E*TRADEvs
Two seasoned brokers go head to head on platform depth, costs, and global reach. E*TRADE leans on a strong US trading toolset, while Interactive Brokers emphasizes broad market access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose E*TRADE if you value the Power E*TRADE platform, a robust US-focused trading view, and straightforward account setup. You accept no fractional shares and access to only 8 exchanges, with IPO access not available and research depth moderate.
Choose if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want broad global market access, covering 150 exchanges across many countries, plus IPO participation when available. You also gain fractional shares, multilingual support, and a powerful, feature-rich TWS experience, though the interface can be challenging to master.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | No minimum |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $2/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | E*TRADE | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Pass |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
Interactive Brokers rates 4.8/5 versus 4.3/5 for E*TRADE. Interactive Brokers edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Interactive Brokers starts from 0.2. Current spread data is not available for E*TRADE. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Interactive Brokers requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for E*TRADE.
Both E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
Minimum deposit and negative balance protection data are not confirmed for this pair. Both hold top-tier regulatory status, meaning client fund protections apply to both. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site.
E*TRADE lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 1:4. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 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.
E*TRADE supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Interactive Brokers supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Yes, both E*TRADE and Interactive Brokers offer commission-free stock trading according to our data. Keep in mind that commission-free brokers may still charge spread costs, foreign exchange fees, or platform fees — always check the full fee schedule on each broker's website.
Interactive Brokers wins for low cost trading, with IBKR Lite offering commission-free US stock trading.
Interactive Brokers wins for safety & regulation, with multiple Tier 1 regulators and broad oversight.
Interactive Brokers wins for long-term investors thanks to fractional shares availability.
Interactive Brokers wins for active traders with low commissions and a feature-rich TWS.
E*TRADE is best for beginners due to a user-friendly platform and US focus.
Interactive Brokers wins for global market access with 150 exchanges.
| N/A |
| 0.4 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transfer | Bank transferACH |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free ACH; $25 wire transfer | First withdrawal/month free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | Yes |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | Yes |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | DFSA MFSA CNB CBI CMVM ASIC FCA CMF |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
Interactive Brokers edges E*TRADE on editorial score and global reach, with 150 exchanges versus 8 and a higher overall rating.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
Score 4.8 / 5
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