Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
flatex Online-Broker (DE) vs TradeStation
What sets them apart
| Compare |  flatex Online-Broker (DE) |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | €5.90 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Crypto, Bonds, Funds, Metals | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | BaFin | SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4%Lower | 0.5% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free | free deposits |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | TradeStation desktop, Web, MobileCovers more |
| Account types | Joint | IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
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Key differences
- TradeStation scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only flatex Online-Broker (DE) offers BaFin.
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at flatex Online-Broker (DE): 0.4% vs 0.5%.
- Markets: only flatex Online-Broker (DE) offers CFDs, Metals.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Futures.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop.
- Account types: only TradeStation offers IRA, Corporate.
- Support channels: only TradeStation offers Chat.
- Features: only flatex Online-Broker (DE) offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
flatex Online-Broker (DE)
flatex suits investors who prefer a flat fee per trade and no account charge. A stock trade costs €5.90, the account fee is €0 and deposits and withdrawals are free, so holding an account costs nothing beyond each order placed.
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 | flatex Online-Broker (DE) | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Account fee of €0, a flat €5.90 per stock trade and free deposits. | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.2Higher |
Choosing between them
Pick flatex Online-Broker (DE) if currency conversion fee matter most.
Pick TradeStation if cost, trust, platforms, and account types matter most.
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | flatex Online-Broker (DE) | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
Additional countries for flatex Online-Broker (DE): 1. Additional countries for TradeStation: 1.
How they place
| Ranking | flatex Online-Broker (DE) | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 178 of 471 | 104 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 36 of 86 | 22 of 86 |
| Forex brokers | 75 of 147 | 44 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 73 of 145 | 42 of 145 |
| Options trading platforms | 60 of 103 | 36 of 103 |
Sources behind this comparison
flatex Online-Broker (DE)
- flatex.de: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokerchooser.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
TradeStation
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- financer.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- nerdwallet.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | flatex Online-Broker (DE) | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | flatexDEGIRO SE | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Germany | 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 | flatex Online-Broker (DE) | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Account fee | €0at the median | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $10above the median | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4%below the median | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
flatex Online-Broker (DE)
Pros
- No account fee: €0 on the standard account.
- Deposits and withdrawals are free: free.
- A flat stock trade fee of €5.90 rather than a percentage, with currency exchange at 0.4%.
Cons
- The stock trade fee of €5.90 is higher than most rivals, where the site median is €0.
- Only a joint account type is listed in joint, so there is no ISA or SIPP wrapper for UK investors.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre only, with no live chat listed.
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
flatex Online-Broker (DE)
Who it suits
- Investors in Germany who want a flat fee per trade and no account charge
- Long-term stock, ETF, fund and bond holders rather than active traders
- Anyone who needs crypto, forex, CFDs and options under the same account
Who should look elsewhere
- Day traders, who pay €5.90 on every small order where eToro charges $0
- UK investors after an ISA or SIPP wrapper, since joint lists a joint account only
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
Current offers
flatex Online-Broker (DE)
Current offer
Bonus
20 commission-free trades on account opening: 20 trades
upon account opening
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | flatex Online-Broker (DE) | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
flatex Online-Broker (DE)
What does it cost to trade a stock at flatex?+
A stock trade costs €5.90 per order, the same flat rate on every trade size. There is no account fee, at €0, so holding an account adds nothing to the bill. For comparison, the typical broker charges €0 per stock trade.
Is there any account or inactivity fee?+
The account fee is €0, so there is nothing to pay for holding the account open. No separate inactivity charge appears in the available details. Across the brokers listed, the highest account fee reaches €219.24.
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.
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