Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
ChoiceTrade vs Zacks Trade
ChoiceTrade vs Zacks Trade: the differences
| Compare |  ChoiceTrade |  Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100Lower | $250 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | SIPC | FINRA |
| Options contract fee | $0.40Lower | $1 |
| Platforms | ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite, Mobile Apps | Zacks Trade Pro, Client Portal, Zacks Trade app |
| Account fee | $10 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 8.83% |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA |
Same on both: Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- ChoiceTrade scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only ChoiceTrade offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Zacks Trade offers FINRA.
- Founded is lower at ChoiceTrade: 2000 vs 2013.
- Minimum deposit is lower at ChoiceTrade: $100 vs $250.
- Stock trade fee is lower at ChoiceTrade: $0 vs $1.
- Options contract fee is lower at ChoiceTrade: $0.40 vs $1.
- Markets: only Zacks Trade offers Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only ChoiceTrade offers ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite, Mobile Apps.
- Platforms: only Zacks Trade offers Zacks Trade Pro, Client Portal, Zacks Trade app.
Our verdict on each
ChoiceTrade
ChoiceTrade runs commission-free stock and ETF dealing, with an account fee of $10 and a minimum deposit of $100. It suits experienced US traders who want a long-standing, SIPC protected broker and do not mind paying to hold the account. Options cost $0.40 per contract.
Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade is a US broker built for experienced traders and day traders who want options and margin, charging a stock trade fee of $1 and a minimum deposit of $250 on its IRA account. The catch is the $15 inactivity fee for anyone whose account sits idle.
Score breakdown
| Area | ChoiceTrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherTrade fee of $0 is the cheapest measure, offset by an account fee of $10 and an options fee of $0.40 per contract | 8.5Cheap trades at $1 a stock and $1 an option, offset by a $250 minimum deposit and a $15 inactivity fee. |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.2Higher |
| Trust | 8.9Higher | 8.7 |
Pick ChoiceTrade if, pick Zacks Trade if
Pick ChoiceTrade if cost, minimum deposit, stock trade fee, and options contract fee matter most.
Pick Zacks Trade if markets matter most.
Licences and countries
| Country | ChoiceTrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 52511 | FINRA 7874 |
Available in 1 country for both.
What we checked
ChoiceTrade
- choicetrade.com: 12 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Zacks Trade
- zackstrade.com: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | ChoiceTrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 156 of 471 | 201 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 55 of 103 | 66 of 103 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app | Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Experienced | Experienced, Day tradersCovers more |
| Legal entity | LETSGOTRADE INC | LBMZ Securities Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2000Lower | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone | Email, Chat, PhoneCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | ChoiceTrade | Zacks Trade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $100above the median | $250highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Account fee | $10above the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15above the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 8.83%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.40below the median | $1highest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
ChoiceTrade
Pros
- Stock trades carry a fee of $0 and rank first among 161 brands on that measure
- Members of SIPC, with protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Trading platforms include ChoiceTrade Direct Pro, ChoiceTrade Elite and Mobile Apps, so orders can go from desktop to phone
Cons
- An account fee of $10 applies, which ranks 114 of 138 on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 ranks 148 of 213
- The audience is listed as experienced traders, so a first account may feel technical
Zacks Trade
Pros
- Simple per-trade pricing: $1 a stock, $1 an options contract, margin at 8.83%.
- FINRA registration under licence 7874, and client holdings sit with SIPC protection.
- Support covers email, chat and phone, so phone and chat are both available.
Cons
- The $15 inactivity fee sits above the €10 upper quartile among the brokers compared.
- A $250 minimum deposit is well above the €4.64 median on the site.
- Account types cover ira only, which rules out a taxable brokerage account for wider investing.
Who each suits
ChoiceTrade
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who want commission-free stock and ETF dealing on a US account
- Investors who value SIPC protection and a long operating history
- Anyone who wants demo practice before committing real money
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, which charges an account fee of $0
- CFI, which takes a minimum deposit of $0
- Vantage, whose minimum deposit is $5
Zacks Trade
Who it suits
- Experienced traders and day traders who already know the markets they trade.
- US investors who want an IRA and plan to trade options or use margin.
- Investors who will keep trading, since the inactivity fee applies once an account goes quiet.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, which takes a minimum deposit of $0 rather than $250.
- eToro, where a stock trade costs $0 against $1 here.
- Vantage, with a minimum deposit of $5, which suits a smaller starting balance.
Country by country
| Country | ChoiceTrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
ChoiceTrade
What does it cost to trade stocks at ChoiceTrade?+
Stock dealing is commission free, with a trade fee of $0. That is the measure on which the brand ranks 1 of 161, so trading itself adds nothing to the cost of a position.
Is there an account fee or minimum deposit?+
Yes. The account fee is $10 and the minimum deposit is $100. On account fee the brand ranks 114 of 138, so this is where it costs more than cheaper rivals.
Zacks Trade
What does it cost to trade stocks and options?+
Stocks cost $1 per trade and options contracts $1, and the account opens at a minimum deposit of $250. Margin runs at 8.83%. Every figure here applies to the IRA account, which is the account type on offer.
Is my money protected and who regulates the broker?+
Zacks Trade is registered with FINRA under licence 7874, and the legal entity behind the brand is LBMZ Securities Inc. Client holdings sit with SIPC protection, which is the scheme covering money in the account rather than the firm's own balance sheet.
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