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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.
2026 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 $1,500. Terms apply.
On E*TRADE's Secure Website.
E*TRADE 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 2026.
| Broker | Best For | Commissions | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
5.00/5
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. |
4.90/5
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-cost investing with a full-featured platform | $0 stock, ETF, and Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource® trades. No fees to buy fractional shares. |
Learn More for Charles Schwab
On Charles Schwab's Secure Website. |
4.80/5
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 on trades of stocks, ETFs and their options. Other fees may apply. |
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.
2026 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 $1,500. 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.
Motley Fool Stock Disclosures
American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Dana George has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.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
Margin borrowing increases your level of market risk, as a result it has the potential to magnify both your gains and losses. Before using margin, customers must determine whether this type of strategy is right for them given their investment objectives and risk tolerance. Regardless of the underlying value of the securities you purchased, you must repay your margin loan. Robinhood Financial can change its maintenance margin requirements at any time without prior notice. If the equity in your account falls below the minimum maintenance requirements (varies according to the security), you’ll have to deposit additional cash or acceptable collateral. If you fail to meet your minimums, Robinhood Financial may be forced to sell some or all of your securities, with or without your prior approval. For more information please see Robinhood Financial’s Margin Disclosure Statement, Margin Agreement and FINRA Investor Information.
Margin trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Borrowing on margin increases your level of market risk and can amplify both gains and losses.
Robinhood Financial may change maintenance margin requirements at any time without prior notice. If the equity in your account falls below minimum maintenance requirements, you may need to deposit additional cash or collateral. If those requirements are not met, Robinhood Financial may sell securities in your account without prior approval.
The 3% matching on annual contributions requires a subscription with Robinhood Gold ($5/mo) and customers must stay subscribed to Gold for 1 year from the date of the first eligible deposit to keep the full Gold match. The funds that earned the match must be kept in the account for at least 5 years to avoid a potential Early IRA Match Removal Fee. Match rate subject to change. Non-Gold customers receive a 1% match. Offer only applies to self-directed IRAs. For more information refer to the IRA Match FAQ.
You must have compensation (wage income) in order to contribute to an IRA. Funds being contributed into or distributed from retirement accounts may entail tax consequences. Contributions are limited and withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a penalty tax. Robinhood does not provide tax advice; please consult with a tax adviser if you have questions.
The Robinhood IRA is available to any U.S. customer with a Robinhood brokerage account in good standing.
The 3% matching on annual contributions requires a subscription with Robinhood Gold ($5/mo) and customers must stay subscribed to Gold for 1 year from the date of the first eligible deposit to keep the full Gold match. The funds that earned the match must be kept in the account for at least 5 years to avoid a potential Early IRA Match Removal Fee. Match rate subject to change. Non-Gold customers receive a 1% match. Offer only applies to self-directed IRAs. For more information refer to the IRA Match FAQ.
You must have compensation (wage income) in order to contribute to an IRA. Funds being contributed into or distributed from retirement accounts may entail tax consequences. Contributions are limited and withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may be subject to a penalty tax. Robinhood does not provide tax advice; please consult with a tax adviser if you have questions.
The Robinhood IRA is available to any U.S. customer with a Robinhood brokerage account in good standing.
Robinhood Strategies charges an annual management fee of 0.25% on the net portfolio value of each managed account. Eligible Robinhood Gold subscribers pay no management fees on the portion of their managed account net portfolio value that exceeds $100,000, thereby limiting the annual management fee to $250. Other fees apply.
All investments involve risk and loss of principal is possible.
Brokerage services are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, ("RHF") a registered broker dealer (member SIPC) and clearing services through Robinhood Securities, LLC, ("RHS") a registered broker dealer (member SIPC).
RHF and RHS are not banks. All are separate but affiliated entities. Securities offered by RHF are not FDIC insured and involve risk, including possible loss of principal.
Robinhood Gold is a subscription-based membership program of premium services offered through Robinhood Gold, LLC.
Portfolio management of managed accounts by Robinhood Asset Management, LLC (“Robinhood Strategies”), an SEC-registered investment advisor.
Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before trading options.
Cryptocurrency trading is offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (NMLS ID 1702840). Trading and holding digital assets involves significant risk, including the risk of substantial loss. Cryptocurrency held through Robinhood Crypto is not FDIC insured or SIPC protected.
*Trading and owning digital assets involves significant risk, including the risk of substantial loss. Cryptocurrency trading is 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.
** Network fees may apply. Availability may be subject to regulatory approval in certain states.
