E*TRADE vs Lightspeed Trading Review
Using data from the StockBrokers.com 2017 Broker Rankings, we can compare E*TRADE vs Lightspeed Trading to determine which broker is better for you. Our database includes thousands of data points on everything from research to trading tools. Let's take a closer look at E*TRADE and Lightspeed Trading.
First we will break down the commission charges of both brokers for placing stock and options trades. E*TRADE charges more than Lightspeed Trading for placing regular stock trades ($6.95 and $4.50, respectively). With options, the base fees charged are $6.95 (E*TRADE) and $0.00 (Lightspeed Trading). At a difference of $0.15 per contract, Lightspeed Trading's per contract rate of $0.60 is less than E*TRADE which charges $0.75. Note that flat rate trading is not available everywhere though, so it is important to read the complete commission notes for each broker to know the full breakdown (go to any stock broker review page, then scroll down to the "Commission Notes" section).
Trading fees aside, having access to trade what you want is also an important consideration. Lightspeed Trading provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading and Futures Trading while E*TRADE gives clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. As far as mutual funds go, E*TRADE boasts an offering of 8652 compared to Lightspeed Trading's 0 available funds. And, commission free ETFs deserve a mention, with Lightspeed Trading falling behind E*TRADE, offering 0 commission free etfs compared to E*TRADE's 133.
Finally, by looking at the most popular features and offerings of each broker, we can really see the differences between the two. Lightspeed Trading offers virtual trading while E*TRADE does not. For mobile trading, E*TRADE gives clients access to an iPhone App, iPad App and Android App while Lightspeed Trading has an none of these. Online banking is also used by many clients, and multiple brokerages provide these services. Clients can have Checking Accounts and Debit Cards at E*TRADE while clients at Lightspeed Trading can have none of these. All things considered, when it comes to platform tools, research, and trading via smartphone, E*TRADE finished with awards for Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while Lightspeed Trading came up with none of these.
Overall, E*TRADE comes out on top with 4.00 stars over Lightspeed Trading's 2.50 stars.
First we will break down the commission charges of both brokers for placing stock and options trades. E*TRADE charges more than Lightspeed Trading for placing regular stock trades ($6.95 and $4.50, respectively). With options, the base fees charged are $6.95 (E*TRADE) and $0.00 (Lightspeed Trading). At a difference of $0.15 per contract, Lightspeed Trading's per contract rate of $0.60 is less than E*TRADE which charges $0.75. Note that flat rate trading is not available everywhere though, so it is important to read the complete commission notes for each broker to know the full breakdown (go to any stock broker review page, then scroll down to the "Commission Notes" section).
Trading fees aside, having access to trade what you want is also an important consideration. Lightspeed Trading provides its clients with Stock Trading, Options Trading and Futures Trading while E*TRADE gives clients access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading. As far as mutual funds go, E*TRADE boasts an offering of 8652 compared to Lightspeed Trading's 0 available funds. And, commission free ETFs deserve a mention, with Lightspeed Trading falling behind E*TRADE, offering 0 commission free etfs compared to E*TRADE's 133.
Finally, by looking at the most popular features and offerings of each broker, we can really see the differences between the two. Lightspeed Trading offers virtual trading while E*TRADE does not. For mobile trading, E*TRADE gives clients access to an iPhone App, iPad App and Android App while Lightspeed Trading has an none of these. Online banking is also used by many clients, and multiple brokerages provide these services. Clients can have Checking Accounts and Debit Cards at E*TRADE while clients at Lightspeed Trading can have none of these. All things considered, when it comes to platform tools, research, and trading via smartphone, E*TRADE finished with awards for Best in Class - Research and Best in Class - Mobile Trading in 2014, while Lightspeed Trading came up with none of these.
Overall, E*TRADE comes out on top with 4.00 stars over Lightspeed Trading's 2.50 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
Lightspeed Trading
Special Offer
Get $10,000 cash back on trades with a new account! Learn More
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5
18
35
141
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
0
0
0
5500
0
6.50%
6.50%
5.50%
5.50%
4.75%
4.00%
4.25%
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.