Are you confused about whether to choose E*TRADE vs Interactive Brokers as a broker for your investing needs?
In this side-by-side comparison, we analyse E*TRADE vs Interactive Brokers to help you understand how these apps compare on some of the most common features and make a better-informed decision about the best broker for you.
Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of each broker, as well as a comparison table that features the different fees charged, the financial instruments supported, the regulation, and more. Keep reading!
E*TRADE vs Interactive Brokers: In a Nutshell
US beginner and intermediate investors
E*TRADE is an online brokerage platform that provides a user-friendly and accessible way for beginners to start investing in the stock market.
The platform offers real-time streaming quotes, customizable charts, and research tools to help you analyze stocks and make informed decisions.
E*TRADE provides a wealth of educational materials, including articles, videos, webinars, and interactive courses, to help beginners learn about investing and develop their knowledge and skills.
Every investor (best overall)
Interactive Brokers is a global online broker and publicly listed company which surpassed major financial crises, showing resilience and a rigorous risk management process.
It offers an advanced investment platform that includes a wide range of products (stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs, futures, bonds, and currencies) from 150 markets.
Beginners and intermediate investors have educational tools to explore, but the learning curve will be steep. Interactive Brokers also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs.
Pros and Cons
E*TRADE
Pros
- 0% commission on US-listed stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and options
- Wide range of investment products
- Automated investment portfolios
- Retirement accounts
- Good educational content
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- No international exchange trading (no European stocks, for example)
- Website can be dificult to navigate
- Fractional shares are not fully available
Interactive Brokers
Pros
- Low commissions on US stock trading (for EUR based accounts)
- No monthly inactivity fee
- The broadest product and markets range in the brokerage industry
- Demo account
- Excellent reputation (founded in 1978)
- Extensive research and Education tools
- Has a modern mobile trading app to trade Stocks, Options and ETFs, ideal for novice investors, IBKR GlobalTrader.
Cons
- Complicated and lengthy account opening process (but fully online)
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Website is difficult to navigate
- Interactive Advisors (Robo-advisor feature) is only available for US customers
E*TRADE vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-side Comparison
- General Information
- Founded in
- Demo Account
- Account Minimum
- Interest on unninvested cash (annually)
- Products
- Stocks
- ETFs
- Bonds
- Funds
- Options
- Futures
- CFDs
- Leverage Products
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Fees
- US stocks
- EU stocks
- ETFs
- Cryptocurrencies
- Custody Fee
- Inactivity Fee
- Withdrawal Fee
- Connectivity Fee
- Currency Conversion Fee
- Security
- Regulators
- Investor Compensation Scheme(per person, per institution)
Franklin is a CFA Level III Candidate with 3 years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst and the Host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube Channel.
