TradeStation vs eToro 2025
In this head to head comparison of TradeStation vs eToro, 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 eToro, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
When comparing online brokers TradeStation and eToro, TradeStation emerges as the more versatile choice for investors looking for a wide range of investment options. TradeStation is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for its range of investments, and it holds the #5 ranking among 14 brokers in this category according to StockBrokers.com. In contrast, eToro offers a more limited selection, earning 2.5 out of 5 stars and the #14 ranking. While eToro is strong in cryptocurrency trading with access to 26 coins, TradeStation's broader selection of traditional investment products like mutual funds, options, futures, and IRAs makes it the more comprehensive platform for investors seeking traditional investment vehicles.
TradeStation offers a robust suite of investment options including stock trading, margin trading, options trading, futures trading, and mutual funds. It also supports trading of over-the-counter (OTC) stocks and provides both traditional and Roth IRA accounts, making it a flexible option for long-term portfolio planning. Although it does not offer forex or crypto trading, and lacks fractional shares trading, TradeStation's focus on traditional asset classes provides investors with varied opportunities for portfolio diversification across well-established financial markets.
In contrast, eToro is known for its innovative approach to crypto trading, offering 26 different coins and the ability to trade fractional shares. However, it is less focused on traditional investment vehicles, lacking options such as margin trading, OTC stocks, mutual funds, and both types of IRA accounts. While eToro provides stock and options trading, its limited offerings in other areas may not appeal to investors seeking the full spectrum of traditional financial products. Nonetheless, for those particularly interested in crypto or seeking fractional investment opportunities, eToro presents a viable, user-friendly platform.
Feature |
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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 | 26 |
Range of Investments |
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Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
When choosing between TradeStation and eToro for online trading platforms and tools, it's essential to consider what you value most in a trading experience. TradeStation stands out with a high user rating of 4.5 stars and offers a range of advanced features that cater to professional traders. It provides a robust Windows desktop platform along with a web-based option. On the other hand, eToro, rated at 2.5 stars, primarily offers a web-based platform, which may appeal to those looking for a simpler and more social trading environment. While TradeStation ranks third among 14 brokers for its platforms and features according to StockBrokers.com, eToro trails behind at the 12th position.
TradeStation delivers a comprehensive trading suite that includes the ability to adjust open orders directly on charts, 294 technical indicators, and 23 drawing tools. Its web platform also allows for extensive watch list customization with 341 columns, enabling detailed tracking of market trends. Traders can save multiple chart profiles, show historical trades, and display corporate events on their charts, offering a deep dive into market analysis. For those who need to customize their chart studies further, TradeStation provides the capability to create custom studies, perfect for tailoring the trading interface to individual strategies.
Conversely, eToro offers a streamlined web-based platform that integrates social trading features, which lets users engage with other traders. However, eToro’s platform presents fewer customization options compared to TradeStation, with 46 technical indicators, 48 drawing tools, and very limited watch list fields. It does not support desktop installations, nor does it allow users to directly adjust open orders on stock charts like TradeStation. eToro also lacks the ability to show historical trades or corporate events on its charts, which might be a consideration for traders looking for in-depth chart analysis. Despite these limitations, eToro allows traders to add notes to charts and save multiple profiles, maintaining some level of personalization.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 7 |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 46 |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 48 |
Platforms & Tools |
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Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
When it comes to education for beginners, TradeStation offers a range of tools to help new investors learn the ropes. TradeStation provides educational resources on stock and options trading, along with the opportunity for users to practice through paper trading. Additionally, TradeStation enhances learning with educational videos and interactive webinars. Despite lacking materials on ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, TradeStation covers essential elements for those new to stocks and options. Their educational efforts have earned them a three-star rating and positioned them as the 13th ranked broker in education by StockBrokers.com.
In contrast, eToro offers a simpler educational platform, catering primarily to stock trading beginners. While lacking support for options, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds, eToro does provide access to stocks education and paper trading, allowing users to gain practical experience. The online broker also features educational videos but does not support webinars or learning progress tracking. With these features, eToro holds a 2.5-star education rating and ranks 14th among brokers on StockBrokers.com. For those starting their investment journey, eToro's educational resources are straightforward, offering a fundamental introduction to stock trading without overwhelming new users.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
Education (ETFs) | No | No |
Education (Options) | Yes | No |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
Education (Fixed Income) | No | No |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes |
Videos | Yes | Yes |
Webinars | Yes | No |
Education |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
When it comes to choosing between TradeStation and eToro for stock trading apps, both platforms exhibit unique strengths. TradeStation shines with its higher ranking on StockBrokers.com, landing at #8, compared to eToro's #11 position. Both apps boast identical 4.5-star ratings, making them equally appealing in user experience. However, their differences in charting and customizability may sway traders depending on personal preferences and trading habits.
