Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Stash vs TradeZero
Where Stash and TradeZero differ
| Compare |  Stash |  TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs | Stocks, Options |
| Regulators | SEC, FINRA | AFM |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | ZeroPro, ZeroFree, ZeroMobile, TZ1, TradingView |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $144 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.59 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $15 wire transfer out |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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Key differences
- Stash scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only Stash offers SEC, FINRA.
- Regulators: only TradeZero offers AFM.
- Markets: only Stash offers ETFs.
- Markets: only TradeZero offers Options.
- Platforms: only Stash offers Web, iOS, Android.
- Platforms: only TradeZero offers ZeroPro, ZeroFree, ZeroMobile.
- Support channels: only TradeZero offers Chat.
- Features: only Stash offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only TradeZero offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
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.
TradeZero
TradeZero suits traders who want stocks and options on a single account without a per-trade commission, and the demo account gives beginners a place to practise. Options cost $0.59 a contract, and the account works through desktop, mobile and charting tools.
Score breakdown
| Area | Stash | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1A free minimum deposit and $0 trades rank 1 of 213 and 1 of 161, but the $144 account fee is the weight. | 9.1Stock trades cost $0, ranking first of 161 brands on that fee, and the inactivity fee ranks first of 56. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.1Higher |
| Trust | 9.0Higher | 8.6 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Stash | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 148 of 471 | 169 of 471 |
| Brokers for beginners | 38 of 88 | 44 of 88 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Stash | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Fractional shares, Mobile app | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners | Experienced, Beginners, Day tradersCovers more |
| Legal entity | Stash Investments LLC | TradeZero Europe B.V. |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2015 | 2015 |
| Support channels | Help centre | Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Stash | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Management fee | $108 to $144 | Not confirmed |
| Minimum investment | $5 | Not confirmed |
| Portfolio types | ETF | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Stash | TradeZero | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | $144highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | Not confirmed | $0.59below the median | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
TradeZero
Pros
- Regulated in the Netherlands by AFM, with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000.
- Margin positions run at a rate of 9%.
- A demo account and a mobile app are included, so the platform can be learned before funding.
Cons
- Support runs on chat and help centre only.
- A wire transfer out of the account costs $15 wire transfer out.
- The market range is stocks and options, so forex, crypto and metals are not covered.
Who each suits
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.
TradeZero
Who it suits
- Traders buying stocks and options who do not want a per-trade commission.
- Beginners who want a demo account and a mobile app before putting money in.
- Day traders who work across several platforms rather than a single terminal.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone after forex, crypto or futures, where eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex.
- Traders who want metals and CFDs beside stocks, which Vantage covers with forex, cfds and stocks.
Current offers
Country by country
| Country | Stash | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
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.
TradeZero
What does TradeZero charge to trade stocks and options?+
Stock trades cost $0 per trade, and options cost $0.59 a contract. The pricing model is described as commission-free and low-fee, so the per-order cost is the main thing to compare. The inactivity fee is $0, so an idle account is not charged.
Is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
The account is provided by TradeZero Europe B.V., which is licensed by AFM in the Netherlands. Investor protection is EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so money above that figure sits outside the scheme. Keeping larger balances elsewhere limits what is at stake.
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