Platform Comparison

E*TRADE vs Invstr

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

Higher Rated
ET

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
IV

Invstr

★3.8

Practice investing with $1M in virtual money, learn through gamified courses, then graduate to real trading—the complete beginner-to-investor journey.

Full Review

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

FeatureE*TRADEInvstr
Our Rating4.6/53.8/5
Trading Commissions$0N/A
Account Minimum$0N/A
Fractional SharesYes (phased rollout)N/A
DRIPFreeN/A
Research ToolsExcellentBasic
Best ForResearch-Driven Dividend InvestorsAbsolute Beginners

E*TRADE vs Invstr: Pros and Cons

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

Invstr

Pros

  • + Free investing course with 85 lessons and certificate
  • + Fantasy Finance: Practice with $1M virtual money
  • + Compete in fantasy leagues and win real prizes
  • + Commission-free real stock and crypto trading
  • + Fractional shares starting at $5

Cons

  • - Real trading has minimum fees ($2.99 full shares, $0.99 fractional)
  • - $5 registration fee for real trading through DriveWealth
  • - Very limited research tools for experienced investors
  • - No mutual funds, bonds, forex, or OTC trading

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

Choose E*TRADE if you...

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

Choose Invstr if you...

  • Are in Invstr's core audience: absolute beginners

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