TD Ameritrade vs E*TRADE (2026) — historical comparison and current alternatives. Note: TD Ameritrade has merged into Charles Schwab. E*TRADE (from Morgan Stanley) continues independently. Real fee data included.
Important Update: TD Ameritrade was fully acquired by Charles Schwab and all accounts migrated to Schwab in 2023. TD Ameritrade no longer operates as an independent brokerage. If you're looking for a current alternative, see our Fidelity vs Schwab or Interactive Brokers vs Schwab comparisons. E*TRADE continues to operate independently as E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley.
| Fee / Cost | 🟩 TD Ameritrade | 🔵 E*TRADE (from Morgan Stanley) |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Commission | $0 (historical) | $0 |
| ETF Commission | $0 (historical) | $0 |
| Options / Contract | $0.65/contract (historical) | $0.50 for 30+ trades/quarter; $0.65 otherwise |
| Account Minimum | $0 (historical) | $0 |
| Broker-Assisted Trades | $25 per trade (historical) | $25 per trade |
| Margin Rate (Base) | ~9.5% (historical) | ~6.45%–13.95% (varies by balance; as of Q1 2026) |
| Mutual Funds | $0 NTF; $49.99 for non-NTF (historical) | 4,400+ no-load no-transaction-fee (NTF) mutual funds; $19.99 for non-NTF |
Data as of March 2026. Verify current pricing at official brokerage websites. Sources: TD Ameritrade → Schwab Migration · Charles Schwab Acquired TD Ameritrade · E*TRADE Pricing · E*TRADE Mutual Funds · E*TRADE Core Portfolios
| Feature | 🟩 TD Ameritrade | 🔵 E*TRADE (from Morgan Stanley) |
|---|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency | No direct crypto (historical) | No direct crypto trading |
| Futures Trading | Yes — $2.25/contract plus exchange fees (historical) | No futures trading |
| Forex Trading | Yes — via thinkorswim (historical) | No direct forex |
| Robo-Advisor | Essential Portfolios (historical); now Schwab Intelligent Portfolios | Core Portfolios — 0.30% annual; $500 minimum |
| Payment for Order Flow | Yes (historical) | Yes |
| Mobile App | thinkorswim Mobile (now at Schwab) | Yes (iOS & Android) + Power E*TRADE desktop platform |
| Account Types | Migrated to Schwab account types | Brokerage, IRA (Traditional/Roth/Rollover/SEP/SIMPLE/Beneficiary), custodial, trust, small business |
| Best For | Active traders (historical); now fully migrated to Charles Schwab | Options traders, beginners to intermediate investors, Morgan Stanley banking clients |
E*TRADE is the only currently-active independent broker between these two — TD Ameritrade completed its merger into Charles Schwab in 2023 and is no longer available. E*TRADE (from Morgan Stanley) remains a strong platform for options traders with Power E*TRADE, lower margin rates, and 4,400+ NTF mutual funds.
All data on this page is sourced directly from official brokerage websites and SEC/FINRA disclosures. We do not fabricate pricing, invent features, or make up statistics.
Data as of March 2026. Fees and features change — always verify at the official brokerage website before making decisions. This comparison is for informational purposes only. See our AI Disclaimer and Terms of Service.
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