menuclose
StockBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn how we make money.

TradeStation vs Vanguard 2023

StockBrokers.com

Written by StockBrokers.com

February 23, 2023

Is TradeStation better than Vanguard? After testing 17 of the best online brokers over three months, TradeStation (78.24%) is better than Vanguard (71.94%). 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. TradeStation ranked among Best in Class in the Commissions and Fees and Investment Options categories in our 2023 Annual Review of online stockbrokers.

Select Brokers

❯×
× TradeStation

Trade Stocks, Options, Futures, & Crypto.

Visit Site

× Vanguard
Sponsored

+ Add Broker

Close Menu ×
navigate_before navigate_next
Overall RatingTradeStationVanguard
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Options 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Research 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Customer Service 3.5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 3/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TradeStation Review Vanguard Review
Trading FeesTradeStationVanguard
Minimum Deposit $0.00 $0.00
Stock Trades $0.00 $0.00
Penny Stock Fees (OTC) $0.00 $0.00
Mutual Fund Trade Fee $14.95 Varies
Options (Base Fee) $0.00 $0.00
Options (Per Contract) $0.60 $1.00
Futures (Per Contract) $1.50 N/A
Broker Assisted Trade Fee $0 $25
Margin RatesTradeStationVanguard
Margin Rate Under $25,000 11.00% 12.75%
Margin Rate $25,000 to $49,999.99 11.00% 12.25%
Margin Rate $50,000 to $99,999.99 10.00% 11.75%
Margin Rate $100,000 to $249,999.99 10.00% 11.25%
Margin Rate $250,000 to $499,999.99 10.00% 10.75%
Margin Rate $500,000 to $999,999.99 5.50% 9.50%
Margin Rate Above $1,000,000 5.50% Varies
Account FeesTradeStationVanguard
IRA Annual Fee $35.00 $20.00
IRA Closure Fee $50.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Partial) $125.00 $0.00
Account Transfer Out (Full) $125.00 $0.00
Options Exercise Fee $14.95 $0.00
Options Assignment Fee $5.95 $0.00
Investment OptionsTradeStationVanguard
Stock Trading Yes Yes
Margin Trading Yes Yes
Fractional Shares No No
OTC Stocks Yes Yes
Options Trading Yes Yes
Complex Options Max Legs 4 4
Futures Trading Yes No
Forex Trading No No
Crypto Trading Yes No
Crypto Trading - Total Coins 11 0
Mutual Funds (No Load) 800 N/A
Mutual Funds (Total) 4000 N/A
Bonds (US Treasury) Yes Yes
Bonds (Corporate) Yes Yes
Bonds (Municipal) Yes Yes
Advisor Services No Yes
International Countries (Stocks) 0 0
Order TypesTradeStationVanguard
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 No
Order Type - OTO Yes No
Order Type - Broker Assisted Yes Yes
BeginnersTradeStationVanguard
Education (Stocks) Yes Yes
Education (ETFs) No No
Education (Options) Yes No
Education (Mutual Funds) No No
Education (Bonds) No No
Education (Retirement) No Yes
Retirement Calculator No Yes
Investor Dictionary No No
Paper Trading Yes No
Videos Yes Yes
Webinars Yes No
Webinars (Archived) No No
Progress Tracking No No
Interactive Learning - Quizzes No No
Stock Trading AppsTradeStationVanguard
iPhone App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Apple Watch App Yes No
Trading - Stocks Yes Yes
Trading - After-Hours Yes No
Trading - Simple Options Yes No
Trading - Complex Options Yes No
Order Ticket RT Quotes Yes Yes
Order Ticket SRT Quotes Yes No
Stock App FeaturesTradeStationVanguard
Market Movers (Top Gainers) Yes No
Stream Live TV No No
Videos on Demand No No
Stock Alerts Yes No
Option Chains Viewable Yes No
Watch List (Real-time) Yes No
Watch List (Streaming) Yes No
Watch Lists - Create & Manage Yes No
Watch Lists - Column Customization Yes No
Watch Lists - Total Fields 335 9
Stock App ChartingTradeStationVanguard
Charting - After-Hours Yes No
Charting - Can Turn Horizontally Yes No
Charting - Multiple Time Frames Yes Yes
Charting - Technical Studies 45 0
Charting - Study Customizations Yes No
Charting - Stock Comparisons No No
Trading PlatformsTradeStationVanguard
Active Trading Platform TradeStation 10 N/A
Desktop Trading Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Mac) No No
Web Trading Platform Yes Yes
Paper Trading Yes No
Trade Journal No No
Watch Lists - Total Fields 335 9
Stock Chart FeaturesTradeStationVanguard
Charting - Adjust Trades on Chart Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies 290 9
Charting - Drawing Tools 23 0
Charting - Notes Yes No
Charting - Index Overlays Yes Yes
Charting - Historical Trades Yes No
Charting - Corporate Events Yes Yes
Charting - Custom Date Range Yes No
Charting - Custom Time Bars Yes No
Charting - Automated Analysis Yes No
Charting - Save Profiles Yes No
Trade Ideas - Technical Analysis Yes No
Charting - Study Customizations 12 1
Charting - Custom Studies Yes No
Day TradingTradeStationVanguard
Streaming Time & Sales Yes No
Streaming TV No No
Direct Market Routing - Stocks Yes No
Ladder Trading Yes No
Trade Hot Keys Yes No
Level 2 Quotes - Stocks Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Yes No
Trade Ideas - Backtesting Adv Yes No
Short Locator Yes No
Order Liquidity Rebates Yes No
Research OverviewTradeStationVanguard
Research - Stocks Yes Yes
Research - ETFs Yes Yes
Research - Mutual Funds No Yes
Research - Pink Sheets / OTCBB Yes Yes
Research - Bonds No Yes
Screener - Stocks Yes Yes
Screener - ETFs No Yes
Screener - Mutual Funds No Yes
Screener - Bonds No Yes
Misc - Portfolio Allocation Yes Yes
Stock ResearchTradeStationVanguard
Stock Research - PDF Reports 0 2
Stock Research - Earnings No Yes
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 ResearchTradeStationVanguard
ETFs - Strategy Overview No No
ETF Fund Facts - Inception Date No No
ETF Fund Facts - Expense Ratio No No
ETF Fund Facts - Net 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 No
ETFs - Ratings No No
ETFs - Morningstar StyleMap No No
ETFs - PDF Reports No No
Mutual Fund ResearchTradeStationVanguard
Mutual Funds - Strategy Overview No Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Chart No Yes
Mutual Funds - Performance Analysis No Yes
Mutual Funds - Prospectus No Yes
Mutual Funds - 3rd Party Ratings No No
Mutual Funds - Fees Breakdown No Yes
Mutual Funds - Top 10 Holdings No Yes
Mutual Funds - Asset Allocation No No
Mutual Funds - Sector Allocation No Yes
Mutual Funds - Country Allocation No No
Mutual Funds - StyleMap No Yes
Options TradingTradeStationVanguard
Option Chains - Basic View Yes Yes
Option Chains - Strategy View Yes No
Option Chains - Streaming Yes No
Option Chains - Total Columns 32 9
Option Chains - Greeks 5 0
Option Chains - Quick Analysis Yes No
Option Analysis - P&L Charts Yes No
Option Probability Analysis Yes No
Option Probability Analysis Adv Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks Yes No
Option Positions - Greeks Streaming Yes No
Option Positions - Adv Analysis Yes No
Option Positions - Rolling Yes No
Option Positions - Grouping Yes No
BankingTradeStationVanguard
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 ServiceTradeStationVanguard
Phone Support (Prospect Customers) Yes Yes
Phone Support (Current Customers) No Yes
Email Support Yes Yes
Live Chat (Prospect Customers) Yes No
Live Chat (Current Customers) Yes No
24/7 Support No No
OverallTradeStationVanguard
Overall 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Investment Options 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 4.5/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading Apps 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Stars
Research 3/5 Stars 2.5/5 Stars
Education 3.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Ease Of Use 3/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Winner check_circle
Review TradeStation Review Vanguard Review
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxE*TRADE
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFirstrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxJ.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMerrill Edge
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRobinhood
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSofi Invest
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxtastytrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTD Ameritrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradeStation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTradier
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVanguard
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWebull

