E*TRADEvs
FBSStock Broker Comparison
E*TRADE and FBS face off on cost structure, regulation, and platform breadth. The outcome hinges on which strengths matter most to you.
Who should choose E*TRADE vs FBS?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose E*TRADE if you value extended trading hours, robust research tools, and commission-free stock and ETF trading.
Choose if…
Choose FBS if you value MT4/MT5 with EA support, multilingual 24/7 support, and a $1 minimum deposit.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
E*TRADE vs FBS: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.3/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | $1 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $20/lot |
E*TRADE vs FBS Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Power E*TRADE platform with professional options analytics and strategy scanner
- Commission-free stocks and ETFs with $0.50/contract options for active traders
- Futures trading available on CME products from the same account
- Morgan Stanley analyst reports now included for account holders
- 40+ year operating history; SEC, FINRA, and SIPC regulated
Cons
E*TRADE vs FBS: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
5
E*TRADE
criteria wins
0
FBS
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | E*TRADE | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
E*TRADE vs FBS: Frequently Asked Questions
E*TRADE is the stronger choice: it rates 4.3/5 versus 3.3/5 for FBS, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
FBS starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for E*TRADE. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
FBS requires $1. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for E*TRADE.
E*TRADE holds top-tier regulation (SEC, FINRA), providing stronger investor protections. FBS may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. E*TRADE holds top-tier regulatory status, which provides a stronger safety baseline for newer traders. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
E*TRADE lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while FBS lists up to 3000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FBS charges $20 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for E*TRADE are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ETRADE supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. ETRADE has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. FBS has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
E*TRADE offers commission-free stock trading while FBS does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
