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Broker Comparison

TradeStation vs Vanguard

Compare TradeStation and Vanguard side by side: fees, regulation, platforms.

TradeStation

TradeStation

Active traders using stocks, options and futures

TradeStation offers active trading in stocks, ETFs, options, futures, mutual funds and bonds, with desktop, w…

VS
Vanguard

Vanguard

Long-term fund and ETF investors

Vanguard offers funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, margin, options, Cash Plus and advice services, with $0 online co…

Head-to-head comparison

TradeStation vs Vanguard
Feature TradeStation Vanguard
Minimum deposit — $0 to open an account
Stock trading fee $0 commissions; sub-dollar/OTC $0.005 per share $0 online stock trading
Regulators SEC, CFTC, FINRA, NFA FINRA
Best for Active traders using stocks, options and futures Long-term fund and ETF investors
Markets & account
Stocks
ETFs
Bonds
Options
Futures
—
Funds
Margin
Demo Account
—
Fractional Shares
—
Ready Made Portfolios
—
Money Market Funds
—

Pros & cons

TradeStation

TradeStation

Pros

  • $0 stock and ETF commissions in the pricing table
  • Options fall to $0 per contract above 10,000 monthly contracts
  • Micro futures commissions start at $0.25 per contract, per side
  • FuturesPlus has no platform fees
  • Simulated trading supports paper trading and backtesting
  • API access supports custom multi-asset execution workflows
  • Cash balances over $100,000 can earn 0.15%

Cons

  • $10 monthly inactivity fee unless minimum activity is met
  • Outgoing account transfers cost $125
  • Sending wires cost $25 or $35 depending on account type
  • Mutual fund trades cost $14.95 per transaction
  • Sub-dollar and OTC equity trades cost $0.005 per share
  • FuturesPlus futures trades cost $1.75 per contract, per side
  • Margin positions require a minimum of $2,000
  • Non-brokerage platform access costs $99.99/$199.99 monthly
Vanguard

Vanguard

Pros

  • $0 online commissions for stocks, ETFs and Vanguard mutual funds
  • $1 minimum for Vanguard ETFs through fractional shares
  • $0 Cash Plus minimum balance and no service fee with e-delivery
  • Digital Advisor starts at $100 with no advisory fee for 90 days
  • SIPC coverage up to $500,000 for eligible brokerage securities
  • Free dividend reinvestment with no commission

Cons

  • $25 annual account service fee unless e-delivery is selected
  • Most Vanguard mutual funds require a $3,000 minimum
  • Individual bonds require a $1,000 minimum investment
  • Personal Advisor requires a $50,000 minimum
  • Cash Plus has no issued checks or ATM card
  • Cash Plus transactions may face 7-day or 60-day holding periods
TradeStation

TradeStation

TradeStation offers active trading in stocks, ETFs, options, futures, mutual funds and bonds, with desktop, web, mobile, FuturesPlus and API tools.

Visit TradeStation Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Vanguard

Vanguard

Vanguard offers funds, ETFs, stocks, bonds, margin, options, Cash Plus and advice services, with $0 online commissions on major listed products.

Visit Vanguard Read review

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

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