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E*TRADE vs eToro 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of E*TRADE vs eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

E*TRADE
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4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65
eToro
3/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $50.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.00

Range of investments

Bottom line: In an E*TRADE vs. eToro comparison for investment options, E*TRADE is the better pick if you want a wide mix of traditional investments and account types. It earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #4 of 14 for Range of Investments. eToro stands out for crypto and fractional shares but offers fewer conventional choices, reflected in its 2.5/5 stars and #14 of 14 ranking.

Both brokers support stock and options trading. E*TRADE also offers margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, and futures, plus traditional and Roth IRAs and access to advisor services. eToro does not offer margin, OTC stocks, mutual funds, futures, IRAs, or advisor services. Neither platform supports forex.

If you want crypto or to buy fractional shares of stocks, eToro fits the bill with crypto trading across 104 coins. If you prefer a platform for mutual funds, futures, OTC stocks, margin, and retirement accounts—all under one roof—E*TRADE is the stronger choice. E*TRADE does not offer crypto or fractional shares.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes No
Fractional Shares (Stocks) No Yes
OTC Stocks Yes No
Mutual Funds Yes No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 104
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2026, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2026

Trading platforms and tools

If you’re choosing between E*TRADE and eToro for trading platforms and tools, E*TRADE is the stronger pick for most traders. It earns 4 stars and ranks #6 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while eToro earns 1.5 stars and ranks #11. E*TRADE offers desktop apps for Windows and Mac plus deeper charting and watchlist control; eToro sticks to web-based trading with fewer built-in studies, though it does offer a larger set of drawing tools. Both support paper trading.

Platform access and workflow favor E*TRADE: it provides downloadable platforms for both Windows and Mac in addition to a browser platform; eToro offers a browser platform only. Both brokers include paper trading, but neither provides a built-in trading journal. Watchlists are far more detailed at E*TRADE (43 columns) than at eToro (7). E*TRADE also lets you adjust open orders directly on a stock chart; eToro does not. Both brokers let you save multiple chart profiles, and neither supports creating custom studies.

Charting depth is where E*TRADE pulls ahead. It includes 121 technical indicators versus 46 on eToro. eToro counters with more drawing tools (48 vs 37), and both let you add notes to charts. Only E*TRADE can overlay historical trades, display corporate events (earnings, splits, dividends), set custom date ranges, and show automated chart patterns. Study editing is also more flexible at E*TRADE; for example, an SMA study has 8 customization fields versus 5 on eToro. If you value extensive indicators and advanced chart controls, E*TRADE stands out; if you mainly annotate charts and want simple web access, eToro can suffice.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields 43 7
Charting - Indicators / Studies 121 46
Charting - Drawing Tools 37 48
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Brokers for 2026, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2026

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Beginners and education

E*TRADE and eToro both give beginner investors plenty of ways to learn: each covers stocks, ETFs, options, and bonds, and both include paper trading and educational videos. The key differences are in depth and topics. E*TRADE adds mutual fund education and runs live webinars, while eToro does not offer mutual fund lessons or webinars. Neither platform includes quizzes or a way to track your learning progress.

On quality, E*TRADE earns 4 stars for education and ranks #5 out of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while eToro scores 3 stars and ranks #9. Choose E*TRADE if you want broader coverage plus live sessions; pick eToro if you prefer straightforward guides with a demo account to practice.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes No
Education 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms & Apps for Beginners in 2026

Stock trading apps

Bottom line: For stock trading on mobile, E*TRADE has the edge over eToro thanks to Apple Watch support, confirmed after-hours trading on mobile, streaming live TV, customizable watch list columns, landscape charting, and a slightly larger library of technical studies. eToro matches many core needs—iPhone and Android apps, options trading, streaming quotes, alerts, custom watch lists, and solid charting—plus adds videos on demand. Independent ratings reflect the gap: StockBrokers.com gives E*TRADE 4.5 stars (ranked 5 of 14) and eToro 4 stars (ranked 11 of 14). Note: eToro’s status for mobile after-hours stock trading wasn’t specified in the data provided.

App availability is a draw on smartphones—both offer iPhone and Android apps—while E*TRADE is the only one with an Apple Watch app. E*TRADE supports mobile after-hours stock trading; eToro’s support for that specific feature is not stated. Both apps include mobile options trading and streaming quotes. For media, E*TRADE streams live TV, whereas eToro offers videos on demand. Both provide stock alerts and let you build custom watch lists, but only E*TRADE lets you customize watch list columns.

