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Interactive Brokers vs E*TRADE

Interactive Brokers is a good discount broker for experienced, high volume traders. . How does it compare to E*TRADE? Read our comparison chart below.

Interactive Brokers offers trades starting at just 0.5 cents per share. It also offers a tiered pricing plan that awards high volume traders with even lower rates. There is a $10,000 opening account minimum ($3,000 for clients 25 and younger). There is a monthly activity fee unless required commission minimums are met.

While E*TRADE offers stock trades at $0 per trade. There is a $500 minimum deposit, no maintenance fee and no inactivity fee.

Compare Interactive Brokers with E*TRADE, side-by-side. Read on for an in-depth look, including ratings, reviews, pros and cons.

 

Interactive Brokers

E*TRADE

SPECIAL OFFER
Referral Program - $200 Bonus - Learn More

Read Interactive Brokers Review

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Learn more about E*TRADE - Learn More

Read E*TRADE Review

 

Benefits and Features

Stock TradingIBKR Lite: $0 per share (min $0 per order) IBKR Pro - Fixed: $0.0005 per share (min $1.00 per order, max 1.0% of trade value). IBKR Pro - Tiered: Starts at $0.0035 per share for less than 300,000 shares (min $0.35 per order, max 1% of trade value)
$0 per trade
Options Trading$0.15-$0.65 per contract ($1 minimum per order)
  • $0 per trade + $0.65 per contract
  • $0 per trade + $0.50 per contract if you make 30+ trades a quarter
Annual Fee 
None
Minimum Deposit
$0
$0 for self-directed brokerage accounts; Managed portfolios start at $500 minimum
Mutual Fund Trading$0 for no-transaction-fee funds. For transaction-fee funds, 3% trade value OR $14.95, per transaction, whichever is less, for transaction-fee funds$0 for no-load, no-transaction-fee funds; $19.99 for transaction-fee funds
Commission Free ETFs
150+
250+
Penny Stocks 
Check
Broker Assisted Trades
$30
$25 + Regular Commission
Inactivity Fee
$0
$0
Maintenance Fee
$0
$0
Banking
No
Checking account offers no minimum balance requirements, free online bill pay, and unlimited debit card and check transactions.
Mobile App
Yes
Check
Desktop App
Yes
E*TRADE Pro (requires you to execute at least 30 trades during a calendar quarter or maintain brokerage account balance of at least $250,000)
Forex TradingAvailable for qualified customers 
Futures Trading
Yes
$1.50 per contract, per side + fees (excluding bitcoin futures)
Customer ServiceUnited States: Monday-Friday 8am - 10pm ET; Sunday 1pm - 7pm ET (24/7 Weekday service available in other countries)
800-387-2331
Locations
No
 
Online Community
Yes
 
Seminars
Yes
 
Virtual Trading
Yes
Yes
 

CreditDonkey® Reviews

Stock TradingStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Options TradingStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Mutual Fund TradingStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Online PlatformStarStarStarStarStar
BankingStarStarStarStarEmpty StarStarStarStarEmpty StarEmpty Star
Mobile AppStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar
Commissions and FeesStarStarStarHalf StarEmpty StarStarStarStarHalf StarEmpty Star
Ease of UseStarStarStarEmpty StarEmpty StarStarStarStarStarStar
ResearchStarStarStarStarEmpty StarStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Online CommunityStarStarStarStarEmpty Star
Trading PlatformStarStarStarStarStar
Pros & ConsPros:
  • Large number of investments, including options, futures, and forex
  • Customize trading platform
  • Tools and opportunities for research
Cons:
  • Platform can be too much for a beginner to understand
  • Complicated pricing structure
Pros:
  • Expansive set of resources and tools
  • Easy to use website
  • Industry leader
Cons:
  • Trade fees
Bottom LineGood discount broker for experienced, high volume traders... Read full reviewOnline broker with one of the best user interfaces... Read full review

Referral Program - $200 Bonus

Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details.

Interactive Brokers: Pricing information from published websites as of 10/17/2023.

E*TRADE: Pricing information from published website as of 11/09/2024.

Which is Better: Interactive Brokers or E*TRADE?

Still need help deciding which investing is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing Interactive Brokers or Robinhood.

In short: Interactive Brokers' stock trading, options trading, and banking are notable. In particular, the stock trading and options trading are outstanding. E*TRADE's ease of use is outstanding.


Articles on Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Review

Interactive Brokers offers a robust trading platform that experienced traders favor due to its competitive fee structure and extensive range of trading options.

Articles on E*TRADE

E*TRADE

E*TRADE is a highly well-known name, but does that mean it is better than its competitors? Read our in-depth review and see how it compares.

Which Do You Think is Best?


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About CreditDonkey
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