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Investing » J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing vs. E-Trade: Which Broker Wins?

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing vs. E-Trade: Which Broker Wins?

JP Morgan is best for the average investor seeking a simple platform or wealth management, but E-Trade is our overall winner. Here's why.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: April 1, 2025

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.


E-Trade-Log

J.P. Morgan Self Directed Investing
E-Trade
Monthly Fee
$0 $0 online commission on U.S. listed stocks and ETFs and $0.65 per-contract
0% – 0.35% 0% on stocks and ETFs in self directed brokrage, 0.35% for Core Portfolio Robo Advisor
Account Types
Brokerage, Retirement
Brokerage, Retirement
Savings APY
0.01% – 3.99%
4.00%
Minimum Deposit
$0
$0
Best For
Existing Chase Customers, Active Investors Looking To Minimize Fees
Beginners, Traders, Robo Advisor
Read Review
Read Review

JPM Self-Directed vs E-Trade: Compare Features

JP Morgan is ideal for those seeking a simpler, integrated banking and investing experience with great tools for the average investor.

E-Trade
JPM Self-Directed Investing
Investing Options
Full Access To Almost Any Asset
800 stocks and ETFs, 8,000+ mutual funds
Investing Types
Stocks, Options, Futures, ETFs, Bonds, Mutual Funds
Stocks, Options, ETFs, Fixed Income, Mutual Funds
Automated Investing
Yes
No
Paper Trading
No
No
IPO Access
Yes
No
Dedicated Advisor
Yes
No
Tax Loss Harvesting
Yes
No

E*TRADE excels in providing sophisticated tools and broader investment options for more active and knowledgeable investors.

While JPM may be better for the average investor looking for simplicity, E-Trade is our winner in this category, mainly due to its extensive investing options and features such as IPO access and paper trading.

Research stocks on Etrade app
Research stocks on Etrade app (Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade )

E-Trade's fundamental analysis tools are robust enough for most investors, providing a comprehensive view of a company’s financial health and market position

My watchlist, Etrade app
My watchlist, Etrade app (Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade )

The platform provides access to a wide range of research reports, data, and analysis to help investors make informed decisions. Key features include detailed stock screeners, analyst ratings, earnings reports, and financial statements.

see all earnings report schedule, Etrade
(Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade )

For those who want to dive deeper, E-Trade offers tools to compare company fundamentals, such as revenue, profit margins, and debt levels, across different companies.

portfolio performance by asset, Etrade app
Portfolio performance by asset, Etrade app (Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade app)

On the other hand, JP Morgan Self-Directed Investing offers commission-free trades on stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, with fractional shares available.

search for growth stocks on JPM self directed
Search for growth stocks (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

For individual stocks, customers have access to recent analyst updates, statistics, press releases, and the latest news, providing comprehensive information to support informed investment decisions.

Investors can take advantage of features like weekly economic reports, watchlists, and asset allocation charts.

See stock statistics on JPM brokerage
Explore stock statistics (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

JPM also offers good options for investors focused on socially responsible investing (SRI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) options.

JP Morgan recent analyst updates
Analyst updates (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

Both E-Trade and JP Morgan Self-Directed Investing offer excellent technical analysis tools for the average trader.

E-Trade also excels at providing a seamless mobile trading experience. Its Power E-Trade platform offers advanced tools like customizable options chains and risk management features, but it does so in an intuitive and easy-to-navigate way.

One of the standout features is the ability to overlay multiple technical indicators, such as moving averages, Bollinger Bands, and Relative Strength Index (RSI), on a single chart.

technical analysis charts on Etrade
(Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade )

JP Morgan Self-Directed Investing is great if you want to dabble in options trading without getting overwhelmed by too many bells and whistles.

ETF purchase order on JP Morgan self directed
ETF purchase order (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

For trading, JPM offers essential tools like charting and stock screeners. When it comes to technical analysis, customers can generate specific graphs based on various indicators such as volume, momentum, and trends.

Additionally, traders can customize their technical views by adding features like Bollinger Bands, oscillators, volatility measures, and RSI to enhance their trading decisions.

 E-Trade’s Core Portfolios is our winner here, as JP Morgan Self-Directed Investing does not offer a traditional robo-advisor, which can be a drawback if you’re looking for a hands-off investment approach.

recommended portfolio chart, Etrade
Recommended portfolio chart (Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade )
JP Morgan brokerage momentum technical analysis
Momentum technical analysis (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

E-Trade’s Core Portfolios is a standout feature for those who want a simple, automated approach to investing. It pairs expert guidance with automated technology to manage your investments, making it easy to set up a portfolio that aligns with your financial goals. 

what if analysis for one year performance, Etrade app
What if analysis for one year performance (Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade app)

One of the things that makes E-Trade excel is its ease of use, allowing you to adjust your investment strategy as your goals change, and providing a hands-off experience with regular rebalancing and a low annual advisory fee of 0.30% .

