Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs Stash
What sets them apart
| Compare |  CapTrader |  Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $0Lower |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | $0Lower |
| Account fee | $0Lower | $144 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | Web, iOS, Android |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SEC, FINRA |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Roth IRA |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Stash scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Stash: $0 vs $2,000.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Stash: $0 vs $2.
- Account fee is lower at CapTrader: $0 vs $144.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers Forex, CFDs, Options.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only Stash offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Demo account.
- Pricing model: only CapTrader offers Low fees.
- Pricing model: only Stash offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
Stash
Stash suits US beginners who want a retirement pot built from a phone rather than a wide market. Trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is free, but the account fee of $144 a year is the price of that simplicity.
Score breakdown
| Area | CapTrader | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 9.1HigherA free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.0 |
Choosing between them
Pick CapTrader if offer, account fee, and markets matter most.
Pick Stash if cost, minimum deposit, and stock trade fee matter most.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | CapTrader | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 19 of 471 | 148 of 471 |
What we checked
CapTrader
- captrader.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Stash
- stash.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingplatforms.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional sharesCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Stash Investments LLC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | CapTrader | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | $108 to $144 |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Portfolio types | Not confirmed | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | Stash | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $144highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
Stash
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so small orders carry no per-trade charge.
- The portfolio option is an etf portfolio alongside ira and roth ira accounts, which keeps retirement saving in one place.
- Access runs through Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares spread small contributions across holdings.
Cons
- The account fee of $144 a year leaves Stash at 134 of 138 brands on that measure, while eToro lists $0.
- Support runs on help centre only, so questions about a retirement account are left to articles.
- Trading is limited to stocks and etfs with an etf portfolio, so there is no forex, crypto or CFD route.
Who each suits
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
Stash
Who it suits
- US beginners who want a retirement account, a phone app and a small starting amount rather than a wide market.
- Long-term savers content to hold stocks and etfs and an etf portfolio without picking markets themselves.
- Readers who weigh regulation first, since Stash is registered with SEC and FINRA in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want forex, crypto or CFDs, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone put off by a yearly charge, as eToro lists $0 for its account.
- Readers who prefer a provider with a published entry figure, such as Vantage at $5, rather than a free minimum deposit.
Current offers
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | CapTrader | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
Stash
How much does Stash cost to run?+
Running the plan costs a management fee of $108 to $144 a year, and the account fee is $144. Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so the charge sits with the subscription rather than the order. The site median account fee is €0, so Stash sits at the dear end of the table.
How much do I need to start?+
The minimum deposit is free, and the minimum investment is $5, so an account can be opened at a size that suits a monthly habit rather than a lump sum. Stash ranks 1 of 213 brands on this measure, against a site median of €4.64.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- CapTrader vs Freetrade
- CapTrader vs LYNX
- CapTrader vs Capital.com
- CapTrader vs Charles Schwab
- CapTrader vs AJ Bell
- CapTrader vs BMO InvestorLine
- CapTrader vs Libertex
- CapTrader vs Smartbroker
- CapTrader vs Deriv
- CapTrader vs TradeZero
- CapTrader vs IC Markets
- CapTrader vs Swissquote
- CapTrader vs FxPro
- CapTrader vs City Index
- CapTrader vs ActivTrades
- CapTrader vs XTB
- CapTrader vs NAGA
- Stash vs bunq
- CapTrader vs Mintos
- CapTrader vs Bitpanda
- CapTrader vs Robinhood
- CapTrader vs S Broker
- CapTrader vs Kraken
- Stash vs EBC Financial Group
- CapTrader vs Lightyear