Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Axos Invest vs Lightspeed Financial
Axos Invest vs Lightspeed Financial: the differences
| Compare | Axos Invest ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Lightspeed Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $4.50 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures |
| Regulators | SIPC | FINRA |
| Options contract fee | $0.80 | $0.60Lower |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $10,000 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Lightspeed Trader Pro, Web & Mobile |
| Account types | Joint, Roth IRA, IRA | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Axos Invest scores higher overall: 8.8 vs 8.6.
- Regulators: only Axos Invest offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Lightspeed Financial offers FINRA.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Axos Invest: $0 vs $4.50.
- Options contract fee is lower at Lightspeed Financial: $0.60 vs $0.80.
- Markets: only Axos Invest offers Funds.
- Markets: only Lightspeed Financial offers Futures.
- Support channels: only Axos Invest offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Lightspeed Financial offers Phone.
- Features: only Lightspeed Financial offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
Axos Invest
Axos Invest suits US savers who want a managed ETF portfolio alongside self-directed trading in one account. It earns its place on protection, with SIPC up to USD 500,000, while the options contract fee of $0.80 is the cost to watch if you trade options often.
Lightspeed Financial
Lightspeed Financial suits experienced traders and day traders who put on a large amount to clear a steep entry bar. Fees of $4.50 a stock trade, $0.60 an options contract and a $10,000 minimum deposit set it well apart from cheaper platforms such as eToro.
Score breakdown
| Area | Axos Invest | Lightspeed Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7HigherThe $100 entry point sits above the €25 site median, and the ranking on minimum investment is 43 of 82. | 8.4Minimum deposit of $10,000, stock trade fees of $4.50 and an inactivity fee of $25 put costs well above lighter rivals. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.0Higher |
| Trust | 8.7Higher | 8.6 |
Choosing between them
Pick Axos Invest if cost and stock trade fee matter most.
Pick Lightspeed Financial if options contract fee matter most.
Availability and regulation
| Country | Axos Invest | Lightspeed Financial |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 69507 | FINRA 104369 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Axos Invest | Lightspeed Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 172 of 471 | 208 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 59 of 103 | 67 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Axos Invest | Lightspeed Financial |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Demo account, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | AXOS INVEST LLC | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Axos Invest | Lightspeed Financial | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $10,000highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $4.50highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $25highest quarter | $0 |
| Options contract fee | $0.80highest quarter | $0.60below the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Axos Invest
Pros
- One platform covers the managed portfolio and self-directed dealing across stocks, etfs and options.
- The managed range is ETF based, listed as etf, so diversification comes from funds rather than hand-picked shares.
- A mobile app is included, listed under mobile app, for checking the portfolio away from a desktop.
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, so there is no phone line listed for account questions.
- Account choice stops at joint, roth ira and ira, so the wrappers offered by some rivals are not part of the platform.
- The managed entry point of $100 sits above the €25 site median, and options add $0.80 a contract on top.
Lightspeed Financial
Pros
- Regulated in the US by FINRA, with SIPC cover of SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Trades run across stocks, etfs and options in one account
- A demo account is available to practise before funding
Cons
- A $10,000 minimum deposit is far above the site median of €4.64
- An inactivity fee of $25 applies on dormant accounts
- Support runs on phone and help centre only
Who each suits
Axos Invest
Who it suits
- US savers who want retirement wrappers, since the platform lists joint, roth ira and ira.
- Readers who keep trading costs down, since stock trades cost $0 and the pricing model is commission free.
- Couples investing together, since a joint account forms part of joint, roth ira and ira.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants to begin with no outlay, since Acorns Checking asks $0.
- Readers who prefer a smaller euro ticket, since Vivid Standard opens at €2.
Lightspeed Financial
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already trade options and futures
- Day traders who keep a large cash balance
- Anyone who wants a single account across stocks, etfs and options
Who should look elsewhere
- New investors, since no beginner audience is listed
- Small savers put off by a $10,000 minimum deposit
- Anyone wanting a free stock trade, as eToro charges $0
Current offers
Lightspeed Financial
Current offer
Bonus
Get Up To $10,000 Cash Back: Up to $10,000
open an account with a $25,000 deposit and maintain the amount for 3 months
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Axos Invest | Lightspeed Financial |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Axos Invest
What does it cost to trade stocks and options on Axos Invest?+
Axos Invest charges $0 for a stock trade on the self-directed side, and the pricing model is listed as commission free. Options carry a contract fee of $0.80, so a strategy leaning on options pays more per trade than one that only buys shares and funds.
How much do I need to start a managed portfolio?+
The managed portfolios start at $100, so a single transfer of that size opens the account. That is lighter than eToro, which asks $500 for its portfolios, and it leaves room to add money in stages rather than committing a large sum on day one.
Lightspeed Financial
What does it cost to trade stocks at Lightspeed Financial?+
A stock trade costs $4.50. That sits well above the site median stock trade fee of €0, and above what the median-ranked broker in this field charges, so the cost only makes sense for high-volume trading.
What is the minimum deposit?+
You need a minimum deposit of $10,000 to open an account. That is far higher than the site median minimum deposit of €4.64, and it rules out the small-balance investor entirely.
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