Tool Comparison
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs SoFi Invest
- Paid from
- —
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Mobile, Desktop
Best if
- You want advanced order types.
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
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 advanced order types.
- You've outgrown the basics and want pro-level depth
Pick SoFi Invest if
SoFi Invest
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.
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Our take
The bottom line
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and SoFi Invest 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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SoFi Invest
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Key differences at a glance
- Asset coverage
- E*TRADE from Morgan StanleyAdds bonds and cryptos
- Desktop app
- E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
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 SoFi Invest does best
- Online U.S. stock, ETF, and listed-options trading with $0 stated commissions.
- More than 4,000 eligible stock and ETF fractions starting at $5.
- Individual, joint, community-property, tenancy-by-entirety, and eligible IRA registrations.
- Mutual funds, interval funds and tender-offer funds with product-specific transaction costs.
- Recurring deposits, portfolio monitoring and watchlists in the SoFi app.
Side by side
See for yourself
Side by side
Price, platforms, data, and market coverage.ShowHide
Side by side
| 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 | North America |
| Try it | Visit E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | Visit SoFi Invest |
Standout features
The best features of E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and SoFi Invest.ShowHide
Standout features
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 SoFi Invest does best
- Online U.S. stock, ETF, and listed-options trading with $0 stated commissions.
- More than 4,000 eligible stock and ETF fractions starting at $5.
- Individual, joint, community-property, tenancy-by-entirety, and eligible IRA registrations.
- Mutual funds, interval funds and tender-offer funds with product-specific transaction costs.
- Recurring deposits, portfolio monitoring and watchlists in the SoFi app.
All details
Every attribute we track for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and SoFi Invest.ShowHide
All details
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual FundsCryptos | StocksETFsOptionsMutual Funds |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediate |
Regions | North America | North America |
Coverage details | Identifiers: Ticker and CUSIP | Identifiers: Ticker |
| Access & integrations | ||
Export formats | CSVPDF | CSVPDF |
| Plans & trust | ||
Vendor & support | Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone | SoFi Securities LLCCountry: United StatesSupport: Phone and Chat |
Green tags are exclusive to that tool in this comparison.
Questions we keep getting
What's the difference between E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and SoFi Invest?
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while SoFi Invest 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 SoFi Invest 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 SoFi Invest?
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 SoFi Invest?
It depends on what you're after. Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if advanced order types matter to you; go with SoFi Invest 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 SoFi Invest cover?
Both cover stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley also handles bonds and cryptos.
Can I export data from E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and SoFi Invest?
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 SoFi Invest?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
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