TradeStation vs tastytrade 2025
In this head to head comparison of TradeStation vs tastytrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of TradeStation vs tastytrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When evaluating online brokers TradeStation and tastytrade, it's clear that both platforms offer strong options for different types of investors. TradeStation ranks higher for the range of investments it offers, with a 4.5-star rating and a #5 ranking by StockBrokers.com, compared to tastytrade's 4-star rating and #10 ranking. For those seeking diversified options such as OTC stocks and mutual funds, TradeStation is the frontrunner. On the other hand, tastytrade is notable for offering fractional shares and cryptocurrency trading, making it appealing to investors interested in those specific markets.
TradeStation provides a comprehensive suite of investment options, including stock and margin trading, options, futures, and OTC stocks. Its offering extends to traditional and Roth IRA accounts, as well as mutual funds, though it doesn't cater to crypto trading or provide advisor services. This makes TradeStation a versatile choice for investors who want a wide selection of conventional investment products, especially those focused on long-term growth through diversified portfolios.
In contrast, tastytrade sets itself apart by supporting fractional share trading and cryptocurrencies, with four coins available for trading. It shares similarities with TradeStation in offering stock, margin, and options trading, alongside futures. However, tastytrade does not provide mutual funds or OTC stocks, which may limit its appeal for some. With both traditional and Roth IRA accounts available, tastytrade caters well to investors who are keen on modern investment practices, such as crypto and fractional shares trading, while not requiring advisor services.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
Fractional Shares | No | Yes |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
Futures Trading | Yes | Yes |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 4 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025
When considering the trading platforms and tools of TradeStation and tastytrade, TradeStation emerges as the slightly more advanced option overall, boasting a higher user rating and rank. With a 4.5-star rating and a #3 ranking from StockBrokers.com, it provides a comprehensive suite of features including a Windows desktop platform, extensive watch list customization, and advanced charting capabilities. tastytrade, holding a 4-star rating and an #8 ranking, offers some unique functionalities such as a downloadable trading platform for Mac users and a greater number of drawing tools, making it a noteworthy competitor in the realm of online trading.
TradeStation offers a wealth of features for technical analysis devotees with its impressive 294 technical indicators and 23 drawing tools for charting. Users can leverage the windows desktop platform, enjoy browser-based trading, and engage in paper trading - a feature not available with tastytrade. Although it lacks a Mac-compatible desktop platform, TradeStation makes up for it by allowing users to adjust open orders on charts and create custom studies. Traders can also benefit from features like the ability to display corporate events, automate technical analysis showings, and save multiple chart profiles, all adding to its edge in platform functionality.
Meanwhile, tastytrade appeals to traders with its notable Mac compatibility and a robust set of 308 technical indicators and 31 drawing tools. The platform supports download options on both Windows and Mac, providing seamless accessibility. While tastytrade does not feature paper trading or custom date range settings for charts, it shares significant functionalities with TradeStation like adding notes to charts, applying index overlays, and visualizing historical trades and corporate events on charts. Despite having fewer watch list columns and slightly reduced customization for SMA studies, tastytrade offers a reliable and user-friendly experience for traders.
Feature |
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Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes |
Paper Trading | Yes | No |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 33 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 308 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 31 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokerage Accounts for 2025, Best Paper Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing TradeStation and tastytrade in terms of educational resources for beginners and investors, both platforms offer some valuable tools, yet differ in what they emphasize. TradeStation provides comprehensive education in stock and options trading, along with the practical advantage of paper trading for hands-on learning. This is complemented by a range of instructional videos and webinars, perfect for those who prefer visual learning methods. However, TradeStation lacks educational offerings for ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds, and doesn't include interactive quizzes or track learning progress, which might limit its appeal for those preferring a more structured learning path.
On the other hand, tastytrade holds a slightly higher reputation for its educational offerings. It extends its educational curriculum to include ETFs alongside stocks and options, although it does not cover bonds or mutual funds either. Despite missing some resources like educational videos and paper trading, tastytrade allows users to track their learning journey and engages them through informative webinars. With a 4-star rating and a better overall education ranking, tastytrade might be the more appealing choice for those seeking a broader educational scope with a focus on procedural learning and progress monitoring.
Feature |
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Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | No | Yes |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
Education (Bonds) | No | No |
Paper Trading | Yes | No |
Videos | Yes | No |
Webinars | Yes | Yes |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When it comes to user-friendly stock trading apps, both TradeStation and tastytrade offer a strong set of features catering to traders' needs. While both platforms boast a solid 4.5-star rating for their trading apps, TradeStation edges slightly ahead with a ranking of eighth against tastytrade's tenth place in the StockBrokers.com rankings. Each platform excels in distinct areas, so your choice might depend on the features you prioritize for your trading activities.
