E*TRADE vs. Power E*TRADE: Which Brokerage Account Is Right for You?
Review
Updated
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E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley offers two mobile apps, each designed with a different user experience in mind. The E*TRADE app makes investing and trading simple by providing basic tools in an uncomplicated way. Power E*TRADE provides users with in-depth information. E*TRADE calls it a "premier platform, a streaming, trading environment with live charts, order and position management, analysis, and more."
In other words, the E*TRADE app may be better for new investors, while Power E*TRADE provides all the intel an experienced investor looks for. Here, we break down the difference between E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE to help you determine which is better for you.
On E*TRADE's Secure Website.
2025 Award Winner
E*TRADE offers low fees and tons of account types. If you need it, chances are, E*TRADE has it. You can access advanced features through its popular Power E*TRADE platform. Open an E*TRADE account to trade fee-free mutual funds and do all your investing in one place.
Commission-free; other fees apply
$0
Open and fund a brokerage account and get up to $1,000. Terms apply.
On E*TRADE's Secure Website.
and Power E*TRADE differ only in terms of research and trading tools. In short, each was created with a different type of investor in mind. The commissions and investment fee schedules are precisely the same: Neither charges a commission for trading stocks, ETFs, or options (although investors do pay $0.50 per equity and index option contract and $1.50 per futures option contract). Mutual funds are also available for purchase without a commission. In addition, neither account charges a maintenance fee or an inactivity fee.
| E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE | |
|---|---|
| Stock & ETF commissions | $0 |
| Options commissions |
$0 + $0.65 per contract (0-29 trades/QTR) $0 + $0.50 per contract(30+ trades/QTR) |
| Crypto commissions | N/A |
| Mutual fund commissions | $0 |
| Account transfer fee | $75 (full transfers only) |
| Account maintenance fee | $0 |
Although E*TRADE does not currently offer fractional shares, crypto, or currencies, it does present a fairly impressive array of other investment opportunities.
| Investment types | E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE |
|---|---|
| Stocks and ETFs | Yes |
| Fractional shares | No |
| Options | Yes |
| Mutual funds | Yes |
| CDs | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes |
| Futures | Yes |
| Crypto | No |
| Currencies | No |
We recommend comparing brokerage options to ensure the account you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of our best trading platforms of 2025.
| Broker | Best For | Commissions | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
5.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
Full-service investing at every experience level | $0 commission for online U.S. stock and ETFs*. No account fees****. |
Learn More for Fidelity
On Fidelity's Secure Website. |
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
Managing your finances under one roof | $0 for stocks, $0 for options contracts |
Learn More for SoFi Active Investing
On SoFi Active Investing's Secure Website. |
4.5/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
Low fees on stocks, ETFs, crypto, and options | $0 for stocks, ETFs, and options |
Learn More for Robinhood
On Robinhood's Secure Website. |
Investors will have little trouble finding the types of investment accounts they prefer. This includes Roth IRAs, custodial accounts, and taxable brokerage accounts. Users even have access to checking accounts, savings accounts, and an American Express card.
| Account types | E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE |
|---|---|
| Taxable brokerage | Yes |
| Joint tenant | Yes |
| Margin | Yes |
| Robo-advisor | Yes |
| Traditional IRA | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes |
| Other IRAs/Retirement | Yes, including Rollover IRAs |
| Custodial | Yes |
| Checking | Yes |
| Savings | Yes |
| Credit card | Yes, the Morgan Stanley Blue Cash Preferred® American Express Card |
When it comes to the E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE mobile apps and trading platforms, there's little to complain about. While the iOS versions of the app score higher with users than the Android version, they're both rich with the kind of information investors need to make fully educated trade decisions.
E*TRADE's award-winning mobile app makes it easy to trade, invest, and track the markets on the go. Investors can use it with iOS or Android devices, including the Apple Watch. Even though it's designed for new traders, it's chock full of useful information intended to get investors off on the right foot.
Opinions regarding E*TRADE mobile apps are warm. iOS users give the app 4.6 out of 5 stars, and Android users rate it 3.9 out of 5 stars.
The most impressive feature of the Power E*TRADE platform is its snapshot analysis. The broker provides a real-life picture of the risks and rewards associated with specific trades. This includes the maximum potential profit, maximum potential loss, and what it would take to break even. The snapshot's visual representation makes it easy to quickly gauge the level of risks vs. potential rewards.
Access to the account is available through the Power E*TRADE app. iOS users give the app a strong score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Android users offer a slightly less complimentary score of 3.7.