Both TradeStation and eToro offer iPhone and Android apps, catering to a wide range of mobile users. They provide after-hours stock trading and mobile options trading, ensuring traders have continuous access to the market. While both apps support streaming quotes and stock alerts, eToro expands its offerings with videos on demand, missing from TradeStation's features. Both enable users to create custom watch lists, but TradeStation takes the lead with customizable watch list columns, a feature eToro lacks. Despite both providing after-hours charting, neither platform supports viewing charts in landscape mode.
Charting capabilities also highlight differences between these two platforms. While both apps allow traders to view multiple time frames for charting, eToro offers a whopping 103 technical studies compared to TradeStation’s 45. Furthermore, eToro excels by enabling stock comparisons on charts, a functionality not available in TradeStation's app. Ultimately, users preferring more advanced charting tools might lean towards eToro, while those valuing customizable watch lists could find TradeStation more advantageous.
Feature |
|
|
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iPhone App | Yes | Yes |
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple Watch App | No | No |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes |
Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 103 |
Mobile Trading Apps |
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Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When comparing TradeStation and eToro based on account fees and charges, it's important to look at the different financial norms of both platforms. TradeStation has a slight edge for U.S. stock traders as it requires no minimum deposit, whereas eToro requires just $50. Both platforms compete closely when it comes to regular stock trades with a $0.00 fee, but there's a stark distinction in options contract fees – TradeStation charges $0.60 per contract, while eToro doesn't offer options trading at all. TradeStation also charges for margin balances, IRA annual and closure fees, and account transfers, areas where eToro has no fees mainly because such services aren't available.
TradeStation leads with no minimum initial deposit and offers a wide range of trading options, catering better to more experienced investors who may require features like margin trading or IRAs. On the other hand, eToro serves well for beginners or those interested in other financial markets, like cryptocurrencies, with its easy-to-navigate platform and social trading features. Both brokers come with commission-free trading for stocks, but TradeStation charges for every options contract and is more structured with varying fees, while eToro’s absence of options trading and margin facilities means these charges are irrelevant.
Although both platforms have their strong points, the key takeaway is TradeStation's appeal to more diversified and experienced U.S. traders who can take advantage of its complex offerings, even if it means paying more in fees. eToro is better suited for novice investors interested in social trading and willing to explore markets beyond traditional stocks. Your choice between the two ultimately depends on what kind of trading experience you're seeking and which platform’s fees align more with your trading needs.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $50.00 |
Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.00 |
Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $0.00 |
Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $0.00 |
IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | |
IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
When evaluating day trading capabilities, TradeStation stands out with a suite of advanced tools tailored for active traders. It provides streaming time and sales for stocks, giving traders a real-time edge. While neither TradeStation nor eToro offers streaming live TV, TradeStation excels with features such as direct market routing for stocks and ladder trading, both of which are critical for high-frequency trading. Additionally, TradeStation offers trading hotkeys and level 2 quotes, enhancing user control and insight into market activities. For those keen on testing strategies, TradeStation supports both basic and advanced strategy backtesting, facilitating thorough evaluations before executing trades.
In contrast, eToro focuses less on these advanced day trading capabilities, lacking direct market routing, ladder trading, and trading hotkeys, which are essential for executing rapid trades. It also does not provide level 2 quotes or any form of strategy backtesting, potentially limiting detailed market analysis. Despite offering streaming time and sales similar to TradeStation, eToro does not include a short locator tool for assessing share availability, nor does it provide order liquidity (maker/taker) rebates, which can be appealing for traders looking to manage transaction costs. Overall, for those prioritizing a powerful day trading toolkit, TradeStation is clearly the more comprehensive choice.
Feature |
|
|
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Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes |
Streaming TV | No | No |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No |
Short Locator | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
When choosing an online broker based on market research tools, TradeStation edges out eToro with its wider range of offerings. While both platforms provide stock and ETF research, TradeStation supports additional areas like Pink Sheets and OTCBB, which eToro does not. TradeStation also allows users to analyze their portfolio allocation by asset class, a feature absent in eToro. However, eToro brings unique capabilities to the table like integrating social media sentiment and ESG research in stock assessments, which can be valuable for socially-conscious investors. Despite these differences, neither platform provides downloadable PDF reports or bond research, limiting the depth of information available to users.
TradeStation shines with its stock screener, allowing users to explore a variety of trade ideas in the equity market, an element eToro does not offer. Although neither platform provides research tools for ETFs and mutual funds akin to stock screeners, TradeStation's platform is slightly ahead for investors interested in detailed stock market strategies. However, in terms of overall market research capabilities according to StockBrokers.com, TradeStation holds an 11th rank, while eToro is placed 14th among 14 brokers. With TradeStation receiving a 2-star rating and eToro a 1.5-star rating, TradeStation emerges as the marginally better choice for those prioritizing market research.
