E*TRADE vs Stash: Compare Investing Features
ETRADE's robust platform is designed for more experienced investors who seek a broad spectrum of investment choices and detailed analytical tools.
Customer can trade from thousands of securities with access to various exchanges. It also offers various retirement plans, automated inevsting and banking options thourgh Morgan Stanley Private Bank.
Stash, on the other hand, is designed with younger, novice investors in mind, emphasizing simplicity and education.
It offers a subscription-based model with two tiers, providing digital advice and investment management through its Smart Portfolio.
Unique to Stash is the Stock-Back card, which rewards spending with stock instead of cash, integrating everyday transactions with investment growth.
Stash | E*TRADE | |
|---|---|---|
Investing Options | 4,000 stocks, ETFs and REITs | Full Access To Almost Any Asset |
Investing Types | Stocks, ETFs, REITS and Fractional Shares | Stocks, Options, Futures, ETFs, Bonds, Mutual Funds |
Automated Investing | Yes | Yes |
Paper Trading | No | Yes |
Tax Loss Harvesting | No | Yes |
IPO Access | No | Yes |
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Self Investing And Trading Options
Etrade is our winner when it comes to self investing.
ETRADE stands out with its comprehensive access to various exchanges, offering a wide range of investment options, including thousands of ETFs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, futures, and options.
These are complemented by strong web and desktop platforms that provide advanced tools such as Portfolio Movers, advanced charts and watchlists.
Additionally, E*TRADE offers IPO access and earning reports, which is not available on Stash.
ETRADE's robust platform is designed for more experienced investors who seek a broad spectrum of investment choices and detailed analytical tools. The inclusion of options and futures trading further broadens the scope for sophisticated trading strategies.
On the other hand, Stash excels in areas that make investing accessible and straightforward, particularly for beginners and younger investors.
Stash allows the purchase of fractional shares, enabling investors to buy portions of high-priced stocks and ETFs, making it easier to build a diversified portfolio with less capital.
Additionally, Stash provides access to REITs, which are not available on E*TRADE.
Stash’s intuitive research tools and diversification analysis help users make informed investment decisions without needing extensive prior knowledge.
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Retirement Accounts
When it comes to retirement options, Etrade is the winner as it has more options for retirement plans.
Stash offers basic retirement options, including traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. It allows users to invest in a range of ETFs and REITs through these accounts.
However, it lacks advanced features like automated IRA portfolio management and tax-loss harvesting.
E*TRADE offers diverse retirement accounts including Roth and Traditional IRAs, Rollover IRAs, Inherited IRAs, Complete IRAs for those over 59½, and IRAs for minors. Additionally, E*TRADE features the Complete IRA, specifically designed for investors over 59½ years old.
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Automated Investing
E*TRADE Core Portfolios is an automated investing service designed to simplify portfolio management through a robo-advisor. It starts with an investor completing a questionnaire:
Based on the responses, Core Portfolios constructs a diversified portfolio primarily composed of ETFs tailored to the investor’s profile.
As market conditions change, the portfolio is adjusted to maintain the target asset allocation, ensuring that the investment strategy remains aligned with the investor's goals.
The minimum investment for ETRADE Core Portfolios is $500, making it accessible for a wide range of investors.
ETRADE also offers tax loss harvesting for clients using Core Portfolios. Additionally, ETRADE provides access to human financial advisors for additional guidance, a feature not commonly found in all automated investing platforms. The annual advisory fee of 0.30%.
Stash’s automated investing service is offered through its Smart Portfolio, designed to provide a simple, fully managed investment solution. The Smart Portfolio is ideal for beginner and passive investors, utilizing a diversified, risk-optimized approach primarily focused on ETFs.
Investors can choose their risk level, and Stash automatically allocates funds across domestic, international, and bond holdings to match the user's risk tolerance and financial goals.
The Smart Portfolio is rebalanced quarterly, ensuring the portfolio remains aligned with the investor's chosen risk profile.
This rebalancing occurs during contributions or withdrawals as well, maintaining the desired asset allocation over time.
Unlike Etrade Core Portfolio, Stash doesn't offer tax-loss harvesting options, but there is no fee for using it besides the monthly fee.
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Fees
Stash is our winner when it comes to fees.
Etrade Core Portfolio | Stash | |
|---|---|---|
Robo Advisor Fee | 0.30% Annually | Monthly $3 – $9
$3 for Stash Growth plan, $9 for Stash+ plan |
ETRADE offers $0 commissions on online stock, ETF, and mutual fund trades, with options contracts costing $0.65 per contract (reduced to $0.50 with higher trading volume). OTC stock trades cost $6.95, reduced to $4.95 with frequent trading.
There are no trading commissions on Stash, which means users can trade stocks and ETFs without incurring additional costs.
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Cash Management And Savings Rates
When it comes to banking options, Etrade is our winner as it offers a complete package of both high savings APY and checking accounts with various money management features.
Etrade Premium Savings | Stash | |
|---|---|---|
Savings APY | 3.75% | 0% |
Managed by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, E*TRADE offers two checking accounts: Max-Rate Checking and Standard Checking.
Both provide unlimited online wire transfers, money transfers, mobile check deposits, and nationwide ATM fee refunds. They feature Coverdraft Protection and integrated account views.
The Stash banking service includes a checking account with no hidden fees, no minimum balance requirements, and early payday access.
This account is paired with a Stock-Back® Card, a unique debit card that rewards users with fractional shares of stock based on their spending.
Additionally, Stash banking provides budgeting tools and automatic round-up investments.
Bottom Line
While ETRADE provides a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced tools and multiple asset classes, it may overwhelm beginners. It also has great baking options and retirement plans.
Stash offers a more user-friendly. With a great interface and easy-to-use app, it's ideal for those starting their investment journey.
