Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
SoFi vs Tradier
What sets them apart
| Compare |  SoFi |  Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $500 |
| Account fee | $0Lower | $120 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Crypto | Stocks, Options, Futures, Crypto, Forex, ETFsCovers more |
| Regulators | SIPC, FDIC | FINRA, SIPC |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9.75% |
| 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 |
Same on both: 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 FDIC.
- Regulators: only Tradier offers FINRA.
- Founded is lower at SoFi: 2011 vs 2012.
- Minimum deposit is lower at SoFi: $0 vs $500.
- Account fee is lower at SoFi: $0 vs $120.
- Markets: only Tradier offers Futures, Forex.
- Features: only SoFi offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only Tradier offers Futures, Options.
- Audience: only SoFi offers Beginners.
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.
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 | SoFi | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherRanks 1 of 161 on stock trade fee, 1 of 138 on account fee, 1 of 56 on inactivity fee. | 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 | 9.4Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 9.2Higher | 9.1 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | SoFi | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 68389 FDIC FDIC cert 26881 | FINRA 104982 SIPC SIPC member 52972 |
Available in 1 country for both.
Which one suits you
Pick SoFi if cost, minimum deposit, and account fee matter most.
Pick Tradier if markets matter most.
The bill, worked out
A year: 5,000 invested, 4 US stock trades a month
SoFi
$0
48 × $0 + 1 × $0
Tradier
$120
48 × $0 + 1 × $120
SoFi costs $120 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | SoFi | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 80 of 471 | 151 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 25 of 103 | 54 of 103 |
Sources behind this comparison
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
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 | SoFi | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Fractional shares, Mobile app | Crypto, Futures, Options, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Beginners | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | SOFI SECURITIES LLC | TRADIER BROKERAGE INC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2011Lower | 2012 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Help centre |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | SoFi | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | ETF, Cash, Crypto | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | SoFi | Tradier | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $500highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | $120highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9.75%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.35lowest quarter | $0.625 |
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.
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
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.
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 | SoFi | Tradier |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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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