Platform Comparison

E*TRADE vs Zacks Trade

Compare E*TRADE and Zacks Trade 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
ZT

Zacks Trade

★4

A research-focused brokerage with the famous Zacks Rank system and professional-grade tools—but commissions and minimums make it best for active investors.

Full Review

E*TRADE vs Zacks Trade: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureE*TRADEZacks Trade
Our Rating4.6/54/5
Trading Commissions$0$0.01/share
Account Minimum$0$2,500
Fractional SharesYes (phased rollout)N/A
DRIPFreeYes
Research ToolsExcellentGood
Best ForResearch-Driven Dividend InvestorsResearch-Focused Investors

E*TRADE vs Zacks Trade: 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

Zacks Trade

Pros

  • + Zacks Premium Research ($249/year value) included free
  • + Proprietary Zacks Rank stock rating system
  • + Very low per-share commissions ($0.01/share, $1 min)
  • + Professional research tools and screeners
  • + DRIP available for dividend reinvestment

Cons

  • - NOT commission-free—$0.01/share ($1 minimum per trade)
  • - $2,500 account minimum to open
  • - Higher costs for small, frequent trades
  • - Platform can be complex for beginners

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

Choose E*TRADE if you...

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

Choose Zacks Trade if you...

  • Are in Zacks Trade's core audience: research-focused investors
  • Need automatic dividend reinvestment

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

Compare Other Platforms

Not sure these are the right fit? Explore more comparisons.

E*TRADE vs FidelityE*TRADE vs Charles SchwabE*TRADE vs M1 FinanceZacks Trade vs FidelityZacks Trade vs Charles SchwabZacks Trade vs M1 Finance
View All Platforms

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.