15 alternatives Expert-reviewed Updated 2026
E*TRADE vs Top 15 Alternatives — Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)
15 top-rated brokers compared to E*TRADE (rated 3.6/5). Every alternative is independently scored on fees, regulation, demo accounts, and platforms.
Quick Answer
The best alternatives to E*TRADE in 2026 are Interactive Brokers (4.4/5), Forex.com (4.4/5), IG Group (4.3/5). For stronger regulation, Interactive Brokers holds tier-1 licences (SEC, MAS). For lowest entry, OANDA requires no minimum deposit.
See side-by-side comparison belowE*TRADE vs Top 5 Alternatives — At a Glance
| Broker | Rating | Min Deposit | Spread from | Demo Account | Regulation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 E*TRADEThis broker | 3.60 | $0 | 0 pips | ✓ Free demo | SECCFTC | Review |
4.43 | $0 | 0.2 pips | ✓ Free demo | SECMAS | Visit | |
4.40 | $100 | 0.8 pips | ✓ Free demo | MASCFTC | Visit | |
4.33 | $250 | 0.6 pips | ✓ Free demo | SECMAS | Visit | |
4.12 | $200 | 0 pips | ✓ Free demo | ASICFCA | Visit | |
4.09 | $0 | 0.6 pips | ✓ Free demo | ASICMAS | Visit |
All 15 alternatives ranked below. Demo accounts are free across all listed brokers — no deposit required to test platforms.
Why traders look for E*TRADE alternatives
Rating: 3.6/5Spread: 0 pipsRegulated: SEC, CFTC
Strengths
+Zero commission stock and ETF trading
+Strong educational resources
+Futures and bonds available
+Backed by Morgan Stanley
Common reasons to switch
−US only
−No forex/CFD trading
Best E*TRADE alternative by category
E*TRADE vs Interactive Brokers — quick comparison
| E*TRADE | Interactive Brokers | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.6 | 4.4 ✓ |
| Min spread | 0 pips | 0.2 pips |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| Regulation | SEC, CFTC | SEC, MAS, FCA |
E*TRADE Alternatives — Overview
E*TRADE is rated 3.6 out of 5, regulated by SEC, CFTC and headquartered in Arlington, USA. While it remains a solid choice for many traders offering stocks, indices, commodities markets, there are 15 alternatives worth considering in 2026 depending on your trading priorities.
The highest-rated alternative is Interactive Brokers (4.4/5), regulated by SEC, MAS, FCA, ASIC. Other strong contenders include Forex.com (4.4/5), IG Group (4.3/5), Pepperstone (4.1/5).
Key factors when choosing a E*TRADE alternative include regulation strength, trading fees and spreads, minimum deposit requirements, available markets, and platform quality. We score every broker on these criteria independently using our transparent rating methodology — ratings are not influenced by commercial relationships. E*TRADE's minimum spread starts at 0 pips — several alternatives below offer tighter spreads or lower entry requirements. Use our spread calculator to estimate your trading costs, or take the broker finder quiz for a personalised recommendation.
Top 15 Alternatives to E*TRADE
Spread: 0.2 pips
Min deposit: None
Markets: indices, commodities, forex, cfd
Higher rating (4.4 vs 3.6) SEC, MAS, FCA, ASIC regulated
Spread: 0.8 pips
Min deposit: $100
Markets: stocks, commodities, indices, cfd
Higher rating (4.4 vs 3.6) MAS, CFTC, FCA, ASIC regulated
Spread: 0.6 pips
Min deposit: $250
Markets: commodities, indices, cfd, stocks
Higher rating (4.3 vs 3.6) SEC, MAS, FCA, ASIC regulated
Spread: 0 pips
Min deposit: $200
Markets: crypto, forex, stocks, indices
Higher rating (4.1 vs 3.6) ASIC, FCA regulated
Spread: 0.6 pips
Min deposit: None
Markets: cfd, commodities, indices, forex
Higher rating (4.1 vs 3.6) ASIC, MAS, CFTC, FCA regulated
Spread: 0.6 pips
Min deposit: $100
Markets: forex, stocks, commodities, cfd
Higher rating (4.1 vs 3.6) FCA, ASIC regulated
Spread: 0.5 pips
Min deposit: None
Markets: forex, stocks, indices, cfd
Higher rating (4.1 vs 3.6) MAS, FCA, ASIC regulated
Spread: 0.7 pips
Min deposit: None
Markets: commodities, forex, crypto, stocks
Higher rating (4.0 vs 3.6) MAS, ASIC, FCA regulated
Spread: 1 pips
Min deposit: $50
Markets: commodities, forex, cfd, crypto
Higher rating (4.0 vs 3.6) FCA, ASIC, SEC regulated
Spread: 0.4 pips
Min deposit: $2000
Markets: forex, indices, cfd, commodities
Higher rating (4.0 vs 3.6) MAS, ASIC, FCA regulated
Spread: 0.6 pips
Min deposit: $100
Markets: commodities, cfd, indices, crypto
Higher rating (4.0 vs 3.6) MAS, ASIC, FCA regulated
Spread: 0.9 pips
Min deposit: $100
Markets: forex, crypto, indices, commodities
Higher rating (4.0 vs 3.6) MAS, ASIC, FCA regulated
Spread: 0.6 pips
Min deposit: $20
Markets: forex, stocks, cfd, indices
Higher rating (4.0 vs 3.6) ASIC, FCA regulated
Spread: 0 pips
Min deposit: None
Markets: commodities, cfd, stocks, forex
Higher rating (3.9 vs 3.6) ASIC, FCA regulated
Spread: 0.6 pips
Min deposit: $5
Markets: forex, stocks, cfd, indices
Higher rating (3.9 vs 3.6) FCA, ASIC regulated
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex carries significant risk. Ensure you understand the risks before depositing funds. Capital is at risk.
How to switch from E*TRADE to an alternative
1
Open new account
Sign up with your chosen E*TRADE alternative and complete identity verification.
2
Fund & test
Deposit funds and test the platform with a demo or small live trades.
3
Transfer positions
Close or transfer open positions at E*TRADE. Some brokers support ACATS transfers.
4
Withdraw & close
Withdraw remaining balance from E*TRADE and close the account if no longer needed.
E*TRADE comparisons
Related Guides
E*TRADE is available in
More about E*TRADE
Compare E*TRADE
Related Rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
1What are the best alternatives to E*TRADE?
The top alternatives to E*TRADE include Interactive Brokers, Forex.com, IG Group. These brokers offer similar markets with competitive fees and strong regulation.
2Why switch from E*TRADE?
Traders may look for E*TRADE alternatives for lower fees, better platform selection, tighter spreads, different regulation, or access to markets not offered by E*TRADE.
3How do I compare E*TRADE with alternatives?
Use BrokerRank's side-by-side comparison tool to compare E*TRADE with any broker on fees, regulation, platforms, and markets. Visit our compare page to build your own comparison.
4Is Interactive Brokers better than E*TRADE?
Interactive Brokers is rated 4.4/5 compared to E*TRADE's 3.6. The best choice depends on your priorities — Interactive Brokers may offer advantages in fees, regulation, or platform features. Compare them side by side to decide.
5How do I transfer my account from E*TRADE to another broker?
To switch from E*TRADE: 1) Open an account with your chosen alternative, 2) Complete verification (KYC), 3) Fund your new account, 4) Transfer or close open positions at E*TRADE, 5) Withdraw remaining funds. Most brokers complete the process within 1–5 business days.
6What is the cheapest alternative to E*TRADE?
Pepperstone offers spreads from 0 pips, making it one of the most cost-effective alternatives to E*TRADE.