TradeUP review
Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
TradeUP suits retail investors who want free stock dealing and low options costs from a US broker holding SIPC membership. Stock trades cost $0 and investor protection stands at SIPC up to USD 500,000. Markets are limited to etfs, options and stocks, so it suits single market US investors.
Key facts
- Best for
- Free stock dealing and cheap options contracts under SIPC protection.
- Stock trade fee
- $0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Markets
- ETFs, Options, Stocks (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Regulators
- SIPC (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Investor protection
- SIPC up to USD 500,000 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Options contract fee
- $0.65 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- TRADEUP SECURITIES INC (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Pricing model
- Commission-free
- Official website
- tradeup.com
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- App Store
Pros and cons
Pros
- Stock trades carry a fee of $0 on a commission free model
- Options contracts cost $0.65
- Client accounts sit with SIPC protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
Cons
- Trading is limited to etfs, options and stocks
- The regulated entity is TRADEUP SECURITIES INC, so claims are made in the US
Who it suits
- Retail investors buying and holding US shares and ETFs
- Options traders who keep contract costs low
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, which covers a wider set of stocks, etfs and forex
- Vantage, which adds forex, cfds and stocks
- CFI, which lists stocks, etfs and forex
Safety and regulation
TradeUP is regulated in the US, and the client entity is TRADEUP SECURITIES INC. The regulator recorded is SIPC, and the licence reference is SIPC member 36754. Client money is covered by SIPC protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000. This protection applies to the firm going out of business, not to market losses, so accounts that fall in value are not covered by it.
How TradeUP compares
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8.8 vs 9.2eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex, a wider list than TradeUP's etfs, options and stocks.
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Where TradeUP is available
- Available
- United States
- Licence in United States
- SIPC (SIPC member 36754), checked September 26, 2026
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to buy shares?+
Buying and selling shares carries a fee of $0, and the pricing model is commission free. There is no listed account charge or inactivity charge to offset that, so the dealing cost sits entirely on the trade.
What does an options contract cost?+
An options contract is charged at $0.65. Options are part of the etfs, options and stocks range, so contracts can be traded alongside shares and ETFs in the same account.
Is my money protected if the broker fails?+
The regulator on record is SIPC and protection stands at SIPC up to USD 500,000. The client holding is TRADEUP SECURITIES INC with licence SIPC member 36754. Protection covers firm failure rather than trading losses.
Which markets can I trade?+
The listed range is etfs, options and stocks, so the account covers shares, ETFs and options. It is a single market broker, and traders who want forex, CFDs or crypto would need a different provider.
Who is TradeUP suited to?+
It suits retail investors who want to buy and hold US shares and ETFs without a dealing charge. Option writers and short term traders benefit from the $0.65 contract cost. It suits a single market rather than a multi asset portfolio.
Is TradeUP regulated?+
Yes, in the US. The client entity is TRADEUP SECURITIES INC and the recorded regulator is SIPC, under licence SIPC member 36754. Buyers in the UK should check their own eligibility before opening an account.
What kind of account is it?+
The pricing model is commission free, with stock trades at $0. Accounts are built around shares, ETFs and options rather than managed portfolios, so it suits self directed buying.
Sources
- sipc.org/list-of-members checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Investor protection, Legal entity, Regulators, Licences
“reportingFileNumber=36754; name=TRADEUP SECURITIES INC”
- play.google.com/store/apps/details checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Options contract fee, Stock trade fee, Pricing model
“The standard options contract fee is $0.65 per contract”
- tradeup.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Markets
“Invest in Stocks, ETF's, Options and more with TradeUP”
Compiled from 3 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Minimum deposit, Account fee, Inactivity fee, Retail accounts that lose money.