★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs Freetrade
Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
- You care about options, something Freetrade doesn't offer
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Pick Freetrade if
Freetrade
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
See alternativesOutbound links may include affiliate or sponsor codes.
Our take
The bottom line
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade cover a lot of the same ground (5 shared categories, including brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist), 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
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
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Freetrade
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Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- Freetrade
- Desktop app
- E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
- Asset coverage
- E*TRADE from Morgan StanleyAdds options
See for yourself
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.ShowHide
How they stack up
The side-by-side table: pricing, platforms, data, and coverage at a glance.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Desktop app | Yes | No |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 6 | 5 |
Regions | North America | Europe, North America |
| Try it | Visit E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | Visit Freetrade |
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade each do best.What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley does best
- Self-directed taxable, IRA, custodial, education, trust, estate, and eligible business accounts.
- E*TRADE and Power E*TRADE web, desktop, and mobile trading workflows.
- Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds, CDs, and selected fractional listed securities.
- ACH, wire, check, direct-deposit, and brokerage-transfer funding methods.
- Default FDIC Bank Deposit Program sweep with tiered variable APY.
What Freetrade does best
- Commission-free dealing in the available stocks, ETFs, investment trusts, funds, gilts, and UK Treasury bills.
- A free Basic plan with GIA, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, and SIPP access.
- Optional Standard and Plus plans with lower FX fees and higher capped GBP cash interest.
- U.S.-listed fractional shares bought by GBP value, with proportional dividends and voting support.
- Recurring orders, limit orders, stop losses, portfolio monitoring, and watchlists.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediate |
Regions | North America | EuropeNorth America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker and ISIN |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone | Freetrade LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Chat and Email |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.ShowHide
What you'll actually pay
Plans, billing, trials, and per-month pricing for both tools.| Tier | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | Free“Basic” |
| Entry paid plan | — | £5.99/mo“Standard” |
| Top plan | — | £11.99/mo“Plus” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade?
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Freetrade puts more weight on brokerage, advanced order types, and portfolio. They overlap in 5 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade 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: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Freetrade?
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 E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Freetrade?
It depends on what you're after. Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if options matter to you; go with Freetrade if you prefer its overall approach. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley also handles options.
Which covers international markets: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Freetrade?
Freetrade has documented international coverage (Europe and North America), so it's the safer bet if you hold non-US stocks. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley is more region-specific, mainly North America.
Can I export data from E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Freetrade?
Yes, both export to spreadsheets (CSV), which is handy if you like running your own numbers.
Can I track my portfolio with E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Freetrade?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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