.Com TLD etrade.com

etrade.com

November 20, 2025

Overview of ETRADE.com

E*TRADE is an online brokerage and trading platform that caters to both new investors and more experienced traders. It started in 1982 and was acquired by Morgan Stanley in 2020, making it part of a major financial-services firm. (Wikipedia)

Here are the key details:

  • Founded as TradePlus in 1982, later rebranded to E*TRADE. (Wikipedia)

  • Headquarters: Though originally in California, the current parent company Morgan Stanley is headquartered in New York. (Wikipedia)

  • Functionally, E*TRADE offers brokerage services (stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, futures in some cases), trading platforms (web, mobile apps), research/education, and banking/cash-management options. (Bankrate)

What It Offers: Features & Services

Investment Products

E*TRADE supports a broad range of asset classes: stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds and futures. (Bankrate)

It doesn’t fully support everything: for example, direct cryptocurrency trading isn’t available (or at least wasn’t in recent reviews). (Investopedia)

Trading Platforms & Tools

There are several platform options:

  • A standard web interface and mobile app aimed at regular investors.

  • A more advanced “Power E*TRADE” platform geared for serious traders, with technical studies, charting tools, option-risk analysis, etc. (Bankrate)

  • Strong mobile presence: reviewers highlight mobile apps as a strength. (Investopedia)

Fees, Minimums & Cost Structure

Some specific cost/thresholds to note:

  • Account minimum: $0 in many cases. (Bankrate)

  • U.S. stocks & ETF trades: $0 commission for many standard trades. (StockBrokers.com)

  • Options: typical cost in recent review ≈ $0.65 per contract (with discount to ~$0.50 if large volume). (Bankrate)

  • Some fees and limitations do exist (for example transfer-out fees). (Unbiased)

Research & Education

E*TRADE is noted for a robust offering of research and educational materials. For example, it has been recognized for being #1 for web trading platforms and mobile. (Morgan Stanley)

Banking/Cash Services

Since under Morgan Stanley, E*TRADE also offers banking/cash management features: e.g., uninvested cash is swept into bank-type accounts, FDIC insurance for banking products. (StockBrokers.com)

Strengths (Why People Use It)

  • Flexible account start: Since the minimum is low or zero, it’s accessible.

  • Strong tools & platforms: Especially good for mobile and for traders who want more advanced features.

  • Well-recognized brand and backing: Being part of Morgan Stanley gives it credibility and access to research. (StockBrokers.com)

  • Competitive costs for standard trades (stocks/ETFs) and good options pricing for volume users.

  • Solid educational resources which help investors learn.

Weaknesses / Things to Consider

  • No direct crypto trading, which may be a downside if you want to include crypto in your portfolio. (Investopedia)

  • Higher margin rates: Some reviews say margin (borrowing for trades) is more expensive compared to some competitors. (Bankrate)

  • Fractional shares: While available in some capacities (e.g., via automatic investing or dividend reinvestment), full fractional share investing is not as strong for all investors. (Investopedia)

  • Some fees still exist: Things like account transfers out may carry costs. (Bankrate)

  • Customer service complaints: Some users report less-than-ideal experiences in specific service interactions. (Trustpilot)

Who Should Use It?

  • If you’re a beginner or intermediate investor who wants a user-friendly platform with access to good education and tools, E*TRADE is a valid choice.

  • If you’re a more advanced trader who wants serious tools (charts, option analytics, futures exposure) then the Power E*TRADE platform is worth considering.

  • If you prioritise direct crypto access or ultra-low margin rates, you might want to compare with peers.

  • If you plan to trade internationally (non-U.S. markets) heavily, you’ll need to check how well E*TRADE supports that (some limitations exist).

Safety & Regulatory Notes

  • E*TRADE is a member of the U.S. Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects securities customers of its member firms in the U.S. up to certain limits. (StockBrokers.com)

  • Banking products via its bank affiliate are FDIC-insured, up to applicable limits. (StockBrokers.com)

  • As part of Morgan Stanley, it carries additional institutional backing and oversight.

Recent Developments

  • In 2024, reviews ranked E*TRADE as #1 for web trading and mobile investing, with full 5-star ratings in several categories. (Morgan Stanley)

  • The acquisition by Morgan Stanley completed in 2020 gives it access to enhanced research, tools and brand power. (Wikipedia)

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an online brokerage in the U.S. market with strong trading platforms, decent cost structure, and good educational support — E*TRADE is a very solid candidate. It strikes a balance between accessibility for newer investors and power features for more advanced users. But it’s not perfect: check whether its limitations (crypto, international markets, margin rates, fractional shares) matter for you. Also, always compare with other brokers to ensure you’re getting the best fit given your specific goals.

Key Takeaways

  • E*TRADE has no required minimum for many account types, and $0 commission for U.S. stocks/ETFs.

  • The platform offers a broad range of investment products and advanced tools (especially for options/futures).

  • Backed by Morgan Stanley, enhancing its research and resource offerings.

  • Some limitations: crypto access is lacking; fractional shares and margin costs could be better.

  • Good for both beginners and more active traders, but you should verify how well it meets your specific trading/investing style.

FAQ

Q: Can I trade cryptocurrencies on E*TRADE?
A: As of recent reviews, direct crypto investing is not supported on E*TRADE. (Investopedia)

Q: Do I need a large amount of money to open an account?
A: No – many of E*TRADE’s accounts can be opened with $0 minimum. (Bankrate)

Q: What are the fees for stock trades?
A: U.S. stocks and ETFs: $0 commission in many cases. Options: around $0.65 per contract standard, with discounted rates for active traders (≈ $0.50) in some cases. (Bankrate)

Q: Is E*TRADE good for beginners?
A: Yes — it offers user-friendly platforms, educational resources and tools suitable for new investors. Reviews highlight that aspect. (StockBrokers.com)

Q: What about customer service?
A: While many users are satisfied, there are complaints about certain service interactions (e.g., account access, transfer delays) in public review forums. (Trustpilot)

Q: Can I invest internationally (outside U.S. stocks)?
A: There are limitations. For heavy international market investing you should check E*TRADE’s specific offerings and compare to brokers that specialise in global access. (Investopedia)