★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs interactive investor
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 interactive investor doesn't offer
Pick interactive investor if
interactive investor
Subscription · 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 interactive investor 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
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
interactive investor
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- interactive investor
- 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 | Subscription |
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, Advanced |
Best for | — | — |
Categories covered | 6 | 5 |
Regions | North America | Europe, North America, APAC |
| Try it | Visit E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | Visit interactive investor |
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and interactive investor each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and interactive investor 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 interactive investor does best
- Trading Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, and Personal Pension on every current plan.
- Junior ISA, joint account, and family benefits on Plus and Premium.
- More than 40,000 UK and international shares, funds, ETFs, investment trusts, bonds, and gilts.
- Direct access to 17 international exchanges and up to nine currencies in Trading Accounts and SIPPs.
- Free regular investing plus plan-specific included monthly trades and ad-hoc dealing prices.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and interactive investor, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and interactive investor, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsBondsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | EuropeNorth AmericaAPAC |
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 | Interactive Investor Services LimitedCountry: United KingdomSupport: Phone 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | — | £5.99/mo“Core” |
| Tier 2 | — | £14.99/mo“Plus” |
| Top plan | — | £39.99/mo“Premium” |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and interactive investor?
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while interactive investor puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist. 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 interactive investor 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.
Should I choose E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or interactive investor?
It depends on what you're after. Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if options matter to you; go with interactive investor 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 interactive investor 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 interactive investor?
interactive investor has documented international coverage (Europe, North America, and APAC), 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 interactive investor?
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 interactive investor?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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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.