Updated October 23, 2026

E*TRADE review covers a US brokerage offering commission-free stock and ETF trading alongside a wide account range. This page sets out the fee schedule, the platforms, the account types and the regulatory position. Updated September 2026.

E*TRADE at a glance

• Stocks, ETFs and mutual funds: 0 dollars commission

• Options: 0.65 dollars per contract, falling to 0.50 at 30 or more trades per quarter

• Futures: 1.50 dollars per contract, 2.50 for cryptocurrency futures

• Bonds: 1 dollar per bond, minimum 10 dollars and maximum 250 dollars commission

• Broker-assisted trade: 25 dollars plus applicable commissions

• Account minimum: 0 dollars, but 2,000 dollars to trade on margin

• Regulators: FINRA, NFA, SIPC

• Platforms: Power E*TRADE and the standard E*TRADE platform, both desktop and mobile

Is E*TRADE safe to trade with

E*TRADE is regulated in the US by FINRA, the NFA and SIPC, which imposes conduct standards and financial soundness requirements. Twice a year the firm publishes a Statement of Financial Condition, so you can check the company's position yourself rather than taking it on trust. Security covers encryption and network defences, two-factor authentication and security alerts, and fraud protection reimburses losses from unauthorised account use.

Is E*TRADE Safe to Trade With

Is E*TRADE Safe to Trade With

Is E*TRADE Safe to Trade With

There is one flag worth stating plainly. The firm averages 1.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot, which is very low, with complaints concentrating on service rather than on solvency. Regulation makes it unlikely the broker disappears with your money. It does not make the customer experience good, and those are separate questions.

Fees in practice

E*TRADE is a no-fee broker on the headline products and a conventional one elsewhere. Stocks, ETFs and mutual funds cost nothing to trade. Options cost 0.65 dollars per contract, dropping to 0.50 if you place 30 or more trades in a quarter. Futures cost 1.50 dollars per contract and 2.50 for crypto futures, with regulatory and clearing fees of 0.40 to 2.27 per contract on top. Bonds carry 1 dollar each with a 10 dollar minimum and a 250 dollar cap.

Two costs catch people out. Calling support for help with a trade costs 25 dollars plus the usual commissions. And margin rates are high, so any leveraged position carries an interest charge on the debit balance that can easily exceed the trading costs. Work out the margin interest before deciding a leveraged strategy is viable here.

Platforms

Power E*TRADE is the flagship, a web-based platform with over 100 technical studies and 30 drawing tools. It overlays technical patterns on charts, displays risk-reward and breakeven levels directly, and scans for irregular activity such as unusual volume in stocks and options. Interactive charts, news feed and volume data sit on one screen.

The standard E*TRADE platform is simpler: portfolio analysis, quotes, basic screening for stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs, plus educational material. Both have mobile apps carrying the web features, including multi-leg options and the standard indicator set of RSI, Stochastic, MACD, Bollinger Bands and moving averages.

Account types

The range is unusually wide for a retail broker, covering brokerage, retirement, managed portfolios, small business retirement and banking.

E*TRADE Trading Fees and Product Offerings

E*TRADE Trading Fees and Product Offerings

• Brokerage: regular account, Coverdell ESA for education saving, custodial accounts for minors

• Retirement: Rollover IRA, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, Beneficiary IRA, Complete IRA for investors over 59.5, IRA for minors

• Managed: Core Portfolio, professionally managed at 0.3 percent per year

• Small business: Individual and Roth Individual 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, investment-only account

• Banking: Premium Savings, Max-Rate Checking, basic Checking, Line of Credit against investments

Every brokerage type opens with 0 dollars. Margin trading requires a 2,000 dollar minimum deposit, which is a regulatory floor rather than a broker choice.

Deposits and withdrawals

• Transfer money: up to three business days

• Wire transfer: same day

• Transfer to an account: up to ten business days

• Deposit a check: up to five business days

Who E*TRADE suits

• US investors who want brokerage, retirement and banking under one login

• Options traders placing 30 or more trades a quarter, where the contract fee drops

• Anyone who wants Power E*TRADE's scanning and analysis without paying platform fees

• Less suitable if you rely on customer support, given the service complaints, or trade heavily on margin

E*TRADE offers genuine breadth and a solid platform at zero commission on the common products, with service quality as the recurring weak point. Compare it against other providers in our broker hub, and Charles Schwab review covers a similar full-service US alternative.

E*TRADE review: frequently asked questions

Is E*TRADE really commission-free?

On stocks, ETFs and mutual funds, yes. Options cost 0.65 dollars per contract, futures 1.50, and bonds 1 dollar with a 10 dollar minimum. Broker-assisted trades cost 25 dollars extra.

E*TRADE MOBILE PLATFORMS

Power E*TRADE Platform

Power E*TRADE Platform

What is the minimum to open an account?

Zero for any brokerage account type. Margin trading requires 2,000 dollars.

Is E*TRADE regulated?

Yes, by FINRA, the NFA and SIPC. The firm also publishes a Statement of Financial Condition twice a year.

Why is the Trustpilot rating so low?

The average is 1.2 out of 5, with complaints about service quality rather than solvency. Regulation addresses financial soundness, not customer experience.

What is the difference between the two platforms?

Power E*TRADE has over 100 technical studies, 30 drawing tools, pattern overlays and activity scanning. The standard platform is simpler, with portfolio analysis, quotes and basic screening.

1. E*TRADE Brokerage Accounts

How long do deposits take?

Wire transfers arrive the same day. Standard money transfers take up to three business days, check deposits up to five, and account transfers up to ten.

E*TRADE Deposit and Withdrawal Methods and Minimums

E*TRADE Deposit and Withdrawal Methods and Minimums

5. E*TRADE Bank Accounts

4. E*TRADE Small Business Retirement Accounts

3. Managed Portfolio Accounts

2. E*TRADE Retirement Accounts