E*TRADE$0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades)
- Published fee
- $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades)
- Minimum deposit
- 0 $
Broker comparison
E*TRADE vs.
Vanguard
Which broker fits your needs?
Platforms, products and fees side by side.
Checked on 22 October 2026
See comparisonE*TRADE
VanguardVS
Summary
Your goal decides
E*TRADE is the better choice for options traders: $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades) against $1 at Vanguard, plus Power E*TRADE and futures. Vanguard (4.5/5) is the house for long-term index-fund investors, with its own funds at no transaction fee, but by its own profile it is not built for active trading. Neither asks for a minimum deposit, and both are open only to US customers.
E*TRADEEstablished US broker by Morgan Stanley with strong options platform
VanguardWorld-leading index fund provider with commission-free trading
At a glance
The key differences
| Criterion | E*TRADE | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | E*TRADE Web, Power E*TRADE, E*TRADE App | Vanguard Web, Vanguard App |
| Product types | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Futures | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Options, CDs |
| Options trading | Yes, comprehensive options trading with Power E*TRADE | Yes, US options available ($1 per contract) |
| Fee model | $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades) | $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, Vanguard funds with no transaction fee |
| Minimum deposit | 0 $ | 0 $ |
| Regulation | SEC/FINRA | SEC/FINRA |
| More information | Details | Details |
Platforms
E*TRADE
E*TRADE Web, Power E*TRADE, E*TRADE App
Vanguard
Vanguard Web, Vanguard App
Product types
E*TRADE
Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Futures
Vanguard
Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Options, CDs
Options trading
E*TRADE
Yes, comprehensive options trading with Power E*TRADE
Vanguard
Yes, US options available ($1 per contract)
Fee model
E*TRADE
$0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades)
Vanguard
$0 commission on stocks and ETFs, Vanguard funds with no transaction fee
Minimum deposit
E*TRADE
0 $
Vanguard
0 $
Regulation
E*TRADE
SEC/FINRA
Vanguard
SEC/FINRA
Product access and costs depend on market, account and permissions.
Detailed comparison
Comparing fees
Compare total costs, not just the order fee.
E*TRADEVanguard$0 commission on stocks and ETFs, Vanguard funds with no transaction fee
- Published fee
- $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, Vanguard funds with no transaction fee
- Minimum deposit
- 0 $
The relevant costs depend on market, currency, order size and trading style.
Worked out
What does it actually cost?
Typical months at E*TRADE and Vanguard, priced from their published fee schedules. Spreads, FX and exchange fees come on top depending on the venue.
| Scenario | E*TRADE | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| ETF savings plan, ≈ €200 a month | US$0$0 online ETF commission (≈ $230 buy); $0 × 1 | US$0$0 online ETF commission (≈ $230 buy); $0 × 1 |
| 10 stock buys of ≈ €1,000 a month | US$0$0 online US stock commission × 10 orders | US$0$0 online US stock commission × 10 orders |
| 10 US option contracts a month | US$6.50$0.65 per contract × 10 ($0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter) | US$10$1 per contract × 10 (clients under $1M qualifying assets) |
| One BTC purchase of ≈ €1,000 | US$5.750.50% commission on notional × $1,150 (via Zero Hash) | —No spot crypto on the fee schedule – not offered |
| Custody and account fee per year | US$0No maintenance fee on standard brokerage account | US$0$25 annual fee, waived with e-delivery (otherwise $25) |
Checked on 22 October 2026. Prices can change; the current fee schedule is what counts. Sources: us.etrade.com · us.etrade.com · investor.vanguard.com
Execution quality
Order type, venue and liquidity affect execution.
E*TRADECheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationVanguardCheck the provider’s execution policy and available order types for your account.
Provider informationProduct range
E*TRADEStocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual FundsFutures
VanguardStocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsCDs
Categories come from broker profiles. Check specific markets and permissions before deciding.
Trading platforms
E*TRADEE*TRADE Web · Power E*TRADE · E*TRADE App
E*TRADE offers three trading platforms: E*TRADE Web, Power E*TRADE, and the E*TRADE App. The web platform provides standard trading functions with research and educational resources. Power E*TRADE is the flagship, offering one of the best options platforms on the market with visual options chains, strategy builders, and real-time risk analysis. The mobile app combines elements of both platforms and enables trading of stocks, options, and futures on the go.