Charting tools are strong on both platforms: each supports after-hours charting, multiple time frames, and side-by-side stock comparisons. E*TRADE allows landscape chart viewing; eToro does not. For technical studies, E*TRADE lists 107 versus eToro’s 103, offering a bit more depth for technical traders.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
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 107 103
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

When comparing E*TRADE and eToro, it becomes clear that both platforms offer unique strengths and cater to different types of investors. E*TRADE stands out with its no minimum deposit requirement, making it highly accessible for new investors, while eToro requires a $50 minimum deposit that might be a barrier for beginners. However, both platforms do offer commission-free regular stock trades, which is appealing to cost-conscious traders. In terms of account transfer fees, E*TRADE charges nothing for partial transfers but applies a $75 fee for full transfers, matching eToro's charge for full transfers and exceeding its $75 fee for partial transfers.

When looking into options trading, E*TRADE has a fee of $0.65 per options contract, which could add up for active options traders. In contrast, eToro shines by offering options trading with zero per-contract charges, making it an attractive option for those who frequently engage in this market. Regarding options exercises and assignments, both platforms offer free services, ensuring that investors can manage their options without incurring additional costs.

Margin trading is an area where E*TRADE provides more flexibility, albeit at a cost. E*TRADE charges interest rates ranging from 12.2% to 12.95% based on the balance, whereas eToro does not offer margin trading. Additionally, E*TRADE charges no fees for IRA annual maintenance or closure, while eToro does not provide details on these charges. Ultimately, the choice between E*TRADE and eToro boils down to the investor's priorities: E*TRADE caters to those looking for versatility in trading options and IRAs, while eToro presents a more attractive option for fee-conscious traders, especially in options trading without the burdensome per-contract fees.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

When it comes to day trading, both E*TRADE and eToro offer some essential features, but they differ significantly in their offerings. E*TRADE provides a more integrated experience with streaming time and sales for stocks, ensuring that traders have real-time access to crucial market data. This platform also supports streaming live TV, enabling traders to stay updated with financial news as they execute trades. Additionally, E*TRADE excels with features like direct market routing for stocks and trading hotkeys for faster trade entries, enhancing the trading experience with quick and precise execution. Furthermore, E*TRADE provides level 2 quotes, giving traders deeper insights into market depth.

On the other hand, eToro also offers streaming time and sales for stocks, but lacks many of the advanced features that could improve a day trader's efficiency. It does not support streaming live TV, direct market routing, or trading hotkeys, which could limit quick access to data and execution speed. Additionally, eToro does not offer level 2 quotes, which might put more detailed market information out of reach for traders. While neither platform provides strategy backtesting, short locator tools, or order liquidity rebates, E*TRADE's suite of features could present a more appealing option for dedicated day traders seeking comprehensive market access and tools for efficient trading.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
Streaming Time & Sales Yes Yes
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

E*TRADE wins on market research for most investors. It earns 4.5 stars and ranks #3 of 14 brokers at StockBrokers.com, while eToro scores 2 stars and ranks #14. E*TRADE pairs wide asset-class coverage with downloadable reports, screeners, and portfolio analysis tools, whereas eToro focuses on simpler stock and ETF research with sentiment and ESG insights but lacks PDFs, screeners, and allocation views.

Research coverage: E*TRADE provides research for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, Pink Sheets/OTCBB, and bonds. eToro covers stocks and ETFs only—no mutual fund, OTC, or bond research. For depth, E*TRADE offers eight downloadable stock research reports plus PDF reports for ETFs and mutual funds; eToro does not offer downloadable PDF reports.

Tools and ideas: E*TRADE includes stock, ETF, mutual fund, and bond screeners for trade ideas, along with the ability to see your portfolio allocation by asset class. eToro does not provide these screeners or an allocation view. Both platforms do offer stock research that taps social media sentiment and ESG data.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes No
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes No
Research - Mutual Funds Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes No
Research - Fixed Income Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars

Banking

When comparing E*TRADE and eToro for banking features, E*TRADE comes out ahead in most areas. E*TRADE offers checking accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, credit cards, mortgage loans, and CDs, giving it a wider range of everyday banking and lending options. eToro, by contrast, does not offer checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, mortgage loans, or CDs, although it does provide debit cards. If you want an online broker with more full-service banking choices, E*TRADE has the clear edge over eToro.

