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TradeStation review

Updated September 28, 2026 · SumCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.

Our verdict

TradeStation suits experienced traders and day traders who want a wide market list with no commission on shares. Stock trade fees are $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, though a dormant account attracts an inactivity fee of $10.

Key facts

Best for
Active traders who trade across many markets from one US account.
Minimum deposit
$0↗
Stock trade fee
$0↗
Inactivity fee
$10↗
Markets
Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, Funds↗
Regulators
SIPC↗
Investor protection
SIPC up to USD 500,000↗
Currency conversion fee
0.5%↗
Options contract fee
$0.50↗
Deposit and withdrawal fees
free deposits↗
Platforms
TradeStation desktop, Web, Mobile↗
Account types
IRA, Joint, Corporate↗
Interest on cash
0.15%↗
Legal entity
TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC↗
Headquarters
United States↗
Founded
1982↗
Support channels
Email, Chat, Phone, Help-centre↗
Features
Crypto, Fractional shares, Options, Futures, Mobile app
Pricing model
Commission-free, Low fees
Audience
Experienced traders, Day traders
Official website
tradestation.com

Facts checked September 26, 2026, 8 sources

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App Store
Elsewhere
Wikidata

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Stock trade fees of $0 sit top of the list in 166 compared brands
  • Minimum deposit of $0 ranks first among 218 brands
  • Market list of stocks, etfs and forex plus features of crypto, fractional shares and options
  • Account types cover ira, joint and corporate and support runs on email, chat and phone

Cons

  • An inactivity fee of $10 applies, ranking 35 of 56 brands on that fee
  • Options trades cost $0.50 and currency conversion costs 0.5%
  • Holds only SIPC protection, with investor protection of SIPC up to USD 500,000
TradeStation

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Scored 9.2 / 10 by SumCue.

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Who it suits

  • Experienced traders placing regular orders in stocks, etfs and forex
  • Day traders working from desktop, web and mobile platforms
  • Retirement savers looking for the account types in ira, joint and corporate

Who should look elsewhere

  • Long term savers who leave an account idle, because of the inactivity fee of $10
  • Beginners wanting hand holding, since the audience is experienced and day traders
  • Anyone wanting wider cover than SIPC up to USD 500,000

Where it sits among rivals

TradeStation holds joint top spot on two of the fees readers check. Stock trade fees of $0 put it first of 166 brands compared, and a minimum deposit of $0 puts it first of 218. The inactivity fee of $10 is the weaker point, ranking 35 of 56 brands on that charge.

Safety of your money

The client entity is TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC, headquartered in the United States, and the only regulator listed is SIPC. Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, so cash and securities held with the firm fall under that scheme. The licence record shows SIPC member 48711.

How TradeStation compares

Where TradeStation is available

Available
United States
Licence in United States
SIPC (SIPC member 48711), checked September 26, 2026

Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost to trade shares?+

Stock trades are charged at $0, which puts TradeStation at the top of 166 brands compared. Options trades are priced separately at $0.50, and currency conversion adds 0.5%.

Is there a minimum deposit?+

The minimum deposit is $0, so an account can be opened without a large opening balance. That figure ranks first among the 218 brands compared on the same measure.

Is there an inactivity fee?+

Yes. Accounts left dormant are charged an inactivity fee of $10. That places TradeStation at 35 of 56 brands compared on inactivity fees, so keep some activity on the account or close it.

How much is my money protected?+

Investor protection is SIPC up to USD 500,000, held through the SIPC scheme. The named client entity is TRADESTATION SECURITIES INC in the United States, and the licence record reads SIPC member 48711.

What can I trade?+

The market list covers stocks, etfs and forex, spanning shares, funds, bonds, currencies, derivatives and crypto. Extra tools listed under features include crypto, fractional shares and options.

Which account types are offered?+

Accounts come in ira, joint and corporate formats. The listed audience is experienced and day traders, so the platform is aimed at traders rather than first time investors.

How do I deposit and withdraw money?+

Deposits are free deposits, and the account runs on TradeStation desktop, web and mobile. Help runs through email, chat and phone, so phone and chat are available as well as email.

What interest do I earn on cash?+

Uninvested cash earns interest at 0.15%. That sits alongside the trading model described as commission free and low fees.

Sources

Compiled from 8 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Account fee, Retail accounts that lose money.

TradeStation

TradeStation

Active traders who trade across many markets from one US account.

9.2/10See alternatives