| Feature | eToro | TradeZero |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Type | Social trading platform | Direct-access trading platform |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Commodities, Indices | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Cryptocurrencies (varies by region) |
| Regulation | Regulated by FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (AU), FINRA (USA) (for eToro USA) | Regulated by FINRA and SEC (USA) |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 - $200 (varies by region) | $0 for accounts, higher minimums for margin accounts |
| Commission Structure | Commission-free for stocks (spread-based), fees for Forex and CFDs | Commission-based for stocks, options, and ETFs |
| Spreads | Variable spreads | Tight spreads (market-dependent) |
| Leverage/Margin | Up to 1:30 for retail clients (higher for professional clients, depending on jurisdiction) | Up to 1:6 leverage for day trading (Pattern Day Trader rules apply) |
| Account Types | Retail, Professional | Cash, Margin, IRA accounts |
| Trading Tools | Social trading tools, CopyTrader, eToro Academy | Advanced charting, Level 2 data, hotkeys, short locates |
| Platforms | Web-based platform, Mobile app | ZeroPro (advanced desktop), ZeroWeb (web), ZeroFree (mobile and web) |
| Charting Features | Basic charting tools, Indicators available | Advanced charting tools, Level 2 market data |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop-Loss, Trailing Stop | Market, Limit, Stop, Stop-Limit, Bracket Orders |
| Short Selling | Available for some CFDs | Extensive short selling options with locate tools |
| Research and Education | Market analysis, News feed, Community forums | Educational webinars, Tutorials, News updates |
| Customer Support | 24/5 live chat, Email support | 24/7 live chat, Email, Phone support |
| Demo Account | Yes, with $100,000 virtual balance | Yes, with access to real-time data |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly, Intuitive interface | Advanced tools for experienced traders |
| Mobile App | Available, User-friendly | Available, Feature-rich |
| Social Trading | Yes, CopyTrader and CopyPortfolio | No |
| Deposits and Withdrawals | Bank transfer, Credit/Debit cards, PayPal, Skrill | Bank transfer, ACH, Wire, Credit/Debit cards |
| Fees on Deposits | Free | Free for most deposit methods |
| Withdrawal Fees | $5 per withdrawal | Varies based on withdrawal method |
| Security | SSL encryption, Two-factor authentication (2FA) | SSL encryption, Two-factor authentication (2FA) |
| Geographic Availability | Available globally in many regions (restrictions apply) | Limited to the US, Canada, and some international markets |
| Notable Feature | Social and copy trading | Advanced tools for day traders, short locates |
| Supported Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more | Primarily USD, with limited multi-currency support |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, available for stocks and ETFs | No, trades must be in whole shares |
| Crypto Wallet | eToro Money Wallet, allows withdrawals to private wallets | No native wallet, crypto trading is limited |
| API Access | No direct API for retail traders | Yes, API access for advanced users |
| Algo/Automated Trading | Supported through copy trading and third-party integrations | Supported with API and advanced tools |
| Tax Reporting | Automated tax reports, Realized profit/loss statements | Tax reporting tools provided for U.S. traders |
| Interest on Idle Funds | Not available | No interest on idle cash |
| Short Locate Fees | Not applicable (limited short-selling options) | Competitive fees for short locates |
| Overnight Fees | Applicable to leveraged positions and CFDs | Applicable to margin positions |
| Currency Conversion Fees | Charged for non-USD deposits/withdrawals | Varies depending on method used |
| Hotkey Trading | Not available | Fully supported in desktop platform |
| Trade Execution Speed | Optimized for retail trading | Ultra-fast execution, designed for active traders |
| Extended Hours Trading | Not available | Pre-market and after-hours trading supported |
| Advanced Order Routing | Not supported | Yes, with direct market access (DMA) |
| VIP/Pro Accounts | Available with lower spreads, dedicated account manager | Advanced accounts for high-frequency traders |
| Customizable Layouts | Limited customization | Fully customizable trading layouts |
| Integrated News Feed | Yes, in-platform news and insights | Yes, real-time news integrated with platform |
| Alerts and Notifications | Price alerts, Notifications on mobile app | Fully customizable alerts, Desktop and mobile |
| Trading Community | Strong social trading community, Discussions in the platform | Limited, Focus on trading efficiency over community |