Despite TradeStation's lead in certain research capabilities, eToro offers distinctive features for users eager to explore the intersection of social media and investing. Its social sentiment data and ESG research can provide insightful angles for making stock investment decisions. Nonetheless, these do not necessarily elevate its overall market research experience over TradeStation. Ultimately, the choice between TradeStation and eToro largely depends on individual investment needs and preferences, keeping in mind that both platforms have considerable room for improvement in their research offerings.
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 - Fixed Income | No | No |
Screener - Fixed Income | No | No |
Research |
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When comparing the banking features of online brokers TradeStation and eToro, it's clear both platforms focus more on trading than traditional banking services. TradeStation doesn't provide any banking facilities like checking or savings accounts, debit or credit cards, mortgage loans, or certificates of deposit (CDs). Similarly, eToro also lacks these conventional banking products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, debit and credit cards, mortgage loans, and CDs. For users primarily interested in comprehensive banking options alongside trading, other platforms might better suit their needs, as both TradeStation and eToro focus specifically on investment and trading services.
Feature |
|
|
---|---|---|
Checking Accounts | No | |
Savings Accounts | No | |
Debit Cards | No | |
Credit Cards | No | |
Mortgage Loans | No | |
Brokerage CDs | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025
After opening live accounts and testing 14 of the best online brokers, our research and live account testing finds that TradeStation is better than eToro. TradeStation finished with an overall score of 80.2%, while eToro finished with a score of 66.1%.
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 options, eToro provides access to the cryptocurrency market with 26 different coins available for trading.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
In comparing online brokers, TradeStation distinguishes itself by offering both traditional and Roth IRA accounts, with an annual fee of $35.00 and a $50.00 closure fee, whereas eToro does not provide IRA options, making TradeStation the favorable choice for individuals seeking retirement account offerings.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5Overall Rating | TradeStation | eToro | |
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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 | eToro Review |
Broker Screenshots | TradeStation | eToro | |
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Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Trading Fees | TradeStation | eToro | |
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Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $50.00 | |
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 | $0.00 | |
Futures (Per Contract) | $1.50 | (Not offered) | |
Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | $0 |
Margin Rates | TradeStation | eToro | |
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Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.0% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.0% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.5% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.0% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.0% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 7.5% | Not offered | |
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 7.5% | Not offered |
Account Fees | TradeStation | eToro | |
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IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | ||
IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | ||
Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $125.00 | $75.00 | |
Account Transfer Out (Full) | $125.00 | $75.00 | |
Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $0.00 | |
Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $0.00 |
Investment Options | TradeStation | 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 | 26 | |
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 | No | No | |
International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
Order Types | TradeStation | 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 | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
Education (ETFs) | No | No | |
Education (Options) | Yes | No | |
Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
Education (Fixed Income) | No | No | |
Education (Retirement) | No | No | |
Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
Investor Dictionary | No | No | |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Webinars | Yes | No | |
Progress Tracking | No | No | |
Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
Stock Trading Apps | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple Watch App | No | 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 | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
Stream Live TV | No | No | |
Videos on Demand | No | Yes | |
Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
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 | No |
Stock App Charting | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | No | No | |
Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 103 | |
Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | Yes |
Trading Platforms | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Active Trading Platform | TradeStation 10 | N/A | |
Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | No | |
Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Paper Trading | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Journal | No | No | |
Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 7 |
Stock Chart Features | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | No | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 46 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 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 | Yes | No | |
Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | Yes | |
Charting - Study Customizations | 12 | 5 | |
Charting - Custom Studies | Yes | No |
Day Trading | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | Yes | |
Streaming TV | No | No | |
Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
Ladder Trading | Yes | No | |
Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | No | |
Short Locator | Yes | No | |
Order Liquidity Rebates | Yes |
Research Overview | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes | |
Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
Research - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB | Yes | No | |
Research - Fixed Income | No | No | |
Screener - Stocks | Yes | No | |
Screener - ETFs | No | No | |
Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
Screener - Fixed Income | No | No | |
Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | No |
Stock Research | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Stock Research - PDF Reports | 0 | 0 | |
Stock Research - Earnings | No | Yes | |
Stock Research - Insiders | No | Yes | |
Stock Research - Social | No | Yes | |
Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
Stock Research - ESG | No | Yes | |
Stock Research - SEC Filings | No | Yes |
ETF Research | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
ETFs - Investment Objective | No | Yes | |
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date | No | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio | No | No | |
ETF Fund Facts - Total 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 | No | |
ETFs - Ratings | No | Yes | |
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | No | No | |
ETFs - PDF Reports | No | No |
Mutual Fund Research | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective | 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 | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 4 | |
Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | No |
Banking | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Bank (Member FDIC) | No | ||
Checking Accounts | No | ||
Savings Accounts | No | ||
Credit Cards | No | ||
Debit Cards | No | ||
Mortgage Loans | No |
Customer Service | TradeStation | eToro | |
---|---|---|---|
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) | Yes | No | |
Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | No | |
Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
24/7 Support | No | No |
Overall | TradeStation | eToro | |
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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 | eToro Review |