Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of TradeStation vs tastytrade, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
TradeStation vs tastytrade: both let you trade stocks, options, futures, and use margin, and both support Traditional and Roth IRAs. For the widest menu of securities, TradeStation has an edge, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars and a #5 of 14 ranking from StockBrokers.com for Range of Investments, while tastytrade scores 4 stars and ranks #10. Choose TradeStation if you want mutual funds or OTC stocks; pick tastytrade if you want fractional shares, forex, or crypto.
Investment options side-by-side: TradeStation offers stock trading, options trading, futures trading, margin trading, OTC stocks, and mutual funds. It does not support fractional shares, forex, or crypto trading (0 coins). tastytrade offers stock trading, options trading, futures trading, margin trading, fractional shares, forex trading, and crypto trading with 17 coins, but it does not offer OTC stocks or mutual funds.
Account considerations: Both brokers offer Traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts. tastytrade may appeal to traders who want small-dollar stock slices, currency pairs, and digital assets. TradeStation fits investors who need access to mutual funds and OTC shares. Neither firm provides advisor services, so both platforms suit self-directed investors.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | No |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 17 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market
Bottom line: TradeStation pulls ahead for trading platforms and tools. It earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #3 out of 14 brokers with StockBrokers.com, while tastytrade scores 4/5 and ranks #8. TradeStation’s edge comes from paper trading, extensive watch list fields, automated chart pattern detection, and finer study controls. tastytrade stands out with a native Mac app, more built-in indicators and drawing tools, plus a trading journal. Both brokers deliver strong charting and order entry experiences across desktop and web.
Platforms: TradeStation and tastytrade both offer a Windows desktop platform and a browser-based platform. For Mac, tastytrade offers a downloadable platform while TradeStation does not. TradeStation includes paper trading; tastytrade does not. tastytrade includes a trading journal; TradeStation does not. Watch lists favor TradeStation (341 fields vs 33), and both platforms let you adjust open orders directly on charts, save multiple chart profiles, and create custom studies.
Charting: tastytrade provides 308 technical indicators and 31 drawing tools, compared with TradeStation’s 294 indicators and 23 drawing tools. Both allow notes on charts, show historical trades, display corporate events (earnings, splits, dividends), and set custom date ranges. TradeStation adds automated technical analysis for chart patterns, which tastytrade lacks. When editing an SMA study, TradeStation offers 12 customization fields versus tastytrade’s 7, giving more granular control.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 33 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 308 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 31 |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025
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For beginner and investor education, both TradeStation and tastytrade cover the basics of stocks and options and offer educational videos and webinars. Where they diverge is breadth and learning support. tastytrade includes ETF education and lets you track your learning progress, while TradeStation does not. Neither broker provides education on mutual funds or bonds, and neither offers quizzes.
If hands-on practice matters, TradeStation stands out with paper trading; tastytrade does not offer it. Overall ratings reflect these differences: TradeStation earns 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #13 of 14 for education on StockBrokers.com, while tastytrade scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #9. Choose tastytrade if you want ETF coverage and a more guided learning path; pick TradeStation if simulated trading is your priority.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (ETFs) | No | Yes |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No |
| Education (Fixed Income) | No | No |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No |
| Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025
TradeStation and tastytrade both deliver high-quality stock trading apps for iPhone and Android, each earning 4.5 out of 5 stars. TradeStation places slightly higher in StockBrokers.com’s rankings (#8 of 14) than tastytrade (#10 of 14). If you want deeper built-in chart tools and confirmed mobile after-hours trading, TradeStation is the better fit; if you prefer a clean mobile experience with landscape charting, tastytrade stands out.
Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, but neither supports Apple Watch. Core mobile features line up closely: options trading, streaming quotes, stock alerts, custom watch lists, and customizable watch list columns are available on both. Neither app includes streaming live TV or videos on demand. After-hours trading on mobile is available with TradeStation; tastytrade’s mobile after-hours trading was not specified here. Both provide after-hours charting.
For charting, both apps let you view multiple time frames and neither supports stock comparison overlays on charts. TradeStation offers 45 technical studies in its mobile app, while tastytrade offers none. Chart orientation differs: TradeStation does not support landscape mode, whereas tastytrade does, which may matter if you prefer wider chart views on your phone.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0 |
| Mobile Trading Apps |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025
When deciding between TradeStation and tastytrade, investors will find distinct differences in fees and charges that may influence their choice. Both platforms require no minimum deposit and offer commission-free regular stock trades, making them accessible to a broad audience. However, tastytrade generally provides more cost-effective options trading at $0.50 per contract, compared to TradeStation’s $0.60. Additionally, tastytrade offers more competitive rates on margin balances, which could lead to significant savings for investors using margin accounts.
