Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
SoFi vs Stash
What sets them apart
| Compare |  SoFi |  Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Account fee | $0Lower | $144 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, CryptoCovers more | Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulators | SIPC, FDIC | SEC, FINRA |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, JointCovers more | IRA, Roth IRA |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Web, iOS, Android |
Same on both: Minimum deposit ($0), Stock trade fee ($0), Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000).
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Key differences
- SoFi scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only SoFi offers SIPC, FDIC.
- Regulators: only Stash offers SEC, FINRA.
- Founded is lower at SoFi: 2011 vs 2015.
- Account fee is lower at SoFi: $0 vs $144.
- Markets: only SoFi offers Options, Crypto.
- Account types: only SoFi offers Joint.
- Features: only SoFi offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
SoFi
SoFi suits retirement savers in the US, with a stock trade fee of $0, an account fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $0. The named licences are US registrations, so readers outside the US should check the account types and terms first.
Stash
Stash suits US beginners who want a retirement pot built from a phone rather than a wide market. Trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is free, but the account fee of $144 a year is the price of that simplicity.
Score breakdown
| Area | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherRanks 1 of 161 on stock trade fee, 1 of 138 on account fee, 1 of 56 on inactivity fee. | 9.1A free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.2Higher | 9.0 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 68389 FDIC FDIC cert 26881 |
Available in 1 country for both.
What it costs in practice
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
SoFi
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Stash
$144
48 × $0 + 1 × $144
SoFi costs $144 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Feature by feature
| Markets | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Account types | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Roth IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | No |
Where these facts come from
SoFi
- en.wikipedia.org: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sofi.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- banks.data.fdic.gov: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Stash
- stash.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingplatforms.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 80 of 471 | 148 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 18 of 86 | 31 of 86 |
| Brokers for beginners | 26 of 88 | 38 of 88 |
| Robo-advisors | 22 of 151 | 57 of 151 |
| IRA providers | 13 of 43 | 22 of 43 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile appCovers more | Fractional shares, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Legal entity | SOFI SECURITIES LLC | Stash Investments LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2011Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | Not confirmed | $108 to $144 |
| Minimum investment | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, CryptoCovers more | ETF |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | SoFi | Stash | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $0below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $144highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
SoFi
Pros
- A stock trade costs $0 on a commission free model, so cost does not decide which shares you can hold.
- The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so extra accounts and balances left untouched are not billed.
- The minimum deposit is $0 where Vantage asks $5, so a small amount can start an account.
Cons
- The account types listed are ira, roth ira and joint, retirement and joint accounts, and a general taxable account is not among them.
- Markets stop at stocks, etfs and options, while eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, so forex, CFDs and futures are out of reach here.
- The group sits in US and its registrations are SIPC member 68389 and FDIC cert 26881, with no UK or EU regulator named.
Stash
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so small orders carry no per-trade charge.
- The portfolio option is an etf portfolio alongside ira and roth ira accounts, which keeps retirement saving in one place.
- Access runs through Web, iOS and Android, and fractional shares spread small contributions across holdings.
Cons
- The account fee of $144 a year leaves Stash at 134 of 138 brands on that measure, while eToro lists $0.
- Support runs on help centre only, so questions about a retirement account are left to articles.
- Trading is limited to stocks and etfs with an etf portfolio, so there is no forex, crypto or CFD route.
Who each suits
SoFi
Who it suits
- Beginners, which the audience fact lists as beginners, who want to start small with a $0 minimum deposit.
- Retirement savers who want an IRA, a Roth IRA or a joint account at $0 in account fees.
- Fractional share buyers who want crypto and equities in the same app, as the feature list crypto, fractional shares and mobile app shows.
Who should look elsewhere
- Traders after forex, CFDs or futures, since eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex and SoFi lists stocks, etfs and options.
- Investors who want a broader spread of instruments than shares, ETFs, options and crypto, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who need a UK or EU regulated provider, because the licences named are SIPC member 68389 and FDIC cert 26881.
Stash
Who it suits
- US beginners who want a retirement account, a phone app and a small starting amount rather than a wide market.
- Long-term savers content to hold stocks and etfs and an etf portfolio without picking markets themselves.
- Readers who weigh regulation first, since Stash is registered with SEC and FINRA in the US.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want forex, crypto or CFDs, since CFI lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- Anyone put off by a yearly charge, as eToro lists $0 for its account.
- Readers who prefer a provider with a published entry figure, such as Vantage at $5, rather than a free minimum deposit.
Current offers
Stash
Current offer
Free trial
Try Stash for 7 days: 7-day trial
new Stash Plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | SoFi | Stash |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
SoFi
What does it cost to open and hold a SoFi account?+
The published minimum deposit is $0, the account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so opening and holding an account adds no charge on the listed terms. Those are account level figures, which is the first thing to check before you choose a wrapper or leave a balance untouched.
What does a stock trade cost?+
A stock trade costs $0 and the pricing model is commission free, so commission does not decide which shares you can hold. Other brands on the site charge a stock trade fee as high as €17.54, and the account fee of $0 and inactivity fee of $0 add nothing on top.
Stash
How much does Stash cost to run?+
Running the plan costs a management fee of $108 to $144 a year, and the account fee is $144. Stock trades cost $0 and the model is commission-free, so the charge sits with the subscription rather than the order. The site median account fee is €0, so Stash sits at the dear end of the table.
How much do I need to start?+
The minimum deposit is free, and the minimum investment is $5, so an account can be opened at a size that suits a monthly habit rather than a lump sum. Stash ranks 1 of 213 brands on this measure, against a site median of €4.64.
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