Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of E*TRADE vs TradeStation, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
E*TRADE vs TradeStation: both are strong picks for self-directed investors, but E*TRADE gets a slight edge thanks to advisor services and higher third-party marks for range of investments. StockBrokers.com rates E*TRADE 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks it #4 of 14 for Range of Investments, while TradeStation earns 4 stars and ranks #6. If you want access to guidance alongside a broad lineup, E*TRADE may be the better fit; if you’re purely DIY, either platform covers the core markets well.
Across tradable products, the two brokers line up closely. E*TRADE and TradeStation both offer stock trading, margin, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options, and futures. Neither supports fractional share trading, forex, or cryptocurrency, and each lists 0 coins for crypto trading. That means active stock, options, and futures traders will find similar market access at both, but investors seeking fractional shares, forex pairs, or crypto will need to look elsewhere.
For retirement planning, both E*TRADE and TradeStation provide Traditional and Roth IRAs. A key difference is advice: E*TRADE offers advisor services, while TradeStation does not. If you value professional help within the same brokerage you trade on, E*TRADE’s offering can streamline your setup; if you only need trading tools and plan to manage everything yourself, TradeStation remains a capable alternative.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | No |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 0 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026
E*TRADE vs TradeStation: both earn 4 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, but they cater to slightly different needs. TradeStation is the better choice for traders who want deeper charting and customization, and it ranks #3 of 14 at StockBrokers.com. E*TRADE ranks #6 and delivers an easier, all-around experience. If maximum indicators, sprawling watchlists, and custom study support matter most, pick TradeStation; if you want capable, straightforward tools across devices, E*TRADE is a safe bet.
Platform access is a draw: each offers downloadable desktop software for Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based platform. Both provide paper trading and let you adjust open orders directly on a stock chart. Neither includes a built-in trading journal.
Charting and tools tilt toward TradeStation. It offers 294 technical indicators (E*TRADE: 121), 45 drawing tools (E*TRADE: 37), and 341 watchlist columns (E*TRADE: 43). Editing studies is more flexible too (12 SMA fields vs. E*TRADE’s 8), and only TradeStation lets you create custom studies. That said, both brokers let you add notes, show historical trades, display corporate events, set custom date ranges, run automated chart pattern analysis, and save multiple chart profiles.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes |
| Paper Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 43 | 341 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 121 | 294 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 37 | 45 |
| Advanced Trading |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026
A full-featured account for investing
Get up to $1K on new brokerage account*
E*TRADE and TradeStation both teach the basics of stocks and options and offer paper trading, educational videos, and webinars. Where they differ is coverage: E*TRADE also provides education on ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, while TradeStation does not. Neither broker includes quizzes or tools to track your learning progress. For beginners who want to explore more types of investments, E*TRADE delivers a wider learning path.
Ratings back this up: E*TRADE earns 4 out of 5 stars for education and ranks #5 of 14 brokers with StockBrokers.com, while TradeStation earns 2 out of 5 stars and ranks #14. If you want a fuller curriculum across asset classes, E*TRADE is the better fit; if you mainly care about stocks and options with practice trading access, TradeStation can cover the essentials.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | No |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2026
E*TRADE edges out TradeStation for stock trading apps. Both deliver capable iPhone and Android experiences with streaming quotes, mobile options trading, stock alerts, and customizable watch lists, but E*TRADE adds Apple Watch support, streaming live TV, landscape charting, and a larger library of technical studies. E*TRADE earns 4.5 stars and ranks #5 of 14 on StockBrokers.com, while TradeStation is rated 4 stars and ranks #6. E*TRADE supports mobile after-hours trading; the information provided did not confirm whether TradeStation’s mobile app supports after-hours orders.
On mobile availability and core tools, both the E*TRADE app and the TradeStation app run on iPhone and Android, offer streaming quotes, enable mobile options trades, support stock alerts, and let you build custom watch lists with adjustable columns. E*TRADE also works with Apple Watch, while TradeStation does not. For market video, E*TRADE streams live TV; neither app offers videos on demand.
