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TradeStation vs tastytrade 2025

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

July 03, 2025

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
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.60
tastytrade
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0.00
  • Stock Trades: $0.00
  • Options (Per Contract): $0.50 info

Range of investments

When comparing TradeStation and tastytrade for investment options, TradeStation tends to have a slight edge thanks to its broader range of offerings. TradeStation allows investors to trade stocks, margin, OTC stocks, mutual funds, options, and futures, earning it a commendable 4.5-star rating for its range of investments, ranking #5 out of 14 brokers according to StockBrokers.com. Tastytrade, while also providing stock, margin, options, and futures trading, distinguishes itself by offering fractional shares and a more extensive crypto selection with 17 coins. However, it lacks options for trading OTC stocks and mutual funds, which contributes to a slightly lower 4-star rating and a #10 ranking in the same report. Both platforms offer traditional and Roth IRA accounts, but neither extends advisor services to their users.

TradeStation shines in areas such as mutual funds and OTC stock trading, appealing to those who value these options in their portfolios. This features set may attract traditional investors who are looking for established investment avenues. The 4.5-star rating indicates a strong capability in providing this diverse range of investments, meeting the needs of a wide variety of investors.

On the other hand, tastytrade appeals to crypto enthusiasts and those interested in fractional shares, a unique feature for those who want to start small or diversify their investments without substantial upfront capital. Its comprehensive crypto offerings make it a preferred choice for users keen on exploring digital currency investments, even though it falls short in mutual funds and OTC stocks. Despite its limitations compared to TradeStation, the platform's 4-star rating confirms it still delivers valuable investment options for a specific audience.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info No Yes info
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Mutual Funds info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Futures Trading info Yes Yes
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 17
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Options Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Futures Trading Platforms for 2025: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to an Advanced Market

Trading platforms and tools

When evaluating TradeStation and tastytrade for their trading platforms and tools, TradeStation tends to shine a bit brighter. Rated 4.5 stars by experts, TradeStation is renowned for its wealth of features and flexibility, earning it the #3 position among 14 brokers according to StockBrokers.com. On the other hand, tastytrade, while receiving a respectable 4-star rating, falls to the #8 spot. This distinction is partly due to TradeStation's more extensive support for custom studies, superior watch list capacity, and more comprehensive charting features.

Both TradeStation and tastytrade offer Windows desktop downloadable platforms, yet tastytrade also caters to Mac users with its desktop application. While both brokers provide browser-based platforms, TradeStation edges out its competitor with added functionality like paper trading, automated technical analysis on charts, and the ability to set custom date ranges. However, tastytrade offers a more extensive selection of charting tools and technical indicators, broadening its appeal to those who rely heavily on these for trading insights.

Charting on both platforms permits users to adjust open orders directly on stock charts, add notes, index overlays, and display corporate events. Yet, TradeStation takes the lead with 294 technical indicators and 23 drawing tools, compared to tastytrade's 308 indicators and 31 drawing tools. Notably, TradeStation allows more customization options when editing simple moving averages, providing users with 12 fields compared to tastytrade's 7, offering a more tailored trading experience.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 341 33
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 294 308
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 31
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Online Brokers & Trading Platforms for 2025, Best Paper Trading Apps & Platforms for 2025

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Beginners and education

When it comes to beginner and investor education, both TradeStation and tastytrade offer various resources, but they cater to different needs. TradeStation provides solid stock and options education, and it supports learning through educational videos and webinars. Additionally, it offers a valuable hands-on experience with paper trading, allowing beginners to practice strategies without risking real money. In contrast, tastytrade excels by offering a wider range of educational content, including stock, ETF, and options education, along with webinars. It also helps users track their learning progress, encouraging a more structured educational journey.

In terms of ratings, tastytrade holds a slight advantage with a 4-star rating for education compared to TradeStation's 3 stars. Furthermore, in rankings by StockBrokers.com, tastytrade placed ninth out of 14 brokers, whereas TradeStation ranked 13th. This suggests that while both platforms have their strengths, tastytrade may offer a more comprehensive educational experience for beginners seeking to broaden their investment knowledge.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Paper Trading info Yes No
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes Yes
Education 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Platforms for Beginners of 2025

Stock trading apps

When choosing between TradeStation and tastytrade for stock trading on mobile apps, both platforms provide strong features, but there are key differences to consider. TradeStation and tastytrade both offer apps for iPhone and Android, supporting mobile options trading and after-hours charting. However, TradeStation receives an edge with the availability of stock alerts and a greater number of technical studies for charting, offering 45 studies compared to none for tastytrade. Despite these differences in features, both platforms hold a user rating of 4.5 stars for their stock trading apps.

TradeStation's strengths lie in its advanced technical capabilities and customization options. While the app does not support landscape mode for charts, it does allow users to customize watch list columns, manage after-hours trading, and utilize 45 technical studies. Savvy traders may appreciate these features for deeper insights and tailored experiences, contributing to its StockBrokers.com ranking of #8 among 14 brokers.