There is no winner or loser here. Comparing E*TRADE to Power E*TRADE is like comparing a bunny slope with a black diamond ski slope. It all depends on the trader's experience.
Research tools set E*TRADE apart from Power E*TRADE. E*TRADE is certainly no slouch when it comes to research for new investors. Both the E*TRADE web platform and mobile app provide users with real-time quotes and market insights.
However, in-depth research is built into the Power E*TRADE app. Everything, from technical studies to risk metrics, is available at an investor's fingertips. While the Power E*TRADE platform may look intimidating at first glance, it's easy to become familiar with each of the tools and how they work. Fortunately, Power E*TRADE is also customizable, meaning traders can set it to show the information they rely on most.
Perhaps the best thing about having each of these platforms available is that it gives novice investors a chance to expand their knowledge and experience at their own pace.
On E*TRADE's Secure Website.
2025 Award Winner
E*TRADE offers low fees and tons of account types. If you need it, chances are, E*TRADE has it. You can access advanced features through its popular Power E*TRADE platform. Open an E*TRADE account to trade fee-free mutual funds and do all your investing in one place.
Commission-free; other fees apply
$0
Open and fund a brokerage account and get up to $1,000. Terms apply.
On E*TRADE's Secure Website.
Thankfully, you don't have to guess. E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE are free to use if you're an E*TRADE customer. Go through each platform to see how comfortable you are with them, then opt for the one that feels like the best fit.
With E*TRADE accounts, you have more than one option. If you're not a fan of the mobile app, log into the web version.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
E*TRADE services are available just to U.S. residents.
Fidelity disclosure
Investing involves risk, including risk of loss
* - $0.00 commission applies to online U.S. equity trades and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in a Fidelity retail account only for Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC retail clients. Sell orders are subject to an activity assessment fee (historically from $0.01 to $0.03 per $1,000 of principal). Other exclusions and conditions may apply. A limited number of ETFs are subject to a transaction-based service fee of $100. See full list at Fidelity.com/commissions. Employee equity compensation transactions and accounts managed by advisors or intermediaries through Fidelity Institutional® are subject to different commission schedules.
**Fidelity Crypto® is offered by Fidelity Digital Assets®. Investing involves risk, including risk of total loss. Crypto as an asset class is highly volatile, can become illiquid at any time, and is for investors with a high risk tolerance. Crypto may also be more susceptible to market manipulation than securities. Crypto is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. Investors in crypto do not benefit from the same regulatory protections applicable to registered securities. Fidelity Crypto® accounts and custody and trading of crypto in such accounts are provided by Fidelity Digital Asset Services, LLC, which is chartered as a limited purpose trust company by the New York State Department of Financial Services to engage in virtual currency business (NMLS ID 1773897). Brokerage services in support of securities trading are provided by Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (“FBS”), and related custody services are provided by National Financial Services LLC (“NFS”), each a registered broker-dealer and member NYSE and SIPC. Neither FBS nor NFS offer crypto as a direct investment nor provide trading or custody services for such assets. Fidelity Crypto and Fidelity Digital Assets are registered service marks of FMR LLC.
***Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all investors. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk. Before trading options, please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. Supporting documentation for any claims, if applicable, will be furnished upon request.
****Zero account minimums and zero account fees apply to retail brokerage accounts only. Expenses charged by investments (e.g., funds, managed accounts, and certain HSAs) and commissions, interest charges, or other expenses for transactions may still apply. See Fidelity.com/commissions for further details.
Robinhood disclosure
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Securities are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cryptocurrency services are offered through an account with Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected. For more information see the Robinhood Crypto Risk Disclosure.
Trades of stocks, ETFs and options are commission-free at Robinhood Financial LLC. Other fees may apply. Please see Robinhood Financial’s Fee Schedule to learn more.
Fractional shares are illiquid outside of Robinhood and are not transferable. Not all securities available through Robinhood are eligible for fractional share orders. For a complete explanation of conditions, restrictions and limitations associated with fractional shares, see the Fractional Shares section of our Customer Agreement.
Robinhood Gold is an account offering premium services available for a $5 monthly fee. Not all investors will be eligible to trade on Margin. Margin investing involves the risk of greater investment losses. Additional interest charges may apply depending on the amount of margin used. Bigger Instant Deposits are only available if your Instant Deposits status is in good standing.
Investing is risky. Bonus offers subject to terms and conditions, visit robinhood.com/hoodweek for more information. Margin is not suitable for all investors. Robinhood Gold is offered through Robinhood Gold LLC and is a subscription offering services for a fee. Brokerage services offered through Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), a registered broker dealer.
