ETrade vs. Sofi – A Detailed Comparison
Discover our detailed comparison of ETrade and Sofi to help determine which is best for you. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting out, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your trading experience.
To make your research easier, we manually found key data for ETrade and Sofi across the internet and compiled it all in this article.
Overview of ETrade
Founded in 1982, ETRADE was one of the first companies to offer electronic trading to individual investors, making it easier for the general public to participate in the stock market without the need for traditional face-to-face transactions with brokers. ETrade offers competitive pricing for derivative trading and offers a trading platform for charting and analysis.
✓ Good research tools
✓ User-friendly app
✓ Great customer support
ETrade is Best For
ETrade is best for long-term investors and active traders alike, but it is just okay compared to other platforms. If you are a long-term investor, ETrade is great, but it doesn’t offer as much flexibility with fractional shares. It is also not the broker of choice for active traders, since much better platforms like tastytrade and thinkorswim are available.
Overview of Sofi
SoFi is an all in one financial platform allowing you to open bank accounts, brokerage accounts, refinance loans, get personal loans, track your net worth, and track your spending. SoFi used to offer the ability to trade crypto, but no longer does due to scrutinty from regulators. SoFi is a great option if you want to access all of your financial accounts from a single platform, but the only downside lies in the lack of physical locations for its banking services. However, it does offer much better interest rates on your cash thank big banks like Chase if you set up direct deposit.
✓ Banking and investing combo
✓ Personal loan options
✓ Net worth tracking tool
Sofi is Best For
SoFi is best for those who want a central platform to access all of their financial accounts including stocks, loans, and bank accounts. It is also great for those who want a convenient way to track their net worth and spending in an automated and organized app. SoFi will automatically track your recurring monthly expenses, allowing you to see exactly how much you spend each month. It also provides a line chart of your net worth and spending making tracking your expenses easy and fun.
Key Characteristics of ETrade and Sofi
| Platform | Platform Type | Tradeable Assets | Charting Features | Data | Premium Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETrade | Brokerage Platform | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Options, Futures, Futures Options, Crypto, Bonds | Power ETrade Platform | Real-time data with funded account | No premium features |
| Sofi | Brokerage, Banking, & Loan Provider | Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Options, Crypto | Basic line charts | Real-time data with an active investing account | Access SoFi Plus by connecting direct deposit |
Trading Features and Tools
| Platform | DRIP | Margin Trading | Insurance | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETrade | Yes, no fees in most cases | Yes | SIPC/FDIC Insured | Yes |
| Sofi | Yes, no fees | Yes | SIPC/FDIC Insured | Yes |
Trading Costs and Commissions Compared
| Fee Type | ETrade | Sofi |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Commission | Free | Free |
| Option Commission | $0.65 per contract | Free |
| Futures Commission | $1.50 per contract | No futures |
| Futures Options Commission | Must call to activate futures options | No futures options |
| Option Exercise Fee | None | $5 |
ETrade vs Sofi – Bottom Line
Choosing between ETrade and Sofi depends on your specific trading needs, preferred trading tools, and the type of assets you’re interested in.
Both platforms offer distinct advantages, but by considering the detailed comparison above, you can select the one that aligns best with your trading strategy and goals.
For more detailed reviews and comparisons, continue exploring our other articles on brokerage platform comparisons.
What is the Overall Best Charting Software?
I have reviewed and used nearly every trading platform available, and I believe that TradingView is the best overall charting software available. Here are some reasons why:
- All of TradingView’s key features are free to use
- TradingView provides real-time data for free whenever possible
- You are not tied to a single broker and can use whichever you want while charting on TradingView
- You can track all markets on a single platform, including stocks, ETFs, crypto, forex, and futures.
- TradingView has an excellent economic calendar and various screeners
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