Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Lightyear vs TradeStation
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Lightyear |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $1 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | €0 | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Regulators | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) | SIPC |
| Investor protection | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.35%Lower | 0.5% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free bank transfers in and out | free deposits |
| Account types | Corporate | IRA, Joint, CorporateCovers more |
| Interest on cash | 2.42%Higher | 0.15% |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
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Key differences
- TradeStation scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Lightyear offers Estonian Financial Supervision Authority, Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA).
- Regulators: only TradeStation offers SIPC.
- Stock trade fee is lower at TradeStation: $0 vs $1.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Lightyear: 0.35% vs 0.5%.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Forex, Options, Futures.
- Account types: only TradeStation offers IRA, Joint.
- Interest on cash is higher at Lightyear: 2.42% vs 0.15%.
- Features: only TradeStation offers Options, Futures, Mobile app.
- Pricing model: only TradeStation offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
Lightyear
Lightyear suits you if you want stocks, ETFs, bonds, funds and crypto in a place with clear upkeep costs and email based help. Your stock trades cost $1, account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0 while cover reaches EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
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 | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 with trades at $1 | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 8.8Covers stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares and crypto access for varied plans | 9.4HigherOne account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | 8.7Cover through EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 alongside Estonian supervision for reassurance | 9.2Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Estonia | Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Account types | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | No | Yes |
| Joint | No | Yes |
| Corporate | Yes | Yes |
How they place
| Ranking | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 38 of 471 | 104 of 471 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1982 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | €1 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lightyear | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $1highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | €0at the median | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.35%below the median | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 2.42%below the median | 0.15%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Lightyear
Pros
- Account upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 keep quiet months calm
- You can hold stocks, ETFs and crypto with fractional shares available for smaller positions
- You can begin from €1, below many peers, with cash interest at 2.42%
Cons
- Stock trades at $1 look pricey beside ActivTrades at $0 for frequent equity orders
- Currency conversion at 0.35% adds cost when you trade outside your base currency
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so you use email and help centre without phone or chat
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
Lightyear
Who it suits
- You want upkeep at €0 and inactivity at €0 and prefer XTB only if ticket fees matter more
- You seek stocks, ETFs and crypto from modest sums starting at €1 rather than eToro style ranged pricing
Who should look elsewhere
- You trade stocks very often and want ticket fees of $0 from ActivTrades rather than fees of $1
- You want phone or chat help rather than help on email and help centre, so XTB may suit you better
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 | Lightyear | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Lightyear
What will I pay to trade stocks and keep the account open?+
Stock orders carry fees of $1. Account upkeep sits at €0 and inactivity stays at €0. Currency conversion applies at 0.35% when your trade currency differs from your account currency.
Who regulates Lightyear and where can I check it?+
Lightyear names Estonian Financial Supervision Authority and Estonian Financial Supervision Authority (EFSA) as its supervisors. Oversight sits in Estonia under MiCA CASP 254900BBBJZF2IE8EN54. You can check the licence details on the relevant public register before you fund an account.
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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