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Interactive Brokers vs E*TRADE 2026

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

September 17, 2025
  Fact Checked

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

Interactive Brokers
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65 info
E*TRADE
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4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.65

Range of investments

Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE both offer comprehensive investment options, but Interactive Brokers takes the lead, especially in terms of variety. Ranked first for range of investments by StockBrokers.com, Interactive Brokers allows users to trade a wider array of asset classes, including fractional shares, forex, and a selection of 11 cryptocurrencies. E*TRADE, ranked fourth in the same category, excels with its advisor services but lacks offerings such as fractional shares, forex, and cryptocurrency trading.

Both Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE provide users with access to core investment services like stock trading, margin trading, mutual funds, options, futures, and OTC stocks, making them strong contenders for individuals seeking diverse trading opportunities. Recognized for their comprehensive investment portfolios, both platforms also offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, catering to long-term investors looking to grow retirement savings.

However, when it comes to specialized investments, Interactive Brokers offers a broader spectrum of choices. The ability to trade in fractional shares allows investors greater flexibility and access to expensive stocks with smaller investments. While E*TRADE offers beneficial advisor services for personalized investment guidance, it doesn't include some of the more modern investment offerings available through Interactive Brokers, potentially limiting options for investors interested in cryptocurrencies and forex.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes No
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Futures Trading Yes Yes
Crypto Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 11 0
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

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

Trading platforms and tools

Interactive Brokers vs. E*TRADE: For trading platforms and tools, Interactive Brokers comes out ahead. It earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #2 of 14 at StockBrokers.com, while E*TRADE earns 4/5 stars and ranks #6. If you want the most options for analysis and data, Interactive Brokers is the stronger pick. E*TRADE is still a solid, easy-to-use choice that covers the key features most traders expect.

Both brokers offer desktop platforms for Windows and Mac, plus a browser-based platform. Each supports paper trading, lets you adjust open orders right on a chart, shows historical trades and corporate events, allows custom date ranges, highlights automated chart patterns, and saves multiple chart layouts. Only Interactive Brokers includes a built-in trading journal. Neither broker lets you create your own custom studies.

Interactive Brokers provides far more data and chart tools: up to 659 watchlist columns versus E*TRADE’s 43, along with 155 technical indicators and 85 drawing tools (E*TRADE offers 121 indicators and 37 drawing tools). Both let you add notes to charts. E*TRADE’s SMA study editor has 8 customization fields compared with Interactive Brokers’ 6, but overall Interactive Brokers delivers the wider toolkit for traders who want more ways to analyze markets.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields 659 43
Charting - Indicators / Studies 155 121
Charting - Drawing Tools 85 37
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

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

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Beginners and education

Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE both offer beginner-friendly and investor education. Each broker covers stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and bonds, and both provide hands-on practice with paper trading. You’ll also find educational videos and live webinars from each, so you can learn on your schedule.

The key differences are in learning tools. Interactive Brokers includes quizzes and lets you track your learning progress, while E*TRADE does not. Both earn 4 out of 5 stars for education, yet StockBrokers.com ranks Interactive Brokers #3 out of 14 for education and E*TRADE #5. If you want structured feedback as you learn, Interactive Brokers has the edge; if you just want practical lessons with paper trading, videos, and webinars, either platform works.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes Yes
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

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

Stock trading apps

Interactive Brokers vs E*TRADE: both deliver capable stock trading apps, but Interactive Brokers gets the nod. It’s rated 5 stars and ranked #2 out of 14 by StockBrokers.com, topping E*TRADE’s 4.5 stars and #5 rank. Key edges for Interactive Brokers include confirmed mobile after-hours trading and videos on demand, while E*TRADE answers with a larger set of technical studies. For most traders, Interactive Brokers is the slightly stronger all-around pick; chart enthusiasts may lean toward E*TRADE.

Both brokers offer iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch apps. Each provides streaming quotes, streaming live TV, stock alerts, mobile options trading, and the ability to build custom watch lists and customize watch list columns. Charting is well covered on both: after-hours charting, landscape mode, multiple time frames, and side-by-side stock comparisons are available in each app.

