VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON
Tool details checked August 23, 2026
Tool Comparison
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs Robinhood
Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Web · Mobile · Desktop
- You want watchlist, advanced order types, and downloadable tax reports.
Pick Robinhood if
Robinhood
Transaction-priced · Fees vary by offer and jurisdiction · Mobile · Web
- You want wealth management.
Skip both if: Neither one clicks with how you research; there are strong third options.
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Our take
The bottom line
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood cover a lot of the same ground (3 shared categories, brokerage, portfolio, and options), so for the basics you won't go far wrong with either. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley includes watchlist and advanced order types, and Robinhood includes wealth management.
What readers say
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
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Robinhood
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Key differences at a glance
- Free trial
- Robinhood30 days
- Desktop app
- E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
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 | — | 30 days |
Plan limits | — | 5 limits: Standard (Self-directed brokerage): index options contract fee: $0.50 per contract (non-Gold), Robinhood Gold (Monthly): interest free margin borrowing: $1,000 +3 more |
| Platforms & access | ||
Web app | Yes | Yes |
Desktop app | Yes | No |
Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
API access | No | No |
Integrations | — | EDX Markets and Bitstamp USA |
| Audience & fit | ||
Experience level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
Best for | — | Retail Traders and Pro Retail |
Categories covered | 6 | 4 |
Regions | North America | North America |
| Data & capabilities | ||
Data partners | — | EDX Markets, Inc. and Bitstamp USA, Inc. |
Capabilities | — | AI summaries: News |
Security | — | Status page |
| Try it | Visit E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | Visit Robinhood |
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood 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 Robinhood does best
- Trading access for U.S. listed and OTC securities, including ETFs and closed-end funds, with $0 self-directed commissions where regulatory and other pass-through fees may still apply.
- Trading access for listed options after approval, with index options contract fees discounted for Robinhood Gold users.
- Robinhood Gold includes higher Instant Deposit limits, a preferred IRA match, the first $1,000 of margin borrowing, and discounted derivatives fees.
- Gold members can enroll eligible taxable accounts in the High-Yield Cash Program and may qualify for the Gold Card and annual-plan mortgage offer.
- Trading access for crypto through Robinhood Crypto, with costs depending on routing model, Smart Exchange Routing fees, network fees, and staking commissions where applicable.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual FundsCryptos | StocksETFsClosed-End FundsOptionsFuturesCryptos |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Target audience | Not specified | Retail TradersPro Retail |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Data | ||
Data partners | Not specified | EDX Markets, Inc.Bitstamp USA, Inc. |
| Access & integrations | ||
Integrations | Not specified | EDX MarketsBitstamp USA |
Export formats | CSVPDF | Not specified |
| Plans & trust | ||
Security & compliance | Not specified | Status page |
Capability signals | Not specified | AI summaries: News |
Vendor & support | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone | Robinhood Markets, Inc.Country: United States |
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“Standard (Self-directed brokerage)”index options contract fee: $0.50 per contract (non-Gold) |
| Entry paid plan | — | $50/yr≈ $4.17/mo“Robinhood Gold (Annual)”interest free margin borrowing: $1,000 · index options contract fee: $0.35 per contract (Gold) |
| Top plan | — | $5/mo“Robinhood Gold (Monthly)”interest free margin borrowing: $1,000 · index options contract fee: $0.35 per contract (Gold) |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood?
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Robinhood puts more weight on brokerage, portfolio, and options. They overlap in 3 categories, so for most people it comes down to workflow preference and price.
How much do E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood cost?
Neither has a free plan, but Robinhood offers a free trial. Compare the paid tiers against your required data coverage before committing.
Should I choose E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Robinhood?
It depends on what you're after. Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if watchlist and advanced order types matter to you; go with Robinhood if you'd rather have wealth management. And if you only need the basics both share, let price decide.
What asset classes do E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptos. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley also handles bonds and mutual funds. Robinhood adds closed-end funds and futures on top.
Can I export data from E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Robinhood?
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley exports to CSV. Robinhood is stingier about getting data out.
Can I track my portfolio with E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Robinhood?
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.