Platform Comparison

M1 Finance vs Zacks Trade

Compare M1 Finance and Zacks Trade on fees, DRIP, fractional shares and research for dividend investing.

Higher Rated
M1

M1 Finance

★4.7

The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it platform with pie-based portfolios, automatic rebalancing, and free dividend reinvestment.

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

M1 Finance vs Zacks Trade: Fees, Minimums & DRIP Compared

FeatureM1 FinanceZacks Trade
Our Rating4.7/54/5
Trading Commissions$0$0.01/share
Account Minimum$100$2,500
Fractional SharesYesN/A
DRIPFree + SmartYes
Research ToolsBasicGood
Best ForHands-Off Dividend InvestorsResearch-Focused Investors

M1 Finance vs Zacks Trade: Pros and Cons

M1 Finance

Pros

  • + Commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs
  • + Unique pie-based portfolio system for easy allocation management
  • + Dynamic rebalancing automatically invests new deposits into underweight positions
  • + Fractional shares let you invest any dollar amount
  • + Three dividend reinvestment options including true DRIP

Cons

  • - Limited trading window (9:30 AM EST only, 3 PM with premium)
  • - $3/month platform fee if account balance under $10,000
  • - No options, mutual funds, bonds, or forex trading
  • - Customer service limited to weekday market hours only

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: M1 Finance or Zacks Trade?

Choose M1 Finance if you...

  • Are in M1 Finance's core audience: hands-off 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 M1 Finance review and Zacks Trade review.

Compare Other Platforms

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

M1 Finance vs FidelityM1 Finance vs Charles SchwabM1 Finance vs TD AmeritradeZacks Trade vs FidelityZacks Trade vs Charles SchwabZacks Trade vs TD Ameritrade
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.