Where they differ: Interactive Brokers includes videos on demand, while E*TRADE does not. Interactive Brokers also supports mobile after-hours stock trading; the information provided did not confirm whether E*TRADE supports mobile after-hours trading. For chart tools, E*TRADE lists 107 technical studies versus 97 for Interactive Brokers. If you want the highest overall rating, Interactive Brokers leads; if you value the largest built-in set of indicators, E*TRADE has the edge there.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes Yes
Stock Alerts Yes Yes
Charting - After-Hours Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 97 107
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2026

Fees

Interactive Brokers vs E*TRADE: both deliver $0 minimum deposits, $0 stock commissions, and a $0.65 per-options-contract fee, plus no IRA annual or closure fees. The key differences show up with margin and transfers. Interactive Brokers’ margin rates are far lower across common balance tiers, and it charges $0 for a full ACAT transfer, while E*TRADE’s margin rates are notably higher and it assesses a $75 fee for a full ACAT. If you plan to use margin or think you might move your account later, Interactive Brokers is likely the cheaper pick; for basic stock or options trading, either platform keeps core trading costs low.

Trading costs are straightforward on both platforms: $0 commissions for regular stock trades and $0.65 per options contract at both Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE. Options exercise and assignment fees are $0 at both brokers. Account setup is easy with a $0 minimum deposit either way, and retirement savers will appreciate that both brokers charge $0 for IRA annual fees and $0 for IRA closures.

The biggest cost gap is margin pricing and transfers. Interactive Brokers lists a 6.83% margin rate for balances under $25,000, $25,000–$49,999, and $50,000–$99,999. E*TRADE’s corresponding rates are 12.95%, 12.7%, and 12.2%. For account transfers, both charge $0 for partial ACATs; however, Interactive Brokers charges $0 for a full ACAT, while E*TRADE charges $75. These differences can add up if you borrow on margin or later decide to move your account.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.65
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $0.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2026

Day Trading

When considering online brokers for day trading, Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE both stand out for providing essential services like streaming time and sales data and level 2 quotes. Both platforms offer streaming live TV, direct market routing for stocks, and trading hotkeys, which are crucial for timely decision-making and quick execution. However, Interactive Brokers takes a significant lead with additional features that enhance the trading experience. It offers ladder trading, basic and advanced strategy backtesting, and a short locator tool for real-time short-selling opportunities. These features can greatly benefit traders looking to employ more advanced trading strategies.

In stark contrast, E*TRADE lacks some of these advanced tools, notably ladder trading and both types of strategy backtesting. It also does not provide a short locator tool or order liquidity rebates, which Interactive Brokers offers to its users. These differences could be pivotal for traders who are keen on maximizing their day trading efficiency and strategy integration. While both platforms are reliable for fundamental day trading needs, Interactive Brokers provides a more comprehensive suite of tools and features that could cater to more complex trading strategies, making it a potentially more attractive option for active day traders seeking to take advantage of advanced functionalities.

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

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms and Apps for 2026

Market Research

Both Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE are top-tier for market research. Each earns 4.5 out of 5 stars, with StockBrokers.com ranking E*TRADE slightly higher (#3 of 14) than Interactive Brokers (#5 of 14). If having more downloadable stock reports matters most, Interactive Brokers stands out with 17 downloadable PDF stock reports versus E*TRADE’s 8; otherwise, their research depth and tools are closely matched.

Across assets, both brokers check the major boxes: stock research, ETF research, mutual fund research, Pink Sheets/OTC research, and bond research. Each also provides downloadable PDF reports for ETFs and mutual funds. You can view portfolio allocation by asset class on both platforms, and each includes stock research features such as social media sentiment and ESG insights.

For idea generation, both brokers offer screeners for stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and bonds. With these screeners plus wide research coverage and allocation tools, either platform can fit active traders and long-term investors alike. Choose Interactive Brokers if you prefer more downloadable stock reports; choose E*TRADE if a higher independent ranking is your tiebreaker.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Banking

When you compare the banking capabilities of online brokers Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE, E*TRADE looks more like a full-service option: it offers checking and savings accounts, a debit card, credit cards, mortgage loans, and certificates of deposit (CDs). Interactive Brokers is more limited on banking: it does not provide checking or savings accounts, a debit card, or mortgage loans, but it does offer a credit card and CDs. For everyday money management—spending, bill pay, and earning interest on cash—E*TRADE is the easier fit, while Interactive Brokers may suit investors who only need a brokerage with access to a credit card and CDs.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
E*TRADE logoE*TRADE
Checking Accounts No Yes
Savings Accounts No Yes
Debit Cards No Yes
Credit Cards Yes Yes
Mortgage Loans No Yes
Brokerage CDs Yes Yes

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 Interactive Brokers is better than E*TRADE. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall score of 90.6%, while E*TRADE finished with a score of 86.0%.