Charting is stronger on E*TRADE’s app: both brokers include after-hours charting and multiple time frames, but only E*TRADE supports landscape charts and stock comparisons on the chart. E*TRADE also offers 107 technical studies versus TradeStation’s 45, giving active chart watchers more ways to analyze price action.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 107 | 45 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026
E*TRADE vs. TradeStation: both start strong with $0 minimum deposits and $0 stock trades, but they diverge on fees that matter over time. TradeStation generally offers lower trading-related costs, with cheaper options contracts and lower margin rates at the balances listed. E*TRADE is kinder on account and event fees, charging $0 for IRA upkeep and closure, free partial transfers, and no fees for options exercise or assignment. Pick TradeStation if lower per-trade and margin costs are your priority; choose E*TRADE if you want to minimize account and transfer charges.
Trading costs: both brokers have a $0 minimum deposit and $0 commissions for regular stock trades. Options pricing is slightly cheaper at TradeStation at $0.60 per contract versus $0.65 at E*TRADE. Margin rates favor TradeStation across these tiers: below $25,000, E*TRADE is 12.95% vs. TradeStation at 12.5%; $25,000–$49,999 is 12.7% vs. 12.5%; and $50,000–$99,999 is 12.2% vs. 11.5%.
Account and other fees: E*TRADE charges $0 for IRA annual and closure fees, while TradeStation charges $35 annually and $50 to close. For transfers, E*TRADE is $0 for partial ACAT and $75 for full, compared with TradeStation at $125 for both partial and full. Options events also favor E*TRADE, which charges $0 for both exercise and assignment; TradeStation lists $14.95 for exercise and $5.95 for assignment.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.60 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $14.95 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.95 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $35.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $50.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026
When comparing E*TRADE and TradeStation for day trading, both platforms offer essential features like streaming time and sales for stocks, direct market routing, and level 2 quotes. They also both support trading hotkeys for swift keyboard trade entries. However, E*TRADE has the advantage of streaming live TV, which TradeStation lacks, providing traders with real-time news and updates. On the other hand, TradeStation excels in strategy backtesting—offering both basic and advanced options—which E*TRADE does not. Additionally, TradeStation provides ladder trading functionality, enhancing its appeal to active traders seeking detailed market insights.
Another notable difference lies in the availability of a short locator tool, which TradeStation offers to help traders assess the real-time availability of shares to short—an option not available with E*TRADE. Moreover, TradeStation introduces order liquidity rebates, allowing traders to benefit from specific trading strategies focused on adding or removing liquidity in the market. This distinct set of features makes TradeStation a compelling choice for sophisticated day traders, while E*TRADE might appeal to those who value streamlined news integration and a simpler interface.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | Yes |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | Yes |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes |
| Short Locator | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms of 2026 for Beginners and Active Traders
E*TRADE is the clear winner for market research. It earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #3 of 14 brokers on StockBrokers.com, while TradeStation scores 2.5 stars and ranks #11. If you want wide coverage, deeper datasets, and downloadable reports across more asset classes, choose E*TRADE; TradeStation suits traders who only need core stock and ETF research with basic screening tools.
Both E*TRADE and TradeStation offer stock and ETF research, Pink Sheets/OTC research, and a portfolio allocation view by asset class. E*TRADE goes further with research for mutual funds and bonds, which TradeStation does not provide. For idea generation, both include stock and ETF screeners, but only E*TRADE adds mutual fund and bond screeners. E*TRADE also provides stock research using social media sentiment data and ESG research; TradeStation does not.
