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E*TRADE vs TastyTrade in 2026
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tastytrade vs. E*Trade
In this comparison, we’ll discover:
• E*Trade and tastytrade offer brokerage accounts with access to multiple asset classes.
• Only E*Trade offers automated accounts.
• Advanced trading software for self-directed traders is available at either brokerage firm.
Do you need pro-level tools to step up your trading? If so, E*Trade and tastytrade are worth a look. Before opening an account at either firm, review our findings below.
Cost
| Broker Fees |
Stock/ETF
Commission |
Mutual Fund
Commission |
Options
Commission |
Maintenance
Fee |
Annual IRA
Fee |
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Tastytrade
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$0
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na
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$0.50 per contract
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$0
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$0
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Etrade
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$0
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$0
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$0.65 per contract
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$0
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$0
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Services
| Broker Review |
Cost |
Investment Products |
Trading Tools |
Customer Service |
Research |
Overall Rating |
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Tastytrade
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Etrade
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Promotions
tastytrade:
Get $100 for opening a Tastytrade account with this referral link.
E*Trade:
Get zero commission on stock and ETF trades.
Investing and Trading
With a brokerage account at tastytrade or E*Trade, it’s possible to trade these products:
- Option contracts
- Stocks
- Exchange-traded funds
- Closed-end funds
- Treasury bonds
- Futures
E*Trade goes further with bonds by offering munis, corporate bonds, and brokered CDs. It also offers mutual funds and liquid alternative funds. tastytrade adds cryptocurrencies to the mix. Only E*Trade offers over-the-counter stocks.
Investors who don’t want to make trading decisions on their own can open advisory accounts instead of brokerage accounts. These accounts are managed by the firm, which makes the trading decisions. E*Trade offers robo accounts that charge 0.35% per year, and they invest only in ETFs.
Winner: E*Trade
Mobile Apps
E*Trade offers two mobile apps: a main app and the Power app. The Power app is the only one of the two that can trade futures, and it also offers paper trading for practice. Together, the two apps provide strong tools, including horizontal charts with tools, Bloomberg business news streaming, and integrated option spreads.
tastytrade offers one mobile app. You lose Bloomberg video news but get tastylive instead. Charts can be displayed horizontally, but there are no charting tools. There is also no mobile check deposit, which is available in E*Trade’s main app. The tasty app does support multi-leg option trades.
Winner: E*Trade
Websites
The software battle continues on the web with advanced browser platforms. E*Trade’s browser platform also uses the Power name and includes an order ticket with 10 order types. These include Hidden and Stop Limit on Quote. Simulated trading is available again, which helps users learn the advanced trade ticket. Charting is also top tier.
The tastytrade website itself does not have trading features; it is mainly for information and moving money. However, tastytrade does offer a web-based trading platform. It is well built and includes several useful features we liked. Here are a few examples:
- Follow Feed (recent trades made by tasty employees)
- Backtesting (see how a trade would have performed in the past)
- Fixed Income (search for Treasuries to buy)
- Journal (create and edit notes on your trading)
Winner: E*Trade
Desktop Software
E*Trade also offers Pro, a desktop platform. It includes tools that Power does not, such as a Quick Trade window and an options screener.
tastytrade also has a desktop platform. It uses the same trade ticket as its other platforms, which means there are only four order types. Even so, it includes other helpful features, including strong charting with a variety of tools.
Winner: E*Trade
Margin
Both E*Trade and tastytrade offer cash and margin accounts. E*Trade allows a cash account to be upgraded to margin on its website. At tastytrade, a cash customer who wants margin must open a new account.
Margin rates vary by broker and by balance. E*Trade’s tiered schedule starts at 12.45% and drops to 9.45% (rates may be negotiated above $500k). tastytrade’s schedule starts at 10.25% and drops to 7.25% (no negotiated rates).
E*Trade, but not tastytrade, offers a detailed margin calculator on its website and desktop platform. The tool takes a ticker symbol and returns margin details, including long and short maintenance requirements.
Winner: Disputable
Added Services
Fully-Paid Stock Lending: E*Trade and tastytrade customers can earn extra income by lending out shares from their brokerage accounts.
DRIP Service: Both brokers allow dividends to be automatically reinvested into more shares of the stocks or ETFs that paid them.
Fractional-Share Trading: Neither firm offers whole-dollar trades in stocks or ETFs.
Extended Hours: tastytrade clients can place orders from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm EST. E*Trade ends at the same time but starts one hour earlier. E*Trade also offers overnight trading in some ETFs.
IPOs: E*Trade customers can participate in IPOs.
IRA Lineups: Both firms offer IRAs. tastytrade, but not E*Trade, charges an IRA termination fee.
Winner: E*Trade
Recommendations
Beginners: An investment-advisory account at E*Trade.
Stock and ETF Trading: E*Trade has stronger research tools on its website, plus full website trading, so it gets our recommendation.
Small Accounts: E*Trade robo accounts require $500 to start. Neither tastytrade nor E*Trade has minimums for standard brokerage accounts (but keep tastytrade’s IRA closeout fee in mind). E*Trade offers thousands of mutual funds with minimums under $500, and some have $0 minimums.
Long-Term Investors & Retirement Savers: E*Trade.
Mutual-fund Trading: E*Trade is the pick.
Futures Trading: tastytrade focuses more on futures and offers stronger tools for it. Plus, its futures commissions are lower.
Final Verdict
If you want cryptocurrencies and futures, tastytrade is the better fit. For most other needs, E*Trade is the stronger choice.
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Updated on 1/6/2026.
Chad Morris is a financial writer with more than 20 years experience
as both an English teacher and an avid trader. When he isn’t writing
expert content for Brokerage-Review.com, Chad can usually be found
managing his portfolio or building a new home computer.
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