Interactive Brokers is a go-to choice for professionals because of its institutional-grade desktop trading platform, high-quality trade executions and low margin rates.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Interactive Brokers or E*TRADE?

Interactive Brokers offers crypto trading with access to 11 different coins, while E*TRADE does not provide any crypto trading options.

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2026

Does Interactive Brokers or E*TRADE offer IRAs?

Both Interactive Brokers and E*TRADE offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts without any annual or closure fees, providing cost-effective retirement saving solutions.

Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2026

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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Overall 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Interactive Brokers Review E*TRADE Review
Broker Screenshots Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Broker Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $0.01 $6.95
Mutual Fund Trade Fee $14.95 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.65 $0.65
Futures (Per Contract) $0.85 $1.50
Broker Assisted Trade Fee Varies $25
Margin Rates Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Margin Rate Under $25,000 6.83% 12.95%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 6.83% 12.7%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 6.83% 12.2%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 6.83% 11.7%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 6.83% 11.2%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 6.83% Varies
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 6.83% Varies
Account Fees Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
IRA Annual Fee $0.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $0.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $0.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee $0.00 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $0.00 $0.00
Investment Options Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Account Feature - Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares (Stocks) Yes No
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 6 4
Futures Trading Yes Yes
Forex Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 11 0
Fixed Income (Treasurys) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) Yes Yes
Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) Yes Yes
Traditional IRAs Yes Yes
Roth IRAs Yes Yes
Advisor Services No Yes
International Countries (Stocks) 36 0
Order Types Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
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 Yes
Order Type - OCO Yes Yes
Order Type - OTO Yes Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes Yes
Beginners Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) Yes Yes
Education (Options) Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) Yes Yes
Education (Fixed Income) Yes Yes
Education (Retirement) Yes Yes
Retirement Calculator Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes Yes
Progress Tracking Yes No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes Yes No
Stock Trading Apps Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes Yes
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 Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Mobile Research - Market Movers Yes Yes
Stream Live TV Yes Yes
Videos on Demand Yes No
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 Yes
Stock App Charting Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Charting - After-Hours Yes Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 97 107
Charting - Study Customizations Yes Yes
Charting - Stock Comparisons Yes Yes
Trading Platforms Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Active Trading Platform IBKR Desktop and Trader Workstation (TWS) Power E*TRADE
Desktop Trading Platform Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) Yes Yes
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes Yes
Trade Journal Yes No
Watchlists - Total Fields 659 43
Stock Chart Features Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies 155 121
Charting - Drawing Tools 85 37
Charting - Notes Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades Yes Yes
Charting - Corporate Events Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Time Bars Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Save Profiles Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes Yes
Charting - Study Customizations 6 8
Charting - Custom Studies No No
Day Trading Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Streaming Time & Sales Yes Yes
Streaming TV Yes Yes
Direct Market Routing - Equities Yes Yes
Ladder Trading Yes No
Trade Hot Keys Yes Yes
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv Yes No
Short Locator Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates Yes No
Research Overview Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes Yes
Research - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs Yes Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds Yes Yes
Screener - Fixed Income Yes Yes
Portfolio Asset Allocation Yes Yes
Stock Research Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Stock Research - PDF Reports 17 8
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 Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
ETFs - Investment Objective Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Assets Yes Yes
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
ETFs - Sector Exposure Yes Yes
ETFs - Risk Analysis Yes Yes
ETFs - Ratings Yes Yes
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap Yes Yes
ETFs - PDF Reports Yes Yes
Mutual Fund Research Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Mutual Funds - Investment Objective Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation Yes Yes
Mutual Funds - StyleMap Yes Yes
Options Trading Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Option Chains - Total Greeks 5 5
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes Yes
Banking Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Bank (Member FDIC) No Yes
Checking Accounts No Yes
Savings Accounts No Yes
Credit Cards Yes Yes
Debit Cards No Yes
Mortgage Loans No Yes
Customer Service Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Phone Support (Prospective Customers) Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) Yes Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospective Customers) No No
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes Yes
24/7 Support Yes Yes
Overall Interactive Brokers E*TRADE
Overall 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Advanced Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review Interactive Brokers Review E*TRADE Review
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