ETRADE from Morgan Stanley Review

Self-directed investors and active traders

SIPC NFA FDIC CFTC

Founded 1982

Why investors choose this broker

$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

Review summary

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

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

Company background

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley is an online investing and trading service with roots in the TradePlus business founded in 1982 by William Porter and Bernard Newcomb. It serves self-directed investors and active traders through brokerage, retirement, managed portfolio and banking-related accounts. The brokerage account supports stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds, futures, IPOs and indirect cryptocurrency exposure through exchange-traded products, coin trusts and futures.

Fees and pricing

The main pricing appeal is simple commission pricing for common online trades. Online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trades are $0, while options carry a standard $0.65 contract fee that falls to $0.50 for clients with at least 30 stock, ETF and options trades per quarter. Futures cost $1.50 per contract per side plus fees, while cryptocurrency futures cost $2.50 per contract per side plus fees.

Bond pricing is also explicit: online secondary trades cost $1 per bond, with a $10 minimum and $250 maximum. Other listed charges include a $25 broker-assisted trade fee, $6.95 for online OTC stock trades, a $75 fee for full outgoing account transfers, $25 outgoing wires and a $2.00 paper statement handling fee unless an exemption applies. Core Portfolios charge a 0.30% annual advisory fee and require $500 or more.

Regulation and safety

Securities products and investment advisory services are offered by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, which is a member of SIPC and a Registered Investment Adviser. SIPC protection for brokerage customers is listed at up to $500,000, including $250,000 for claims for cash. Commodity futures and options on futures are offered by ETRADE Futures LLC, Member NFA. Banking products are provided by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.

Platform experience

ETRADE offers ETRADE Web and the ETRADE App for investors, while active and advanced traders can use Power ETRADE Web, Power ETRADE App and Power ETRADE Pro. Power ETRADE Pro is a downloadable desktop platform with customization, advanced charting and complex trading tools. Power ETRADE App lets users trade stocks, ETFs, options and futures from a single ticket.

Pros and cons

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley combines $0 online commissions for major listed securities with advanced trading platforms and a broader product set that includes options, futures, bonds, mutual funds and managed portfolios. The main limitations are specific transaction fees and product restrictions: OTC trades, broker-assisted orders, outgoing transfers, paper statements and outgoing wires can all add costs, while cryptocurrency access is indirect rather than a direct wallet-based crypto service.

Ready to open an account at ETRADE from Morgan Stanley?

Open an account directly with the broker. Confirm current fees and account eligibility on the broker's website before depositing.

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Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Trading fees & commissions

Online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund and options trades are $0, while options carry a $0.65 contract fee or $0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter. Futures cost $1.50 per contract per side plus fees, cryptocurrency futures cost $2.50, and online secondary bond trades cost $1 per bond with a $10 minimum and $250 maximum.

Fees

Item	Fee
Bonds	$1 per bond (minimum $10, maximum $250)
Funds	$0 online mutual fund trades; no-load, no-transaction-fee funds $0
Margin	12.45% for less than $10,000 debit balance; base rate 9.95% effective as of 12/15/2025
Account	No account minimums or maintenance fees
Futures	$1.50 per contract, per side + fees; cryptocurrency futures $2.50 per contract, per side + fees
Options	$0 online options trades; $0.65 per contract, $0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter
Otc Stocks	$6.95 commission; $4.95 with at least 30 stock, ETF, and options trades per quarter
Min Deposit	No account minimums for brokerage accounts
Wire Transfers	$0 incoming; $25 outgoing
Paper Statement	$2.00 handling fee per paper statement
Managed Portfolios	0.30% annual advisory fee; $500+
Broker Assisted Trades	$25
Account Transfers Outgoing	$75 for full transfers
Foreign Currency Disbursement	Up to 250 basis points (2.50%)

Trading platform & features

Platforms

ETRADE Web
ETRADE App
Power ETRADE Web
Power ETRADE App
Power ETRADE Pro

Regulation and investor protection

Securities products and investment advisory services are offered by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC and a Registered Investment Adviser. Commodity futures and options on futures are offered by ETRADE Futures LLC, Member NFA, while banking products are provided by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.

