★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★
VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
Tool details checked July 17, 2026
Tool Comparison
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs Trading 212
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 Trading 212 doesn't offer
Pick Trading 212 if
Trading 212
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 Trading 212 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.
Trading 212
Vote once to reveal the community verdict.
Key differences at a glance
- Global coverage
- Trading 212
- 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 | — | — |
| 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, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, Africa |
| Try it | Visit E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | Visit Trading 212 |
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Trading 212 each do best.ShowHide
Where each one shines
What E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Trading 212 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 Trading 212 does best
- Direct Invest accounts for supported stocks and ETFs, separate from leveraged CFD exposure.
- Trading 212 commission and custody fees of zero for Invest, ISA, and SIPP, with entity-specific FX fees when conversion is required.
- Multi-currency Invest balances across supported currencies, subject to entity and residence availability.
- Fractional market, limit, stop, and stop-limit orders for most supported Invest and ISA instruments.
- Fractional owners receive proportional dividends and voting support, but fractions cannot transfer to another broker.
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Trading 212, side by side.ShowHide
Every detail we compared
Every tracked attribute for E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Trading 212, side by side.| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage & fit | ||
Asset types | StocksETFsOptionsBondsMutual Funds | StocksETFsCurrenciesCommoditiesOther |
Experience | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced | BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced |
Regions | North America | EuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica |
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 | Trading 212Country: United KingdomSupport: 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 Trading 212?
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley leans toward brokerage, portfolio, and watchlist, while Trading 212 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 Trading 212 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 Trading 212?
It depends on what you're after. Pick E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if options matter to you; go with Trading 212 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 Trading 212 cover?
Both cover stocks and ETFs. E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley also handles options, bonds, and mutual funds. Trading 212 adds currencies, commodities, and other on top.
Which covers international markets: E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley or Trading 212?
Trading 212 has documented international coverage (Europe, APAC, LatAm, Middle East, and more), 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 Trading 212?
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 Trading 212?
Yes, both do portfolio tracking: holdings, performance, and allocation in one place.
Keep researching
Other tools you might like
Keep Exploring
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.