Platform Comparison

Ellevest vs E*TRADE

Compare Ellevest and E*TRADE on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

Ellevest

★3

Ellevest discontinued its robo-advisor service in February 2025—existing accounts were transferred to Betterment. Private wealth management continues for $500K+ clients.

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Higher Rated

E*TRADE

★4.6

Morgan Stanley's full-service brokerage pairs $0 commissions and free dividend reinvestment with institutional-grade research—and in 2026 it finally added direct fractional shares and crypto trading.

Full Review

Ellevest vs E*TRADE: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

Feature	Ellevest	E*TRADE
Our Rating	3/5	4.6/5
Trading Commissions	N/A	$0
Account Minimum	N/A	$0
Fractional Shares	N/A	Yes (phased rollout)
DRIP	N/A	Free
Research Tools	Automated	Excellent
Best For	High-Net-Worth Women	Research-Driven Dividend Investors

Ellevest vs E*TRADE: Pros and Cons

Ellevest

Pros

+ Private wealth management still available ($500K+ minimum)
+ Existing robo clients transitioned to Betterment (solid alternative)
+ Betterment offers similar features with good reputation
+ Historical focus on women's financial needs was innovative
+ Career coaching services continue separately

Cons

- Robo-advisor service discontinued February 2025
- Regular investors can no longer open new accounts
- $500K minimum for remaining wealth management services
- Transition to Betterment may not suit all former clients

E*TRADE

Pros

+ Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
+ Free dividend reinvestment (DRIP) with fractional shares, enrollable per security
+ Industry-leading research from Morgan Stanley, Morningstar, and MarketEdge
+ Direct fractional-share purchases now rolling out (started Q2 2026)
+ Crypto trading live at a 0.50% fee—cheaper than Coinbase, Schwab, and Fidelity

Cons

- Fractional-share purchases are still in a phased rollout—not every stock is eligible yet
- No dollar-based orders yet; fractional buys are share-quantity only
- Low interest rate on uninvested cash
- Website navigation can be confusing

Which Is Better for Dividend Investors: Ellevest or E*TRADE?

Choose Ellevest if you...

Are in Ellevest's core audience: high-net-worth women

Choose E*TRADE if you...

Are in E*TRADE's core audience: research-driven dividend investors
Prefer a higher-rated overall platform

Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our Ellevest review and E*TRADE review.

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Investment Disclaimer

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.