Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Fennel vs TradeStation
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Fennel |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | FINRA, SIPCCovers more | SIPC |
| Platforms | Mobile app, Web | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Account types | IRA | IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more |
| Account fee | $4.99 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | free deposits |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Fennel offers FINRA.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Forex, Options, Futures.
- Platforms: only Fennel offers Mobile app.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop, Mobile.
- Account types: only TradeStation offers Joint, Corporate.
- Support channels: only TradeStation offers Chat.
- Features: only TradeStation offers Crypto, Fractional shares, Options.
- Pricing model: only TradeStation offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
Fennel
Fennel is a US retirement app built around an IRA, with stock trades at $0. It suits US investors saving for retirement from a phone, and not UK or European readers who want local markets or a cash savings option.
TradeStation
TradeStation suits experienced traders who want one account spanning stocks, options, futures and forex, and it is headed in the US. Stock trades cost $0, options run $0.50 a contract, deposits are free deposits, and an inactivity fee of $10 applies to dormant accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | Fennel | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Commission-free commission free trading and a $0 minimum deposit, against an account fee of $4.99 that is above the site median of €0. | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.2 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Fennel | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 70779 | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Fennel | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 88 of 490 | 95 of 490 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 19 of 85 | 21 of 85 |
| IRA providers | 14 of 43 | 15 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Fennel | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1982 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Fennel | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $4.99above the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.4% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.59 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Fennel
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0, so entry costs sit at the floor of the market.
- A minimum deposit of $0 lets an account start from a small sum.
- Regulators listed are FINRA and SIPC, with investor protection at SIPC up to USD 500,000.
Cons
- The account types listed are ira, so there is no taxable brokerage account on offer.
- Markets stop at stocks and etfs, where CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- There is no live chat, since support runs on email, phone and help centre.
TradeStation
Pros
- One login covers stocks, etfs and forex, so equities, derivatives and bonds trade side by side without extra logins.
- Stock trades cost $0 and deposits are free deposits, so there is nothing extra to fund the account.
- Platforms run from TradeStation desktop, web and mobile, so charts and order tickets travel with you between desk and phone.
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $10 applies, so a dormant balance keeps being charged rather than left alone.
- Options contracts are charged at $0.50 each, even though the equity model is listed as commission free and low fees.
- Currency conversion costs 0.5%, so trading across currencies adds a cut to the trade price.
Who each suits
Fennel
Who it suits
- US investors opening or holding an IRA, since the account types are ira.
- Investors trading shares and exchange traded funds from a phone, since the platforms are mobile app and web.
- Readers starting with a small amount, since the minimum deposit is $0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Not for CFI users who want forex, contracts for difference or crypto, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Not for readers who would rather hold no account fee, as the eToro account fee is $0 against Fennel's $4.99.
- Not for Vantage users who want a stated starting level, since Vantage asks for $5 and Fennel asks for $0.
TradeStation
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who already know which markets they want to reach and trade them often
- Day traders who need desktop, web and mobile order entry on one and the same account
- Retirement savers who want one account that also carries options, futures and forex markets
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who trade a single asset class: CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex and stops short of the bonds and funds here
- Readers who prefer the eToro route, where stocks, etfs and forex leaves out the bond and fund side of this account
- Readers who want a published entry threshold: Vantage lists a minimum deposit of $5 against the $0 here
Country by country
| Country | Fennel | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Fennel
What does Fennel charge for trading and holding?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the pricing model is commission free. The account fee is $4.99, above the site median of €0, and the minimum deposit is $0. Trading costs therefore sit at the floor of the market while the account charge is higher than most brands listed here.
Is my money protected at Fennel?+
Regulators listed for Fennel are FINRA and SIPC, and the membership record shows SIPC member 70779. Investor protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. The legal entity behind the brand is FENNEL FINANCIALS LLC, and the headquarters country is the US.
TradeStation
How much does TradeStation charge to buy shares?+
Stock trades are commission free at $0, and options are charged separately at $0.50 per contract. Currency conversion costs 0.5%, while deposits are free deposits, so the everyday cost of trading sits in the currency line rather than the share price.
Is my money protected at TradeStation?+
TradeStation sits under SIPC in the US, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000 and a member reference of SIPC member 48711. That cover applies to securities held if the firm fails, not to losses on a falling position.