Conversely, tastytrade focuses on user-friendly navigation with the ability to view charts in landscape mode, an option not available with TradeStation. Though it lacks stock alerts and extensive technical studies, tastytrade still offers essential functionalities such as streaming quotes, mobile options trading, and personalized watch lists. Ranked #10 by StockBrokers.com, tastytrade offers simplicity and reliability, appealing to traders who prefer a straightforward approach.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Charting - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 45 0
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars

Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps for 2025

Fees

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 logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) info $0.60 $0.50 info
Options Exercise Fee info $14.95 $5.00
Options Assignment Fee info $5.95 $5.00
IRA Annual Fee info $35.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $50.00 $60.00

Dive deeper: Best Free Trading Platforms for 2025

Day Trading

When comparing TradeStation and tastytrade for day trading, there are clear distinctions to consider. TradeStation shines with its advanced trading functionalities, offering tools crucial for active traders. It includes streaming time and sales for stocks, direct market routing, trading hotkeys, level 2 quotes, and both basic and advanced strategy backtesting. These features are essential for traders looking to execute precise and informed trades within the fast-paced environment of day trading. Additionally, TradeStation provides a short locator tool to view real-time share availability and order liquidity rebates, which can be advantageous for high-frequency traders.

On the other hand, tastytrade offers its own set of unique features. While it lacks some of the advanced trading tools found in TradeStation, such as direct market routing and trading hotkeys, it does offer streaming live TV, which can keep traders informed with real-time news. Both platforms support ladder trading and provide a short locator tool, ensuring traders have a basic foundation for executing trades. However, for those who prioritize a comprehensive suite of trading tools and strategy backtesting, TradeStation may be the more suitable choice.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info No Yes
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info Yes No
Short Locator info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Day Trading Platforms for 2025

Market Research

When evaluating the market research capabilities of TradeStation and tastytrade, investors should note that while both platforms provide stock and ETFs research, they lack support for mutual funds and bonds. TradeStation slightly edges out tastytrade in terms of features, earning a 2-star rating compared to tastytrade's 1.5 stars. StockBrokers.com ranks TradeStation at #11 and tastytrade at #13 out of 14 brokers for market research, indicating that neither platform stands out significantly in this area.

Both TradeStation and tastytrade allow users to assess portfolio allocations by asset class, a useful feature for maintaining balanced investment portfolios. However, neither platform offers specialized research like ESG data or social media sentiment analysis for stocks, limiting their market research depth. Additionally, downloadable PDF research reports for stocks, ETFs, or mutual funds are unavailable on both platforms, which could be seen as a drawback for investors who value detailed written analyses.

One of the key differences lies in TradeStation's inclusion of a stock screener for trade ideas, a feature absent in tastytrade. This tool can be advantageous for investors looking to explore various stock opportunities. While both platforms provide basic research tools, those seeking more comprehensive research options might consider other brokers with higher ratings in market research capabilities. Ultimately, while TradeStation offers a slightly broader range of research tools than tastytrade, both platforms have room for improvement in meeting diverse investor needs.

Feature TradeStation logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs info No No
Research - Mutual Funds info No No
Screener - Mutual Funds info No No
Research - Bonds info No No
Screener - Bonds info No No
Research 2/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars

Banking

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 logoTradeStation
tastytrade logotastytrade
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
CDs info No No

Dive deeper: Best Brokerage Checking Accounts for 2025

Winner

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.

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with TradeStation or tastytrade?

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

Does TradeStation or tastytrade offer IRAs?

