E*TRADE vs Interactive Brokers Review
The StockBrokers.com 2017 Brokerage Review compares E*TRADE vs Interactive Brokers. Compare E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers trade commissions, fees and overall broker ratings by using the table below. Is E*TRADE or Interactive Brokers a better online broker?
Looking at both brokers, first we will take a look at the commission rates for both placing regular stock and options trades. E*TRADE charges $6.95 per stock trade which is $6.95 more than Interactive Brokers which charges clients $0.00 (the broker charges a per share rate instead) per trade. For options trading, E*TRADE has a base fee of $6.95, and Interactive Brokers a base fee of $0.00. Each contract then costs $0.75 at E*TRADE and $0.70 at Interactive Brokers for a difference in price of $0.05 per contract. It should be noted that not every broker uses a flat rate stock trade fee structure, so it is important to read the full commission notes (head over to any online brokerage review page, then navigate to the "Commission Notes" section).
Alongside trade commissions, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Both E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers support Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. When it comes to mutual funds, Interactive Brokers trails E*TRADE by 626.00 total funds, with E*TRADE offering 8652 and Interactive Brokers offering 8026. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, E*TRADE offers 133 versus Interactive Brokers's total of 33.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two brokers. Interactive Brokers has virtual trading, E*TRADE doesn't. For mobile trading, E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers both have a iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Clients can have Checking Accounts and Debit Cards at E*TRADE while clients at Interactive Brokers can have none of these. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and trading on the go, Interactive Brokers posted awards for Best in Class - Platforms & Tools and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while E*TRADE found itself with Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading.
Overall, both E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers share a rating of 4.00 stars.
Looking at both brokers, first we will take a look at the commission rates for both placing regular stock and options trades. E*TRADE charges $6.95 per stock trade which is $6.95 more than Interactive Brokers which charges clients $0.00 (the broker charges a per share rate instead) per trade. For options trading, E*TRADE has a base fee of $6.95, and Interactive Brokers a base fee of $0.00. Each contract then costs $0.75 at E*TRADE and $0.70 at Interactive Brokers for a difference in price of $0.05 per contract. It should be noted that not every broker uses a flat rate stock trade fee structure, so it is important to read the full commission notes (head over to any online brokerage review page, then navigate to the "Commission Notes" section).
Alongside trade commissions, being able to trade the way you want is a must. Both E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers support Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. When it comes to mutual funds, Interactive Brokers trails E*TRADE by 626.00 total funds, with E*TRADE offering 8652 and Interactive Brokers offering 8026. Commission free ETFs can also be a nice plus, E*TRADE offers 133 versus Interactive Brokers's total of 33.
Last but not least, by breaking down important features that each broker offers, we can really help to separate the two brokers. Interactive Brokers has virtual trading, E*TRADE doesn't. For mobile trading, E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers both have a iPhone App, iPad App and Android App. Furthermore, some investors like to bank online, and multiple brokerages provide these services to clients. Clients can have Checking Accounts and Debit Cards at E*TRADE while clients at Interactive Brokers can have none of these. On the whole, when it comes to tools, research, and trading on the go, Interactive Brokers posted awards for Best in Class - Platforms & Tools and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while E*TRADE found itself with Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading.
Overall, both E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers share a rating of 4.00 stars.
Jump to:
Overall
Commissions & Fees
Offering of Investments
Platforms & Tools
Research
Customer Service
Mobile Trading
Ease of Use
Education
Order Execution
Banking
Stock Trade Fee (flat)
Options Base Fee
Options Per Contract Fee
Mutual Fund Trade Fee
Broker Assisted Trades Fee
Minimum Deposit
No Inactivity Fees
No Fee IRAs
Stock Trading
Options Trading
Mutual Funds
Forex Trading
Futures Trading
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Web Platform
Virtual Trading
Charting - Drawing Tools
Charting - Indicators / Studies
Option Chains - Total Columns
Watch Lists - Total Fields
iPhone App
iPad App
Android App
Android Tablet App
Apple Watch App
Trading - After-Hours
Trading - Mutual Funds
Trading - Conditional Orders
Trading - Simple Options
Trading - Complex Options
Commission Free ETFs
Mutual Funds (No Load)
Mutual Funds (Total)
# of Easy to Borrow Stocks
Retail Locations
Under $24,999.99
$25,000.00 to $49,999.99
$50,000.00 to $99,999.99
$100,000.00 to $249,999.99
$250,000.00 to $499,999.99
Above $1,000,000.00
$500,000.00 to $999,999.99
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts
Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Mortgage Loans
No Fee Banking
Comparing 2 brokers
E*TRADE
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
24
118
39
130
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
133
4276
8652
3000
30
8.75%
8.50%
8.00%
7.50%
7.00%
5.50%
6.50%
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Interactive Brokers
Special Offer
Trade on over 100 market centers in 24 countries Learn More
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
9
124
37
338
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
33
5823
8026
4500
0
1.91%
1.91%
1.91%
1.61%
1.61%
1.41%
1.61%
No
No
No
No
No
No
All pricing data was obtained from a published web site as of 2/20/2017 and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. The StockBrokers.com staff is constantly working with its online broker representatives to obtain the latest pricing data. If you believe any data listed above is inaccurate, please contact us using the link at the bottom of this page. For stock trade rates, advertised pricing is for a standard order size of 500 shares of stock priced at $30 per share. For options orders, an options regulatory fee per contract may apply.