Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Admirals vs TradeUP
Where Admirals and TradeUP differ
| Compare |  Admirals |  TradeUP |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0.020 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | ETFs, Options, Stocks |
| Regulators | FCA, CySEC, ASIC | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Minimum deposit | $25 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | €10 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65 |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:30 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Admirals scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only Admirals offers FCA, CySEC, ASIC.
- Regulators: only TradeUP offers SIPC.
- Admirals is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Stock trade fee is lower at TradeUP: $0 vs $0.020.
- Markets: only Admirals offers Forex, CFDs, Crypto.
- Markets: only TradeUP offers Options.
Our verdict on each
Admirals
Admirals suits retail investors who want one account across several markets with UK regulation behind it. Costs sit mid pack: a stock trade fee of $0.02 and an inactivity fee of €10 put it ahead of some rivals and behind cheaper ones.
TradeUP
TradeUP suits retail investors who want free stock dealing and low options costs from a US broker holding SIPC membership. Stock trades cost $0 and investor protection stands at SIPC up to USD 500,000. Markets are limited to etfs, options and stocks, so it suits single market US investors.
Score breakdown
| Area | Admirals | TradeUP |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8A stock trade fee of $0.02 on a $25 minimum deposit, plus €10 for idling. | 9.0HigherStock trades cost $0 and options contracts cost $0.65, with no account charge listed. |
| Offer | 9.7Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.6 |
How they place
| Ranking | Admirals | TradeUP |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 64 of 471 | 188 of 471 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | Admirals | TradeUP |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | Admirals | TradeUP |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 36754 |
Pick Admirals if, pick TradeUP if
Pick Admirals if offer and trust matter most.
Pick TradeUP if stock trade fee matter most.
Where these facts come from
Admirals
- beinoptions.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxscouts.ng: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- premiumtrading.co: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxleaders.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- olxforex.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
TradeUP
- play.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradeup.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Admirals | TradeUP |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Legal entity | Admirals SC Ltd | TRADEUP SECURITIES INC |
| Founded | 2001 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Admirals | TradeUP | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $25at the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0.020highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | €10above the median | Not confirmed | €2.45 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.65above the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Admirals
Pros
- Regulated by the FCA in the UK, plus CySEC and ASIC, so UK clients sit under a UK watchdog and client asset rules
- Investor protection stated as FSCS up to GBP 85,000
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so forex, CFDs, shares, ETFs, crypto and bonds sit in one place
Cons
- An inactivity fee of €10 applies, and it ranks high at 39 of 56 brands on this measure
- The stock trade fee of $0.02 sits above the site median of €0, and above the commission free model offered by eToro at $0
- The minimum deposit of $25 ranks at 120 of 213, so it is not the cheapest account to open
TradeUP
Pros
- Stock trades carry a fee of $0 on a commission free model
- Options contracts cost $0.65
- Client accounts sit with SIPC protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- Trading is limited to etfs, options and stocks
- The regulated entity is TRADEUP SECURITIES INC, so claims are made in the US
Who each suits
Admirals
Who it suits
- UK retail investors who want an FCA regulated account covering shares, ETFs, forex, CFDs, crypto and bonds in one place
- Investors who hold across asset classes and want FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind the balance
- Traders who can start small on a $25 minimum deposit and trade on a $0.02 stock fee
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting a commission free stock deal, where eToro charges $0
- Long term holders who leave a balance untouched, since the inactivity fee runs at €10
- Anyone starting with no money at all, since CFI opens on a minimum deposit of $0 and Vantage on $5
TradeUP
Who it suits
- Retail investors buying and holding US shares and ETFs
- Options traders who keep contract costs low
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, which covers a wider set of stocks, etfs and forex
- Vantage, which adds forex, cfds and stocks
- CFI, which lists stocks, etfs and forex
Country by country
| Country | Admirals | TradeUP |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Admirals
What does Admirals charge to trade a stock?+
A stock trade fee of $0.02 applies on trades. That is above the site median of €0, so a reader who deals in shares often should weigh the cost against a commission free alternative before committing.
How much do I need to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $25. The site median across tracked brands is €4.64, and Admirals ranks at 120 of 213 on this measure, so the entry point is accessible without being the lowest available.
TradeUP
How much does it cost to buy shares?+
Buying and selling shares carries a fee of $0, and the pricing model is commission free. There is no listed account charge or inactivity charge to offset that, so the dealing cost sits entirely on the trade.
What does an options contract cost?+
An options contract is charged at $0.65. Options are part of the etfs, options and stocks range, so contracts can be traded alongside shares and ETFs in the same account.
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