When it comes to account-specific fees, tastytrade remains appealing with no IRA annual fees, whereas TradeStation imposes a $35 annual charge. Interestingly though, tastytrade charges a slightly higher IRA closure fee of $60 compared to TradeStation’s $50. For account transfers, tastytrade continues its advantage with lower fees of $75 for both partial and full ACAT transfers, while TradeStation charges a more substantial $125 across the board.
Investors focused on options trading will also note differences in fees related to options exercise and assignment. TradeStation charges $14.95 for options exercises and $5.95 for assignments, while tastytrade offers more affordable rates at $5 for both services. These variances highlight the importance of assessing individual trading habits to determine which broker is more cost-effective. Overall, tastytrade tends to foster savings for active traders, particularly those keen on options or employing margin, with its lower fee structure compared to TradeStation.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Stock Trades | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Options (Per Contract) | $0.60 | $0.50 |
| Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $5.00 |
| Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $5.00 |
| IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 |
| IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $60.00 |
Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025
Comparing TradeStation vs tastytrade for day trading, TradeStation leans toward active stock traders who want detailed market data and precise order control. TradeStation offers streaming time and sales, Level II quotes, direct market routing, ladder trading, and keyboard hotkeys for fast entries. It also includes both basic and advanced strategy backtesting, a short locator to check real-time short availability, and the potential to earn maker/taker liquidity rebates.
tastytrade, by contrast, supplies ladder trading, advanced strategy backtesting, a short locator, and streaming live TV, but it does not provide streaming time and sales, Level II quotes, direct market routing, trading hotkeys, basic backtesting, or order liquidity rebates. If you prioritize tape reading, granular routing choices, and quick keyboard-driven entries, TradeStation is the stronger fit; if live programming and advanced backtesting with ladder trading are your main needs, tastytrade may suit you.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No |
| Streaming TV | No | Yes |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | Yes |
| Short Locator | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025
TradeStation edges out tastytrade for market research. Both brokers cover stocks and ETFs, but TradeStation adds Pink Sheets/OTCBB research that tastytrade lacks. Tastytrade counters with extra screeners, yet its overall research tools still trail. According to StockBrokers.com, TradeStation earns 2 stars and ranks 11th of 14 brokers for research, while tastytrade earns 1.5 stars and ranks 13th.
Coverage is similar in core areas: both TradeStation and tastytrade offer stock and ETF research, show portfolio allocation by asset class, and do not provide mutual fund or bond research. Neither broker includes social media sentiment or ESG research, and neither offers downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds. The key coverage gap is OTC: TradeStation supports Pink Sheets/OTCBB research; tastytrade does not.
For idea generation, both platforms have a stock screener. Tastytrade adds an ETF screener and a bond screener, which TradeStation lacks. Neither broker offers a mutual fund screener. If you need OTC stock research and a slightly stronger overall research experience, TradeStation is the better fit. If ETF and bond screeners matter more, tastytrade may appeal despite its lower research rating.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Screener - ETFs | No | Yes |
| Research - Mutual Funds | No | No |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No |
| Research - Fixed Income | No | No |
| Screener - Fixed Income | No | Yes |
| Research |
|
|
When comparing the banking capabilities of online brokers TradeStation and tastytrade, neither offers traditional banking services such as checking accounts, savings accounts, debit cards, credit cards, mortgage loans, or certificates of deposit (CDs). This means that users looking for banking features will not find them with either TradeStation or tastytrade. These platforms are exclusively geared toward investing and trading, so if banking options are a requirement, you may need to consider additional financial institutions for those needs.
| Feature |
TradeStation
|
tastytrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Checking Accounts | No | No |
| Savings Accounts | No | No |
| Debit Cards | No | No |
| Credit Cards | No | No |
| Mortgage Loans | No | 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 tastytrade. TradeStation finished with an overall score of 80.2%, while tastytrade finished with a score of 80.1%.
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.
When comparing online brokers, tastytrade stands out for cryptocurrency enthusiasts by offering crypto trading with access to 17 different coins, whereas TradeStation does not currently provide any crypto trading options.
Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers for Crypto Trading in 2025
Both TradeStation and tastytrade offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but while tastytrade provides these with no annual fee, TradeStation charges $35 annually. Additionally, closing an IRA account will incur a $50 fee with TradeStation compared to a $60 fee with tastytrade.
