BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON

Checking

Checked Aug 23 to Sep 24, 2026

Tool Comparison

Cash App vs Rakuten Securities

Paid from
—
Free plan
No
Platforms
Mobile, Web

Best if

    Paid from
    —
    Free plan
    No
    Platforms
    Web, Mobile

    Best if

    • You want watchlist and options.
    • You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth

    Pick Cash App if

    Cash App logo

    Cash App

    cash.app

    Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Mobile · Web

    Pick Rakuten Securities if

    Rakuten Securities logo

    Rakuten Securities

    rakuten-sec.co.jp

    Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile

    • You want watchlist and options.
    • You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth

    Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.

    See alternatives

    Outbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.

    Not set on either one? See the top 50 tools, ranked by user votes, or the deals page for big discounts on popular tools.

    Our take

    The bottom line

    Cash App and Rakuten Securities cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, brokerage, portfolio, and downloadable tax reports), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. On paper they're closely matched, so let pricing, platform fit, and the details below break the tie.

    What readers say

    Cash App

    No votes yet. Cast the first one.

    Rakuten Securities

    No votes yet. Cast the first one.

    Key differences at a glance

    Global coverage
    Rakuten Securities
    See the full side-by-side table
    Cash App logo

    What Cash App does best

    1. Buying and selling U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with fractional shares and small-dollar purchases where Cash App supports the security.
    2. Auto Invest to schedule recurring purchases of selected stocks, ETFs, or Bitcoin.
    3. Round Ups to invest spare change from Cash App Card purchases into a chosen stock, Bitcoin, or savings balance.
    4. Trading access for Bitcoin inside the same app, including send and receive support through the Lightning Network where available.
    5. Custom price-triggered orders for stocks and Bitcoin; these are not guaranteed limit orders.
    Rakuten Securities logo

    What Rakuten Securities does best

    1. Japanese cash equities with a conditional ¥0 Zero Course.
    2. U.S. stocks and ETFs at 0.495%, capped at $22 per trade.
    3. Kabumini eligible Japanese odd lots from one whole share; real-time trades have a 0.22% spread.
    4. Mutual funds, bonds, NISA and derivatives in the wider account suite.
    5. Free eligible real-time deposits and standard domestic withdrawals.

    Side by side

    Pricing & plans
    Starting price
    Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction
    Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction
    Free tier
    No
    No
    Free trial
    —
    —
    Platforms & access
    Web app
    Yes
    Yes
    Mobile app
    Yes
    Yes
    API access
    No
    No
    Broker sync
    No
    —
    Coverage & data
    Asset types
    StocksETFsCryptos
    StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsFutures
    Export formats
    PDF
    CSVPDF

    Pricing comparison

    See for yourself

    Side by side

    Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.
    Show
    Side-by-side comparison of Cash App and Rakuten Securities
    Attribute
    Cash App logo
    Cash App
    Rakuten Securities logo
    Rakuten Securities
    Pricing & plans
    Starting price
    Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdictionTransaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction
    Free tier
    NoNo
    Free trial
    ——
    Plan limits
    5 limits: Cash App Investing: stock etf commission: $0, Cash App Investing: minimum stock purchase: $1 +3 more—
    Platforms & access
    Web app
    YesYes
    Mobile app
    YesYes
    API access
    NoNo
    Broker sync
    No—
    Audience & fit
    Experience level
    Beginner, IntermediateBeginner, Intermediate, Advanced
    Best for
    ——
    Categories covered
    35
    Regions
    North AmericaAPAC
    Data & capabilities
    Security
    Status page—
    Try itVisit Cash AppVisit Rakuten Securities

    Standout features

    The best features of Cash App and Rakuten Securities.
    Show
    Cash App logo

    What Cash App does best

    1. Buying and selling U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with fractional shares and small-dollar purchases where Cash App supports the security.
    2. Auto Invest to schedule recurring purchases of selected stocks, ETFs, or Bitcoin.
    3. Round Ups to invest spare change from Cash App Card purchases into a chosen stock, Bitcoin, or savings balance.
    4. Trading access for Bitcoin inside the same app, including send and receive support through the Lightning Network where available.
    5. Custom price-triggered orders for stocks and Bitcoin; these are not guaranteed limit orders.
    Rakuten Securities logo

    What Rakuten Securities does best

    1. Japanese cash equities with a conditional ¥0 Zero Course.
    2. U.S. stocks and ETFs at 0.495%, capped at $22 per trade.
    3. Kabumini eligible Japanese odd lots from one whole share; real-time trades have a 0.22% spread.
    4. Mutual funds, bonds, NISA and derivatives in the wider account suite.
    5. Free eligible real-time deposits and standard domestic withdrawals.

    All details

    Every attribute we track for Cash App and Rakuten Securities.
    Show
    Attribute
    Cash App logo
    Cash App
    Rakuten Securities logo
    Rakuten Securities
    Coverage & fit
    Asset types
    StocksETFsCryptos
    StocksETFsMutual FundsBondsOptionsFutures
    Experience
    BeginnerIntermediate
    BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
    Regions
    North America
    APAC
    Coverage details
    Countries: USIdentifiers: Ticker
    Countries: JPExchanges: XTKS, XNAS, and XNYSIdentifiers: Ticker and ISIN
    Access & integrations
    Export formats
    PDF
    CSVPDF
    Plans & trust
    Security & compliance
    Status page
    Not specified
    Vendor & support
    Cash App Investing LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat
    Rakuten Securities, Inc.Country: JapanSupport: Phone and Chat

    Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.

    Pricing

    Plans, billing, free trials, and monthly prices.
    Show
    Plan-by-plan pricing comparison of Cash App and Rakuten Securities
    Tier
    Cash App logo
    Cash App
    Rakuten Securities logo
    Rakuten Securities
    Free plan
    Free“Cash App Investing”stock etf commission: $0 · minimum stock purchase: $1 · +3 more
    —

    Questions we keep getting

    What's the difference between Cash App and Rakuten Securities?

    Cash App leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and downloadable tax reports, while Rakuten Securities puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.

    How much do Cash App and Rakuten Securities cost?

    Neither has a free plan; you'll need a paid subscription for the full feature set of either. Check each tool's current plan details before buying.

    Which is better for beginners: Cash App or Rakuten Securities?

    Honestly, neither is aimed at beginners. Expect a learning curve either way; that's the trade-off for the depth they offer.

    Should I choose Cash App or Rakuten Securities?

    It depends on what you're after. Pick Cash App if you prefer its overall approach; go with Rakuten Securities if you'd rather have watchlist and options. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.

    What asset classes do Cash App and Rakuten Securities cover?

    Both cover stocks and ETFs. Cash App also handles cryptos. Rakuten Securities adds mutual funds, bonds, and options on top.

    Which covers international markets: Cash App or Rakuten Securities?

    Rakuten Securities has documented international coverage (APAC), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. Cash App is more region-specific, mainly North America.

    Can I export data from Cash App and Rakuten Securities?

    Rakuten Securities exports to CSV. Cash App is stingier about getting data out.

    Can I track my portfolio with Cash App or Rakuten Securities?

    Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.

    Feedback

    Spot stale pricing, missing features, or a comparison that feels off? Send feedback on the verdict, table, alternatives, or recommendation.

    Curation & Accuracy

    This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

    Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.