Platform Comparison

E*TRADE vs SoFi Invest

Compare E*TRADE and SoFi Invest 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
SF

SoFi Invest

★4.3

A modern all-in-one financial platform combining commission-free investing with banking, loans, and complimentary access to financial advisors.

Full Review

E*TRADE vs SoFi Invest: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureE*TRADESoFi Invest
Our Rating4.6/54.3/5
Trading Commissions$0$0
Account Minimum$0$0
Fractional SharesYes (phased rollout)Yes
DRIPFreeFree
Research ToolsExcellentBasic
Best ForResearch-Driven Dividend InvestorsBeginners

E*TRADE vs SoFi Invest: 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

SoFi Invest

Pros

  • + Commission-free trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
  • + No account minimum; fractional shares from $5
  • + Free access to certified financial advisors for 30-minute consultations
  • + Automated investing (robo-advisor) at just 0.25% annual fee
  • + Banking, investing, loans, and insurance under one roof

Cons

  • - Basic trading platform lacks advanced screeners and charting
  • - No tax-loss harvesting (unlike competitors like Betterment)
  • - Limited portfolio customization in robo-advisor
  • - No mutual funds or bonds in active investing

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

Choose E*TRADE if you...

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

Choose SoFi Invest if you...

  • Are in SoFi Invest's core audience: beginners

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