When it comes to reports, E*TRADE offers eight downloadable PDF stock research reports and also provides PDFs for ETFs and mutual funds. TradeStation does not offer downloadable PDF research for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds. This fuller library, plus broader asset coverage and extra data features, helps explain E*TRADE’s higher research rating and ranking.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No |
| Research |
|
|
When it comes to banking services, E*TRADE and TradeStation offer different experiences for users. E*TRADE provides a comprehensive suite of banking options, allowing customers to open checking and savings accounts, access debit and credit cards, and even apply for mortgage loans. Additionally, E*TRADE offers Certificates of Deposit (CDs) for those interested in fixed-term savings. On the other hand, TradeStation focuses primarily on trading platforms and does not provide traditional banking services like checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs. For individuals seeking an online brokerage with integrated banking capabilities, E*TRADE offers a broader array of services compared to TradeStation.
| Feature |
E*TRADE
|
TradeStation
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | Yes | No |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | No |
| Debit Cards | Yes | No |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Brokerage CDs | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2026
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that E*TRADE is better than TradeStation. E*TRADE finished with an overall score of 86.0%, while TradeStation finished with a score of 68.4%.
With two distinct platforms (E*TRADE Web and Power E*TRADE) the broker effectively serves both the "set-it-and-forget-it" investor and the high-volume derivatives trader. Whether you aim to construct a long-term retirement portfolio or deploy complex options strategies, E*TRADE provides a sophisticated, dependable environment that grows with your ambition.
Both E*TRADE and TradeStation do not offer crypto trading, with each platform providing access to zero coins for cryptocurrency trading.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026
Both E*TRADE and TradeStation provide traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but E*TRADE stands out with no annual or closure fees, while TradeStation charges a $35 annual fee and a $50 closure fee for their IRA accounts.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Advanced Trading |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Customer Service |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | E*TRADE Review | TradeStation Review |
| Broker Screenshots | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Trading Fees | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $6.95 | $0.01 | |
| Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $0.00 | $14.95 | |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.65 | $0.60 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | $1.50 | $1.50 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | $25 |
| Margin Rates | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 12.95% | 12.5% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 12.7% | 12.5% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.2% | 11.5% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 11.7% | 11.5% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 11.2% | 12.0% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | Varies | 7.5% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | Varies | 7.5% |
| Account Fees | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $0.00 | $35.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $0.00 | $50.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $0.00 | $125.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $75.00 | $125.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $0.00 | $14.95 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $0.00 | $5.95 |
| Investment Options | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | No | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex Trading | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 0 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | Yes | No | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
| Order Types | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order Type - Market | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Limit | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - After Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Trailing Stop | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
| Beginners | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | Yes | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | No | |
| Retirement Calculator | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | Yes | No | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Progress Tracking | No | No | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | Yes | No | |
| Trading - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Simple Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading - Complex Options | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket RT Quotes | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Ticket SRT Quotes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Features | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Research - Market Movers | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | Yes | No | |
| Videos on Demand | No | No | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 107 | 45 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | Power E*TRADE | TradeStation 10 | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Journal | No | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 43 | 341 |
| Stock Chart Features | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 121 | 294 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 37 | 45 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Custom Time Bars | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 8 | 12 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | No | Yes |
| Day Trading | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes | |
| Streaming TV | Yes | No | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | Yes | |
| Ladder Trading | No | Yes | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | Yes | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | No | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | No | Yes | |
| Short Locator | No | Yes | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | No | Yes |
| Research Overview | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | Yes | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | Yes | No | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 8 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - Social | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | Yes | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | Yes | No |
| ETF Research | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets | Yes | No | |
| ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Sector Exposure | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Risk Analysis | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Ratings | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | Yes | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | Yes | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Prospectus | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | Yes | |
| Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | Yes | No | |
| Mutual Funds - StyleMap | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | Yes | No | |
| Checking Accounts | Yes | No | |
| Savings Accounts | Yes | No | |
| Credit Cards | Yes | No | |
| Debit Cards | Yes | No | |
| Mortgage Loans | Yes | No |
| Customer Service | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | No | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | Yes | No |
| Overall | E*TRADE | TradeStation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Advanced Trading |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Ease of Use |
|
| |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | E*TRADE Review | TradeStation Review |
Charles Schwab
Interactive Brokers
Fidelity
E*TRADE
Merrill Edge
TradeStation
tastytrade
Finviz
Stock Rover
Seeking Alpha
TipRanks
TrendSpider
Trade Ideas
TraderSync
TradingView
Tradervue
TradeZella