| IPO Access | No | Yes, IPO access for select users |
| Negative Balance Protection | Yes, protects users from losing more than deposited funds | Not guaranteed for all accounts |
| Hedging Options | Supported for CFDs | Not explicitly supported |
| Risk Management Tools | Take profit, Stop-loss, Trailing stop | Bracket orders, Conditional orders |
| Desktop Application | No dedicated desktop app, browser-based only | Yes, advanced ZeroPro platform |
| Number of Listed Assets | Over 3,000 assets globally | Over 100,000 tradable symbols |
| Partner Programs | Affiliate and Popular Investor programs | Affiliate program only |
| Trading Cost Transparency | Clear cost breakdown for spreads and fees | Transparent commission and fee structure |
| Platform Updates | Regular updates with user-focused improvements | Regular updates tailored for active traders |
| Insurance Coverage | Coverage varies by regulatory jurisdiction | SIPC insurance for U.S. accounts |
| Global Offices | Offices in the UK, Cyprus, Australia, and the US | Offices in the US, with a focus on North American markets |
| Cash Management Tools | No | Not available |
| Educational Resources | In-depth guides, Webinars, Blog posts, Community discussions | Video tutorials, Webinars, and Live support for platform use |
| Dividend Reinvestment | Not available | No, manual reinvestment required |
| Referral Programs | Yes, referral bonuses for inviting friends | Yes, referral bonuses for new accounts |
| Platform Accessibility | Browser, Mobile app (iOS and Android) | Desktop app, Mobile app, Web-based trading |
| Payment Processing Time | 1–8 business days depending on payment method | 1–5 business days for deposits/withdrawals |
| Watchlist Features | Fully customizable, Real-time updates | Advanced watchlists with Level 2 data |
| Trading Contests | Occasionally held for users | Not available |
| Integration with Third-party Tools | Limited, Works with some external tools for analysis | Full API support for third-party integrations |
| Account Deactivation Fees | Inactivity fee of $10/month after 12 months | No account deactivation or inactivity fees |
| Portfolio Diversification | Prebuilt portfolios (CopyPortfolio) | Manual diversification only |
| Technical Indicators | Over 60 indicators available | Extensive range of indicators and studies |
| Chart Timeframes | Multiple timeframes from 1 minute to 1 month | Timeframes from 1 second to 1 month |
| Scalping Allowed | No (forbidden under terms of service) | Yes, designed for scalping strategies |
| Trading Simulator | Demo account with virtual funds | Demo account with real-time data |
| Recurring Investments | Not available | No recurring investment tools |
| Asset Filtering | Filters for sectors, market caps, volatility | Advanced filtering for stock locates and margin availability |
| Market Depth | Limited | Full market depth with Level 2 data |
| Trading Analytics | Simple analytics for user performance | Detailed trading analytics and reports |
| News Aggregators | Integrated platform news feed | Access to news from multiple sources |
| Corporate Actions | Reflected in CFDs and stocks | Reflected in stocks and options |
| OTC Trading | Not available | Available for qualified accounts |
| Mobile Notifications | Price alerts, Social updates, CopyTrader notifications | Fully customizable trade alerts |
| Advanced Trading Strategies | Limited to social trading and manual inputs | Advanced strategies using hotkeys and API |
| Margin Call Alerts | Notifications when approaching margin call thresholds | Real-time margin alerts |
| Customization of Interface | Limited customization of charts and layout | Fully customizable layouts in desktop apps |
| Access to Penny Stocks | Limited to major exchanges | Full access to OTC and penny stocks |
| Order Execution Types | Market maker model (may involve order delays) | Direct market access (fast execution) |
| Trading Community Features | Copy trading and commenting on trades | No trading community feature |
| Risk Disclosure Tools | Basic risk scores for portfolios | Detailed risk metrics and margin tracking |
| International Market Access | Extensive global coverage (e.g., US, EU, AU) | Primarily US-focused markets |
| Mobile App Functionality | User-friendly, Ideal for beginners | Advanced features for experienced traders |
| Trading Bot Support | Limited, Works with third-party bots | Fully supported through API integration |
| Account Tier Levels | Tiers with benefits like VIP services and lower spreads | No formal tier levels but customized tools for high-frequency traders |
eToro is a beginner-friendly platform with social trading features and diverse assets, while TradeZero caters to experienced traders with advanced tools, short-selling options, and fast execution. Both serve distinct trading needs effectively.