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E*TRADE vs TastyTrade
Compare TastyTrade/tastyworks versus Morgan Stanley E*TRADE: brokerage fees, options/futures accounts, &
stock trading platforms. Which broker is better in 2025?
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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 has automated accounts.
• Advanced trading software for self-directed clients is available at either brokerage firm.
Do you need professional-level software to improve your trading? If so, E*Trade and tastytrade are worth considering. Before opening an account with either firm, take a look at our research.
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 $250 for each trader you refer 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, you can trade these investment types:
- Option contracts
- Stocks
- Exchange-traded funds
- Closed-end funds
- Treasury bonds
- Futures
E*Trade offers more in the bond category, including municipal bonds, corporate bonds, and brokered CDs. It also provides trading in mutual funds and liquid alternative funds. tastytrade adds cryptocurrencies to the list. Only E*Trade offers over-the-counter stocks.
Investors who prefer not to make their own trading decisions can open advisory accounts instead of brokerage accounts. These are managed by the investment firm, which handles all trading decisions. E*Trade offers robo accounts that charge just 0.35% per year for this service. ETFs are the only assets available.
Winner: E*Trade
Mobile Apps
E*Trade customers can use two apps: a main app and a Power app. The Power app is the only one of the two that allows futures trading; it also includes a paper-trading mode for practice. Both apps offer great resources, including horizontal charting with tools, live streaming of Bloomberg business news, and integrated option spreads.
tastytrade customers have one mobile app. While it lacks Bloomberg video news, it includes content from tastylive. Graphs can be displayed horizontally, but there are no charting tools. The app also lacks mobile check deposit, which is available on E*Trade’s main app. However, the tasty app supports multi-leg option trades.
Winner: E*Trade
Websites
Websites continue the comparison with advanced browser platforms. E*Trade’s platform, called Power, includes an order ticket with 10 trade types, such as Hidden and Stop Limit on Quote. It also offers simulated trading, which helps users learn the advanced order ticket. Charting is equally advanced.
The tastytrade website does not support trading; it is used for advertising and fund transfers. However, it has a web-browser platform with useful features, including:
- Follow Feed (a list of recent trades by tastytrade employees)
- Backtesting (to see how a trade would have performed in the past)
- Fixed Income (to find Treasuries to buy)
- Journal (to create and edit notes on your trading)
Winner: E*Trade
Desktop Software
E*Trade offers a desktop program called Pro. It includes tools not found in the Power platform, such as a Quick Trade window and an option screener.
tastytrade also has a desktop platform. It uses the same order ticket as its other platforms, offering just four order types. However, it includes useful features like advanced charting with various tools.
Winner: E*Trade
Margin
Both E*Trade and tastytrade allow cash or margin trading. E*Trade lets cash accounts upgrade to margin directly on its website. tastytrade requires opening a new account for margin trading.
The cost of margin varies by firm and balance. E*Trade’s rates start at 13.2% and go down to 10.2% (with negotiated rates for balances over $500k). tastytrade’s rates start at 11% and go down to 8% (with no negotiated rates).
E*Trade, but not tastytrade, has a detailed margin calculator on its website and desktop program. This tool provides margin details, such as long and short maintenance requirements, based on a ticker symbol.
Winner: Disputable
Added Services
Fully-Paid Stock Lending: Both E*Trade and tastytrade allow customers to earn extra income by lending out their shares.
DRIP Service: Both firms allow dividends to be automatically reinvested into additional shares of the stocks or ETFs that paid them.
Fractional-Share Trading: Neither firm offers trading in fractional shares of stocks or ETFs.
Extended Hours: tastytrade clients can trade from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time. E*Trade starts one hour earlier and also offers overnight trading for some ETFs.
IPOs: E*Trade customers can buy shares of Initial Public Offerings.
IRA Lineups: Both firms offer Individual Retirement Accounts. tastytrade charges a fee to close an IRA, while E*Trade does not.
Winner: E*Trade
Recommendations
Beginners: An investment-advisory account at E*Trade.
Stock and ETF Trading: E*Trade has better research tools and website trading, making it our top choice.
Small Accounts: Managed accounts at E*Trade require a $500 minimum. Neither firm requires a minimum for brokerage accounts, but tastytrade charges an IRA closeout fee. E*Trade offers thousands of mutual funds with low or no minimum investments.
Long-Term Investors & Retirement Savers: E*Trade.
Mutual-fund Trading: E*Trade is the better choice.
Futures Trading: tastytrade focuses more on futures trading and offers better software for it. Its futures commissions are also lower.
Promotions
tastytrade:
Get $250 for each trader you refer with this referral link.
E*Trade:
Get zero commission on stock and ETF trades.
Final Verdict
For cryptocurrencies and futures, tastytrade is the better choice. For everything else, E*Trade is the winner.
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Updated on 2/28/2025.
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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