Compare

0 of 5
arrow_upward

TradeStation vs Vanguard Comparison

Comparing brokers side by side is no easy task. For our 2023 annual broker review, we spent hundreds of hours assessing 17 brokerages to find the best online broker. Let's compare TradeStation vs Vanguard.

Is TradeStation or Vanguard better for beginners?

TradeStation offers more comprehensive new investor education for beginner investors than Vanguard. TradeStation offers investors access to Paper Trading, Videos, Education (Stocks) and Education (Options), while Vanguard offers investors access to Videos, Education (Stocks) and Education (Retirement). Neither have Education (ETFs), Education (Mutual Funds) and Education (Bonds).

What about TradeStation vs Vanguard pricing?

TradeStation and Vanguard charge the same amount for regular stock trades, $0.00. Option contracts are pricier at Vanguard, costing $1.00 per contract versus $0.60 per contract at TradeStation. For a complete commissions summary, see our best brokers for free stock trading guide.

Does TradeStation or Vanguard offer a wider range of investment options?

TradeStation offers investors access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds and Futures Trading, while Vanguard offers investors access to Stock Trading, Options Trading, OTC Stocks, Mutual Funds and Advisor Services. Neither have Fractional Shares and Forex Trading. Looking at Mutual Funds, TradeStation and Vanguard both provide customers access to 0 no transaction fee (NTF) mutual funds.

Which trading platform is better: TradeStation or Vanguard?

To compare the trading platforms of TradeStation and Vanguard, we tested each broker's trading tools, research capabilities, and mobile apps. For trading tools, TradeStation offers a better experience. With research, TradeStation offers superior market research. Finally, we found TradeStation to provide better mobile trading apps.

Does either broker offer banking?

Online banking can be a benefit for investors, and some brokerages do provide banking services to customers. Neither TradeStation nor Vanguard offers Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards, Credit Cards and Mortgage Loans. Neither have Mortgage Loans.

Is TradeStation good?

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. TradeStation ranked among Best in Class in the Commissions and Fees and Investment Options categories in our 2023 Annual Review of online stockbrokers.

Is Vanguard good?

Vanguard is aimed squarely at buy-and-hold investors, and its platform reflects that focus. Vanguard is known for its low-cost funds, and the investment platform is really built for those looking to invest solely in mutual funds and ETFs.

TradeStation vs Vanguard Winner

Overall winner: TradeStation

Read Next

Explore our other online trading guides:

More Comparisons

TradeStation vs Vanguard TradeStation vs Charles Schwab TradeStation vs Robinhood TradeStation vs Fidelity TradeStation vs TD Ameritrade TradeStation vs E*TRADE Vanguard vs Robinhood Vanguard vs Merrill Edge Vanguard vs TradeStation Vanguard vs J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Vanguard vs Webull Vanguard vs Fidelity

Show all

Was this helpful?
Yes or No

close
navigate_before navigate_next