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#7
#7

E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley)

Brokerage

Free | Options: $0.65/contract (or $0 with 30+ trades/quarter)Best for: Intermediate Traders & Options Enthusiasts

The Review

E*TRADE was one of the original online brokerages, founded in 1982, and now operates under Morgan Stanley after a $13 billion acquisition in 2020. The platform combines a clean, intuitive interface with surprisingly powerful tools, making it a strong choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

The Power E*TRADE platform is the highlight — it offers advanced charting, options analysis, and a streamlined interface that is more approachable than Thinkorswim but more powerful than Robinhood. The options screener and probability calculator are particularly well-designed.

Morgan Stanley's backing adds institutional research, IPO access, and financial planning services that independent brokerages cannot offer. E*TRADE also has a strong managed portfolio offering and one of the better stock plan administration platforms for employees with equity compensation.

Why It Ranks #7

The best balance of power and simplicity in the brokerage space. Power E*TRADE is an excellent trading platform, and Morgan Stanley's backing adds institutional resources that elevate the entire experience.

Key Stats

$400B+

Client Assets

7M+

Active Accounts

9,000+

Mutual Funds

Morgan Stanley

Parent Company

Key Features

Commission-free stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds
Power E*TRADE advanced trading platform
Options analysis with probability calculator
Morgan Stanley institutional research
IPO access for eligible accounts
Managed portfolios starting at $500
Stock plan administration for employees
Prebuilt and custom screeners

Fun Facts

1.E*TRADE aired one of the first online brokerage Super Bowl commercials in 2000
2.The famous E*TRADE baby commercials ran from 2008 to 2014 and were among the most memorable ads in TV history
3.E*TRADE was one of the first brokerages to let individuals trade stocks online in the 1990s
4.Morgan Stanley acquired E*TRADE in 2020 to access the retail investor market

Frequently Asked Questions

What is E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley)?

E*TRADE was one of the original online brokerages, founded in 1982, and now operates under Morgan Stanley after a $13 billion acquisition in 2020. The platform combines a clean, intuitive interface with surprisingly powerful tools, making it a strong choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

How much does E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley) cost?

E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley) pricing: Free | Options: $0.65/contract (or $0 with 30+ trades/quarter). It is best for Intermediate Traders & Options Enthusiasts.

Why is E*TRADE (Morgan Stanley) ranked #7?

The best balance of power and simplicity in the brokerage space. Power E*TRADE is an excellent trading platform, and Morgan Stanley's backing adds institutional resources that elevate the entire experience.

I Document Every Trade — Even the Losses

Options record: 1W-8L. Net worth: 100% GSE preferred. Get the unfiltered updates.

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