Empower vs TradeZero - BrokerCue
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Broker Comparison

Empower vs TradeZero

Compare Empower and TradeZero side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Empower

Empower

High-balance hybrid advisory clients

Empower is a US hybrid robo-advisor combining automated portfolio management with access to human financial aโ€ฆ

VS
TradeZero

TradeZero

Active traders and short sellers

TradeZero is an active-trading broker founded in 2015 offering commission-free limit orders, direct market acโ€ฆ

Head-to-head comparison

Empower vs TradeZero
Feature Empower TradeZero
Minimum deposit - -
Stock trading fee Commission-free trading on investment accounts Free limit orders on NYSE/AMEX/NASDAQ stocks above $1 (200+ shares); $0.005 per share ($0.99 min) for orders under 200 shares or market orders; OTC/penny stocks $0.005/share ($0.99 min, $7.95 max)
Regulators SEC, FINRA, SIPC SCB, FINRA, SIPC, CIRO, AFM
Best for High-balance hybrid advisory clients Active traders and short sellers
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Bonds
-
Options
-
Funds
-
Ready Made Portfolios
-
Investment Plans
-
Money Market Funds
-
Margin
-
Demo Account
-

Pros & cons

Empower

Empower

Pros

  • Comprehensive free financial dashboard with net worth, retirement planner and fee analyzer
  • Hybrid model gives access to human advisors alongside automated portfolio management
  • Tax-loss harvesting and tax location strategy included in advisory fee
  • Tiered fees decrease as assets grow, reaching 0.49% above $10 million
  • Client assets held at established independent custodians with SIPC protection
  • High-yield cash account with FDIC insurance up to $5 million
  • Dedicated advisors and estate planning access at higher asset tiers
  • Commission-free trading on investment accounts

Cons

  • $100,000 minimum investment required to access any managed advisory services
  • Advisory fee of 0.89% on the first $1 million is high relative to robo-only competitors
  • No direct-to-consumer trading platform for active self-directed trading
  • No demo account available
  • No support for forex, CFDs, futures or options trading
  • Tax and estate planning features restricted to higher asset tiers
  • Free tools may prompt upsells for users approaching the $100,000 threshold
TradeZero

TradeZero

Pros

  • Commission-free limit orders on eligible U.S. stocks
  • Strong short-selling tools with integrated stock locate feature
  • Extended trading hours 4 AM to 8 PM ET
  • Up to 6:1 intraday leverage for international accounts; 4:1 intraday for TradeZero America
  • Free paper trading account with $1,000,000 in virtual funds
  • No inactivity fee
  • 24/7 live customer support
  • Multiple platform options including free ZeroFree tier

Cons

  • ZeroPro subscription costs $59 per month
  • Outgoing wire fee of $50 per transaction
  • No forex, futures, crypto, or bonds offered
  • Minimum deposit of $2,500 for U.S. accounts
  • Short locate fees add cost for active short sellers
  • International clients lack SIPC protection
  • Market orders and sub-200-share orders incur per-share fee
Empower

Empower

Empower is a US hybrid robo-advisor combining automated portfolio management with access to human financial advisors, built on the foundation of Personal Capital.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

TradeZero

TradeZero

TradeZero is an active-trading broker founded in 2015 offering commission-free limit orders, direct market access, short-selling tools, and 16-hour extended trading hours.

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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