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M1 Finance vs TradeStation

M1 Finance is a commission-free investing app that allows you to choose your own investments. How does it compare to TradeStation? Read our comparison chart below.

M1 Finance offers automated investing with no commissions or trading fees. M1 lets you select your own investments and their automation will manage it for you. This is great for investors who want a say. The downside is that there are no human advisors. The minimum to start is just $100.

While TradeStation enables you to backtest, simulate, and automate strategies within its platform. It offers a wide range of investment options, $0 commission pricing for stocks, options, and futures, free trading simulator, and has no minimum funding requirements.

Compare M1 Finance with TradeStation, side-by-side.

 TradeStation
 Learn MoreVisit Site
 

M1 Finance

TradeStation

SPECIAL OFFER
Commission Free Stock Trading - Learn More

Read M1 Finance Review

SPECIAL OFFER
Invest and Earn $150 Bonus - Learn More

 

Benefits and Features

Stock Trading
$0
$0 commission
Options Trading
No
$0 Commission + $0.60 per contract
Annual FeeA $3 monthly platform fee will apply to clients with less than $10,000 in M1 assets or without an active M1 Personal Loan.
None
Cryptocurrency Trading
Yes
 
Minimum Deposit$100 ($500 for IRAs, $5,000 for Trust Account)
$0
Mutual Fund Trading
No
$14.95 per transaction
Commission Free ETFsAll U.S. listed ETFs
more than 2,000 ETFs
Phone SupportMonday - Friday 9:30 am to 4 pm EST800.822.0512 U.S. (toll-free) | 954.652.7900 U.S. (direct)
Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM ET
Live Chat Support
No
Yes (Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM ET)
Email Support
Yes
Yes (Sales@TradeStation.com)
Human Advisors
No
Yes
Robo Advisor 
No
Assets Under Management
$4.5 Billion
 
Penny Stocks 
Yes
Tax Loss HarvestingNo, but offers tax minimization features
No
Goal Tracker
No
No
Automatic Deposits
Yes
No
Broker Assisted Trades
Included
$25
Good ForDIY investing with passive portfolio management
Day Traders
Inactivity Fee$50 (for accounts with $50 or less and no trading or deposit activity for 90+ days)
$10/month
Maintenance Fee$3 monthly platform fee for accounts with less than $10,000 in M1 assets, or without an active M1 Personal Loan
$0
Online Platform
Yes
Yes
iPhone App
Yes (4.6 stars, 33.3k ratings)
Yes (4.5 stars, 17.3K ratings)
Android App
Yes (4.5 stars, 15.7k ratings)
Yes (4.4 stars, 5.98K ratings)
Banking 
No
Mobile App
Check
Yes
Desktop App 
Yes
Two-Factor Authentication
Yes
Auth0 Guardian app, SMS, or Google Authenticator app
Forex Trading Yes (not available in TradeStation US)
Futures Trading $1.50 per Standard contract per side and $0.50 per Micro contract per side
Bond Trading 
Yes
CFD Trading Yes (CFD trading is not permitted in the US.)
Currency Trading Yes (not available in TradeStation US)
Customer Service Phone: 800-822-0512 | 954-652-7900
Monday - Friday: 8AM - 5PM ET
Live Chat
Email: Sales@TradeStation.com
Locations
No
Online only
Online Community
No
Yes
Seminars
No
Yes
Trading Platform
Web Trading, Mobile Apps
Desktop, Web Trading, Mobile Apps, FuturesPlus
Virtual Trading
No
Yes
Fractional Shares
Yes
No
Taxable Accounts
Yes
Yes
401k Plans
No
No
IRA Accounts
Yes
Yes
Roth IRA Accounts
Yes
Yes
SEP IRA Accounts
Yes
Yes
Trust Accounts
Yes
Yes
529 Plans
No
No
 

CreditDonkey® Reviews

 TradeStation
Annual FeeStarStarStarStarStar
Minimum DepositStarStarStarStarStar
Mobile AppStarStarStarStarHalf Star
Customer ServiceStarStarStarHalf StarEmpty Star
Ease of UseStarStarStarStarHalf Star
ResearchStarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty Star
Pros & ConsPros:
  • Choose your own investments
  • Can invest in individual stocks
  • Morning and afternoon trade windows
Cons:
  • No research
  • No human advisors
  • Platform fee
Bottom LineCommission-free investing app that allows you to choose your own investments... Read full review
 Learn MoreVisit Site

Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details.

M1 Finance: Pricing information from published website as of 12/26/2023.

TradeStation

Invest and Earn $150 Bonus

Open a new account using promo code TSTVAGLK. Fund the account with new and qualifying assets of $5,000 or more. Maintain a balance of $5,000 or more in the account for 60 days.

TradeStation

Trade Futures in IRA for $0.65

Trade futures in your IRA account for a discounted rate of $0.65 per contract per side. Use promo code 0035AEZP to get special offer. Terms and conditions apply.

Still need help deciding which investing is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing M1 Finance or Robinhood.


Articles on M1 Finance

M1 Finance

Is M1 Finance legitimate and safe? Find out the pros, cons, fees, and more. An essential read for beginners interested in M1 Finance.

Best M1 Finance Pie

M1 Finance is a commission-free investment app offering ready-made portfolios that are made up of "pies." What's the best M1 Finance Pie? Find out.

M1 Finance Alternatives

M1 Finance is a popular app for commission-free investing. But is there a better option for you? Find out in this detailed guide to M1 Finance alternatives.

Which Do You Think is Best?





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