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TradeStation vs M1 Finance

TradeStation vs M1 Finance Comparison Table 2024
TradeStation M1 Finance
Review
3.5
Review
3.9

TradeStation is a popular, SEC-regulated broker offering stock, CFD and futures trading through powerful proprietary trading platforms. Available assets vary by region, with CFD trading available on the global branch. The US-based broker has different pricing methods split to cater for active day traders, or longer term stock holders.

M1 Finance is a US brokerage that allows users to build a customizable investment portfolio from a range of 6000+ stocks and shares, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. The innovative 'pie' based portfolio management system allows traders to build several portfolios with different aims, and the brokerage supports machine-learning tools that can provide automated portfolio management.

Bonus Offer
M1 Finance Plus free for 3 months on new accounts
Comment by Reviewer
"TradeStation is a secure, tried-and-tested broker for stock traders who want a powerful, flexible platform. The $500 minimum deposit makes this broker a better fit for experienced traders." "M1 Finance remains a great choice for US investors who want a straightforward, commission-free way to invest in stocks and crypto. The intuitive dashboard, customizable portfolios and fractional shares should appeal to all experience levels and investing goals. "
Pros
  • Reputable brand with oversight from top US regulators
  • Powerful trading platform with desktop, webtrader and mobile app
  • Support for third-party platform add-ons
  • Fast and responsive customer service
  • Quick, straightforward account setup
  • Competitive commissions on US stocks
  • Thanks to additional extras like a bank account and loan service, M1 Finance continues to offer a one-stop shop for investors
  • The broker offers commission-free stocks with low fees, plus fractional shares, making it a great choice for beginners
  • The broker delivers a clean and easy-to-use dashboard that illustrates the current composition of your portfolio
  • The firm offers a straightforward proprietary platform with intuitive portfolio management tools
  • Multiple portfolios can be facilitated, with up to five accounts under the same login
  • Customizable 'pies' allow investors to curate their own ETFs
  • The range of 6000+ stocks and ETFs is highly competitive
  • Bitcoin trading is available through M1 Crypto
Cons
  • Limited ETF options with no commission-free ETFs
  • Expensive subscription fees for many add-ons
  • Pricing disadvantages less active traders
  • Limited free data and in-depth research
  • Despite offering stocks and ETFs, M1 Finance doesn’t provide trading on mutual funds or options
  • Unlike competitors such as Betterment, M1 does not employ any human financial advisors
  • M1 Finance is only available in the US – eToro is a top alternative for the UK market
  • Accounts with less than $20 and no trading activity for 90 days are charged a fee
  • The way trades are placed puts transaction timing out of your control
  • You cannot consolidate external accounts for planning purposes
  • There are no stop-limit or stop-loss orders
Awards
  • Best Roth IRA Accounts - 2020
Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Futures, Commodities Stocks, ETFs, OTC stocks
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$500 $100
Trading Platforms
  • MT4
  • Own
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
Min lot size will vary $1
Regulator
SEC SEC, FINRA
Margin Trading
No Yes
Margin Rate
3.5 - 5%
STP Account
No No
ECN Account
No No
DMA Account
Yes No
MAM Account
No No
PAMM Account
No No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No Yes
Robo Advisor
No Yes
Negative Balance Protection
No No
Market Maker
No No
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Mobile Apps
iOS, Android and Windows Yes
Auto Trading
Yes
Copy Trading
No No
Social Trading
No No
VPS Hosting
No No
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
No Yes
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
$20
Islamic Account
No No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • CHF
  • USD
Stock Exchanges
Commodities
CFD Trading
Trade CFDs on popular asset classes, including forex and stocks. FX CFD commissions are competitive at 0.6 basis points while for shares it's a minimum of $3 per order. CFD trading not offered
Leverage
1:20
FTSE Spread
N/A
GBPUSD Spread
N/A
Oil Spread
0.06 pips
Stocks Spread
0.2% Var $0
Forex Trading
Speculate on 26 currencies including majors. Top-tier liquidity is available from 17 of the biggest forex dealing banks, alongside dynamic order management and low commissions. Forex trading not offered
GBPUSD Spread
Variable
EURUSD Spread
Variable
EURGBP Spread
Variable
Assets
26
Cryptocurrency
Crypto trading not offered M1 Finance users can open a crypto account to invest in 10 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano and Solana. You can also invest in six crypto-related funds and ETFs, which are a good way to get broader exposure to the digital currency market.
Spread
Variable
Coins
  • BTC
  • ADA
  • AVE
  • ETH
  • LINK
  • ALDO
  • BAT
  • ATOM
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
Yes No
Auto Market Maker
No No
Review
Review
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