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Broker Comparison

Ally Invest vs Alpaca Trading

Compare Ally Invest and Alpaca Trading side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Ally Invest

Ally Invest

DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options

Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on m…

VS
Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading

API-driven and algorithmic traders

Alpaca Trading is a US API-first broker offering commission-free stocks, ETFs, options and crypto trading wit…

Head-to-head comparison

Ally Invest vs Alpaca Trading
Feature Ally Invest Alpaca Trading
Minimum deposit No minimum deposit required for Self-Directed brokerage cash account; $2,000 for Self-Directed brokerage margin accounts; $100 for Robo Portfolios; $100,000 for Personal Advice -
Stock trading fee $0 commission Commission: Free for self-directed retail API accounts; SEC fee and FINRA TAF pass-through on sell transactions
Regulators FINRA, SIPC, SEC FINRA, SIPC, FinCEN
Best for DIY investors who also want managed portfolio options API-driven and algorithmic traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
-
Bonds
-
Options
Funds
-
Margin
Ready Made Portfolios
-
Fractional Shares
-
Demo Account
-

Pros & cons

Ally Invest

Ally Invest

Pros

  • $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs
  • $0 options commission with a $0.50 contract fee
  • $100 minimum for Ally Invest Robo Portfolios
  • Cash-enhanced Robo Portfolios have no advisory fee
  • Daily robo review and rebalancing at no extra fee
  • $75 ACAT transfer-fee credit on $2,500+ transfers
  • Apex adds up to $150 million aggregate excess coverage

Cons

  • $2,000 minimum deposit for Self-Directed margin accounts
  • $100,000 minimum assets for Personal Advice
  • Market-focused Robo Portfolios charge 0.30% annually
  • Low-priced securities cost $4.95 plus $0.01 per share
  • Personal Advice is available only to current customers
  • Withdrawals over 20% of Personal Advice account require a call
  • Robo ETF expense ratios are not included in advisory fee
Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading

Pros

  • Commission-free stocks, ETFs and options for self-directed retail API accounts
  • Paper trading environment available at no cost
  • Fractional shares supported
  • 24/5 extended trading hours on 100+ US stocks
  • Multi-leg options strategies supported
  • FINRA/SIPC member with up to $500,000 SIPC protection
  • Margin available at 4x intraday and 2x overnight
  • Securities lending program with potential income for shareholders

Cons

  • Platform is primarily API-driven; web and mobile apps are available but offer fewer features than conventional retail brokerage interfaces
  • Crypto accounts are not protected by FDIC or SIPC
  • Domestic wire withdrawals cost $25; international wires cost $50
  • Outbound ACATS transfer costs $100
  • Not suited for investors who prefer a full-featured retail brokerage app
  • Commission-free status may not apply to accounts opened through business partners
Ally Invest

Ally Invest

Ally Invest combines self-directed trading with robo portfolios and personal advice, with $0 commissions on most U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs.

Visit Ally Invest Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading

Alpaca Trading is a US API-first broker offering commission-free stocks, ETFs, options and crypto trading with a paper trading environment and margin accounts.

Visit Alpaca Trading Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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