Explore platformVanguardVanguard Web · Vanguard App
Vanguard offers trading through Vanguard Web and the Vanguard App. The web platform is functionally designed and provides access to order placement, portfolio overview, fund analysis, and retirement planning tools. The mobile app enables account access and basic trading functions on the go. Both platforms are oriented more toward long-term investors than active traders and offer fewer charting and analysis tools than competitors, but provide comprehensive retirement planning features.
Explore platformE*TRADE
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (securities); E*TRADE Futures LLC (futures); crypto via Zero Hash LLC
- Supervisor
- SEC / FINRA, NFA (futures)
Vanguard
Vanguard Brokerage Services, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation
- Supervisor
- SEC / FINRA
Regulation does not protect against market losses. What counts is the entity you sign the contract with.
Your investor profile
Who might it suit?
E*TRADEFor active investors who trade options regularly and need good charts and tools.
- Power E*TRADE – excellent options platform
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading
- Part of Morgan Stanley – high security
- Only available for US customers
- International markets not available
VanguardFor buy-and-hold investors who mainly save in Vanguard funds and ETFs. Options cost more and the platform is deliberately plain.
- World leader in low-cost index funds
- Commission-free stock and ETF trading
- Client-owned structure – no external shareholders
- Trading platform more functional than modern
- Only available for US customers
Find the broker that fits
E*TRADE oder Vanguard?
Side by side. Decided with knowledge.
See the differences that matter, and the Academy lessons that explain them.
VS
- Fees
- Platform
- Regulation
- Matching lessons
Two brokers. Many options. Your call.
E*TRADE and Vanguard do not earn the same way
The table shows what they cost. These lessons show how they earn, which is what the difference is made of.
In-depth analysis
Entry and fees: Neither asks for a minimum deposit, and both trade stocks and ETFs commission-free. The difference is options. E*TRADE charges $0.65 per contract and drops to $0.50 for 30+ trades. Vanguard charges $1 per contract with no tiering. For anyone trading options regularly, E*TRADE is clearly the cheaper of the two. Vanguard scores elsewhere: its own Vanguard funds trade with no transaction fee, and by its own profile it has the lowest expense ratios in the industry.
Products and platforms: E*TRADE trades stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds and futures, and provides Power E*TRADE, a platform built around options, alongside web and app. Vanguard trades stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, options and CDs, but no futures, through web and app. Its own profile describes the Vanguard platform as more functional than modern. On execution E*TRADE quotes around 40 ms, Vanguard around 50 ms, with its own ETFs and funds prioritized.
Profile and verdict: E*TRADE (4.3/5 from 1,900 reviews) was founded in 1982, is based in New York and is part of Morgan Stanley. Vanguard (4.5/5 from 2,300 reviews) was founded in 1975, is based in Valley Forge and is client-owned, with no external shareholders. Both are SEC/FINRA-regulated and open only to US customers. Active options traders pick E*TRADE; investors who mainly build index-fund positions and trade rarely belong at Vanguard.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions
How do fees differ between E*TRADE and Vanguard?
E*TRADE: $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 for 30+ trades). Vanguard: $0 commission on stocks and ETFs, Vanguard funds with no transaction fee. Compare total costs for the specific market, product, currency and order size in the current fee schedule.
Which broker offers more products: E*TRADE or Vanguard?
E*TRADE offers Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Futures. Vanguard offers Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Options, CDs.
How are E*TRADE and Vanguard regulated?
The broker profiles list SEC/FINRA for E*TRADE and SEC/FINRA for Vanguard. Your account's contracting entity determines the applicable oversight and protection rules; check its current disclosures.
Is E*TRADE or Vanguard better for beginners?
E*TRADE lists a 0 $ minimum deposit and offers E*TRADE Web, Power E*TRADE, E*TRADE App. Vanguard lists 0 $ and offers Vanguard Web, Vanguard App. Compare usability, available products and costs for your intended use.
E*TRADE vs Vanguard: Which broker is better overall?
The choice between E*TRADE (4.3/5, 1900 reviews) and Vanguard (4.5/5, 2300 reviews) depends on your needs. E*TRADE: Established US broker by Morgan Stanley with strong options platform. Vanguard: World-leading index fund provider with commission-free trading.
Your next step
Your next step
E*TRADEEstablished US broker by Morgan Stanley with strong options platform
Open accountRead reviewVanguardWorld-leading index fund provider with commission-free trading
Open accountRead reviewKeep learning
Before you pick a broker
The guides worth reading before your first trade, whichever of the two you choose.