Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Kraken vs Zacks Trade
Where Kraken and Zacks Trade differ
| Compare |  Kraken |  Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1Lower | $250 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) | FINRA |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet | Zacks Trade Pro, Client Portal, Zacks Trade app |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 8.83% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $1 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 | Not confirmed |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 10x | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only Zacks Trade offers FINRA.
- Kraken is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Kraken: $1 vs $250.
- Stock trade fee is lower at Kraken: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only Kraken offers Forex, Crypto, Futures.
- Markets: only Zacks Trade offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Platforms: only Zacks Trade offers Zacks Trade Pro, Client Portal, Zacks Trade app.
Our verdict on each
Kraken
Kraken suits beginners and experienced investors who want stocks, ETFs and crypto together through app and desktop access. Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1 and funding terms shown as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 for cost planning across small balance accounts.
Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade is a US broker built for experienced traders and day traders who want options and margin, charging a stock trade fee of $1 and a minimum deposit of $250 on its IRA account. The catch is the $15 inactivity fee for anyone whose account sits idle.
Score breakdown
| Area | Kraken | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherStock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. | 8.5Cheap trades at $1 a stock and $1 an option, offset by a $250 minimum deposit and a $15 inactivity fee. |
| Offer | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. | 9.2Higher |
| Trust | 9.3HigherRegisters cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. | 8.7 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Kraken | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 16 of 471 | 201 of 471 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Kraken | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Kraken | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Beginners, Experienced | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | LBMZ Securities Inc. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Kraken | Zacks Trade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1below the median | $250highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15above the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 8.83%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $1highest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Kraken
Pros
- Stock trades priced at $0 within a model shown as commission free.
- Entry at $1, below $50 at eToro for smaller starting balances.
- Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex, pairing stocks and ETFs with crypto and futures.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, without phone or live chat help found at many rivals.
- Card funding terms run Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, which adds cost next to bank transfer options.
- Entry at $1 sits above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB for tight budgets.
Zacks Trade
Pros
- Simple per-trade pricing: $1 a stock, $1 an options contract, margin at 8.83%.
- FINRA registration under licence 7874, and client holdings sit with SIPC protection.
- Support covers email, chat and phone, so phone and chat are both available.
Cons
- The $15 inactivity fee sits above the €10 upper quartile among the brokers compared.
- A $250 minimum deposit is well above the €4.64 median on the site.
- Account types cover ira only, which rules out a taxable brokerage account for wider investing.
Who each suits
Kraken
Who it suits
- You want stocks plus crypto in stocks, ETFs and forex in a single login rather than an equity only account at XTB.
- You want app led dealing through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop with modest entry at $1 rather than higher entry at eToro at $50.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want phone or chat help rather than help centre only, consider XTB or ActivTrades for wider contact choice.
- You want the lowest cash entry rather than $1, consider ActivTrades at $0 or XTB at €0.
Zacks Trade
Who it suits
- Experienced traders and day traders who already know the markets they trade.
- US investors who want an IRA and plan to trade options or use margin.
- Investors who will keep trading, since the inactivity fee applies once an account goes quiet.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, which takes a minimum deposit of $0 rather than $250.
- eToro, where a stock trade costs $0 against $1 here.
- Vantage, with a minimum deposit of $5, which suits a smaller starting balance.
Country by country
| Country | Kraken | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Kraken
What does Kraken charge for stock trades+
Stock dealing is priced at $0 and Kraken describes its model as commission free. Bank funding is framed separately as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so card use adds cost while bank transfer terms remain distinct. Check the fee schedule before placing orders.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account+
Account entry is set at $1. That level sits below $50 at eToro, yet above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB. It keeps starting balances modest while leaving room for funding charges.
Zacks Trade
What does it cost to trade stocks and options?+
Stocks cost $1 per trade and options contracts $1, and the account opens at a minimum deposit of $250. Margin runs at 8.83%. Every figure here applies to the IRA account, which is the account type on offer.
Is my money protected and who regulates the broker?+
Zacks Trade is registered with FINRA under licence 7874, and the legal entity behind the brand is LBMZ Securities Inc. Client holdings sit with SIPC protection, which is the scheme covering money in the account rather than the firm's own balance sheet.
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