Both TradeStation and tastytrade have iPhone and Android apps, ensuring accessibility across major mobile devices. TradeStation allows for after-hours trading, offers mobile options trading, and provides streaming quotes, giving traders flexibility and real-time updates on both Android and iPhone. However, users looking for more interactive features like stock alerts might find tastytrade lacking in that department. Conversely, tastytrade does stand out in offering the capability to view charts in landscape mode, which TradeStation does not provide.
TradeStation also distinguishes itself with its charting capabilities, offering 45 technical studies, a feature notably absent from tastytrade. Both apps allow for customization of watch lists and columns, enabling users to tailor their experience based on individual trading preferences. While neither platform offers streaming live TV or videos on demand, their comprehensive features support most essential trading needs, helping users make informed decisions. Ultimately, the choice between TradeStation and tastytrade hinges on specific features and personal preferences.
Feature |
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iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | No |
Stock Alerts | Yes | No |
Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 0 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When deciding between TradeStation and tastytrade, investors will find distinct differences in fees and charges that may influence their choice. Both platforms require no minimum deposit and offer commission-free regular stock trades, making them accessible to a broad audience. However, tastytrade generally provides more cost-effective options trading at $0.50 per contract, compared to TradeStation’s $0.60. Additionally, tastytrade offers more competitive rates on margin balances, which could lead to significant savings for investors using margin accounts.
When it comes to account-specific fees, tastytrade remains appealing with no IRA annual fees, whereas TradeStation imposes a $35 annual charge. Interestingly though, tastytrade charges a slightly higher IRA closure fee of $60 compared to TradeStation’s $50. For account transfers, tastytrade continues its advantage with lower fees of $75 for both partial and full ACAT transfers, while TradeStation charges a more substantial $125 across the board.
Investors focused on options trading will also note differences in fees related to options exercise and assignment. TradeStation charges $14.95 for options exercises and $5.95 for assignments, while tastytrade offers more affordable rates at $5 for both services. These variances highlight the importance of assessing individual trading habits to determine which broker is more cost-effective. Overall, tastytrade tends to foster savings for active traders, particularly those keen on options or employing margin, with its lower fee structure compared to TradeStation.
Feature |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.50 |
Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $5.00 |
Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $5.00 |
IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 |
IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $60.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When comparing TradeStation and tastytrade for day trading, there are clear distinctions to consider. TradeStation shines with its advanced trading functionalities, offering tools crucial for active traders. It includes streaming time and sales for stocks, direct market routing, trading hotkeys, level 2 quotes, and both basic and advanced strategy backtesting. These features are essential for traders looking to execute precise and informed trades within the fast-paced environment of day trading. Additionally, TradeStation provides a short locator tool to view real-time share availability and order liquidity rebates, which can be advantageous for high-frequency traders.
On the other hand, tastytrade offers its own set of unique features. While it lacks some of the advanced trading tools found in TradeStation, such as direct market routing and trading hotkeys, it does offer streaming live TV, which can keep traders informed with real-time news. Both platforms support ladder trading and provide a short locator tool, ensuring traders have a basic foundation for executing trades. However, for those who prioritize a comprehensive suite of trading tools and strategy backtesting, TradeStation may be the more suitable choice.
Feature |
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|
---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
Streaming TV | No | Yes |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | Yes | No |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No |
Short Locator | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
When deciding between TradeStation and tastytrade for market research capabilities, TradeStation slightly edges ahead. While both platforms provide basic research tools for stocks and ETFs, TradeStation offers additional research for Pink Sheets/OTCBB, which tastytrade does not support. TradeStation also includes features like a stock screener for generating trade ideas, setting it apart from tastytrade, which lacks this offering. However, neither broker excels in mutual funds, bonds, or comprehensive downloadable research reports.
For investors interested in detailed portfolio insights, both brokers offer the ability to view portfolio allocation by asset class. However, neither broker provides advanced options such as ESG research or the use of social media sentiment data in their market analyses. This might limit their appeal to investors seeking cutting-edge research tools or highly detailed reporting.
In terms of user ratings, TradeStation garners a modest two stars for its market research capabilities, slightly ahead of tastytrade’s 1.5-star rating. According to StockBrokers.com rankings, TradeStation holds the 11th position out of 15 brokers, surpassing tastytrade's 13th place. For those prioritizing market research in their online brokerage choice, TradeStation may offer a marginally better experience. However, investors seeking more comprehensive research may wish to explore other brokers.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
Screener - ETFs | No | No |
Research - Mutual Funds | No | No |
Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No |
Research - Bonds | No | No |
Screener - Bonds | No | No |
Research |
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When comparing the banking capabilities of online brokers TradeStation and tastytrade, neither offers traditional banking services such as checking accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, credit cards, mortgage loans, or certificates of deposit (CDs). This means that users looking for banking features will not find them with either TradeStation or tastytrade. These platforms are exclusively geared toward investing and trading, so if banking options are a requirement, you may need to consider additional financial institutions for those needs.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | No | No |
Savings Accounts | No | No |
Debit Cards | No | No |
Credit Cards | No | No |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
CDs | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Bank Accounts for Trading Stocks for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 15 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that TradeStation is better than tastytrade. TradeStation finished with an overall score of 80.2%, while tastytrade finished with a score of 80.1%.
