This comparison pits a long-established US broker against an international, commission-free trader. The tension centers on platform depth and research tools versus simple, global stock access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose E*TRADE if you want the Power E*TRADE platform with advanced options analytics and access to CME futures from the same account.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | N/A |
| Spreads from | N/A | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | E*TRADE | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ETRADE rates 4.3/5 and Stake rates 3.9/5. ETRADE has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both E*TRADE and Stake 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. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
E*TRADE supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Yes, you can open an account with Stake independently of your ETRADE account. There is no formal transfer process for open positions; you would need to close existing trades with ETRADE before funding and trading with Stake.
Yes, both E*TRADE and Stake 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.
Stake scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
Choose Stake if…
Choose Stake if you want real share ownership with no CFDs and a clean, long-term investing interface.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Equally matched since both offer commission-free stocks and ETFs.
Equally matched with strong regulatory coverage and investor protections.
Stake wins with a simple, long-term investing interface.
ETRADE wins thanks to Power ETRADE and futures access.
Stake appeals to beginners with a clean, no-frills interface.
E*TRADE provides broader exchange access with eight markets.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank TransferACHWire TransferCheque | Bank TransferCredit CardDebit Card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank TransferACHWire Transfer | Bank Transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free ACH; $25 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | FCA ASIC |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | 2 offers |
|---|
E*TRADE outperforms Stake on the editorial score and active-trading capabilities. It offers Power E*TRADE, options analytics, and futures access backed by Morgan Stanley resources.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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