Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
tastytrade vs Zacks Trade
Where tastytrade and Zacks Trade differ
| Compare |  tastytrade |  Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0Lower | $250 |
| Stock trade fee | $0Lower | $1 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds |
| Regulators | SIPC | FINRA |
| Platforms | Mobile, Desktop, Web | Zacks Trade Pro, Client Portal, Zacks Trade app |
| Account types | IRA, JointCovers more | IRA |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 8.83% |
Same on both: Investor protection (SIPC up to USD 500,000), Options contract fee ($1).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- tastytrade scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only tastytrade offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Zacks Trade offers FINRA.
- Minimum deposit is lower at tastytrade: $0 vs $250.
- Stock trade fee is lower at tastytrade: $0 vs $1.
- Markets: only tastytrade offers Forex, Futures, Crypto.
- Markets: only Zacks Trade offers Bonds, Funds.
- Platforms: only tastytrade offers Mobile, Desktop, Web.
- Platforms: only Zacks Trade offers Zacks Trade Pro, Client Portal, Zacks Trade app.
- Account types: only tastytrade offers Joint.
Our verdict on each
tastytrade
tastytrade suits traders who want options, futures and crypto in the same account as shares and ETFs, and it suits anyone starting small. The minimum deposit is $0, share dealing costs $0 a trade, and options cost $1 a contract, so the bill grows only if you trade derivatives.
Zacks Trade
Zacks Trade is a US broker built for experienced traders and day traders who want options and margin, charging a stock trade fee of $1 and a minimum deposit of $250 on its IRA account. The catch is the $15 inactivity fee for anyone whose account sits idle.
Score breakdown
| Area | tastytrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherThe commission free model keeps equity dealing cheap, but the options contract fee of $1 is the line heavy option traders watch. | 8.5Cheap trades at $1 a stock and $1 an option, offset by a $250 minimum deposit and a $15 inactivity fee. |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.2 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.7Higher |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | tastytrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 150 of 471 | 201 of 471 |
| Investment platforms and apps | 32 of 86 | 44 of 86 |
| Options trading platforms | 53 of 103 | 66 of 103 |
| IRA providers | 23 of 43 | 24 of 43 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | tastytrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 69649 | FINRA 7874 |
Available in 1 country for both.
What each covers
| Markets | tastytrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | No |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | No |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Account types | tastytrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| IRA | Yes | Yes |
| Joint | Yes | No |
What we checked
tastytrade
- tastytrade.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Zacks Trade
- zackstrade.com: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- brokercheck.finra.org: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | tastytrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Mobile app | Mobile app, Options |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | TASTYTRADE INC | LBMZ Securities Inc. |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Chat, Phone |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | tastytrade | Zacks Trade | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | $250highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $1highest quarter | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15above the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 8.83%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $1highest quarter | $1highest quarter | $0.625 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
tastytrade
Pros
- Share dealing costs $0 a trade, and the account opens from $0.
- All of stocks, etfs and forex sit under the same account.
- Protection is recorded as SIPC up to USD 500,000, with membership logged as SIPC member 69649.
Cons
- Options cost $1 a contract, so regular contract buyers pay more than occasional ones.
- The recorded account types under ira and joint are an IRA and a joint account.
- In the stock comparison, 72.03% of retail accounts lose money.
Zacks Trade
Pros
- Simple per-trade pricing: $1 a stock, $1 an options contract, margin at 8.83%.
- FINRA registration under licence 7874, and client holdings sit with SIPC protection.
- Support covers email, chat and phone, so phone and chat are both available.
Cons
- The $15 inactivity fee sits above the €10 upper quartile among the brokers compared.
- A $250 minimum deposit is well above the €4.64 median on the site.
- Account types cover ira only, which rules out a taxable brokerage account for wider investing.
Who each suits
tastytrade
Who it suits
- Traders who want options and futures in the same account as shares and ETFs.
- Anyone starting small, since the minimum deposit is $0.
- People saving into an IRA who also want crypto and forex nearby.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro if you want CFDs listed alongside the core markets: stocks, etfs and forex.
- CFI if you want the shorter list in stocks, etfs and forex, which ends at crypto.
- Vantage if you would rather start above the floor, since its minimum deposit is $5.
Zacks Trade
Who it suits
- Experienced traders and day traders who already know the markets they trade.
- US investors who want an IRA and plan to trade options or use margin.
- Investors who will keep trading, since the inactivity fee applies once an account goes quiet.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, which takes a minimum deposit of $0 rather than $250.
- eToro, where a stock trade costs $0 against $1 here.
- Vantage, with a minimum deposit of $5, which suits a smaller starting balance.
Country by country
| Country | tastytrade | Zacks Trade |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
tastytrade
Is there a minimum deposit to open a tastytrade account?+
The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened and funded with whatever you want to start on. Share dealing then costs $0 a trade, which keeps the running cost close to the opening balance.
What does an options contract cost?+
Options are charged per contract at $1. If you buy options often, that fee becomes the main line you track, while share dealing stays at $0. Traders who touch options now and then will feel it far less than regular contract buyers.
Zacks Trade
What does it cost to trade stocks and options?+
Stocks cost $1 per trade and options contracts $1, and the account opens at a minimum deposit of $250. Margin runs at 8.83%. Every figure here applies to the IRA account, which is the account type on offer.
Is my money protected and who regulates the broker?+
Zacks Trade is registered with FINRA under licence 7874, and the legal entity behind the brand is LBMZ Securities Inc. Client holdings sit with SIPC protection, which is the scheme covering money in the account rather than the firm's own balance sheet.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- tastytrade vs Webull
- tastytrade vs tastyfx
- tastytrade vs TradeStation
- tastytrade vs IG
- tastytrade vs Interactive Brokers
- tastytrade vs Public
- tastytrade vs Charles Schwab
- tastytrade vs Fidelity
- tastytrade vs Lightspeed Financial
- tastytrade vs eOption
- tastytrade vs Acorns Checking
- tastytrade vs ActivTrades
- tastytrade vs XTB
- tastytrade vs NAGA
- tastytrade vs Mintos
- Zacks Trade vs Bitpanda
- tastytrade vs Kraken
- tastytrade vs EBC Financial Group
- tastytrade vs CapTrader