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Broker Comparison

Acorns vs ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Compare Acorns and ETRADE from Morgan Stanley side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

Acorns

Acorns

Hands-off investors who want automated ETF portfolios

Acorns is an automated saving and investing app with ETF portfolios, Round-Ups, retirement accounts, and pric…

VS
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

Self-directed investors and active traders

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley offers $0 online stock and ETF trades, advanced Power ETRADE platforms, options, f…

Head-to-head comparison

Acorns vs ETRADE from Morgan Stanley
Feature Acorns ETRADE from Morgan Stanley
Minimum deposit No minimum opening deposit or minimum balance required for Mighty Oak and Emergency Savings banking services No account minimums for brokerage accounts
Stock trading fee No commissions $0 online US-listed stock trades
Regulators SEC, FINRA SIPC, NFA, FDIC, CFTC
Best for Hands-off investors who want automated ETF portfolios Self-directed investors and active traders
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Crypto
—
Bonds
Options
—
Futures
—
Investment Plans
—
Ready Made Portfolios
Funds
—
Margin
—

Pros & cons

Acorns

Acorns

Pros

  • Round-Ups invest spare change once it reaches at least $5
  • Automatic rebalancing keeps Base portfolio allocations on track
  • Dividends are automatically reinvested
  • No hidden costs, transaction fees, or commissions stated
  • Checking has no overdraft, maintenance, or AllPoint ATM fees
  • Gold adds individual stocks and ETFs to Custom Portfolios
  • SIPC protection up to $500,000 for Invest, Later and Early

Cons

  • Lowest listed subscription is $3/mo.
  • Gold costs $12/mo. for the full suite
  • Custom Portfolios are available only to Gold customers
  • Acorns Early Invest is a Gold subscription exclusive
  • Money Manager is available with Acorns Gold
  • No direct Bitcoin access; exposure is through BITO ETF
  • Investment products are not FDIC insured or bank guaranteed
ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

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
Acorns

Acorns

Acorns is an automated saving and investing app with ETF portfolios, Round-Ups, retirement accounts, and pricing from $3/mo.

Visit Acorns Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

ETRADE from Morgan Stanley

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

Visit ETRADE from Morgan Stanley Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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