Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
BUX vs TradeStation
What sets them apart
| Compare |  BUX |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | €3.99 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) | SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75% | 0.5%Lower |
| Platforms | BUX app | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Interest on cash | 2%Higher | 0.15% |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | €2.99 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | free deposits |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
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Key differences
- TradeStation scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.6.
- Regulators: only BUX offers Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Founded is lower at TradeStation: 1982 vs 2013.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at TradeStation: 0.5% vs 0.75%.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Forex, Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only BUX offers BUX app.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile.
- Interest on cash is higher at BUX: 2% vs 0.15%.
- Support channels: only TradeStation offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
BUX
BUX suits investors who want a Dutch broker for stocks and ETFs and accept a set fee per trade. It charges an account fee of €2.99 and a stock trade fee of €3.99, which is why the offer score sits at 2.1 and the overall score at 2.1.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | BUX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.4 | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 8.7 | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 8.7 | 9.2Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | BUX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
If neither fits
ActivTrades has interest on cash at 3.3%, against 2% for BUX and 0.15% for TradeStation.
ActivTrades reviewHow they place
| Ranking | BUX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 203 of 471 | 104 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BUX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | BUX B.V. | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | United States |
| Founded | 2013 | 1982Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BUX | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Account fee | €2.99highest quarter | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.75%highest quarter | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 2%lowest quarter | 0.15%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
BUX
Pros
- Fees follow a low-fee model: a stock trade fee of €3.99 per trade, an account fee of €2.99 and a currency exchange fee of 0.75%.
- Regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), with money held under the EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Aimed at both beginners and experienced investors, with fractional shares and a mobile app listed in fractional shares and mobile app.
Cons
- The account fee of €2.99 applies on top of a stock trade fee of €3.99, so frequent trading costs add up.
- On stock trade fee it ranks 136 of 161, so cheaper share dealing sits elsewhere.
- Markets are limited to stocks and etfs, where CFI offers stocks, etfs and forex.
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
Who each suits
BUX
Who it suits
- Investors who want a regulated European broker covering stocks and etfs at a flat fee per trade.
- People who prefer mobile investing, since fractional shares and mobile app includes fractional shares and a mobile app.
- Readers who weigh protection first, since money sits under the EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 at a broker regulated by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto, since CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and BUX covers stocks and etfs.
- Share dealing fans after a free stock trade fee, since eToro lists $0 against the €3.99 here.
- Anyone put off by a standing charge, given the account fee of €2.99 where Vantage lists $0.
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | BUX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
BUX
How much does it cost to buy a share at BUX?+
A stock trade costs €3.99 per trade under a low-fee model, and a currency exchange fee of 0.75% applies on currency conversions. Because the trade fee is a flat amount rather than a percentage, the cost does not grow with the size of the order. A flat account fee of €2.99 also applies to the account.
Is there an account or inactivity fee?+
There is an account fee of €2.99, charged on the account regardless of how much it holds. That is a flat charge rather than a percentage, so it does not rise as the portfolio grows. BUX ranks 108 of 138 on this line, which places it towards the expensive end of the brands compared here.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.
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