Broker FAQs

Is ETRADE from Morgan Stanley safe?

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley securities products and investment advisory services are offered by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC and a Registered Investment Adviser. Brokerage account protection is listed at up to $500,000, including $250,000 for claims for cash.

Is ETRADE from Morgan Stanley a scam?

No. ETRADE from Morgan Stanley is tied to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, which is a member of SIPC and a Registered Investment Adviser, and ETRADE Futures LLC is a Member NFA.

Is ETRADE from Morgan Stanley regulated and by whom?

How is my ETRADE from Morgan Stanley brokerage account protected?

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a member of SIPC. SIPC protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000, including $250,000 for claims for cash.

What products does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offer?

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, bonds, futures, IPOs and indirect cryptocurrency exposure through securities and futures. It also offers Core Portfolios as an automated investment management option.

What does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley charge for stock trades?

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley charges $0 for online US-listed stock trades. Online OTC stock trades cost $6.95, or $4.95 for customers who execute at least 30 stock, ETF and options trades per quarter.

What does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley charge for ETF trades?

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley lists ETF pricing at $0 for online trades. ETF fund expenses and other fees may still apply.

What does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley charge for options?

Online options trades have a $0 commission. The standard options contract fee is $0.65, or $0.50 for clients who execute at least 30 stock, ETF and options trades per quarter.

What does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley charge for futures?

Futures cost $1.50 per contract, per side, plus fees. Cryptocurrency futures cost $2.50 per contract, per side, plus fees.

What does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley charge for bonds?

Online secondary bond and CD trades cost $1 per bond, with a $10 minimum and $250 maximum. U.S. Treasury auction and online U.S. Treasury secondary trades are listed at $0.

Does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offer crypto?

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers indirect cryptocurrency exposure through spot cryptocurrency ETPs, crypto-related ETPs and ETFs, cryptocurrency coin trusts and crypto futures. The cryptocurrency page says no crypto wallet or storage is required.

Does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offer managed portfolios?

Yes. Core Portfolios is an automated investment management service with a 0.30% annual advisory fee and a $500 minimum. It includes automatic portfolio rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting and diversified ETF portfolios.

What platforms does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offer?

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers ETRADE Web, ETRADE App, Power ETRADE Web, Power ETRADE App and Power ETRADE Pro. Power ETRADE Pro is a downloadable desktop platform.

Does ETRADE from Morgan Stanley have a mobile app?

Yes. ETRADE App is available for investors, and Power ETRADE App is designed for active and advanced traders. Power ETRADE App supports stocks, ETFs, options and futures on a single ticket.

What is the minimum deposit at ETRADE from Morgan Stanley?

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley lists no account minimums for brokerage accounts. Core Portfolios requires $500 or more.

How do I open an account at ETRADE from Morgan Stanley?

An account can be opened online, by phone, or by mail. The brokerage account FAQ says an online brokerage account can be opened in about 10 minutes.

How do I fund an ETRADE from Morgan Stanley account?

Funding methods include electronic money transfer, check deposit, wire transfer, account transfer from another firm and direct deposit. Electronic Transfer Money service transfers are described as taking within 3 business days.

How long does it take to transfer assets to ETRADE from Morgan Stanley?

Full brokerage transfers submitted electronically are typically completed in ten business days. Paper or mail transfer requests generally take three to six weeks.

What is ETRADE from Morgan Stanley's margin rate?

For stocks, options and ETFs, the margin rate shown for debit balances below $10,000 is 12.45%. The listed base rate is 9.95%, effective as of 12/15/2025.

Are there transfer fees at ETRADE from Morgan Stanley?

A full outgoing account transfer costs $75. Wire transfers are listed as $0 incoming and $25 outgoing.

Bottom line

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley suits self-directed investors and active traders who want $0 online listed trades, advanced platforms and access to options, futures, bonds and managed portfolios. It may be less suitable for users who want direct crypto custody or who expect to rely on broker-assisted trades, paper statements or frequent outgoing transfers.

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Self-directed investors and active traders

Open Account

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.