Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
TradeUP vs TradeZero
What sets them apart
| Compare |  TradeUP |  TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | ETFs, Options, StocksCovers more | Stocks, Options |
| Regulators | SIPC | AFM |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 | $0.59Lower |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | $15 wire transfer out |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | ZeroPro, ZeroFree, ZeroMobile, TZ1, TradingView |
Same on both: Stock trade fee ($0).
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
- TradeZero scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Regulators: only TradeUP offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only TradeZero offers AFM.
- Options contract fee is lower at TradeZero: $0.59 vs $0.65.
- Markets: only TradeUP offers ETFs.
- Pricing model: only TradeZero offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
TradeUP
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.
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 | TradeUP | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Stock trades cost $0 and options contracts cost $0.65, with no account charge listed. | 9.1HigherStock 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 | 8.6 | 8.6 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | TradeUP | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 188 of 471 | 169 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 62 of 103 | 58 of 103 |
Licences and countries
| Country | TradeUP | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Not confirmed | |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 36754 | Not confirmed |
Pick TradeUP if, pick TradeZero if
Pick TradeUP if markets matter most.
Pick TradeZero if offer and options contract fee matter most.
Also worth a look
Robinhood has options contract fee at $0, against $0.65 for TradeUP and $0.59 for TradeZero.
Robinhood reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | TradeUP | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Beginners, Day traders |
| Legal entity | TRADEUP SECURITIES INC | TradeZero Europe B.V. |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2015 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | TradeUP | TradeZero | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Margin rate | Not confirmed | 9%above the median | 8.75% |
| Options contract fee | $0.65above the median | $0.59below the median | $0.625 |
Median across 91 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
TradeUP
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
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
TradeUP
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
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
TradeZero
Current offer
Bonus
Welcome Offer WELCOME250: 250
with a $250+ deposit during sign-up
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | TradeUP | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
TradeUP
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.
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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