E*TRADE charges different fees depending on what you do with your account

E*TRADE does not charge a monthly account maintenance fee or inactivity fee. You will not pay to open an account or to hold cash in it. However, E*TRADE does charge fees for specific transactions and services. The fees you pay depend on which account type you use, what you trade, and whether you use certain premium features.

Most common stock and ETF trades through E*TRADE's standard platform cost nothing. Options trades, mutual fund purchases, and wire transfers each have their own fee structures. Some fees explore to everyone; others explore only if you choose a particular service or account tier.

Key Takeaways

  • Stock and ETF trades on E*TRADE's standard platform have no commission, but options trades cost $0.65 per contract.
  • Mutual funds purchased through E*TRADE may carry transaction fees ranging from $0 to $49.95 depending on the fund, even if the fund itself has no expense ratio.
  • Outgoing wire transfers cost $25; incoming domestic wires are free, but international incoming wires cost $15.
  • E*TRADE charges $10 per month for margin accounts and $0 per month for cash accounts, though margin accounts require a minimum balance.
  • Certain advisory services, retirement account custodial fees, and paper statement fees add costs only if you use those specific features.

Trading commissions: stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds

Stock and ETF trades cost $0 in commissions on E*TRADE's web platform and mobile app. This applies to both buying and selling. You pay no commission whether you trade one share or one thousand shares, and whether you place a market order or a limit order.

Options trades cost $0.65 per contract, regardless of whether you are buying or selling. A single options order that involves multiple contracts will charge $0.65 for each contract. For example, if you buy 10 options contracts in one order, you pay $6.50 total.

Mutual funds are more complex. E*TRADE offers some mutual funds with no transaction fee, but many funds carry a transaction fee of $49.95 or less. The fee depends on which fund you buy. E*TRADE publishes a list of no-transaction-fee mutual funds, but funds not on that list may still have a fee. Before you buy a mutual fund through E*TRADE, the platform will show you the transaction fee for that specific fund.

Account fees and account types

E*TRADE offers two main account structures: cash accounts and margin accounts. A cash account has no monthly fee. A margin account costs $10 per month, though E*TRADE waives this fee if your account balance reaches $25,000 or higher in a calendar month.

Margin accounts allow you to borrow money from E*TRADE to buy securities. The $10 monthly fee is separate from the interest you pay on borrowed funds. Interest rates on margin loans vary based on the amount you borrow and current market rates.

Retirement accounts (IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and others) have no annual custodial fee at E*TRADE. However, if you hold certain investments within a retirement account—such as mutual funds with transaction fees or options—those transaction fees still explore.

Wire transfer and withdrawal fees

Outgoing domestic wire transfers cost $25 per transfer. Incoming domestic wire transfers are free. International incoming wire transfers cost $15; international outgoing wires cost $25.

ACH transfers (electronic transfers to and from your bank account) are free in both directions. Check withdrawals are free if you order them through E*TRADE's system. Expedited delivery of checks may carry an additional fee depending on the service level you choose.

Premium features and advisory services

E*TRADE offers advisory services at different price points. Portfolio review services and educational consultations may carry fees depending on the service. E*TRADE also offers managed portfolios and robo-advisor services that charge a percentage of assets under management, typically ranging from 0.30% to 0.50% annually, though this varies by service tier.

If you request paper statements instead of electronic statements, E*TRADE charges $2.00 per statement. This fee applies only if you opt out of electronic delivery.

Fees you will not pay at E*TRADE

E*TRADE does not charge a monthly account maintenance fee for standard brokerage accounts. There is no inactivity fee if you do not trade for a period of time. You do not pay a fee to close an account. Dividend reinvestment is free, and you do not pay a fee to transfer securities into your E*TRADE account from another brokerage.

Transferring securities out of E*TRADE to another brokerage may involve an outgoing transfer fee charged by the receiving brokerage, but E*TRADE itself does not charge a fee for this. Some brokerages charge $0 to receive a transfer; others charge up to $75. That fee comes from the receiving brokerage, not from E*TRADE.

How E*TRADE fees compare to other brokerages

Most major brokerages (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade) also offer commission-free stock and ETF trading. Options commissions are similar across platforms, typically ranging from $0.50 to $0.75 per contract. Mutual fund fees vary widely by brokerage and by fund; some brokerages offer more no-transaction-fee funds than others.

Wire transfer fees are fairly standard across brokerages at $25 for outgoing domestic wires. Margin account fees vary: some brokerages charge monthly fees similar to E*TRADE's $10, while others charge only interest on borrowed funds with no separate monthly fee. If you plan to use margin, comparing the monthly fee structure across brokerages can make a difference over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does E*TRADE charge a fee just to have an account open?

No. E*TRADE does not charge a monthly account maintenance fee, an inactivity fee, or a fee to open an account. You only pay fees when you perform specific transactions, such as trading options, buying certain mutual funds, or sending a wire transfer.

What happens if I don't have $25,000 in my margin account?

If your margin account balance falls below $25,000 in a calendar month, E*TRADE charges $10 that month. The fee is waived only if your balance reaches $25,000 or higher at some point during the calendar month. Interest on borrowed funds is separate and applies regardless of your balance.

Do I pay fees on dividends or when stocks split?

No. Dividend reinvestment is free, and stock splits do not trigger any fees. You only pay fees on transactions you initiate, such as buying or selling securities, or on services you request, such as wire transfers or paper statements.

Are there hidden fees I should know about?

E*TRADE discloses all standard fees upfront. Before you buy a mutual fund, the platform shows the transaction fee. Before you place an options trade, the per-contract fee is visible. Wire transfer fees and account fees are listed in E*TRADE's fee schedule. The main variable cost is margin interest, which depends on how much you borrow and current rates.

What if I transfer my account to another brokerage?

E*TRADE does not charge a fee to transfer securities out. However, the receiving brokerage may charge an incoming transfer fee, typically $0 to $75. That fee comes from the other brokerage, not from E*TRADE. You should ask the receiving brokerage about their transfer fee before you initiate the move.