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Broker Comparison

Betterment vs ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Compare Betterment and ETRADE from Morgan Stanley side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Betterment

Betterment

Hands-off automated investors

Betterment is a US robo-advisor offering automated ETF portfolios, tax-loss harvesting, self-directed investi…

VS
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Self-directed investors and active traders

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers $0 online stock and ETF trades, advanced Power ETRADE platforms, options, f…

Head-to-head comparison

Betterment vs ETRADE from Morgan Stanley
Feature Betterment ETRADE from Morgan Stanley
Minimum deposit - No account minimums for brokerage accounts
Stock trading fee No commissions for self-directed investing accounts $0 online US-listed stock trades
Regulators SEC, FINRA, SIPC SIPC, NFA, FDIC, CFTC
Best for Hands-off automated investors Self-directed investors and active traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
Bonds
Options
-
Futures
-
Fractional Shares
-
Ready Made Portfolios
Investment Plans
-
Savings Vaults
-
Money Market Funds
-
Funds
-
Margin
-

Pros & cons

Betterment

Betterment

Pros

  • No account minimum (invest from $10)
  • No deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity fees
  • Automated tax-loss harvesting included
  • Broad portfolio options including socially responsible and crypto ETF
  • Cash Reserve earns competitive APY with FDIC insurance up to $4M
  • Self-directed investing with no commissions
  • Goal-based planning tools and portfolio rebalancing included

Cons

  • $5/month fee is relatively high on small balances (up to ~0.6% annually on $10,000)
  • $75 fee to transfer an account out to another brokerage
  • Crypto portfolio carries a 1% annual management fee
  • Premium plan requires $100,000 minimum balance
  • No dedicated human advisor - Premium uses team-based CFP model
  • No direct indexing for tax optimization
  • No demo account for practice before investing
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Pros

  • $0 online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trades
  • No brokerage account minimums or maintenance fees
  • Options contract fee falls to $0.50 with 30+ quarterly trades
  • Power ETRADE App trades stocks, ETFs, options and futures
  • Core Portfolios add rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting
  • CME Group and CFE futures quote fees are absorbed

Cons

  • OTC trades cost $6.95, or $4.95 after 30+ quarterly trades
  • Broker-assisted trades add $25
  • Outgoing full account transfers cost $75
  • Outgoing wires cost $25
  • Crypto access is indirect through ETPs, trusts and futures
  • Futures accounts are not protected by SIPC
  • Core Portfolios require $500 and charge 0.30% annually
  • Paper statements cost $2.00 each unless exempt
Betterment

Betterment

Betterment is a US robo-advisor offering automated ETF portfolios, tax-loss harvesting, self-directed investing, and cash management with no account minimum.

Visit Betterment Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers $0 online stock and ETF trades, advanced Power ETRADE platforms, options, futures, bonds and managed portfolios.

Visit ETRADE from Morgan Stanley Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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