TradeStation supports casual traders through its web-based platform and active traders through its desktop platform. We like the web-based platform and mobile app, but the flagship desktop platform could use a refresh.
While TradeStation does not offer crypto trading and provides no coins, tastytrade caters to crypto enthusiasts by offering trading options for four different coins.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both TradeStation and tastytrade offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but while tastytrade provides these with no annual fee, TradeStation charges $35 annually. Additionally, closing an IRA account will incur a $50 fee with TradeStation compared to a $60 fee with tastytrade.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5Overall Rating | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Customer Service |
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Education |
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Ease Of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | TradeStation Review | tastytrade Review |
Broker Screenshots | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
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Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) | |||
Education Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) | $0.01 | N/A | |
Mutual Fund Trade Fee | $14.95 | N/A | |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.50 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | $1.50 | $1.25 | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | $0 |
Margin Rates | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.0% | 11% | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.0% | 10.5% | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.5% | 10% | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.0% | 9.5% | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.0% | 9% | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 7.5% | 8.5% | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 7.5% | 8% |
Account Fees | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $60.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $125.00 | $75.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $125.00 | $75.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $5.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $5.00 |
Investment Options | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Fractional Shares | No | Yes | |
OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
Futures Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Forex Trading | No | No | |
Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 4 | |
Mutual Funds (No Load) | 800 | 0 | |
Mutual Funds (Total) | 4000 | 0 | |
Bonds (US Treasury) | Yes | No | |
Bonds (Corporate) | Yes | No | |
Bonds (Municipal) | Yes | No | |
Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
Advisor Services | No | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
Order Types | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | No | |
Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
Beginners | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | No | Yes | |
Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
Education (Bonds) | No | No | |
Education (Retirement) | No | No | |
Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
Investor Dictionary | No | Yes | |
Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
Videos | Yes | No | |
Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
Progress Tracking | No | Yes | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
Stock Trading Apps | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | 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 | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | No | No | |
Videos on Demand | No | No | |
Stock Alerts | Yes | No | |
Option Chains Viewable | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Real-time) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch List (Streaming) | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Create & Manage | Yes | Yes | |
Watch Lists - Column Customization | Yes | Yes |
Stock App Charting | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | No | Yes | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 0 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | No | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | No |
Trading Platforms | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | TradeStation 10 | tastytrade | |
Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 33 |
Stock Chart Features | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 308 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 31 | |
Charting - Notes | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Index Overlays | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Historical Trades | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Corporate Events | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Custom Date Range | Yes | No | |
Charting - Custom Time Bars | Yes | No | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 12 | 7 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | Yes | Yes |
Day Trading | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
Streaming TV | No | Yes | |
Direct Market Routing - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Ladder Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Hotkeys | Yes | No | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No | |
Short Locator | Yes | Yes | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | Yes | No |
Research Overview | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | No | |
Research - Bonds | No | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Screener - ETFs | No | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
Screener - Bonds | No | No | |
Misc - Portfolio Allocation | Yes | Yes |
Stock Research | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 0 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | No | No | |
Stock Research - Insiders | No | No | |
Stock Research - Social | No | No | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | No | No | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | No | No |
ETF Research | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Strategy Overview | No | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | No | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | No | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets | No | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings | No | No | |
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings | No | No | |
ETFs - Sector Exposure | No | No | |
ETFs - Risk Analysis | No | Yes | |
ETFs - Ratings | No | No | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | No | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | No | No |
Mutual Fund Research | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Prospectus | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings | Yes | No | |
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation | No | No | |
Mutual Funds - StyleMap | No | No |
Options Trading | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Basic View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Strategy View | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Streaming | Yes | Yes | |
Option Chains - Total Columns | 29 | 20 | |
Option Chains - Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
Option Chains - Quick Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Option Probability Analysis Adv | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Adv Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Rolling | Yes | Yes | |
Option Positions - Grouping | Yes | Yes |
Banking | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
Checking Accounts | No | No | |
Savings Accounts | No | No | |
Credit Cards | No | No | |
Debit Cards | No | No | |
Mortgage Loans | No | No |
Customer Service | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | No | No |
Overall | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
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Overall |
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Range of Investments |
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Platforms & Tools |
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Mobile Trading Apps |
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Research |
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Education |
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Ease Of Use |
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Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | TradeStation Review | tastytrade Review |