Feature E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
eToro logoeToro
Checking Accounts Yes No
Savings Accounts Yes No
Debit Cards Yes Yes
Credit Cards Yes No
Mortgage Loans Yes No
Brokerage CDs Yes No

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2026

Winner

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 eToro. E*TRADE finished with an overall score of 86.0%, while eToro finished with a score of 51.4%.

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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with E*TRADE or eToro?

Comparing E*TRADE vs eToro for crypto trading: E*TRADE does not offer crypto trading and provides 0 coins, while eToro supports crypto trading with access to 104 cryptocurrencies.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does E*TRADE or eToro offer IRAs?

When comparing online brokers E*TRADE and eToro, E*TRADE offers both traditional and Roth IRA accounts with no annual or closure fees, while eToro does not provide traditional or Roth IRA account options.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

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Overall Rating E*TRADE eToro
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars N/A
Education 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review E*TRADE Review eToro Review
Broker Screenshots E*TRADE eToro
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees E*TRADE eToro
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $50.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $6.95 N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee $0.00 N/A
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.00
Futures (Per Contract) $1.50 (Not offered)
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $25 $0
Margin Rates E*TRADE eToro
Margin Rate Under $25,000 12.95% Not offered
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 12.7% Not offered
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 12.2% Not offered
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 11.7% Not offered
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 11.2% Not offered
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 Varies Not offered
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 Varies Not offered
Account Fees E*TRADE eToro
IRA Annual Fee $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $0.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $75.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options E*TRADE eToro
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes No
Fractional Shares (Stocks) No Yes
OTC Stocks Yes No
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 0
Futures Trading Yes No
Forex Trading No No
Crypto Trading No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 0 104
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes No
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) Yes No
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) Yes No
Traditional IRAs Yes No
Roth IRAs Yes No
Advisor Services Yes No
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order Types E*TRADE eToro
Order Type - Market Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit Yes No
Order Type - After Hours Yes No
Order Type - Stop Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop Yes Yes
Order Type - OCO Yes No
Order Type - OTO Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes No
Beginners E*TRADE eToro
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes No
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) Yes No
Retirement Calculator Yes No
Investor Dictionary Yes No
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes No
Progress Tracking No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading Apps E*TRADE eToro
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes No
Trading - Stocks Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours Yes No
Trading - Simple Options Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes Yes Yes
Stock App Features E*TRADE eToro
Mobile Research - Market Movers Yes Yes
Stream Live TV Yes No
Videos on Demand No Yes
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 No
Stock App Charting E*TRADE eToro
Charting - After-Hours Yes Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 107 103
Charting - Study Customizations Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms E*TRADE eToro
Active Trading Platform Power E*TRADE N/A
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Trade Journal No No
Watchlists - Total Fields 43 7
Stock Chart Features E*TRADE eToro
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 121 46
Charting - Drawing Tools 37 48
Charting - Notes Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events Yes No
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars No No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations 8 5
Charting - Custom Studies No No
Day Trading E*TRADE eToro
Streaming Time & Sales Yes Yes
Streaming TV Yes No
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes No
Ladder Trading No No
Trade Hot Keys Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting No No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv No No
Short Locator No No
Order Liquidity Rebates No No
Research Overview E*TRADE eToro
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes No
Research - Fixed Income Yes No
Screener - Stocks Yes No
Screener - ETFs Yes No
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes No
Screener - Fixed Income Yes No
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes No
Stock Research E*TRADE eToro
Stock Research - PDF Reports 8 0
Stock Research - Earnings Yes Yes
Stock Research - Insiders Yes Yes
Stock Research - Social Yes Yes
Stock Research - News Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG Yes Yes
Stock Research - SEC Filings Yes Yes
ETF Research E*TRADE eToro
ETFs - Investment Objective Yes Yes
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 Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes No
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes No
Mutual Fund Research E*TRADE eToro
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 No
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 eToro
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 4
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes No
Banking E*TRADE eToro
Bank (Member FDIC) Yes No
Checking Accounts Yes No
Savings Accounts Yes No
Credit Cards Yes No
Debit Cards Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans Yes No
Customer Service E*TRADE eToro
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes No
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes No
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) No Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes No
Overall E*TRADE eToro
Overall 4.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review E*TRADE Review eToro Review
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