Head-to-head comparison across ratings, fees, asset coverage, and platform breadth.
4.4 / 5
Solid full-service broker for mainstream investors who value Power E*TRADE's active-trader tools, deep mutual-fund and bond shelves, and Morgan Stanley's wealth backbone. No fractional shares is the standout weakness.
4.4 / 5
The #1 retail options broker in 2026. Industry-leading $1-to-open / $0-to-close pricing capped at $10/leg, purpose-built derivatives platform, and integrated Tastylive education. Avoid if you hold meaningful idle cash, want OTC, or are a buy-and-hold investor.
Each broker scored 0–5 across the same 8 dimensions.
Green cells mark the winner on each metric. Tie rows are uncoloured.
| Metric | E*TRADE | tastytrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OverallEditorial score | 4.40 / 5 | 4.40 / 5 | Tie |
| Sub-ratingsCommissions & fees | 4.00 | 4.60 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsPlatforms & tools | 4.50 | 4.70 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsMobile app | 4.50 | 4.20 | E*TRADE |
| Sub-ratingsResearch | 4.50 | 3.50 | E*TRADE |
| Sub-ratingsEducation | 4.50 | 5.00 | tastytrade |
| Sub-ratingsCustomer service | 4.70 | 4.00 | E*TRADE |
| Sub-ratingsRange of investments | 4.50 | 3.50 | E*TRADE |
| Sub-ratingsActive trading | 4.30 | 5.00 | tastytrade |
| PricingLowest margin rate | 10.45% | 8.00% | tastytrade |
| PricingDefault cash sweep yield | 3.60% | 0.01% | E*TRADE |
| PricingPFOF on equities | Accepts | Accepts | Tie |
| Asset class | E*TRADE | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq/AMEX) | Yes | |
| OTC / penny stocks | Limited | |
| Options (single & multi-leg) | Yes | |
| Mutual funds | Yes | No |
| US Treasuries | Yes | |
| Corporate / muni bonds | Yes | |
| Futures | Yes | |
| Crypto (direct) | Limited | Yes |
| IPOs | Yes | No |
| International stocks | Limited | No |
| 24-hour overnight equity trading | Limited | |
| US stocks (NYSE/Nasdaq) | Yes | |
| OTC / Pink Sheets / penny stocks | No | |
| Equity options (single + multi-leg) | Yes | |
| Index options (SPX/NDX/RUT/XSP/VIX + Cboe Bitcoin/Mini Bitcoin US ETF Index) | Yes | |
| US Treasuries / bonds | Limited | |
| Futures (equity index, energy, metals, currency, rates, ag, livestock, crypto, volatility, micros) | Yes | |
| Options on futures | Yes | |
| Pre-market trading | Yes | |
| After-hours trading | Yes | |
| 24/5 overnight equity trading | Yes |