Two established brokers battle over cost structures, research depth, and platform strength. The comparison weighs active trading tools against long term investing features and regulatory protections.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose E*TRADE if you want 24/5 live chat, extended hours, and commission-free stocks.
Choose if…
Choose Windsor Brokers if you value ICF compensation, CySEC oversight, and negative balance protection.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 3.4/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | $100 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $8/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | E*TRADE | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ETRADE rates 4.3/5 versus 3.4/5 for Windsor Brokers. ETRADE edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Windsor Brokers starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for E*TRADE. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Windsor Brokers requires $100. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for E*TRADE.
Both E*TRADE and Windsor 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.
For beginners, Windsor Brokers provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
E*TRADE lists maximum leverage of 1:4, while Windsor Brokers lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Windsor Brokers charges $8 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 Windsor Brokers supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. ETRADE has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. Windsor Brokers has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4.
E*TRADE offers commission-free stock trading while Windsor Brokers 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.
Windsor Brokers 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.
E*TRADE offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs.
Windsor Brokers wins safety and regulation for ICF coverage and CySEC oversight.
E*TRADE wins with dividend reinvestment and a long operating history.
ETRADE suits active traders with Power ETRADE and analytics.
E*TRADE wins for beginners with powerful tools and commission-free trading.
E*TRADE wins for global access due to eight exchanges.
| N/A |
| 0.8 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free ACH; $25 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
E*TRADE outpaces Windsor Brokers in the editorial score. The edge comes from higher Trust & Regulation and stronger Platforms & Tools metrics.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
Answer 6 quick questions and we’ll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker