E*TRADE charges zero dollars per trade for stocks, ETFs, and options on its standard brokerage accounts

E*TRADE does not charge a per-trade commission for buying or selling stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or options contracts. This has been their pricing model since 2019. You pay nothing when you place the trade itself.

What you do pay depends on what you trade and how you trade it. Some account types, trading strategies, and specific products carry separate fees. Understanding which fees explore to your situation requires knowing what you actually plan to trade and which account you use.

Key Takeaways

  • Stock and ETF trades cost zero commission on E*TRADE's standard brokerage accounts, with no minimum account balance required to trade.
  • Options trades are commission-free, but E*TRADE charges $0.65 per contract, so a single options order with 10 contracts costs $6.50.
  • Mutual funds sold by E*TRADE itself are commission-free, but mutual funds from other companies may charge transaction fees ranging from $49.95 to $99.95 per trade.
  • Margin accounts and certain retirement accounts have no per-trade fees, but margin accounts charge interest on borrowed money, which varies based on your loan balance and E*TRADE's current rates.
  • Inactive accounts and accounts with low balances do not trigger per-trade charges, but some account types charge monthly or annual maintenance fees if specific conditions are not met.

Options trades: $0.65 per contract, not per order

If you trade options, E*TRADE charges $0.65 for each contract you buy or sell. A single order to buy 5 call options costs $3.25. An order to sell 10 put contracts costs $6.50. The fee applies whether you are opening a position or closing one.

This is different from the stock commission structure. You are not paying per order — you are paying per contract within that order. A trader who buys 100 shares of a stock pays zero. A trader who buys one options contract pays $0.65.

Mutual funds: commission-free for E*TRADE funds, fees for others

E*TRADE's own mutual funds carry no transaction fee. If you buy or sell an E*TRADE fund, you pay nothing beyond the fund's internal expense ratio (the annual cost to hold the fund).

Mutual funds from other companies — Vanguard, Fidelity, American Funds, and others — may charge a transaction fee when you buy or sell them through E*TRADE. These fees typically range from $49.95 to $99.95 per trade, though some funds are available commission-free. E*TRADE publishes a list of commission-free mutual funds on their website, and you can check the fee for any specific fund before you trade.

Margin accounts and interest on borrowed money

Opening a margin account on E*TRADE does not add a monthly or annual fee. You can borrow money to buy securities without paying an account fee. However, you pay interest on the amount you borrow, and that interest rate changes based on how much you borrow and E*TRADE's current margin rates.

E*TRADE publishes its margin interest rates on their website, and rates typically range from around 8% to 13% annually, depending on your loan balance. If you borrow $10,000 at 10% annual interest, you pay roughly $100 per month in interest charges. This is separate from any per-trade commission — it is the cost of using borrowed money.

Retirement accounts and special account types

Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and SEP IRAs on E*TRADE have no per-trade commission for stocks and ETFs, just like standard brokerage accounts. Options trades still cost $0.65 per contract. Mutual fund transaction fees explore the same way.

Some retirement accounts charge an annual custodial fee if your account balance falls below a certain threshold or if you do not meet other conditions. E*TRADE waives many of these fees for accounts with balances above $25,000 or for customers who have other E*TRADE accounts. Check your specific account type and current balance to see whether a maintenance fee applies to you.

What happens with inactive accounts and low balances

E*TRADE does not charge you for inactivity or for having a small account balance. An account with $100 and no trades for a year incurs no per-trade fees and no inactivity fees. You can hold cash in your account indefinitely without paying to keep it open.

The only exception is certain retirement account types, which may charge an annual custodial or maintenance fee if your balance is very low. Standard brokerage accounts have no such fee regardless of balance.

Comparing E*TRADE's fees to other brokers

Most major brokers — Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and others — also charge zero commission for stocks and ETFs. Options pricing is similar across brokers, typically $0.65 to $1.00 per contract. Mutual fund transaction fees vary widely by broker and by fund.

The real difference between brokers usually comes down to research tools, customer service, account features, and margin interest rates rather than per-trade commissions. If you are comparing E*TRADE to another broker, look at the specific tools you plan to use and the types of trades you plan to make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay a fee if I buy and sell the same stock on the same day?

No. Day trading does not trigger additional fees on E*TRADE. You pay zero commission for the buy and zero for the sell. However, if your account balance is below $25,000, E*TRADE will flag your account as a pattern day trader and restrict your trading. This is a regulatory rule, not an E*TRADE fee, but it does limit when you can trade.

What if I want to transfer my stocks from another broker to E*TRADE?

E*TRADE does not charge you to receive a transfer. The other broker may charge an outgoing transfer fee (typically $25 to $75), but E*TRADE's side is free. Some brokers waive their transfer fee if you ask, so contact your current broker before you move.

Are there fees for closing a position or selling everything?

No. Selling stocks, ETFs, or options costs the same as buying them — zero commission for stocks and ETFs, $0.65 per options contract. There is no fee for closing your account or withdrawing your money.

Do I pay fees on dividends or interest my account earns?

No. Dividends paid to your account and interest earned on cash balances are not subject to per-trade fees. E*TRADE does not charge you to receive dividends or interest.

What if I use E*TRADE's robo-advisor service?

E*TRADE's automated investing service charges an advisory fee separate from per-trade commissions. The fee is typically 0.30% of your account balance annually, though it may be waived for accounts above a certain balance. This is not a per-trade fee — it is a flat annual cost for the service.