## Do You Need E*Trade for Trading Stocks?
E*Trade is a leading online brokerage firm that offers a wide range of investment products and services, including stock trading. However, there are many other online brokerages available, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that’s right for you.
In this article, we’ll take a close look at E*Trade’s stock trading platform and compare it to some of the other top options available. We’ll cover features, pricing, and customer support to help you make an informed decision about whether or not E*Trade is the right choice for you.
### Features
E*Trade’s stock trading platform offers a wide range of features, including:
* **Real-time quotes and charts:** Get up-to-the-minute quotes and charts for all major stocks and ETFs.
* **Advanced charting tools:** Use technical analysis tools to identify trends and make informed trading decisions.
* **Stock research:** Access in-depth research reports from leading analysts.
* **Options trading:** Trade options contracts to potentially increase your returns.
* **Margin trading:** Borrow money from E*Trade to increase your buying power.
### Pricing
E*Trade’s pricing is competitive with other online brokerages. Here’s a breakdown of the fees you can expect to pay:
* **Stock trades:** $0.00 per trade for online trades up to 1,000 shares.
* **Options trades:** $0.65 per contract for online trades.
* **Margin interest:** Variable rates based on the amount of margin you borrow.
### Customer Support
E*Trade offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat. The company also has a large network of branch offices where you can get in-person assistance.
### Pros and Cons
**Pros:**
* Wide range of features
* Competitive pricing
* Excellent customer support
**Cons:**
* Some features may be too advanced for beginner traders
* Margin trading can be risky
### Comparison to Other Top Options
Here’s how E*Trade compares to some of the other top online brokerages:
| Feature | E*Trade | Fidelity | Vanguard | Schwab |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| Real-time quotes and charts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced charting tools | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock research | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Options trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Margin trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stock trades | $0.00 per trade for online trades up to 1,000 shares | $0.00 per trade for online trades up to 1,000 shares | $0.00 per trade for online trades up to 1,000 shares | $0.00 per trade for online trades up to 1,000 shares |
| Options trades | $0.65 per contract for online trades | $0.65 per contract for online trades | $0.65 per contract for online trades | $0.65 per contract for online trades |
| Margin interest | Variable rates based on the amount of margin you borrow | Variable rates based on the amount of margin you borrow | Variable rates based on the amount of margin you borrow | Variable rates based on the amount of margin you borrow |
| Customer support | 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat | 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat | 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat | 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat |
### Conclusion
E*Trade is a well-established online brokerage firm with a wide range of features and competitive pricing. The company’s customer support is also excellent. However, some features may be too advanced for beginner traders and margin trading can be risky.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive stock trading platform with all the bells and whistles, E*Trade is a good option. However, if you’re just starting out or you’re looking for a more basic platform, you may want to consider one of the other top options available.
### FAQs
**Is E*Trade good for beginners?**
E*Trade offers a wide range of features that can be helpful for beginners, such as real-time quotes, charts, and research reports. However, some features may be too advanced for complete beginners.
**Does E*Trade charge for trades?**
E*Trade charges $0.00 per trade for online trades up to 1,000 shares.
**What is the minimum deposit for E*Trade?**
There is no minimum deposit required to open an E*Trade account.