E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley Brokerage Account Review 2026: Active options traders and investors who want dated, tiered margin rates and Morgan Stanley research
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Our verdict
E*TRADE's pricing page is one of the most detailed we read. It lists $0 commissions on stocks, options, mutual funds and ETFs, an options contract fee of $0.65 that falls to $0.50 with 30 or more trades per quarter, $1 per bond on online secondary trades ($10 minimum, $250 maximum), and 0.50% on crypto trades (as of 2026-10-02). Margin rates are tiered from a base rate of 10.20% effective 09/21/2026, starting at 12.70% for debit balances under $10,000. Account fees are spelled out too: $25 extra for broker-assisted trades and $75 for a full outgoing account transfer. Securities products are offered by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, and a FINRA BrokerCheck search returned MORGAN STANLEY (CRD 149777) as active. Crypto is held at zerohash and is not SIPC protected. Confirm current fees on E*TRADE's page.
Score breakdown
- Fees (25%)8.0/10
- Value & Returns (25%)8.0/10
- Transparency (20%)9.0/10
- Security & Trust (15%)9.0/10
- Support (15%)7.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Active options traders and investors who want dated, tiered margin rates and Morgan Stanley research.
Pricing
$0 online stock, ETF, options and mutual fund commissions; options $0.65 per contract ($0.50 with 30+ trades a quarter) (as of 2026-10-02)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds (online) | $0 commission | Per E*TRADE's pricing page (as of 2026-10-02). |
| Options contract fee | $0.65 ($0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter) | Per E*TRADE's pricing page (as of 2026-10-02). |
| Margin (under $10,000) | 12.70% | Base rate 10.20% effective 09/21/2026 (as of 2026-10-02). Rates change. |
| Full outgoing account transfer | $75 | Per E*TRADE's fee list (as of 2026-10-02). |
What the evidence says
- $0 stocks, options, mutual funds and ETFs; options $0.65 or $0.50 with 30+ trades per quarter; broker-assisted +$25; margin base 10.20% effective 09/21/2026, 12.70% under $10,000; $75 full outgoing transfer; crypto via zerohash not SIPC protected; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC (as of 2026-10-02). (E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley: Pricing and rates (official))
- Search for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney returned MORGAN STANLEY, CRD 149777, status active (as of 2026-10-02). (FINRA BrokerCheck (firm search))
Pros & cons
Pros
- $0 commissions on stocks, options, mutual funds and ETFs (as of 2026-10-02)
- Options contract fee drops from $0.65 to $0.50 for customers with 30 or more trades per quarter (as of 2026-10-02)
- Margin rates are published by tier with a dated base rate (10.20% effective 09/21/2026) (as of 2026-10-02)
- Securities are offered by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC; a FINRA BrokerCheck search returned MORGAN STANLEY (CRD 149777) as active
Cons & red flags
- $75 fee for a full outgoing account transfer (as of 2026-10-02)
- Broker-assisted trades cost an extra $25 (as of 2026-10-02)
- Margin under $10,000 costs 12.70% (as of 2026-10-02)
- Crypto is held at zerohash, outside Morgan Stanley, and is not SIPC protected (as of 2026-10-02)
How it compares
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley Brokerage Account scores 8.2/10 in our brokerages & investing evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Online Brokerages of 2026.
- Fidelity Brokerage Account review — 8.7/10, self-directed investors who want $0 online stock and etf trades, no account minimum, and clearly dated margin rates
- Charles Schwab Brokerage Account review — 8.5/10, investors who want $0 online stock and etf trades, a large no transaction fee fund list, and no minimums
Frequently asked questions
Who runs E*TRADE?
E*TRADE is part of Morgan Stanley. Its pricing page says securities products are offered by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC (as of 2026-10-02).
Does E*TRADE charge to transfer out?
Yes. The fee list shows $75 for a full outgoing account transfer (as of 2026-10-02).
Is crypto at E*TRADE SIPC protected?
No. E*TRADE says digital assets are held at zerohash, outside Morgan Stanley, and are not FDIC insured or SIPC protected (as of 2026-10-02).
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