E-Trade is our winner if you're focused on retirement investments, as it offers more options and experience. 

asset allocation per investment style, Etrade
Asset allocation per investment style (Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade )

E-Trade stands out with its wide range of retirement account options, including traditional and Roth IRAs, as well as more specialized accounts like Rollover IRAs, Beneficiary IRAs, and even IRAs for minors. 

choose my portfolio risk, Etrade
Choose portfolio risk, Etrade (Screenshot taken by our team from Etrade app)

E-Trade also offers the E-Trade Complete IRA, designed specifically for investors over 59 1/2, allowing easy access to savings with features like anytime withdrawals and a free debit card. 

JP Morgan Self-Directed Investing focuses on simplicity and integration with its banking services, offering traditional and Roth IRAs with no annual fees and commission-free trades.

JPM self directed stock screener
Stock screener (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

However, the options are somewhat limited, as JP Morgan doesn’t provide more specialized retirement accounts like rollover or beneficiary IRAs.

JP Morgan retirement portfolio value
Retirement portfolio value (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

When it comes to fees, both platforms have similar offerings.

JP Morgan Self-Directed Investing and E-Trade provide commission-free trading for U.S. stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, along with options trading at $0.65 per contract.

Etrade Core Portfolio
JPM Self-Directed Investing
Fees
0.30%
$0 $0 online commission on U.S. listed stocks and ETFs and $0.65 per-contract

When it comes to robo advisory, the E-trade robo advisor fee is fixed, 0.30%, which can be good for those who manage high balances. 

When it comes to banking options, E-trade is our winner.

E-trade Premium Savings
JPM Self-Directed Cash APY
Savings APY
4.00%
0.01% – 3.99%

JPM Self-Directed Investing integrates seamlessly with Chase bank accounts, which is a big plus if you’re already a Chase customer. This integration allows you to easily move money between your investment and banking accounts, making the overall management of your finances smoother.

However, there is no stand-alone cash management for JPM self-directed customers, and the interest rates on uninvested cash are quite low, typically around 0.01%

E-Trade offers a more traditional banking experience through its Premium Savings Account and checking accounts, managed by Morgan Stanley Private Bank.

The Premium Savings Account offers a competitive interest rate, with no minimum deposit requirement.

Etrade checking account
(Screenshot taken by our team from E-trade )

E-Trade’s checking accounts also provide convenience, with features like unlimited ATM fee refunds and online bill pay, making them ideal for everyday banking needs.

JP Morgan is our winner when it comes to wealth management.

Thanks to its partnership with Morgan Stanley, E*TRADE provides access to a comprehensive range of wealth management services, including personalized financial planning, customized investment strategies, and a broad selection of investment products.

 

J.P. Morgan gives you two great options for personalized financial advice: Personal Advisors and Private Client Advisors. Personal Advisors offer convenient virtual financial planning, giving you ongoing advice and access to smart, expert-built portfolios with tax-efficient features.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more exclusive, J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisors are ideal.

They focus on clients with $100,000 or more in investable assets, offering a one-on-one relationship that includes a custom portfolio, continuous guidance, and a comprehensive approach to managing your investments, retirement plans, and financial goals.

All investments Summary
A potential candidate for wealth management (Screenshot taken by our team from J.P Morgan app)

Bottom Line

JP Morgan is best for the average investor seeking a simple platform with good investing features or Chase customers who need an integrated banking and investing experience.

However, E-Trade is our winner in this comparison due to its broader selection of retirement accounts, its set of tools for advanced traders, attractive banking options, and the Core Portfolios robo-advisor service. 

How J.P. Morgan Self Directed Compares to Other Online Brokers

Both offer similar tools for the average investor or trader, but Merrill is better at automated investing. Here's our full comparison:

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing vs. Merrill Edge: Compare Brokerage Accounts

If you're an experienced investor or trader, IBKR may be a better option. If you're a Chase customer or prefer simplicity, consider JP Morgan.

Interactive Brokers vs. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing: Which Broker Wins?

Vanguard offers a better approach for serious investors, while JP Morgan's self-directed is better for beginners and advanced traders

Vanguard vs. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed: Which Broker is Best For You?

Schwab surpasses JPM self-directed in most categories, including self-directed investing, robo advisory, and technical analysis.

Schwab vs. J.P. Morgan Self-Directed: Which Brokerage Is Best?

Fidelity is our winner due to its investment options, research tools, advanced trading features, and excellent retirement planning services.

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing vs. Fidelity : A Side-by-Side Comparison

JP Morgan wins when it comes to fundamental investing tools, but Robinhood is better for technical analysis and trading. Here's why:

J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing vs. Robinhood: Compare Brokerage Accounts

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Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Promotion:
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Investing, Banking & Retirement Options

Wide Range of Cryptocurrencies
Supports a large number of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and many altcoins.
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Provides a non-custodial wallet where users have control over their private keys, supports a wide range of crypto assets and decentralized applications (DApps).

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This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.