Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
M1 vs Tradier
Where M1 and Tradier differ
| Compare |  M1 |  Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $500 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Crypto | Stocks, Options, Futures, Crypto, Forex, ETFsCovers more |
| Regulators | SIPC | FINRA, SIPCCovers more |
| Margin rate | 5.9%Lower | 9.75% |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $120 |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.35 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $30 per wire |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Tradier Pro, Tradier Web, Tradier Mobile |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Up to 50% of portfolio value | Not confirmed |
| Interest on cash | 3.35% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- Regulators: only Tradier offers FINRA.
- Founded is lower at Tradier: 2012 vs 2015.
- Minimum deposit is lower at M1: $0 vs $500.
- Margin rate is lower at M1: 5.9% vs 9.75%.
- Markets: only Tradier offers Options, Futures, Forex.
- Support channels: only Tradier offers Email.
- Features: only M1 offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only Tradier offers Futures, Options.
Our verdict on each
M1
M1 is a low-cost brokerage built for retirement savers and small investors who want shares, ETFs and crypto in a single account. Stock trades run at $0 and it places 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, though the managed portfolios want $10,000 to start.
Tradier
Tradier is a US broker for experienced traders and day traders who want commission-free stock dealing across stocks, options, futures, crypto, forex and ETFs. Stock trades cost $0 and the account fee is $120, though a minimum deposit of $500 puts a floor under the account.
Score breakdown
| Area | M1 | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5Higher | 8.7Stock trades are commission-free at $0, but the account fee of $120 and wire charges of $30 per wire weigh on totals. |
| Offer | 9.0Costs carry the offer: 0% management fee, $0 stock trades and a $0 minimum deposit. | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.1Higher |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | M1 | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | M1 | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 145 of 471 | 151 of 471 |
| Margin trading brokers | 16 of 22 | 17 of 22 |
Where these facts come from
M1
- m1.com: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- millennialmoneyman.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- thecollegeinvestor.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- bestroboadvisors.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Tradier
- tradier.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | M1 | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Crypto, Futures, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | M1 FINANCE LLC | TRADIER BROKERAGE INC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2015 | 2012Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre | Email, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | M1 | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $10,000 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | M1 | Tradier | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $500highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $120highest quarter | $0 |
| Margin rate | 5.9%below the median | 9.75%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.35lowest quarter | $0.625 |
| Interest on cash | 3.35%above the median | Not confirmed | 3% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
M1
Pros
- Placing 1 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, so an account opens without a funding hurdle.
- Placing 1 of 161 brands on stock trade fees, with a stock trade costing $0.
- Uninvested cash earns 3.35%, and Pie portfolios mix etf, cash and crypto.
Cons
- Margin borrowing at 5.9% can cost more over a held position than the $0 trade fee saves.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or live chat listed.
- Managed portfolios want $10,000 to start, well above the $0 brokerage entry point.
Tradier
Pros
- Stock trades are commission-free at $0
- Deals in stocks, options and futures from one account
- Accounts run on Tradier Pro, Tradier Web and Tradier Mobile
Cons
- The account fee of $120 applies where most rivals charge nothing
- Funding and withdrawals cost $30 per wire
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone or live chat line
Who each suits
M1
Who it suits
- Self-directed investors who want to trade shares and ETFs without a per-trade charge.
- Retirement savers, since accounts include ira, roth ira and joint.
- People who want crypto alongside equities in the same account, under stocks, etfs and crypto.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders who need forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and M1 stops at stocks, etfs and crypto.
- Readers who want a wider asset list in the same app, because CFI covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Managed portfolio buyers starting below $10,000, a floor that sits well above the $5 deposit Vantage asks to open an account.
Tradier
Who it suits
- Experienced traders who place regular stock, options and futures orders
- Day traders working across several markets at once
- US residents who want a regulated broker with SIPC cover
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if a free account fee matters more than a US-only setup
- CFI, if you want to start funding with a smaller minimum deposit
- Vantage, if a lower minimum deposit is the priority
Current offers
Tradier
Current offer
Free trial
Get full access to Pro or Pro Plus - free for 2 months: 2 months free
$500 minimum deposit within 30 days, new customers only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | M1 | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
M1
What does it cost to trade shares at M1?+
Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens with a $0 minimum deposit, so there is no per-trade commission and no funding hurdle. The running cost sits in the spread and in currency conversion when shares priced in dollars are bought. Margin borrowing is charged at 5.9% and is the line most likely to run up a bill.
Is my money protected at M1?+
Protection runs through the scheme listed as SIPC, with cover stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000. It is the only regulator on file, so there is a single scheme to claim against and a single register to check. The membership record reads SIPC member 69670. The stated figure is a ceiling on the payout, not a stand-in for the balance itself.
Tradier
What does Tradier charge for buying stocks?+
Stock trades are commission-free, with a stock trade fee of $0. The account fee of $120 still applies, and options contracts cost $0.35 each. Many rivals keep the account fee at $0, so weigh that against your trade volume.
Is there an account fee at Tradier?+
Yes. The account fee is $120, which ranks the broker near the back of the field on this measure. If you would rather pay nothing on an idle account, eToro lists an account fee of $0.
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