Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
LYNX vs TradeStation
Where LYNX and TradeStation differ
| Compare |  LYNX |  TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $5 | $0Lower |
| Inactivity fee | €5 | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | One withdrawal per month free | free deposits |
| Platforms | LYNX+, Trader Workstation, Trading App | TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Account fee | €0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Margin rate | 7.1% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50 |
| Account types | Not confirmed | IRA, Joint, Corporate |
| Interest on cash | Not confirmed | 0.15% |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0).
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Key differences
- LYNX scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Stock trade fee is lower at TradeStation: $0 vs $5.
- Markets: only TradeStation offers Crypto.
- Platforms: only LYNX offers LYNX+, Trader Workstation, Trading App.
- Platforms: only TradeStation offers TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile.
- Features: only LYNX offers Demo account.
- Features: only TradeStation offers Crypto, Options, Futures.
- Pricing model: only TradeStation offers Commission free.
- Audience: only TradeStation offers Day traders.
Our verdict on each
LYNX
LYNX suits experienced traders who want a long list of markets behind the same account. The account fee is €0 and the minimum deposit is $0, so holding costs nothing, while a stock trade fee of $5 makes dealing the cost centre.
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 | LYNX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Costly to trade: stock trade fees rank 139 of 161 and the inactivity fee 34 of 56, against an account fee of €0. | 9.2HigherStock trades cost $0, deposits are free deposits and inactivity costs $10. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.4One account spans stocks, etfs and forex with ira, joint and corporate accounts and TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.2 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | LYNX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 48711 |
How they place
| Ranking | LYNX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 74 of 471 | 104 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 31 of 147 | 44 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 29 of 145 | 42 of 145 |
| Options trading platforms | 21 of 103 | 36 of 103 |
| Futures trading platforms | 18 of 82 | 26 of 82 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | LYNX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Demo account, Mobile app | Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Experienced | Experienced, Day tradersCovers more |
| 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 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | LYNX | TradeStation | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $5highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | €0at the median | Not confirmed | €0 |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.5%above the median | 0.45% |
| Margin rate | 7.1%below the median | Not confirmed | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.50below the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
LYNX
Pros
- Nothing to pay for the account itself: fees run €0 and the minimum deposit is $0.
- The same account covers stocks, etfs and forex, putting shares, funds, bonds and derivatives under one roof.
- Platform choice runs from the LYNX+ terminal to the Trader Workstation and a mobile app, and a demo account with fractional shares comes with it.
Cons
- A stock trade fee of $5 applies to every deal, so frequent dealing raises the bill quickly.
- An inactivity fee of €5 applies, so money left untouched still carries a charge.
- A margin rate of 7.1% means a small deposit can control a much larger position.
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
LYNX
Who it suits
- Experienced traders: the audience listed is experienced, and the account is priced as a low fee model.
- Anyone who wants stocks, etfs and forex sitting in the same login.
- Traders who want to practise first, with a demo account and fractional shares alongside a mobile app.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro for occasional share buying: its stock trade fee is $0 against $5 at LYNX, so small repeated deals cost more here.
- Vantage for anyone who must start with a deposit: the minimum deposit there is $5 while LYNX opens at $0.
- CFI for CFD and crypto trading, since its markets run to stocks, etfs and forex while LYNX runs to stocks, etfs and forex.
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 | LYNX | TradeStation |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
LYNX
What does LYNX charge to open and hold an account?+
Opening and holding are free: the account fee is €0 and the minimum deposit is $0. Costs appear only when you trade, through a stock trade fee of $5. The account is priced overall as a low fee model rather than a subscription service.
What does a stock trade cost on LYNX?+
A stock trade costs $5 with no account fee on top, and the same account also carries forex, options, futures, bonds and funds. On share dealing alone LYNX sits near the back of the brands compared, at 139 of 161.
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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