Compare E*TRADE and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.
Updated August 1, 2026
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing both offer $0 commissions and free dividend reinvestment, but they attract different investors. E*TRADE (4.6/5) is a research and education powerhouse with a massive mutual fund selection. J.P. Morgan (4.3/5) is a convenience platform for Chase customers who want banking and investing in one app.
For dividend investors, the fractional share difference matters most: J.P. Morgan lets you buy fractional shares directly, while E*TRADE only issues them through dividend reinvestment. But E*TRADE’s screeners, research, and educational content are in a different league than J.P. Morgan’s limited tools.
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.
Chase bank's self-directed investing platform with seamless banking integration, commission-free trading, and access to J.P. Morgan research.
| Feature | E*TRADE | J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Trading Commissions | $0 | $0 |
| Account Minimum | $0 | $0 |
| Fractional Shares | Yes (phased rollout) | Yes |
| DRIP | Free | Free |
| Research Tools | Excellent | Good |
| Best For | Research-Driven Dividend Investors | Chase Bank Customers |
Want the full breakdown of fees, DRIP, and research tools? Read our E*TRADE review and J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing review.
E*TRADE for most dividend investors — the research tools, screeners, and fund selection support serious long-term portfolio building in a way J.P. Morgan’s basic platform doesn’t. Choose J.P. Morgan if you’re a Chase customer who values app integration, or if buying fractional shares directly (rather than only through DRIP) is important to how you invest.
E*TRADE is stronger for research-driven investors: better screeners, more educational content, and a huge no-fee mutual fund list. J.P. Morgan wins on Chase integration and direct fractional share purchases. Both offer $0 commissions and free DRIP with fractional reinvestment.
J.P. Morgan allows direct fractional share purchases; E*TRADE only provides fractional shares through its dividend reinvestment program. If you want to invest exact dollar amounts into individual stocks, J.P. Morgan has the edge.
Both charge $0 for online stock and ETF trades and $0.65 per options contract with no minimums. E*TRADE charges $6.95 for OTC stocks and $75 for account transfers out; J.P. Morgan charges $25 for non-Chase wires and pays just 0.01% on idle cash.
Yes, both platforms offer free dividend reinvestment with fractional share support, and both let you enable it per security.
Not sure these are the right fit? Explore more comparisons.
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.