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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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating TradeStation tastytrade
Overall 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars 4.0/5 Stars
Education 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TradeStation Review tastytrade Review
Broker Screenshots TradeStation tastytrade
Trading Platform & Tools Gallery (click to expand)
Research Gallery (click to expand)
Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand)
Education Gallery (click to expand)
Trading Fees TradeStation tastytrade
Minimum Deposit info $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades info $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) info $0.01 info N/A
Mutual Fund Trade Fee info $14.95 N/A info
Options (Per Contract) info $0.60 $0.50 info
Futures (Per Contract) info $1.50 $1.00 info
Broker Assisted Trade Fee info $25 $0
Margin Rates TradeStation tastytrade
Margin Rate Under $25,000 info 13.0% 11%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 info 13.0% 10.5%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 info 12.5% 10%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 info 12.0% 9.5%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 info 12.0% 9%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 info 7.5% info 8.5%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 info 7.5% info 8%
Account Fees TradeStation tastytrade
IRA Annual Fee info $35.00 $0.00
IRA Closure Fee info $50.00 $60.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) info $125.00 $75.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) info $125.00 $75.00
Options Exercise Fee info $14.95 $5.00
Options Assignment Fee info $5.95 $5.00
Investment Options TradeStation tastytrade
Stock Trading info Yes Yes
Margin Trading info Yes Yes
Fractional Shares info No Yes info
OTC Stocks info Yes No
Options Trading info Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs info 4 4
Futures Trading info Yes Yes
Forex Trading info No No
Crypto Trading info No Yes
Crypto Trading - Total Coins info 0 17
Mutual Funds (No Load) info 800 0
Mutual Funds (Total) info 4000 0
Bonds (US Treasury) info Yes No info
Bonds (Corporate) info Yes No
Bonds (Municipal) info Yes No
Traditional IRAs info Yes Yes
Roth IRAs info Yes Yes
Advisor Services info No No
International Countries (Stocks) info 0 0
Order Types TradeStation tastytrade
Order Type - Market info Yes Yes
Order Type - Limit info Yes Yes
Order Type - After Hours info Yes Yes
Order Type - Stop info Yes Yes
Order Type - Trailing Stop info Yes No
Order Type - OCO info Yes Yes
Order Type - OTO info Yes Yes
Order Type - Broker Assisted info Yes Yes
Beginners TradeStation tastytrade
Education (Stocks) info Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) info No Yes
Education (Options) info Yes Yes
Education (Mutual Funds) info No No
Education (Bonds) info No No
Education (Retirement) info No No
Retirement Calculator info No No
Investor Dictionary info No Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Videos info Yes No
Webinars info Yes Yes
Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Progress Tracking info No Yes
Interactive Learning - Quizzes info No No
Stock Trading Apps TradeStation tastytrade
iPhone App info Yes Yes
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple Watch App info No No
Trading - Stocks info Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Trading - Simple Options info Yes Yes
Trading - Complex Options info Yes Yes
Order Ticket RT Quotes info Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes info Yes Yes
Stock App Features TradeStation tastytrade
Market Movers (Top Gainers) info Yes Yes
Stream Live TV info No No
Videos on Demand info No No
Stock Alerts info Yes No
Option Chains Viewable info Yes Yes
Watch List (Real-time) info Yes Yes
Watch List (Streaming) info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Create & Manage info Yes Yes
Watch Lists - Column Customization info Yes Yes
Stock App Charting TradeStation tastytrade
Charting - After-Hours info Yes Yes
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally info No Yes
Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies info 45 0
Charting - Study Customizations info Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons info No No
Trading Platforms TradeStation tastytrade
Active Trading Platform info TradeStation 10 tastytrade
Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Mac) info No Yes
Web Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Paper Trading info Yes No
Trade Journal info No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields info 341 33
Stock Chart Features TradeStation tastytrade
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies info 294 308
Charting - Drawing Tools info 23 31
Charting - Notes info Yes Yes
Charting - Index Overlays info Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades info Yes Yes
Charting - Corporate Events info Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range info Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars info Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles info Yes Yes
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis info Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations info 12 7
Charting - Custom Studies info Yes Yes
Day Trading TradeStation tastytrade
Streaming Time & Sales info Yes No
Streaming TV info No Yes
Direct Market Routing - Stocks info Yes No
Ladder Trading info Yes Yes
Trade Hotkeys info Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting info Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv info Yes No
Short Locator info Yes Yes
Order Liquidity Rebates info Yes No
Research Overview TradeStation tastytrade
Research - Stocks info Yes Yes
Research - ETFs info Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds info No No
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB info Yes No
Research - Bonds info No No
Screener - Stocks info Yes No
Screener - ETFs info No No
Screener - Mutual Funds info No No
Screener - Bonds info No No
Misc - Portfolio Allocation info Yes Yes
Stock Research TradeStation tastytrade
Stock Research - PDF Reports info 0 0
Stock Research - Earnings info No No
Stock Research - Insiders info No No
Stock Research - Social info No No
Stock Research - News info Yes Yes
Stock Research - ESG info No No
Stock Research - SEC Filings info No No
ETF Research TradeStation tastytrade
ETFs - Strategy Overview info No No
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date info No No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio info No No
ETF Fund Facts - Net Assets info No No
ETF Fund Facts - Total Holdings info No No
ETFs - Top 10 Holdings info No No
ETFs - Sector Exposure info No No
ETFs - Risk Analysis info No Yes
ETFs - Ratings info No No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap info No No
ETFs - PDF Reports info No No
Mutual Fund Research TradeStation tastytrade
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview info No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart info No No
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis info No No
Mutual Funds - Prospectus info No No
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings info Yes No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown info No No
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings info No No
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation info No No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap info No No
Options Trading TradeStation tastytrade
Option Chains - Basic View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Streaming info Yes Yes
Option Chains - Total Columns info 29 20
Option Chains - Greeks info 5 5
Option Chains - Quick Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Analysis - P&L Charts info Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Probability Analysis Adv info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Adv Analysis info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Rolling info Yes Yes
Option Positions - Grouping info Yes Yes
Banking TradeStation tastytrade
Bank (Member FDIC) info No No
Checking Accounts info No No
Savings Accounts info No No
Credit Cards info No No
Debit Cards info No No
Mortgage Loans info No No
Customer Service TradeStation tastytrade
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
Email Support info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) info Yes Yes
Live Chat (Current Customers) info Yes Yes
24/7 Support info No No
Overall TradeStation tastytrade
Overall 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Research 2/5 Stars 1.5/5 Stars
Education 3/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Ease of Use 4.5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TradeStation Review tastytrade Review
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