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E*TRADE vs tastytrade in 2026
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tastytrade vs. E*TRADE
In this comparison, we’ll examine:
• E*TRADE and tastytrade both offer brokerage accounts with multiple asset classes.
• Only E*TRADE has automated accounts.
• Each broker offers advanced software for self-directed traders.
Need pro-grade software to take your trading further? Then E*TRADE and tastytrade both deserve a close look. Before opening an account, review the details 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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E*TRADE
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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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E*TRADE
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Promotions
tastytrade:
Get $100 for opening a tastytrade account with this referral link.
E*TRADE:
Currently, no promotions.
Investing and Trading
With a brokerage account at either tastytrade or E*TRADE, investors can trade these products:
- Option contracts
- Stocks
- Exchange-traded funds
- Closed-end funds
- Treasury bonds
- Futures
E*TRADE goes much deeper in fixed income with municipal bonds, corporate debt, and brokered CDs. It also offers mutual funds and prebuilt portfolios. tastytrade adds cryptocurrencies. OTC stocks are available only at E*TRADE.
Investors who would rather not make their own trades can choose advisory accounts instead of standard brokerage accounts. These are handled by the broker. E*TRADE’s robo service charges 0.30% annually and requires a $500 minimum. The portfolios use only ETFs.
Winner: E*TRADE
Mobile Apps
E*TRADE clients get two apps: the main app and the Power app. Only the Power app can trade futures, and it also includes a paper-trading mode for additional practice. Together, the two apps provide a long list of resources, including horizontal charting with tools, Bloomberg video news, and integrated option spreads.
tastytrade clients get a single app. Bloomberg video is absent, but tastylive content is there instead. Charts can be displayed horizontally, and the app lets users study charts and monitor positions. It also lacks mobile check deposit, which E*TRADE includes in its main app. Multi-leg options trading is available on the tasty app.
Winner: E*TRADE
Websites
The software showdown continues on the web. E*TRADE’s browser platform keeps the Power branding and includes an order ticket with many trade types, including advanced entries such as Stop Limit. Once again, simulated trading shows up here, which is useful for learning the platform. Charting is also excellent.
The tasty website itself is used mainly for account access and general navigation, while actual trading happens in the broker’s browser platform. The platform is strong and includes several features we liked. For example:
- Follow Feed (a stream of recent trades by tasty employees)
- Backtesting (review how a trade worked in the past)
- Fixed Income (shop for Treasuries)
- Journal (write and manage trading notes)
Winner: E*TRADE
Desktop Software
E*TRADE’s final platform is Power E*TRADE Pro, a desktop program. It adds tools not found in Power Web, including a highly customizable workspace and multi-monitor support.
tastytrade also offers desktop software. It uses the same order ticket found on the broker’s other platforms, so there are only four order types. Still, the software has several worthwhile tools, including strong charting.
Winner: E*TRADE
Margin
Both E*TRADE and tastytrade support cash and margin trading. E*TRADE allows a cash account to be upgraded to margin on its website. At tastytrade, a cash customer must open a new account to switch to margin.
Margin costs vary by broker and by debit balance. E*TRADE’s tiered schedule starts at 12.45% and bottoms out at 9.45% with negotiated rates above $500k. tasty’s schedule starts at 10.25% and falls to 7.25% without negotiated rates.
E*TRADE also has a detailed margin calculator on both its website and desktop platform. Enter a ticker and it will show multiple data points, including long and short maintenance requirements.
Winner: tastytrade
Added Services
Fully-Paid Stock Lending: Clients at both brokers can earn extra income by lending out fully paid shares.
DRIP Service: Dividends can be automatically reinvested at either firm.
Fractional-Share Trading: tastytrade offers whole-dollar trading in stocks or ETFs.
Extended Hours: tastytrade clients can enter orders from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm ET. E*TRADE ends at
the same time but starts one hour earlier. Both firms also have overnight trading in some ETFs.
IPOs: E*TRADE customers can buy Initial Public Offerings.
IRA Lineups: Both brokers offer IRAs. tasty has an IRA closing fee, while E*TRADE does not.
Winner: E*TRADE
Recommendations
Beginners: E*TRADE’s advisory program is the better fit.
Stock and ETF Trading: E*TRADE gets the nod because it offers better website research and stronger website trading.
Small Accounts: Managed accounts at E*TRADE require $500. Brokerage accounts at both firms have no minimum, although tasty’s IRA closeout fee is worth remembering. E*TRADE also has many mutual funds with minimums below $500, and some start at $0.
Long-Term Investors & Retirement Savers: E*TRADE.
Mutual-fund Trading: E*TRADE wins easily.
Futures Trading: tasty places more emphasis on futures and offers better software for that niche. Its futures commissions are also lower.
Promotions
tastytrade:
Get $100 for opening a tastytrade account with this referral link.
E*TRADE:
Currently, no promotions.
Final Verdict
For futures, cryptocurrencies, and margin trading tastytrade makes a compelling case. For most other categories, E*TRADE comes out ahead.
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Updated on 4/22/2026.
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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