Dive deeper: Best IRA Accounts for 2025
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
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| Review | TradeStation Review | tastytrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
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| Trading Fees | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| 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 | $0.50 | |
| Futures (Per Contract) | $1.50 | $1.00 | |
| Broker Assisted Trade Fee | $25 | $0 |
| Margin Rates | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin Rate Under $25,000 | 13.0% | 11% | |
| Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 | 13.0% | 10.5% | |
| Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 | 12.5% | 10% | |
| Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 | 12.0% | 9.5% | |
| Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 | 12.0% | 9% | |
| Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 | 7.5% | 8.5% | |
| Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 | 7.5% | 8% |
| Account Fees | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRA Annual Fee | $35.00 | $0.00 | |
| IRA Closure Fee | $50.00 | $60.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Partial) | $125.00 | $75.00 | |
| Account Transfer Out (Full) | $125.00 | $75.00 | |
| Options Exercise Fee | $14.95 | $5.00 | |
| Options Assignment Fee | $5.95 | $5.00 |
| Investment Options | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Account Feature - Margin Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Fractional Shares (Stocks) | No | Yes | |
| OTC Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Options Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Complex Options Max Legs | 4 | 4 | |
| Futures Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex Trading | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading | No | Yes | |
| Crypto Trading - Total Coins | 0 | 17 | |
| Fixed Income (Treasurys) | Yes | Yes | |
| Fixed Income (Corporate Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Fixed Income (Municipal Bonds) | Yes | No | |
| Traditional IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Roth IRAs | Yes | Yes | |
| Advisor Services | No | No | |
| International Countries (Stocks) | 0 | 0 |
| Order Types | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Order Type - OCO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - OTO | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Type - Broker Assisted | Yes | Yes |
| Beginners | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Stocks) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (ETFs) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Options) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Mutual Funds) | No | No | |
| Education (Fixed Income) | No | No | |
| Education (Retirement) | No | Yes | |
| Retirement Calculator | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary | No | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Progress Tracking | No | Yes | |
| Interactive Learning - Quizzes | No | No |
| Stock Trading Apps | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple Watch App | No | No | |
| 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 | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Movers (Top Gainers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Stream Live TV | No | No | |
| Videos on Demand | No | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Stock App Charting | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - After-Hours | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Can Turn Horizontally | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Technical Studies | 45 | 0 | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Comparisons | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Trading Platform | TradeStation 10 | tastytrade | |
| Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Mac) | No | Yes | |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Paper Trading | Yes | No | |
| Trade Journal | No | Yes | |
| Watch Lists - Total Fields | 341 | 33 |
| Stock Chart Features | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 294 | 308 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 23 | 31 | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| Charting - Automated Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Save Profiles | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Study Customizations | 12 | 7 | |
| Charting - Custom Studies | Yes | Yes |
| Day Trading | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming Time & Sales | Yes | No | |
| Streaming TV | No | Yes | |
| Direct Market Routing - Equities | Yes | No | |
| Ladder Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Trade Hot Keys | Yes | No | |
| Level 2 Quotes - Stocks | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting | Yes | No | |
| Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv | Yes | Yes | |
| Short Locator | Yes | Yes | |
| Order Liquidity Rebates | Yes | No |
| Research Overview | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Screener - ETFs | No | Yes | |
| Screener - Mutual Funds | No | No | |
| Screener - Fixed Income | No | Yes | |
| Portfolio Asset Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Research - PDF Reports | 0 | 0 | |
| Stock Research - Earnings | No | No | |
| Stock Research - Insiders | No | No | |
| Stock Research - Social | No | No | |
| Stock Research - News | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Research - ESG | No | No | |
| Stock Research - SEC Filings | No | No |
| ETF Research | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs - Investment Objective | No | No | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| ETFs - Ratings | No | No | |
| ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap | No | No | |
| ETFs - PDF Reports | No | No |
| Mutual Fund Research | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option Chains - Total Greeks | 5 | 5 | |
| Option Analysis - P&L Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank (Member FDIC) | No | No | |
| Checking Accounts | No | No | |
| Savings Accounts | No | No | |
| Credit Cards | No | No | |
| Debit Cards | No | No | |
| Mortgage Loans | No | No |
| Customer Service | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Support (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Phone Support (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Prospective Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| Live Chat (Current Customers) | Yes | Yes | |
| 24/7 Support | No | No |
| Overall | TradeStation | tastytrade | |
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| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | TradeStation Review | tastytrade Review |
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