Software · head to head
E*TRADE vs Cash App
The short version
- Only Cash App has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: E*TRADE stock and ETF trades were $0 commission but options carried a $0.65 per-contract fee, broker-assisted trades added a $25 surcharge, and margin interest rates ranged from 12.70% to 13.20% depending on balance tier (Internet Archive capture, 3 January 2023); Cash App the App Store listing states free ATM withdrawals and up to 200 dollars in free overdraft coverage on the Cash App Card are only available once a user qualifies for Green status, not to all users by default.
- They diverge on capability: E*TRADE covers Advanced trading tools, Cash App covers Money transfers.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which E*TRADE and Cash App actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in E*TRADE
- Advanced trading tools
- Options and futures
- Research tools
- Mobile trading
- Wire transfers
- Web support
Only in Cash App
- Money transfers
- Direct deposit
- Bitcoin trading
- Stock investing
- Cash Card
Both cover
- Bank accounts
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
E*TRADE
- Budget Management
- Expense Tracking
- Investment Tracking
Cash App
- Budget Management
- Expense Tracking
- Investment Tracking
Both are used for budget management, expense tracking, investment tracking, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
E*TRADE
- Stock and ETF trades were $0 commission but options carried a $0.65 per-contract fee, broker-assisted trades added a $25 surcharge, and margin interest rates ranged from 12.70% to 13.20% depending on balance tier (Internet Archive capture, 3 January 2023)
Cash App
- The App Store listing states free ATM withdrawals and up to 200 dollars in free overdraft coverage on the Cash App Card are only available once a user qualifies for Green status, not to all users by default.
Pricing, plan by plan
E*TRADE
On request- Stock & ETF TradingFree
- Commission-free trades
- Real-time quotes
- Advanced Trading$undefined/month
- All Stock & ETF features
- Options, futures
- Advanced tools
Cash App
Free- FreeFree
- Money transfers
- Direct deposit
- Mobile app
- Cash App Investing$undefined/month
- Stock trading
- Bitcoin trading
Which should you pick?
Choose E*TRADE if
- You need advanced trading tools.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want options and futures.
Choose Cash App if
- You need money transfers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on IOS, Android.
- You also want direct deposit.
Questions people ask
- Is E*TRADE or Cash App better?
- Neither clearly leads. E*TRADE starts at On request and Cash App at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, E*TRADE or Cash App?
- Cash App has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for E*TRADE and Free for Cash App.
- Does E*TRADE or Cash App run on more platforms?
- E*TRADE runs on Web, IOS, Android. Cash App runs on IOS, Android.
- Can I use Cash App for free?
- Yes. Cash App has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. E*TRADE starts at On request.
- What is E*TRADE best used for?
- E*TRADE is most often used for budget management, expense tracking, investment tracking.
- What can E*TRADE do that Cash App cannot?
- E*TRADE covers Advanced trading tools, Options and futures, Research tools, Mobile trading. Cash App covers Money transfers, Direct deposit, Bitcoin trading, Stock investing. Both handle Bank accounts, IOS support, Android support.