its membership of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), customers are protected up to the value of $500,000 for their cash and securities.E*TRADE’s platform is easy to use
Here are some of the tools you can use to trade with on E*TRADE:
- Research reports and services
- Intuitive trading tools
- Screeners
- Market news
- Paper trading
- Webinars
E*TRADE‘s web platform and app
There’s a full suite of tools to research potential investments, track the markets and then carry out trades. Beginner investors can even school themselves with paper trading and investing trends and techniques.
Power E*TRADE
Active traders might be more enticed with Power E*TRADE, an advanced platform that offers dynamic charting tools and risk-reward analysis to help with complex strategies. Here, you can use in-depth market news, in addition to interactive charts, 100s of technical studies and preset scans to spot a trade.
E*TRADE’s app store reviews
| Google Play app reviews | 3.9/5 stars, based on more than 41,350 ratings |
| Apple App Store app reviews | 4.6/5 stars, based on more than 140,625 ratings |
E*TRADE’s customer support
You can reach E*TRADE in the following three ways:
- Email support
- Phone
- In person
How to open an account with E*TRADE
- Go to E*TRADE’s website and select Get started or Open an account.
- Choose the account type you want to open then select Continue.
- Enter your personal details, such as your contact info, date of birth and Social Security number.
- Provide your employment details and complete your investment profile.
- Answer E*TRADE‘s regulatory questions and how you plan to use your account.
- Review and agree to E*TRADE‘s agreements and disclosures.
- Create your user ID and select Submit.
You can fund your account by wire transfer, check, deposit or a transfer from a different trading platform. Once your deposited funds have cleared, you can begin trading. Alternatively, you can sign up for E*TRADE at one of its branches.
Eligibility and required information
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid US residential address
- Have a valid Social Security number
- Social Security number
- Employment information
- Bank or brokerage account information
How safe is E*TRADE?
E*TRADE is considered safe and secure because it utilizes encryption and network defenses. It also adds an extra layer of security through two-factor authentication and will send customers security alerts if it suspects any fraudulent activity.Compare E*TRADE to other platforms
E*TRADE
★★★★★
Finder rating 4.2 / 5
Available asset types
Stocks, Bonds, Options, Mutual funds, ETFs, CDs, Futures
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Complete signup bonus
SoFi Invest®
★★★★★
Finder rating 4.2 / 5
Available asset types
Stocks, Mutual funds, ETFs, Alternatives
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
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Complete signup bonus
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Tastytrade
★★★★★
Finder rating 4.6 / 5
Available asset types
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Cryptocurrency, Futures, Treasury Bills
Stock trade fee
$0
Minimum deposit
$0
Complete signup bonus
Get $100-$5,000 when you open and fund an account with $5,000 to $1,000,000+
Frequently asked questions about E*TRADE
How we rate trading platforms
★★★★★ 5/5 — Excellent
★★★★★ 4/5 — Good
★★★★★ 3/5 — Average
★★★★★ 2/5 — Subpar
★★★★★ 1/5 — Poor
We analyze top online trading platforms and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include fees, securities available for trade, customer support, customer feedback, platform resources and overall reliability.
For a complete breakdown of how we score each category, read the full methodology of how we rate trading platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Your reviews
Helen Finder
Writer
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