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Webull vs. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley: Which Brokerage Is Best for You?

Review Updated
Ryan Wilcox
Author: Ryan Wilcox
Ryan Wilcox
Ryan Wilcox
Full-Time Personal Finance Writer

Ryan Wilcox is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. Ryan has been writing about credit cards and savings since 2022. Before joining Motley Fool Money, he was a full-time writer at The Points Guy, where he focused on maximizing credit card rewards and travel strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also spent four years reporting for The Daily Tar Heel. With a background in both journalism and consumer finance, he brings a clear and thoughtful voice to money topics. Outside of work, Ryan is likely reading, writing, or updating his Letterboxd account.

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Trying to decide between Webull and E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley? You're not alone. And it can be hard to know which is right for you.

As someone who recently started their investing journey, I looked hard into both platforms. Like most popular brokerages, they both offer commission-free stock and ETF trading. You'll also get sleek interfaces, and a wide range of investment tools.

But at a high level, they're actually built for different types of investors. Here's how Webull and E*TRADE compare, and how to know which is right for you.

Webull vs. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley: At a glance

Offer


Rating

Rating

4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
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= Poor

Rating

4.80/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
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= Poor
Commissions

Commissions

Commission-free; other fees apply

Commissions

$0 per trade
Account Minimum

Account Minimum

$0

Account Minimum

$0
Learn More
Learn More for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

On E*TRADE's Secure Website.

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Overview of features

Webull and E*TRADE share a number of core features:

  • Commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs
  • Mobile app and desktop platforms
  • Options trading
  • Individual taxable brokerage accounts
  • IRA accounts (traditional and Roth)
  • Margin trading

Webull also offers:

  • Advanced charting and technical analysis tools
  • Paper trading (practice trading without real money)
  • Fractional shares
  • Cryptocurrency trading
  • A premium subscription, Webull Premium

E*TRADE on the other hand, comes with:

  • Mutual funds
  • Bonds and CDs
  • Managed portfolios and robo-advisors
  • Futures trading
  • Third-party research and analyst reports
  • 24/7 customer support

Investments and fees

Investments available

This is where the biggest differences show up -- and likely how you'll figure out which platform's right for you.

Webull offers:

  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Fractional shares
  • Options
  • Cryptocurrency

While E*TRADE offers:

  • Stocks
  • ETFs
  • Fractional shares (more limited)
  • Options
  • Mutual funds
  • Bonds and CDs
  • Futures

E*TRADE clearly has a wider selection. If you want mutual funds, for example, or access to bonds and CDs, it's the better choice.

Webull, on the other hand, offers crypto access, if that matters to you, and broader access to fractional shares. It all depends on what you value -- and how you like to invest.

Options and trading costs

Both platforms offer $0 commissions for stocks and ETFs. When it comes to options, though, things begin to split:

  • Webull: $0 options commissions (small regulatory fees still apply)
  • E*TRADE: ~$0.65 per options contract

That means Webull is a cheaper option for frequent options traders.

Crypto trading

Webull supports commission-free cryptocurrency trading, although pricing includes a spread. On the other hand, as mentioned, E*TRADE doesn't currently offer direct crypto trading.

If the ability to buy and sell cryptocurrencies is important to you, Webull is the way to go.

Retirement accounts

Both platforms offer traditional and Roth IRAs with automated contributions, making them viable options for your retirement savings.

Unlike some newer brokerages, though, neither Webull nor E*TRADE offers a built-in IRA contribution match. Robinhood, for example, offers a 1% match, or a 3% match for Robinhood Gold members. Webull does occasionally offer IRA match promotions, but they're on a limited-time basis.

Thanks to its wider range of investment options, E*TRADE is a good bit more versatile: You'll get access to mutual funds, bonds, and CDs. Webull is limited here, which can make a big difference if you're trying to save for retirement.

Interface and resources

Both platforms have well-reviewed desktop and mobile apps -- but again, they're a bit different in this regard.

Webull is geared more towards active trading, and includes:

  • Advanced charts and indicators
  • Customizable layouts
  • Paper trading for practice

This makes it a strong choice if you like making data deep-dives and frequent trading.

E*TRADE does offer the Power E*TRADE platform for active traders, plus research reports and analyst insights. You'll also get 24/7 customer support, so you can get help with your investments anytime, anyplace.

I'd say it's better suited for investors who want regular guidance and a broader investing toolkit.

Final thoughts

Both Webull and E*TRADE are great places to start investing -- but they serve different needs. Here's how to choose between the two brokerages:

Webull is best for:

  • Active traders
  • Crypto traders
  • Investors who want advanced charts and tools

E*TRADE is best for:

  • Long-term investors
  • Anyone who wants mutual funds or bonds
  • Investors who value 24/7 support
  • Anyone building a diversified retirement portfolio

Want access to mutual funds, bonds, CDs, and more? Open an E*TRADE account today to start growing your money.

Alternatives to Consider

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
Logo for SoFi Active Investing
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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.

Logo for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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
Long-Term Investors, Stocks and Options Traders Commission-free stock, mutual fund, and ETF trades; other fees apply
Learn More for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

On E*TRADE's Secure Website.

Logo for Fidelity
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. 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.

FAQs

  • It depends on your goals. Webull is better for active traders and crypto investors. E*TRADE is better for long-term investors who want more investment options and research tools.

  • Yes. Both offer traditional and Roth IRAs with automated contributions.

  • E*TRADE offers thousands of mutual funds. Webull does not currently support mutual fund investing.