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Broker Comparison

Alpaca Trading vs Stake

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

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…

VS
Stake

Stake

Australian investors in US and ASX stocks

Stake is an Australian investing platform offering access to 12,000+ US and ASX-listed stocks and ETFs at A$3…

Head-to-head comparison

Alpaca Trading vs Stake
Feature Alpaca Trading Stake
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee Commission: Free for self-directed retail API accounts; SEC fee and FINRA TAF pass-through on sell transactions A$3 or US$3 per trade; 0.01% for orders above A$/US$30,000
Regulators FINRA, SIPC, FinCEN ASIC, SEC, FINRA
Best for API-driven and algorithmic traders Australian investors in US and ASX stocks
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
-
Options
-
Fractional Shares
Margin
-
Demo Account
-
Multi Currency
-

Pros & cons

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
Stake

Stake

Pros

  • Flat A$3 or US$3 brokerage on trades up to A$/US$30,000
  • CHESS-sponsored ASX trading with individual HIN
  • Fractional shares available for US stocks from US$10
  • Access to 12,000+ US and ASX-listed equities
  • Extended pre-market and after-hours US trading
  • No inactivity fee and no account management fee
  • iOS and Android mobile apps

Cons

  • Limited to US and Australian markets only - no European, Asian or other exchanges
  • 55 basis-point FX conversion fee on USD deposits
  • No fractional shares for ASX stocks
  • No CFDs, options, futures, margin trading or crypto
  • No demo account
  • Stake Black subscription required for analyst ratings, market depth and advanced data
  • Customer support limited to email and phone - no live chat
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.

Stake

Stake

Stake is an Australian investing platform offering access to 12,000+ US and ASX-listed stocks and ETFs at A$3 or US$3 per trade.

Visit Stake Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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