ZT
4

654 reviews

Zacks Trade Review

Best Research Tools

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

$0.01/share
Stock Commissions
$2,500
Account Minimum
Yes
DRIP
Included
Zacks Premium Research

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
  • International trading in 90+ countries
  • Dedicated customer support with live brokers
  • No payment for order flow—better execution

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
  • Mobile app less polished than competitors
  • Options commissions add up ($0.75/contract)
  • No fractional shares available
  • Not ideal for buy-and-hold passive investors

The Zacks Research Advantage

Zacks Trade's biggest differentiator is free access to Zacks Premium Research—normally a $249/year subscription. This includes the famous Zacks Rank system.

Zacks Rank rates stocks 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell) based on earnings estimate revisions. Historically, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have outperformed the S&P 500.

You also get detailed research reports, stock screeners, earnings calendars, and analyst recommendations—research tools that rival Bloomberg terminals.

Commission Structure

Unlike most modern brokers, Zacks Trade charges commissions: $0.01 per share with a $1 minimum per trade.

For large trades, this is actually competitive. Buying 1,000 shares costs $10—similar to what commission-free brokers make through payment for order flow.

However, for small trades, the $1 minimum is relatively expensive. Buying 10 shares of a $50 stock costs $1 in commissions—a 0.2% drag.

  • $0.01 per share
  • $1 minimum per trade
  • No payment for order flow
  • Potentially better execution
  • $0.75 per options contract

Best For Active Investors

Zacks Trade is designed for active investors who value research and are comfortable paying small commissions for better tools.

The platform excels for stock picking—use Zacks Rank to find opportunities, then execute with confidence knowing there's no PFOF.

Buy-and-hold passive investors are better served by commission-free brokers like Fidelity or Schwab.

DRIP and Dividend Investing

DRIP is available for automatic dividend reinvestment—a plus for dividend investors building long-term positions.

However, the lack of fractional shares means DRIP may not reinvest small dividend payments efficiently.

Dividend screeners are included in Zacks Premium, helping you find high-quality dividend stocks using their research methodology.

International Trading

Zacks Trade offers trading in 90+ countries—unusual for US-based brokers. Access international stocks directly without ADRs.

This is valuable for globally diversified dividend portfolios, though international trading has additional fees.

Few competitors offer this level of international market access.

Account Requirements

The $2,500 account minimum is a barrier for new investors. You must fund this amount to open an account.

Margin accounts require higher minimums. Pattern day traders need $25,000 (SEC requirement).

If you don't have $2,500 to start, consider Fidelity (no minimum) or other zero-minimum brokers.

Fees & Costs

Transparent breakdown of all fees you might encounter.

Fee TypeCost
Stock Commissions$0.01/share ($1 min)
Options$0.75/contract + $1 base
Account Minimum$2,500
Zacks Premium ResearchFree ($249 value)
DRIPAvailable
International TradesVaries by market
Margin Rate6.83% and up
Inactivity Fee$0

Who Zacks Trade Is Best For

Research-Focused Investors

Zacks Premium tools help you find quality stocks based on earnings momentum.

Active Stock Pickers

Low per-share costs and great research for frequent traders with larger accounts.

International Investors

Direct access to 90+ international markets for global diversification.

The Bottom Line

Zacks Trade is a solid choice for active investors who value research over rock-bottom costs. The free Zacks Premium subscription alone is worth $249/year, and the research tools are genuinely excellent for stock picking. However, the per-trade commissions, $2,500 minimum, and lack of fractional shares make it poorly suited for beginners or passive investors. For dividend investors specifically, the included research helps find quality dividend stocks, but Fidelity offers comparable research tools with no commissions or minimums.

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Affiliate Disclosure

DividendScope may earn a commission if you open an account through our links. This doesn't affect our editorial independence—we only recommend platforms we've personally tested and believe are excellent for dividend investors.